quiso
/kee-so/
wanted
Quiso (wanted): The child wanted the toy airplane.
quiso(Verb)
wanted
?He/She/You (formal) wanted something or someone.
,loved
?He/She/You (formal) loved someone (used less commonly in the preterite for love, unless emphasizing a specific moment).
desired
?Strong desire in the past.
📝 In Action
Ella quiso un vestido azul para la fiesta.
A2She wanted a blue dress for the party.
Mi jefe quiso que le diéramos el informe ayer.
B1My boss wanted us to give him the report yesterday.
Usted nunca quiso la verdad, solo dinero.
B2You (formal) never wanted the truth, only money.
💡 Grammar Points
Irregular Past Tense
The stem of 'querer' completely changes in the simple past (preterite) from 'quer-' to 'quis-'. This is a common pattern for important Spanish verbs (like 'poder' -> 'pud-').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong past stem
Mistake: "Él *querió* un vaso de agua."
Correction: Él *quiso* un vaso de agua. (Always remember the 'quis-' stem for the preterite.)
⭐ Usage Tips
When to use 'quiso' vs. 'quería'
'Quiso' (preterite) refers to a desire that started and ended quickly in the past, or when the result (successful or failed) is the focus. 'Quería' (imperfect) refers to a general or ongoing feeling of wanting.
Quiso (tried to): The mouse tried to push the cheese, but it was too heavy.
quiso(Verb)
tried (to)
?Implies an attempt was made, often failed.
,refused (to)
?Used in the negative form ('no quiso') to mean refusing to act.
meant (to)
?He/She meant to do something.
📝 In Action
Ella quiso abrir la puerta, pero estaba cerrada.
B2She tried to open the door, but it was locked. (The action of trying happened.)
El niño no quiso comer los vegetales, aunque le insistí.
B2The child refused to eat the vegetables, even though I insisted.
La máquina quiso encenderse, pero se apagó de nuevo.
C1The machine attempted to turn on, but it shut down again.
💡 Grammar Points
Past Tense Nuance
When using 'querer' in the preterite ('quiso'), Spanish speakers often emphasize the effort or reaction. 'Quiso correr' means 'He tried to run,' not just 'He wanted to run.'
Refusal using 'No Quiso'
The easiest way to say someone 'refused' to do something in the past is to use 'no quiso' + the infinitive verb. Example: 'No quiso venir' (He refused to come).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: quiso
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'quiso' to mean 'refused'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'quiso' so different from the infinitive 'querer'?
'Quiso' is a strong reminder that 'querer' is an irregular verb. In the simple past (preterite), it uses an entirely different base form ('quis-') instead of just adding a standard ending. You just have to memorize this change, as it follows a pattern shared by other important verbs like 'hacer' (hizo) and 'venir' (vino).
Does 'quiso' mean 'loved'?
It can mean 'loved,' but usually only if you're talking about a very specific, completed action of loving (e.g., 'He loved her for one year, and then they broke up'). If you mean someone generally loved or cared for someone over a long period, the imperfect 'quería' is much more natural.