quise
/KEE-seh/
I tried
Quise: I tried. This image shows the effort put into an attempt, regardless of the outcome.
quise(Verb)
I tried
?implying an attempt that may have succeeded or failed
I wanted
?as a sudden or completed desire in the past
,I refused
?used in the negative form 'no quise'
📝 In Action
Quise llamarte, pero no tenía batería.
B1I tried to call you, but I had no battery.
No quise ofenderte con mi comentario.
B1I didn't mean (I refused) to offend you with my comment.
De repente, quise un helado de chocolate.
A2Suddenly, I wanted a chocolate ice cream.
💡 Grammar Points
A Completed Action vs. an Ongoing Feeling
'Quise' talks about a want or an attempt that happened at a specific moment and ended. Use 'quería' to describe a feeling of wanting that was ongoing in the past, without a clear end.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Quise' for General Past Wants
Mistake: "Cuando era niño, quise ser astronauta."
Correction: Cuando era niño, quería ser astronauta. Use 'quería' because wanting to be an astronaut was an ongoing desire during your childhood, not a single, completed event.
⭐ Usage Tips
'No Quise' = 'I Refused'
Saying 'no quise' is much stronger than 'I didn't want to'. It often means 'I refused to do something'. For example, 'No quise ir' means 'I refused to go'.
Quise: I loved. This meaning expresses past affection for a person or pet.
quise(Verb)
I loved
?expressing affection for a person, pet, or thing in the past
I cared for
?showing fondness for someone in a past period
📝 In Action
Fue mi primer amor y la quise mucho.
A2She was my first love and I loved her a lot.
Siempre quise a mi abuela.
B1I always loved my grandmother.
Tuvimos ese perro por diez años, y lo quise como a un hijo.
B2We had that dog for ten years, and I loved him like a son.
💡 Grammar Points
Love as a Past Event
Using 'quise' to talk about loving someone often frames that love as a completed part of your life story, like looking back on a relationship that has ended or summing up your feelings for someone who is gone.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with People and Pets
This meaning of 'querer' is very warm and personal. It's perfect for talking about the affection you felt for family, friends, partners, and beloved pets in the past.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: quise
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence best means 'I tried to help, but I couldn't'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest difference between 'quise' and 'quería'?
Think of it like this: 'Quise' is for a specific moment or a completed action. 'Quise un café' means 'I wanted a coffee' (and probably got it or decided against it). 'Quise llamarte' means 'I tried to call you'. On the other hand, 'quería' is for an ongoing state in the past. 'Quería un café' means 'I was wanting a coffee' (describing your mood). 'Quería ser doctor' means 'I used to want to be a doctor' (an ongoing desire in your childhood).
If 'no quise' means 'I refused', how do I just say 'I didn't want to'?
For the general feeling of not wanting something in the past, 'no quería' is usually the best choice. For example: 'No quería ir a la fiesta porque estaba cansado' (I didn't want to go to the party because I was tired).