quiero comer algo
/kjeɾo komeɾ alɡo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "I want some food" is expressed as quiero comer algo.
The phrase is used to express a desire to eat something. To say "I'm hungry," you can use tengo hambre. If you want to describe food, you might use rico for delicious, sabroso for tasty or saludable for healthy.
Which one should you use?
While you might think to say quiero comida to mean "I want food," it is more natural in Spanish to say quiero comer algo, which translates to "I want to eat something."
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb quiero is the first-person singular present indicative form of querer. The infinitive comer is used immediately after quiero to express the desire to perform the action.
How do you pronounce it?
/kjeɾo komeɾ alɡo/
Did you know?
- The word comer can mean 'to eat' in general, but in Spain it specifically refers to the main meal of the day, which usually happens between 2 pm and 4 pm.
- While quiero comer algo is grammatically correct, using quisiera instead of quiero is common in restaurants to sound more polite and less demanding.
- The word comer is the ancestor of the English word 'comestible', describing anything that is fit for consumption.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, me gustaría algo de comida, por favor.Excuse me, I would like some food, please.
- Quiero algo de comida, ¿qué me sugieres?I want some food, what do you suggest?
- Tengo hambre, quiero comer algo.I am hungry, I want to eat something.
- No desayuné, así que quiero comer algo ahora.I didn't eat breakfast, so I want to eat something now.
- Después de la clase, quiero comer algo ligero.After class, I want to eat something light.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are walking through a mall.
- MateoLucía, ya quiero comer algo.Lucía, I want to eat something already.
- LucíaYo también, busquemos un restaurante.Me too, let's look for a restaurant.
- Mateo¿Prefieres pizza o hamburguesas?Do you prefer pizza or burgers?
- LucíaCualquier cosa está bien.Anything is fine.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries algo, comer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
