What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase ¿quieres esto?, the word quieres means "you want" and is the second-person singular present indicative form of the verb querer (to want).
Which one should you use?
Use esto (this) instead of este or esta if you are referring to an abstract concept or an object whose gender you have not specified. While ¿quieres esto? is a direct way to ask if someone wants something, the phrase ¿Te apetece esto? translates more specifically to "Are you in the mood for this?"
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase ¿Te apetece esto? is more commonly used in Spain than in Latin American countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form ¿quieres esto? uses the tú conjugation, which is used for friends, family or people your own age. If you are addressing someone you use the formal usted with, such as a stranger, an elder or a superior, use the form ¿quiere esto?
Did you know?
- The verb querer in ¿quieres esto? does not only mean 'to want', but is also the standard way to say 'to love' a person in Spanish.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, asking ¿quieres esto? when offering food may be met with an initial 'no' out of politeness, even if the person actually wants it.
- The word esto is a 'neuter' pronoun, meaning it does not belong to the masculine or feminine categories. It is specifically used when the speaker is pointing to something and does not yet know its actual gender.
Examples in context
- ¿Quieres esto?Do you want this?This example shows how to use the phrase ¿quieres esto?Tatoeba #2707062 by cueyayotl, translation #2011332 by CK
- ¿Quiere usted esto, señor?Do you want this, sir?
- ¿Desearía usted esto, señora?Would you like this, ma'am?
- ¿Te apetece esto?Are you in the mood for this?
Example conversation
Daniel is showing Sofía a piece of cake.
- DanielTengo un trozo de pastel, ¿quieres esto?I have a piece of cake, do you want this?
- SofíaSí, por favor, se ve delicioso.Yes, please, it looks delicious.
- DanielAquí tienes, Sofía.Here you go, Sofía.
- SofíaMuchas gracias, Daniel.Thank you very much, Daniel.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
