querría
/kehr-REE-ah/
I would like
"Querría" is often used to make a polite request, like saying "I would like (I would want) a cookie."
querría(verb)
I would like
?polite request (yo form)
,he/she would like
?polite request (él/ella/usted form)
I was wanting (mild past possibility)
?rare use in some dialects
📝 In Action
Yo querría hablar con el gerente, por favor.
A2I would like to speak with the manager, please.
¿Usted querría un vaso de agua o prefiere té?
A2Would you like a glass of water, or do you prefer tea?
Mi hermana querría ir a la universidad este otoño.
B1My sister would like to go to university this autumn.
💡 Grammar Points
The Politeness Tense
This form (the conditional) is the key to being polite in Spanish. It changes the demanding 'I want' (quiero) to the much softer, more appropriate 'I would like' (querría).
Irregular Stem
Even though the infinitive is 'querer,' the stem for the conditional tense is irregular: 'querr-'. You attach the conditional endings (-ía, -ías, etc.) to this changed stem.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Present Tense
Mistake: "Quiero una mesa para dos, por favor. (I want a table for two, please.)"
Correction: Querría una mesa para dos, por favor. (I would like a table for two, please.) Using 'querría' or 'me gustaría' is always more courteous in service settings.
⭐ Usage Tips
When in doubt, be polite
When ordering food, asking for help, or making any formal request, always choose 'querría' or 'me gustaría' over the simple present tense 'quiero'.
When used hypothetically, "querría" expresses something one 'would want' if circumstances allowed.
📝 In Action
Si tuviéramos más dinero, querría comprar una casa en la playa.
B2If we had more money, I would want to buy a house on the beach.
Él querría viajar por el mundo, pero su trabajo no se lo permite.
B2He would want to travel the world, but his job doesn't allow him.
💡 Grammar Points
Hypothetical Conditionals
This form of the conditional is often used in the result part of an 'if...then' sentence, especially when the 'if' part uses the imperfect subjunctive (like 'si tuviera').
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: querría
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'querría' for a polite request?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'querría' spelled with 'rr'?
This happens because 'querer' is an irregular verb. To form the conditional (would/could), the 'e' is dropped, and an 'r' is added to the stem (querer → querr-). This 'rr' helps Spanish speakers pronounce the word quickly and smoothly.
Can I use 'quería' instead of 'querría'?
No, they have different meanings! 'Quería' (imperfect tense) means 'I wanted' (in the past). 'Querría' (conditional tense) means 'I would want/I would like' (now, politely, or hypothetically). Always use 'querría' for polite requests.