How to Say "they want" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “they want” is “quieren” — use this for the most common, everyday way to say 'they want' when referring to a group of people's desire for something tangible or an action..
quieren
/KYEH-ren//ˈkje.ɾen/
Examples
Ellos quieren un café.
They want a coffee.
¿Ustedes quieren ir a la playa mañana?
Do you all want to go to the beach tomorrow?
Mis padres quieren que estudie más.
My parents want me to study more.
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'.
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.*
desean
deh-SAY-ahn/deˈse.an/
Examples
Ellos desean unas vacaciones tranquilas en la playa.
They wish for a quiet vacation on the beach.
¿Qué proyectos desean comenzar ustedes este año?
What projects do you (formal plural) want to start this year?
Los científicos desean que el experimento tenga éxito.
The scientists hope that the experiment is successful.
The Special 'They' Form
The form 'desean' is used when the subject is 'they' (ellos/ellas) or the formal 'you plural' (ustedes). The 'an' ending is a common signal for this group in the present tense for -ar verbs.
Wishing for Others (Subjunctive Trigger)
When you wish for someone else to do something, the verb that follows must change form (the subjunctive). For example, 'Desean que tú vengas' (They wish that you come).
Mixing up 'desear' and 'querer'
Mistake: “Using 'desean' when the feeling is mild or immediate, like 'they want coffee now.'”
Correction: 'Desean' often carries a stronger sense of desire or a formal wish. For simple, immediate wants, use 'quieren' (from querer). 'Ellos quieren café' is more common than 'Ellos desean café.'
quieran
kee-EH-rahn/kjeˈɾan/
Examples
Espero que mis invitados quieran probar el postre.
I hope that my guests want to try the dessert.
Necesito que ellos me digan lo que quieran hacer.
I need them to tell me what they want to do.
No creo que ustedes quieran salir con esta lluvia.
I don't think that you (pl.) want to go out in this rain.
Subjunctive Mood
This form ('quieran') is the special verb ending used when the main verb expresses a wish, doubt, emotion, or command that influences a group of people (ellos/ellas/ustedes).
The 'Que' Connector
You almost always need the word 'que' right before 'quieran' to link the main idea (like 'I hope') to the secondary idea (what 'they want'). Example: 'Dudo que ellos quieran...'
Indicative vs. Subjunctive
Mistake: “No creo que ellos quieren venir.”
Correction: No creo que ellos quieran venir. (Use 'quieran' because 'No creo' (I don't believe) expresses doubt, which requires the special verb ending.)
Quieren vs. Desean
Related Translations
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