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querer

keh-REHR/keˈɾeɾ/

to want, to wish

Also: to feel like
VerbA1irregular (e > ie stem change in present tenses and 'quis' stem in past tenses) er
A small child with wide eyes and a beaming smile points eagerly at a bright red toy car sitting on a shelf, clearly expressing desire.
infinitivequerer
gerundqueriendo
past Participlequerido

📝 In Action

¿Qué quieres comer hoy?

A1

What do you want to eat today?

Quiero que me ayudes con esto.

A2

I want you to help me with this.

Ellos no quisieron venir a la fiesta.

A2

They didn't want to come to the party (they refused).

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • querer decir – to mean (what does that mean?)
  • querer + infinitivo – to want to do something

to love, to care for

Also: to be fond of
VerbA2same conjugation as definition 1 erneutral/informal
Spain
A young girl gently hugs a fluffy brown puppy, both looking content and happy, demonstrating deep affection.

📝 In Action

Te quiero mucho, mamá.

A1

I love you very much, Mom. (Standard way to express family love in many regions).

Él quiere a su perro como si fuera su hijo.

A2

He loves his dog as if it were his child.

No sé si la quiero o solo la aprecio.

B1

I don't know if I love her (romantically) or just appreciate her.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • amar (to love (more romantic/intense))
  • apreciar (to appreciate)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • querer bien – to feel real affection for someone

to intend, to try (to attempt)

Also: to require
VerbB1same conjugation as definition 1 erneutral/literary
A determined hiker stands at the beginning of a clear, winding path that leads toward a sunny mountain peak in the distance, symbolizing their purpose.

📝 In Action

Quiso arreglar el coche pero no pudo.

B1

He tried to fix the car but he couldn't.

Este proyecto quiere mucho esfuerzo.

C1

This project requires a lot of effort.

Querían entrar a la fuerza.

B2

They attempted to enter by force.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • intentar (to attempt)
  • requerir (to require)

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedquiere
yoquiero
túquieres
ellos/ellas/ustedesquieren
nosotrosqueremos
vosotrosqueréis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedquería
yoquería
túquerías
ellos/ellas/ustedesquerían
nosotrosqueríamos
vosotrosqueríais

preterite

él/ella/ustedquiso
yoquise
túquisiste
ellos/ellas/ustedesquisieron
nosotrosquisimos
vosotrosquisisteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedquiera
yoquiera
túquieras
ellos/ellas/ustedesquieran
nosotrosqueramos
vosotrosqueráis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedquisiera
yoquisiera
túquisieras
ellos/ellas/ustedesquisieran
nosotrosquisiéramos
vosotrosquisierais
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "querer" in Spanish:

to intend→to love→to require→to want→to wish→

🗣️ Practice in a Tongue Twister

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: querer

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly uses 'querer' to express romantic love?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
querido(dear / beloved (adjective or noun)) — Adjective
el querer(will / affection (noun)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin verb *quaerere*, which originally meant 'to seek' or 'to look for.' Over time, the meaning evolved from 'seeking' to 'desiring' and eventually 'loving.'

First recorded: Before the 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: quererFrench (indirect): chercher (to search/seek)

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is 'querer' different from 'amar'?

'Querer' is the general word for 'love' or 'affection,' especially for family, friends, or general desire. 'Amar' is usually reserved for deep, passionate, or romantic love, often used in poetry or very intimate contexts.

Do I need the subjunctive verb form after 'querer'?

Yes, but only if you are expressing desire about *someone else's* actions. If you want *yourself* to do something, use the infinitive: 'Quiero estudiar' (I want to study). If you want *him* to study, use the subjunctive: 'Quiero que él estudie.'