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.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: necesito
Question 1 of 1
How would you say 'I need to sleep' in Spanish?
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👥 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.