necesito
ne-se-SEE-toh
Quick Reference
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Expressing 'I need'
'Necesito' is the 'I' form of the verb 'necesitar' (to need). You use it to say that you personally need something. It's a direct and very useful way to state a requirement.
Needing to DO something
To say you need to do an action, just add the base form of the verb right after 'necesito'. For example, 'Necesito comer' (I need to eat).
Needing someone ELSE to do something
If you need someone else to do something, the structure changes. You'll add 'que' and use a special verb form: 'Necesito que vengas' (I need you to come).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'for'
Mistake: "A common English speaker mistake is saying 'Necesito por agua.'"
Correction: Just say 'Necesito agua.' In Spanish, you don't need a word like 'for' after 'necesito' when you're talking about needing a thing.
⭐ Usage Tips
Softer Alternatives
While 'necesito' is perfect for clear needs, sometimes you might want to sound a little softer, especially when asking for something. You can use 'quisiera' (I would like) or 'me gustaría' (I would like) in situations like ordering in a restaurant.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: necesito
Question 1 of 1
How would you say 'I need to sleep' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
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.