¿quieres?
The English phrase 'do you want to' is translated into Spanish as ¿quieres? in its default form.
This phrase is used to ask if someone would like to perform an action. In Spanish, ¿quieres? is frequently used as a short tag at the end of a sentence to confirm interest.
Which one should you use?
While in English 'do you want to' often serves as a standalone follow-up question, in Spanish, ¿quieres? is commonly used as a tag at the end of a statement to confirm interest.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can use ¿Te apetece? to mean 'Do you feel like?' In Argentina, it is common to use the very informal phrases ¿Te copa? or ¿Copas? to ask 'Do you want to?'
How does it change in a sentence?
To address more than one person, use the plural form ¿quieren? To express 'do you want me to [do something]', use the construction ¿quieres que…? followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood.
Did you know?
- The Spanish verb Querer, which forms the basis of ¿Quieres?, is also the word for 'to love' when used with people.
- In Argentina, the slang term copa used in ¿Te copa? comes from the word for a 'wine glass', evoking the idea of a social gathering or a party.
- In some Latin American countries, if you use ¿quieres? to offer something, the person may respond with dale, which literally means 'give it' but actually means 'yes' or 'let's do it'.
Examples in context
- Nos podemos rascar la espalda mutuamente, ¿quieres?We can scratch each other's backs. Do you want to?This sentence shows how to use ¿quieres? as a tag at the end of a sentence to confirm interest.Tatoeba #10295311 by Seael, translation #10993746 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿Quiere usted acompañarme al cine?Do you want to accompany me to the cinema?
- ¿Quieres ir al parque?Do you want to go to the park?
- ¿Te gustaría salir a cenar esta noche?Would you like to go out for dinner tonight?
- ¿Quieres que vaya?Do you want me to go?
- ¿Quieres bailar?Do you want to dance?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
