quiero uno
/kjeɾo uno/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I want one" is translated into Spanish as quiero uno.
quiero uno is used to express a desire to obtain or purchase a single item of something.
Which one should you use?
Use quiero uno when the noun is implied or has already been mentioned, rather than placing it directly before the noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the object being referred to is a feminine noun, you must change uno to una. When uno is placed immediately before a masculine noun, it shortens to un, as in quiero un libro.
How do you pronounce it?
/kjeɾo uno/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying quiero uno when ordering food can sound too demanding. People often use the conditional quisiera uno to sound more polite, similar to using 'I would like' instead of 'I want'.
- The verb querer in quiero uno can mean both 'to want' and 'to love'. Depending on the context and the object, the phrase could technically be interpreted as expressing affection for a single item.
- The word uno is a linguistic cousin to the Russian word один (odin) and the Greek οἶος (oîos), sharing a common ancestor from thousands of years ago.
Examples in context
- Quiero uno de esos.I want one like that.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire for one of a specific item previously mentioned.Tatoeba #7921286 by Seael, translation #6115533 by Hybrid
- Quiero uno ahora mismo.I want one right now.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire for one of a specific item immediately.Tatoeba #11836120 by Seael, translation #6792913 by Hybrid
- Quiero uno.I want one.This sentence is useful for a direct expression of wanting one item.Tatoeba #6600581 by arh, translation #3821763 by CK
- Quisiera uno de esos, por favor.I would like one of those, please.
- Me gustaría uno de estos libros, por favor.I would like one of these books, please.
- Quiero uno de esos helados.I want one of those ice creams.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are looking at a display of cupcakes in a bakery.
- JavierEse pastelito se ve delicioso.That cupcake looks delicious.
- SofíaYo también quiero uno.I want one too.
- Javier¿Quieres que te compre uno?Do you want me to buy you one?
- SofíaSí, por favor, Javier.Yes, please, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries uno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
