quieren
/KYEH-ren/
they want
Quieren means 'they want.' This image shows three friends who all want the cake.
quieren(Verb)
they want
?Used for a group of people (ellos/ellas).
,you want
?Used for a group of people you're talking to (ustedes).
do they want...?
?When used to ask a question.
📝 In Action
Ellos quieren un café.
A1They want a coffee.
¿Ustedes quieren ir a la playa mañana?
A1Do you all want to go to the beach tomorrow?
Mis padres quieren que estudie más.
A2My parents want me to study more.
💡 Grammar Points
Who are 'they'?
Quieren is the form of querer (to want) used for ellos (a group of men/mixed), ellas (a group of women), and ustedes (you all).
Magic Changing Vowel
Notice how the e in querer changes to ie in quieren. This happens for most forms, but not for nosotros (queremos) or vosotros (queréis).
Wanting to DO something
To say they want to do an action, just add the basic form of the second verb. For example, 'Quieren comer' means 'They want to eat'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
One Person vs. Many People
Mistake: "Using 'quieren' when talking about just one person, like *Él quieren un taco.*"
Correction: Use `quiere` for one person (he, she, you-formal) and `quieren` for more than one person (they, you all). Correct: *Él quiere un taco.*
⭐ Usage Tips
Polite Offers
Quieren is a great way to make a polite offer to a group. For instance, a host might ask guests, '¿Quieren algo de tomar?' (Do you all want something to drink?).
Quieren can also mean 'they love' or 'they are fond of.' The couple in the picture clearly love each other (se quieren).
quieren(Verb)
they love
?expressing affection for people or pets
,they are fond of
?a slightly softer way to say they love
📝 In Action
Mis padres se quieren mucho.
A2My parents love each other very much.
Los niños quieren a su abuela.
A2The children love their grandmother.
Todos mis amigos me quieren como soy.
B1All my friends love me as I am.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Personal a'
When you say you love a specific person or pet, you need to add 'a' before them. Example: 'Los niños quieren a su perro' (The children love their dog).
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Querer' vs. 'Amar'
Mistake: "Using 'aman' for friends or family in casual conversation."
Correction: `Querer` is the go-to word for love among friends and family. `Amar` is much stronger, often saved for romantic partners or to express a very deep, profound love. Using 'aman' can sound overly dramatic.
⭐ Usage Tips
Reciprocal Love
To say 'they love each other,' you add se before the verb: se quieren. This little word shows the action is happening back and forth between them.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: quieren
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'quieren' to mean 'they love each other'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between `quieren` and `quisieran`?
`Quieren` means 'they want' in a direct, present-tense way. `Quisieran` is a softer, more polite form that translates to 'they would like'. You'll often hear `quisiera` used in restaurants to sound more polite: 'Quisiera un vaso de agua' (I would like a glass of water).
Can I use 'quieren' for objects, like 'My plants want water'?
Not really. In Spanish, 'querer' implies a level of consciousness or desire that objects don't have. For plants, you would say 'Mis plantas necesitan agua' (My plants need water). Using 'quieren' would sound like you're personifying them in a poetic or childish way.