How to say “I want” in Spanish: the word “querer”

Hello! And welcome to Your Daily Pinch of Spanish. Today we'll look at the word 'querer', which can give you two different meanings, depending on the situation in which you use it.

Generally speaking, the verb 'querer' translates to 'want'.

(If you have any doubt about Spanish pronunciation, click on the link above, or click here.) (*Sorry, this link is currently not working while I rebuild my old blog here. Sorry about that. >,< I had to delete the old website.) 

1. The first meaning is when you, or someone else, want something, or want to do something.

This is the way to say it:

(Yo) quiero ____ I want

Ella quiere ____ She wants

Él quiere ____ He wants

Ellas quieren _____ They want (feminine)

Ellos quieren _____ They want (masculine; also when there are both men and women)

As you can see, the verb form changes depending on the person in question. The pronoun 'Yo' is written in parenthesis because it really isn't necessary; the word 'quiero' already indicates you are talking about yourself. The other pronouns can be inferred by context, but unlike the form 'quiero', 'quiere' and 'quieren' are less specific, so unless it's obvious, don't omit the pronoun with which you're using them.

Some examples:

Quiero agua - I want water

Quiero un lápiz - I want a pencil

Ella quiere un bolígrafo - She wants a pen

Él quiere un borrador - He wants an eraser

Ellos quieren agua - They want water

It's the same when you want to do something or another person wants to do something; simply add the action to the expression 'Quiero', Él/Ella quiere', 'Ellos/Ellas quieren'.

For example:

Quiero llegar temprano - I want to get there early

Él quiere comer langosta - He wants to eat lobster

Ella quiere tomar lecciones de canto - She wants to take singins lessons

Ellos quieren comer juntos mañana - They want to eat together tomorrow

2. The second meaning is about love; when you care about someone or something.

In this case, it's directed at the object of affection. You can say it works as another way to say you love someone or something, but the meaning is lighter that the word 'amar' (to love).

Some examples:

Yo quiero mucho a mi mascota - I love my pet very much

Él quiere mucho a su madre - He loves her mother very much

Ella lo quiere, pero no le ha dicho nada - She cares about him, but she hasn't told him anything

As you can see, you can add the word 'mucho' (much, many) right after to add strength. With 'querer' used for loving or caring, this is done very often.

I hope this clears up any doubt you may have had with this word, and that you learned something new with me today. In short, the word 'querer' is to 'want', but it also carries the meaning of loving or caring about something or someone. Just remember it's not exactly the same as to love (amar); the word for love, amar, has a heavier meaning. 'Querer' is lighter, more familial, or friendlier (or for when things are not too serious yet in a relationship).

The vocabulary used here:

Querer - (keh-rehr) to want

Yo - (joh) I

Ella - (eh-jah) She, her

Él - (ehl) Him, he

Ellos - (eh-johs) they

Agua - (ah-goo-ah) water

Lápiz - (lah-peas) pencil

Bolígrafo - (boh-lee-grah-foh) pen

Borrador - (boh-rrah-dohr) eraser

Llegar - (jeh-gahr) to arrive

Temprano - (tehm-prah-noh) early

Comer - (koh-mehr) to eat

Langosta - (lahn-gohs-tah) lobster

Tomar - (toh-mahr) to take

Lecciones - (lehc-see-oh-nehs) lessons

Canto - (kahn-toh) singing

Juntos - (hoon-tohs) together

Mañana - (mah-ñah-nah) tomorrow

Amar - (ah-mahr) to love

Mucho - (moo-choh) much, many

Mascota - (mahs-coh-tah) a pet

Madre - (mah-dreh) mother

Dicho - (dee-cho) form of the verb 'decir', which translates to 'to say'

Nada - (nah-dah) nothing

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This is it for today! I hope this isn't confusing for you, and that you find this useful. If you have any doubt, don't hesitate in contacting me; I will answer your questions.

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Until next time!