The verb querer – to want / to love is commonly used to express desires, intentions, and sometimes affection. It is one of the most useful verbs in everyday Spanish because it helps people talk about what they want to do or what they would like to have. The verb querer is irregular in the present tense and changes its stem from e to ie in several forms. In this module, you will learn how querer is used in common Spanish expressions.
The verb querer usually means to want or to desire. It can be used with nouns or with another verb.
Sample Sentences
Yo quiero café – I want coffee
Ella quiere una bicicleta – She wants a bicycle
El cliente quiere información – The client wants information
Nosotros queremos una mesa – We want a table
Ellos quieren vacaciones – They want vacation
The verb querer changes from e to ie in most present tense forms.
Yo quiero – I want
Tú quieres – You want
Él quiere – He wants
Ella quiere – She wants
Usted quiere – You want (formal)
Nosotros queremos – We want
Ellos quieren – They want
Ellas quieren – They want
Ustedes quieren – You all want
Sample Sentences
Yo quiero aprender español – I want to learn Spanish
Tú quieres visitar el museo – You want to visit the museum
Ella quiere comprar un libro – She wants to buy a book
Nosotros queremos viajar pronto – We want to travel soon
Ellos quieren comenzar el proyecto – They want to start the project
The verb querer is often used with another verb to express intentions or plans.
Sample Sentences
Yo quiero estudiar esta noche – I want to study tonight
Ella quiere preparar la cena – She wants to prepare dinner
El estudiante quiere terminar la tarea – The student wants to finish the homework
Nosotros queremos explorar la ciudad – We want to explore the city
Ellos quieren abrir un restaurante – They want to open a restaurant
The verb querer can be used to make polite requests, especially in restaurants or stores.
Sample Sentences
Quiero un café, por favor – I would like a coffee, please
Quiero un boleto para el museo – I would like a ticket for the museum
Queremos una mesa para dos – We would like a table for two
Quiero información sobre el tour – I would like information about the tour
Quiero ver el menú – I would like to see the menu
The verb querer can also express affection or love for people, especially family members and close friends.
Sample Sentences
Te quiero mucho – I love you very much
Ella quiere a su hermano – She loves her brother
El niño quiere a su madre – The child loves his mother
Nosotros queremos a nuestros amigos – We love our friends
Ellos quieren a sus abuelos – They love their grandparents
In this module, you learned how the verb querer is used in Spanish. You practiced present tense forms such as quiero, quieres, and queremos, and you saw how querer can express desires, intentions, polite requests, and affection. Understanding querer will help you talk about what you want and express your preferences in Spanish conversations.