necesito
“necesito” means “I need” in Spanish (General use).
I need
Also: I require
📝 In Action
Necesito un café, por favor.
A1I need a coffee, please.
Necesito ayuda con mi tarea.
A1I need help with my homework.
Necesito ir al banco antes de que cierre.
A2I need to go to the bank before it closes.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: necesito
Question 1 of 1
How would you say 'I need to sleep' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'necessitās', which meant 'need' or 'compulsion'. The '-o' ending tells us it's the 'I' form for the present time.
First recorded: Around the 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'necesito' and 'quiero'?
'Necesito' means 'I need,' which is about a requirement or something essential. 'Quiero' means 'I want,' which is about a desire. You might *want* ice cream ('Quiero un helado'), but you *need* water ('Necesito agua').
Is 'necesito' formal or informal?
It's neutral. You can use 'necesito' in almost any situation, whether you're talking to a friend, a shopkeeper, or your boss. It's always clear and appropriate.