Spanish Needs & Wants Phrases
Master 2 essential Spanish phrases for needs-wants with translations, context, and usage examples
Understanding Spanish needs-wants Phrases
Express needs, wants, desires, and requirements in Spanish. Learn to communicate necessities, wishes, and preferences using "necesitar," "querer," "desear," and related expressions.
When to Use These Phrases
Use "necesitar" (need) for necessities, "querer" (want) for desires. "Necesitar" + noun/infinitive, "querer" + noun/infinitive. More polite: "Me gustaría" (I would like) or "Quisiera" (I would like - conditional).
Learning Tips for needs-wants Phrases
- Need: "Necesito..." (I need...), "Me hace falta..." (I lack/need...), "Requiero..." (I require - formal)
- Want: "Quiero..." (I want...), "Me gustaría..." (I would like...), "Deseo..." (I wish/desire...)
- Polite: "Quisiera..." (I would like...), "Me interesaría..." (I would be interested in...)
- Urgency: "Necesito urgentemente..." (I urgently need...), "Es imprescindible" (It's essential)
Essential needs-wants Phrases
Start with these commonly used expressions for needs-wants situations
Complete List of needs-wants Phrases
Frequently Asked Questions About Spanish needs-wants Phrases
How do you express needs in Spanish?
"Necesito..." (I need...) + noun/infinitive. Examples: "Necesito ayuda" (I need help), "Necesito comer" (I need to eat). Also: "Me hace falta..." (I lack/need...), "Requiero..." (I require - formal), "Es necesario..." (It's necessary...), "Hace falta..." (It's needed...).
How do you say "I want" in Spanish?
Direct: "Quiero..." (I want...). Polite: "Me gustaría..." (I would like...), "Quisiera..." (I would like... - conditional), "Desearía..." (I would wish...). Examples: "Quiero café" (I want coffee), "Me gustaría viajar" (I would like to travel). "Quisiera" is more polite than "quiero."
What's the difference between "necesitar" and "querer"?
"Necesitar" = need (necessity, requirement): "Necesito agua" (I need water - essential). "Querer" = want (desire, preference): "Quiero helado" (I want ice cream - desire, not necessity). Use "necesitar" for essentials, "querer" for wishes.
Have more questions about learning Spanish phrases? Browse our complete phrase guide or explore our learning resources.
Browse All Spanish Phrase Categories
Ready to Master More Spanish Phrases?
Explore our complete collection of Spanish phrases organized by category, situation, and difficulty level. Perfect for beginners to advanced learners.
View All Spanish Phrases →