How to Say "you want" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “you want” is “quieres” — use this when speaking to one person informally (like a friend, family member, or peer) to express their desire for an object or action..
quieres
/KYEH-res//ˈkje.ɾes/
Examples
¿Quieres un vaso de agua?
Do you want a glass of water?
Si quieres, podemos ir al cine.
If you want, we can go to the movies.
No sé qué quieres hacer esta noche.
I don't know what you want to do tonight.
Asking Questions
To ask 'Do you want...?', you simply say '¿Quieres...?' with a rising tone. The word order is simple!
Wanting To Do Something
To say you want to do an action, just follow 'quieres' with the basic '-ar', '-er', or '-ir' form of a verb, like 'quieres comer' (you want to eat).
Using 'Quiero' for Polite Requests
Mistake: “Using 'quiero un café' when ordering from a barista.”
Correction: It's much more polite to use 'quisiera un café' (I would like a coffee). 'Quiero' can sound a bit too direct or demanding to a stranger.
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.*
deseas
deh-SEH-ahs[deˈse.as]
Examples
¿Qué más deseas comer?
What else do you want to eat?
Si deseas un cambio, tienes que trabajar duro.
If you desire a change, you have to work hard.
Deseas que todo sea más fácil.
You wish that everything were easier.
The 'Tú' Form
This word, 'deseas,' is used when you are speaking directly to one person whom you know well or are addressing informally (the 'tú' form).
Triggering the Subjunctive
When you use 'deseas' followed by 'que' and another verb, the second verb must change to a special form (the subjunctive) because you are expressing a wish or desire, not a fact. Example: Deseas que él 'venga' (You wish that he 'comes').
Mixing Formal and Informal
Mistake: “Using 'deseas' when speaking formally to a stranger or elder.”
Correction: For formal situations, use 'desea' (the 'usted' form). Say: '¿Qué desea usted?' not '¿Qué deseas tú?'
querés
/keh-RESS//keˈɾes/
Examples
¿Qué querés comer hoy?
What do you want to eat today?
Si querés, podemos ir al parque más tarde.
If you want, we can go to the park later.
Hacé lo que vos querés.
Do what you want.
The 'Voseo' Effect
In countries like Argentina and Uruguay, people use 'vos' instead of 'tú.' This changes 'quieres' to 'querés' by dropping the 'i' and putting an accent on the end.
Stress the Ending
Unlike the standard 'QUIEres' where the stress is at the start, 'queRÉS' requires you to emphasize the final syllable.
Mixing pronouns
Mistake: “Tú querés”
Correction: Vos querés (or 'Tú quieres'). Use 'querés' specifically with the pronoun 'vos' to sound natural.
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.'
queréis
keh-REH-ees/keˈɾejs/
Examples
¿Qué queréis hacer esta tarde, chicos?
What do you guys want to do this afternoon?
Si queréis más pan, pedidlo.
If you want more bread, ask for it.
Queréis ir al cine, ¿verdad?
You want to go to the movies, right?
The 'Vosotros' Form
This form ('queréis') is the special 'you all' used exclusively in Spain. In Latin America, people use 'ustedes quieren' instead.
Using 'Querer' with another verb
When you want to do something, you link 'queréis' directly to the second verb in its base form: 'Queréis comer' (You want to eat).
quieras
/kyeh-rahs//'kje.ɾas/
Examples
Puedes tomar el postre que quieras.
You can have whichever dessert you want.
Llámame cuando quieras, no hay problema.
Call me whenever you want, it's no problem.
No creo que quieras perderte esta película.
I don't think you want to miss this movie.
The 'Maybe' or 'Feeling' Verb Form (Present Subjunctive)
'Quieras' is a special form of 'querer' used when things aren't certain, or are based on feelings, wishes, or commands. You'll often see it after phrases like 'Espero que...' (I hope that...), 'No creo que...' (I don't think that...), or 'cuando' when talking about the future.
Using 'Quieres' Instead of 'Quieras'
Mistake: “Llámame cuando quieres.”
Correction: Llámame cuando **quieras**. When 'cuando' (when) refers to a future action that hasn't happened yet, Spanish uses this special '-as' form.
Informal vs. Formal 'You'
Related Translations
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