What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of quiero (I want), comida (food) and china (Chinese).
Which one should you use?
While quiero comida china is a direct way to express the desire, you can use more nuanced phrases depending on your intent. For example, Deseo comida china, por favor and Quisiera probar la comida china are used to say "I want Chinese food, please" or "I would like to try Chinese food," respectively. If you are expressing a specific craving, you might say ¡Tengo antojo de comida china! to mean "I'm craving Chinese food!"
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the phrase Quiero comida china, por favor can be used in both formal and informal situations. In Spain, the phrase Me gustaría comer comida china is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word quiero is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb querer. When describing the food, the adjective china follows the noun comida to indicate its origin.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Hoy quiero comida china.Today I want Chinese food.
- Tengo mucha hambre, quiero comida china.I am very hungry, I want Chinese food.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are deciding what to order for dinner at home.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿qué quieres cenar?Daniel, what do you want to eat for dinner?
- DanielNo sé, ¿tienes alguna idea?I don't know, do you have any ideas?
- ElenaYo quiero comida china.I want Chinese food.
- Daniel¡Perfecto! A mí también me encanta.Perfect! I love it too.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries china, comida, CC BY-SA 4.0.
