Spanish · Everyday Verbs
"to want" in Spanish: querer
querer
To want in Spanish is querer. Stem-changing present forms are quiero, quieres, and quiere. Querer also appears in soft requests and in te quiero for affection.
Ordering food
Quiero un café con leche, por favor.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce querer
Say it
keh-REHR / KYEH-roh
/ke.ˈɾeɾ/
Querer is keh-REHR. Quiero is KYEH-roh. The qu sounds like k.
"to want" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| querer | to want / to love Dictionary form; affection too. | Dictionary form; affection too. |
| quiero | I want First-person present. | First-person present. |
| quieres / quiere | you want / he-she wants Offers and questions. | Offers and questions. |
| queremos / quieren | we want / they want Plural forms. | Plural forms. |
| te quiero | I love you Common affectionate line. | Common affectionate line. |
How to use querer in real life
- 1Ordering food
Quiero un café con leche, por favor.
I want a coffee with milk, please.
Quiero is the direct order form.
- 2Making plans
¿Quieres ir al parque después?
Do you want to go to the park later?
Quieres + infinitive is a common offer.
- 3Group decision
Queremos comer temprano hoy.
We want to eat early today.
Queremos keeps the e in the stem.
Mistakes English speakers make with querer
Incorrect: Yo quero pizza.
Correct: Yo quiero pizza.
Present yo is quiero with ie.
Incorrect: Quiero que vas.
Correct: Quiero que vayas. / Quiero ir.
After querer que, use a subjunctive form, or simplify with an infinitive.
Good to know
Te quiero is everyday affection in Latin America. Te amo is stronger. For café orders, quiero… por favor is polite enough for beginners.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a snack after class
ChatPal
¿Qué quieres de merienda?
What do you want for a snack?
You
Quiero fruta y un yogurt.
I want fruit and a yogurt.
ChatPal
Yo quiero lo mismo. ¿Pagamos juntos?
I want the same. Shall we pay together?
You
Sí. También quiero agua, por favor.
Yes. I also want water, please.
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 Spanish
Why does quiero have ie?
Querer is a stem-changing verb: e → ie in most present forms.
Is te quiero the same as te amo?
Both express love. Te quiero is everyday; te amo is often stronger.
How do I say we want?
Queremos. The nosotros form does not change to ie.
How do you pronounce quiero?
KYEH-roh. Start with a ky sound, then eh.
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
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