While doing the course Italienisch 2, I’m a little bit confused about the use of desiderare and volere. My dictionary says both mean to want or to wish. Is there a rule when to use them? Or are they interchangeable? Thanks for your help!
ps: I hope this is the right category for such a question…? If not, please let me know!
They are pretty interchangeable.
I’d say that a little difference in the meaning is that desiderare comes more from the feelings, while volere comes more from the will.
In everyday language volere is the most used.
For example you could say:
Stasera desidero andare al cinema
but it’s more common to say:
Stasera voglio andare al cinema
Hope it helps!
Thanks for the explanation! It helps a lot… 
All the best!