Portuguese · Everyday Verbs
"to want" in Portuguese: querer
querer
To want in Portuguese is querer. Say eu quero and você quer for everyday wants. At a café, Quero um café is direct and normal; softer asks use Você pode…?
Ordering juice
Eu quero um suco de laranja sem açúcar.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce querer
Say it
keh-REHR / KEH-roo / kehr
/ke.ˈɾeʁ/
keh-REHR. Eu quero is KEH-roo; você quer is kehr.
"to want" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| querer | to want Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| eu quero | I want Direct first person. | Direct first person. |
| você quer | you want / do you want Offers and questions. | Offers and questions. |
| querida / querido | dear (from querer) Affectionate address; related family. | Affectionate address; related family. |
| se você quiser | if you want Soft optional offer. | Soft optional offer. |
How to use querer in real life
- 1Ordering juice
Eu quero um suco de laranja sem açúcar.
I want an orange juice with no sugar.
Quero is natural in food orders.
- 2Offering help
Você quer que eu leve a mala?
Do you want me to take the suitcase?
Você quer que… introduces offers.
- 3Soft plans
Se você quiser, a gente janta cedo.
If you want, we can eat dinner early.
Quiser is a useful related form.
Mistakes English speakers make with querer
Incorrect: Eu querer café.
Correct: Eu quero café.
Conjugate: eu quero, not the infinitive as main verb.
Incorrect: Eu te quiero (Spanish).
Correct: Eu te quero.
Portuguese is quero, not Spanish quiero.
Good to know
Quero is not rude in Brazilian service speech when your tone is warm. Still, pairing it with por favor or starting with Você tem…? softens the ask. Querer also feeds affection: te quero and querido/querida show up in family and romance.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a movie snack
ChatPal
Você quer pipoca doce ou salgada?
Do you want sweet or salty popcorn?
You
Eu quero salgada. E você?
I want salty. And you?
ChatPal
Também quero salgada. Quer refrigerante?
I want salty too. Want a soda?
You
Quero água só. Obrigada.
I just want water. Thanks.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to want" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to want" in Portuguese
Is eu quero too blunt?
Usually fine in Brazil with a friendly tone. Add por favor with strangers if you want.
How do I say do you want…?
Você quer…? or Quer…? in casual speech.
What is the difference between querer and gostar?
Querer is want. Gostar de is like.
How do I say if you want?
Se você quiser.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
