Confused between "veut" and "avoir envie de"

Question

Are there different contexts where one can use "veut" instead of the "avoir envie de"?For instance, why can't i say "je veut le chocolat"? When do i get to say "j'ai envie du chocolat"?

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Ifeoma, 
Take a look at a similar question asked by another student.
I like Chris's answer for its simplicity.
https://french.kwiziq.com/questions/view/when-do-you-use-vouloir-and-when-do-you-us-avoir-envie-de
Let me know if you require further explanation, and 
Bonne continuation !

Jim Jones · Answer

Bonjour Ifeoma,From the lesson:-"J'ai envie du chocolat que je garde dans mon placard". I want the chocolate that I keep in my cupboard."This expresses that you want or have a desire for the specific (but only some of) the chocolate that is in your cupboard.However, if you write "Je veut le chocolat", this is non-specific and has no real meaning other than to imply that you want all the chocolate in the world -- this is, of course, quite ridiculous, but written this way just to make the point. You can say that you desire or would like some chocolate by writing J'ai envie du chocolat.I hope this helps.Bonne continuationJim