quiero cereal
/kjeɾo θeɾeal/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I want cereal" is expressed in Spanish as quiero cereal.
This phrase is used to express a desire to eat cereal.
What does it mean word for word?
The word quiero is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb querer, which means "I want".
Which one should you use?
While quiero cereal is a common way to express this desire, you can also use the plural cereales in the phrase quiero cereales to refer to different types of cereal or the general category of breakfast cereals.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you can use the phrase Quiero comer cereal to say "I want to eat cereal". In Spain, the expression Me pido un cuenco de cereales can be used to mean "I'm ordering a bowl of cereal".
How do you pronounce it?
/kjeɾo θeɾeal/
Did you know?
- Depending on the region, asking for cereal in the singular might result in receiving a single grain of corn or wheat instead of a breakfast bowl.
- In some Latin American regions, you might hear people refer to these products as avena if they are corn or oat based, even if they are not strictly oatmeal. This is because the term for 'porridge' often overlaps with the general concept of breakfast grain.
- The word cereal is named after 'Ceres', the Roman goddess of agriculture and harvest. It is a direct descendant of the Latin 'Cerealis', which means 'relating to Ceres'.
Examples in context
- Ahora mismo quiero cereal.I want cereal right now.
- No tengo hambre, solo quiero cereal.I am not hungry, I just want cereal.
- Mañana quiero cereal para el desayuno.Tomorrow I want cereal for breakfast.
Example conversation
Javier and María are in the kitchen in the morning.
- JavierMaría, tengo mucha hambre.María, I am very hungry.
- María¿Qué quieres comer, Javier?What do you want to eat, Javier?
- JavierCreo que quiero cereal.I think I want cereal.
- MaríaEstá bien, yo te ayudo.That is fine, I will help you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cereal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
