quiero
/KYEH-roh/
I want
Here, 'quiero' is used to express a desire or want for an object or an action, like wanting a piece of cake.
quiero(Verb)
I want
?Expressing a desire for something
I would like
?A common, slightly more polite way to ask for something
📝 In Action
Quiero un café con leche, por favor.
A1I want a coffee with milk, please.
Quiero aprender a tocar la guitarra.
A1I want to learn to play the guitar.
¿No quieres venir al cine con nosotros?
A2Don't you want to come to the movies with us?
💡 Grammar Points
Wanting to DO Something
To say you want to do an action, just follow 'quiero' with the second verb in its original form (like 'comer', 'hablar', 'vivir'). Example: 'Quiero viajar a México'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Being Too Direct
Mistake: "In a restaurant: 'Quiero un agua.'"
Correction: This is okay, but can sound a bit blunt. For extra politeness, try using 'Quisiera' (I would like). 'Quisiera un agua, por favor.' It sounds softer.
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking 'What do you mean?'
The phrase '¿Qué quieres decir?' literally means 'What do you want to say?', but it's the most common way to ask 'What do you mean?' It's super useful!
'Quiero' is also a very common way to say 'I love you' or 'I care for you,' especially with family and close friends.
quiero(Verb)
I love
?For family, friends, and romantic partners
I care for
?Expressing deep fondness
,I'm fond of
?Showing affection
📝 In Action
Te quiero mucho, abuela.
A2I love you very much, grandma.
Es mi mejor amigo, lo quiero como a un hermano.
B1He's my best friend, I love him like a brother.
Sus padres se quieren mucho.
A2Her parents love each other very much.
💡 Grammar Points
Loving a Person: The 'Personal a'
When you love a specific person or pet, you need to put the little word 'a' right before them. For example, 'Quiero a mi mamá' (I love my mom).
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Te quiero' vs. 'Te amo'
Mistake: "Using 'te amo' with a good friend."
Correction: 'Te quiero' is perfect for friends, family, and romantic partners. It means deep affection. 'Te amo' is usually saved for very intense, profound, often romantic love. Start with 'te quiero'—it's used far more often!
⭐ Usage Tips
It's Not Just for Romance
Don't be shy about using 'te quiero' with your close friends! In Spanish-speaking cultures, it's a very common and warm way to show you care for them.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: quiero
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'quiero' to mean 'I love'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'te quiero' and 'te amo'?
'Te quiero' is the most common way to say 'I love you' and is used for family, friends, and romantic partners. It's about deep affection and care. 'Te amo' expresses a more profound, passionate, and often romantic love. Think of 'te quiero' as 'I love you/I care for you' and 'te amo' as 'I am in love with you'.
Is it rude to say 'quiero' when ordering food?
It's not exactly rude, but it can be very direct, like saying 'I want' in English. To sound more polite and natural, many people use 'quisiera' ('I would like'), 'me gustaría' ('I would like'), or 'me pones' ('Can I have...'). But if you're a beginner, everyone will understand 'quiero' perfectly fine!
Why does the verb 'querer' change from 'e' to 'ie' (quiero) but not in 'nosotros' (queremos)?
'Querer' is a 'stem-changing' verb. For many of these verbs, the spelling change happens when the spoken stress falls on that part of the word ('quiE-ro'). In the 'nosotros' (we) and 'vosotros' (you all) forms, the stress moves to the ending ('que-RE-mos'), so the stem doesn't need to change. It's a pattern you'll see in many other verbs like 'entender' and 'pensar'!