quería
/keh-REE-ah/
wanted
This shows someone wanting something in the past. 'Quería' often describes a desire or wish you used to have over a period of time.
quería (Verb)
📝 In Action
De niña, quería ser astronauta.
A2As a girl, I wanted to be an astronaut.
Él no quería ir a la fiesta, pero al final fue.
B1He didn't want to go to the party, but in the end he went.
¿Qué querías para tu cumpleaños cuando tenías diez años?
B1What did you want for your birthday when you were ten?
💡 Grammar Points
Describing the Past with '-ía'
'Quería' is a form for talking about the past. It describes a feeling, like 'wanting', that was ongoing. Think of it as setting the scene or describing a state of mind in a story.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mistake: 'Quería' vs. 'Quise'
Mistake: "Using 'quise' for a general past desire: 'Cuando era niño, quise ser bombero.'"
Correction: Use 'quería' for ongoing past wants: 'Cuando era niño, quería ser bombero.' 'Quise' is for a specific moment or attempt, like 'Ayer quise llamarte' (Yesterday I tried to call you).
⭐ Usage Tips
Setting the Scene in a Story
Use 'quería' to describe what a character wanted or what the mood was. For example: 'Hacía frío y todos querían volver a casa.' (It was cold and everyone wanted to go home.)
'Quería' is also used to express love or deep affection for someone in the past, like remembering a cherished family member.
quería (Verb)
📝 In Action
Ella quería mucho a su abuela.
B1She loved her grandmother very much.
Mis padres se querían desde el primer día que se vieron.
B2My parents loved each other from the first day they met.
💡 Grammar Points
Don't Forget the 'a'
When you use 'querer' to talk about loving a specific person or pet, you almost always need to add the little word 'a' after it. For example, 'Quería a mi perro'.
⭐ Usage Tips
'Querer' vs 'Amar' for Love
In the past, both 'quería' and 'amaba' mean 'loved'. 'Quería' is very common for family, friends, and partners. 'Amaba' can sound a bit more intense, poetic, or romantic.
Using 'quería' is a very common and polite way to ask for something, like saying 'I would like...'. It's softer than saying 'I want'.
quería (Verb)
📝 In Action
Hola, buenos días. Quería un café con leche, por favor.
A2Hi, good morning. I would like a coffee with milk, please.
Disculpe, quería pedirle un favor.
B1Excuse me, I wanted to ask you a favor.
💡 Grammar Points
The Polite Past Tense
It seems strange to use a past form for a present request, but in Spanish this is a common trick to sound more polite and less demanding. You aren't actually talking about the past.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Sounding Too Direct
Mistake: "Walking into a shop and saying 'Quiero un kilo de manzanas.' (I want a kilo of apples.)"
Correction: It's much more natural and polite to say 'Quería un kilo de manzanas, por favor.' It softens the request and is what native speakers usually do.
⭐ Usage Tips
Your Go-To for Politeness
When in doubt in a shop or restaurant, using 'quería' to start your order is a great way to sound friendly and natural. It works for almost any request.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: quería
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence uses 'quería' to make a polite request in the present?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'quería' mean both 'I wanted' and 'he/she wanted'?
Great question! In this particular past tense (the imperfect), the forms for 'yo' (I) and 'él/ella/usted' (he/she/you formal) happen to be identical for all verbs. You can usually tell who is being talked about from the context of the conversation or by including the person, like 'él quería'.
When should I use 'quería' vs. 'quisiera' to ask for something?
Both are very polite! 'Quería' is extremely common and perfect for everyday situations like ordering coffee. 'Quisiera' is slightly more formal or hypothetical, like saying 'I would like' in a more elegant way. You can't go wrong with either, but 'quería' is a safe and friendly choice for almost any situation.
Can I use 'quería' to say 'I tried'?
Not usually. For 'I tried', the other past tense, 'quise', is better. For example, 'Quise abrir la puerta, pero estaba atascada' (I tried to open the door, but it was stuck). 'Quería abrir la puerta' just means 'I wanted to open the door' (describing your desire), not that you actually attempted it.