The modal verb wollen

The modal verb wollen is mainly used to express a wish, a will, an intention to do something.

Notes on wollen - möchte

Like wollen, the modal verb mögen in the Konjunktiv II (möchte) expresses a wish, but only in the present time.

However, when we want to express a wish that refers to the past, we can only use the modal verb wollen.

Wollen also expresses a wish; but it is a stronger, more intense and less polite wish than the one expressed with möchte.

wollen as a full verb

wollen can also be used as a full verb. In this case, it is either

a. combined with a dass-clause, retaining the meaning of will, wish or intension.

The subject of wollen is not the subject of the dass-clause, 

except when the verb of the dass-clause is in the passive voice (example: Ich will, dass ich respektiert werde).

b. combined with an accusative object, expressing the subject's will or wish to get/have something.

The modal verb wollen can also express necessity. When so, it is combined with a passive or Zustandspassiv infinitive and its subject is not a person.

In this function, wollen can be replaced with müssen.

Furthermore, wollen can be used to state a request.

The "request" expressed with wollen can vary in intensity or urgency and can range from a suggestion to a slightly threatening request.

Modal verb wollen can have an inanimate subject, although only people, or maybe animals, can wish something.

The meaning expressed in this case is that of something desired or expected but not fulfilled in a satisfactory manner or not fulfilled at all. These sentences are negative.

The modal verb wollen is also used to express the future and in this function its meaning is similar to that of werden (Future I). When so, it has more of a temporal and less of a modal meaning. This usually happens in the first person singular (ich) or plural (wir).