Which one should you use?
¿quieres comer? asks if someone wants the action of eating, whereas ¿tienes hambre? specifically asks if they are feeling hungry.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, when addressing a group of friends or people you are on familiar terms with, use ¿queréis comer? (informal/plural). In Latin America, use ¿quieren comer? to address a group of people, regardless of whether the relationship is formal or informal.
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to someone you do not know well, an elder or someone in a position of authority, use the formal ¿quiere comer? To address a group of friends in Spain, use the informal plural ¿queréis comer? To address a group in Latin America, use the formal/plural ¿quieren comer?
When do people say it?
If someone asks you this question, common ways to answer "yes" are Sí, quiero (Yes, I want to) or Sí, por favor (Yes, please).
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the verb comer refers specifically to the midday meal, which is often the largest and most important meal of the day.
- The phrase comerse el mundo literally means 'to eat the world' and is used to describe someone with great ambition who wants to achieve everything in life.
- In Spanish, you can use the reflexive form comerse to imply that you are eating something entirely or with great gusto, rather than just the act of eating.
Examples in context
- ¿Le apetece comer? Podemos ir a ese nuevo restaurante de comida mexicana.Do you want to eat? We can go to that new Mexican restaurant.
- ¿Quieres comer? Hay una parrillada en mi casa hoy.Do you want to eat? There's a barbecue at my house today.
- ¿Te apetece comer algo? Puedo cocinar una deliciosa paella.Do you feel like eating something? I can cook a delicious paella.
- ¿Quieres comer algo ahora?Do you want to eat something now?
- Antes de salir, ¿quieres comer?Before leaving, do you want to eat?
Example conversation
Two friends are hanging out in the living room.
- SofíaJavier, ¿quieres comer?Javier, do you want to eat?
- JavierSí, tengo mucha hambre.Yes, I am very hungry.
- SofíaVamos a la cocina entonces.Let's go to the kitchen then.
- JavierPerfecto, vamos.Perfect, let's go.
