quiero desayunar
/kjeɾo desaʝunaɾ/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'I want breakfast' is expressed as quiero desayunar.
The phrase is used to express a desire to eat the first meal of the day. While you can express this desire using the verb desayunar, it is also possible to use the noun desayuno in the phrase quiero el desayuno to say 'I want the breakfast'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase quiero desayunar is composed of the verb querer (to want) conjugated in the first-person singular present tense, and the infinitive desayunar (to eat breakfast).
Which one should you use?
Using the verb desayunar is often more natural in Spanish than using the noun desayuno when expressing the desire to eat the meal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase tomar el desayuno is used to mean 'to have breakfast'.
How do you pronounce it?
/kjeɾo desaʝunaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb desayunar literally means 'to unfast' your stomach, as it is built from the prefix 'des-' meaning 'undo' and the word 'ayuno' meaning 'fast'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, desayuno refers to the very first light snack of the day, while a second, larger mid-morning meal is called almuerzo.
- While English speakers often associate breakfast with cereal or toast, in many Latin American countries it is common to desayunar heavy savory dishes like gallo pinto or plantains.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿podría tener algo para desayunar?Excuse me, could I have something for breakfast?
- Oye, ¿me puedes hacer el desayuno?Hey, can you make me breakfast?
- Tengo hambre, quiero desayunar.I am hungry, I want to eat breakfast.
- Ahora quiero desayunar.I want to eat breakfast now.
- Tengo hambre y quiero desayunar.I am hungry and I want to eat breakfast.
- Si tengo tiempo, quiero desayunar algo ligero.If I have time, I want to eat a light breakfast.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are in the kitchen in the morning.
- DanielBuenos días, María. Quiero desayunar.Good morning, María. I want to have breakfast.
- MaríaHola, Daniel. Yo también.Hello, Daniel. Me too.
- Daniel¿Qué vamos a comer?What are we going to eat?
- MaríaPodemos preparar unos huevos.We can prepare some eggs.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desayunar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
