How to Say "we want" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “we want” is “queremos” — use 'queremos' for everyday wishes and desires, like wanting an object or an action to happen, as it's the most common and direct translation..
queremos
/keh-REH-mohs//keˈɾemos/
Examples
Queremos un helado de chocolate.
We want a chocolate ice cream.
Queremos aprender español.
We want to learn Spanish.
Queremos mucho a nuestra familia.
We love our family very much.
'queremos' + Thing vs. 'queremos' + Action
You can use 'queremos' to talk about a thing you want ('queremos pizza') or an action you want to do. For actions, just add the basic '-ar', '-er', or '-ir' form of the verb right after: 'Queremos comer'.
Expressing Love with 'queremos a'
When 'queremos' means 'we love' a person or a pet, you need to put a little word 'a' right after it. For example, 'Queremos a nuestro perro' (We love our dog).
Confusing 'queremos' (we want) and 'nos gusta' (we like)
Mistake: “Queremos la música. (This sounds like you want to buy or possess the music.)”
Correction: Nos gusta la música. (We like the music.) Use 'gustar' to talk about general likes and 'querer' for specific desires.
deseamos
/deh-seh-AH-mohs//de.seˈa.mos/
Examples
Nosotros deseamos un mundo mejor.
We want a better world.
Te deseamos mucha suerte en tu examen.
We wish you a lot of luck on your exam.
Deseamos hablar con el gerente.
We wish to speak with the manager.
The 'Double Identity' Word
In Spanish, the 'we' form for verbs ending in -ar is exactly the same for things happening now (present) and things that happened once in the past (preterite).
Softening a Request
Using 'deseamos' instead of 'queremos' makes your request sound a little more polite and formal, like saying 'we wish' instead of 'we want'.
Present or Past?
Mistake: “Thinking 'deseamos' can ONLY mean 'we want' right now.”
Correction: It can also mean 'we wanted' in the past! You have to look at the other words in the sentence (like 'yesterday') to know for sure.
queramos
/keh-RAH-mohs//keˈɾamos/
Examples
Es posible que no queramos ir mañana.
It is possible that we won't want to go tomorrow.
Cuando queramos comer, te avisamos.
When we want to eat, we'll let you know.
El abuelo quiere que nos queramos mucho.
Grandpa wants us to love each other very much.
The 'Hope' Mood
'Queramos' is used when 'we' is part of a wish, doubt, or a hypothetical situation, usually after words like 'que' or 'ojalá'.
No Stem Change
Unlike 'quiero' or 'quieres,' the 'we' form (nosotros) in this special mood keeps the original 'e' and does not change to 'ie'.
The 'ie' Trap
Mistake: “quieramos”
Correction: queramos. The 'we' (nosotros) form of this verb never uses 'ie' in this tense.
Queremos vs. Queramos
Mistake: “Espero que queremos.”
Correction: Espero que queramos. Use 'queramos' after verbs of wishing like 'esperar'.
Choosing Between 'Queremos' and 'Deseamos'
Related Translations
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