¿Quieres aprender inglés?
The English phrase "do you want to learn english" is translated into Spanish as ¿Quieres aprender inglés?
This phrase is used to ask if someone has the desire to study the English language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb querer (to want) in the second person singular, the infinitive aprender (to learn) and the noun inglés (English).
Which one should you use?
While ¿Quieres aprender inglés? is a direct question about desire, ¿Te gustaría aprender inglés? is a more polite and indirect way to offer the idea.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, such as Argentina, Uruguay and parts of Central America, the informal variation ¿Querés aprender inglés? is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the formal you (usted) instead of the informal you (tú) with the verb querer, change the verb from quieres to quiere to form ¿Quiere aprender inglés?
Did you know?
- The verb aprender shares a common ancestor with the English word 'apprehend', which means to grasp or seize something.
- The word inglés is written with a lowercase letter in Spanish unless it starts a sentence, unlike English where language names are always capitalized.
- In Spanish, the word inglés can refer to the language, a person from England, or even a specific style of 'English' tailoring and fashion.
Examples in context
- ¿Quieres aprender inglés para viajar?Do you want to learn English to travel?
- ¿Desea usted aprender inglés para avanzar en su carrera?Do you want to learn English to advance in your career?
- ¿Te gustaría aprender inglés para poder comunicarte con personas de diferentes culturas?Would you like to learn English to be able to communicate with people from different cultures?
- ¿Quieres aprender inglés para encontrar mejores oportunidades de trabajo?Do you want to learn English to find better job opportunities?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aprender, inglés, CC BY-SA 4.0.
