student asking question

As a verb, what's the difference between "want" and "wish"? Are they always interchangeable?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"Want" is a more general verb and can be used to refer to things within your control. Ex: I want to eat pizza for dinner. Ex: I want to study art in college. Meanwhile, "wish" is used to refer to more unattainable things, or in the case of this video, to send well-wishes or greetings to another person. Ex: I wish I could win the lottery. Ex: I wish you a happy marriage.

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