What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of quiero, which is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb querer (to want) and tacos, which is the plural of taco.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can use quisiera tacos to sound more polite and less demanding, as using the imperfect subjunctive quisiera softens the request. For even more formal situations, such as ordering in a restaurant, you might use Me gustaría pedir tacos, por favor (I would like to order tacos, please) or Podría pedir tacos, por favor? (Could I order tacos, please?).
How does it change in a sentence?
If you wish to change the phrase from wanting multiple tacos to wanting a single taco, replace the plural tacos with the singular un taco to say quiero un taco.
When do people say it?
When eating, you may hear the phrase ¡Buen provecho!, which means "Bon appétit!"
Did you know?
- In many parts of Mexico, people use the verb regalar, which means 'to gift', to order food. Saying Me regala unos tacos is a standard, polite way to ask for tacos, even though you are expected to pay for them.
- The word taco originally referred to a small plug of cloth or paper used by miners to stop gunpowder from leaking out of holes in the rock.
- While quiero means 'I want' in the context of food, using the same verb in the phrase te quiero expresses love or affection for a person.
Examples in context
- ¡Quiero tacos al pastor!I want tacos al pastor!
- Hoy tengo antojo de tacos.Today, I'm craving tacos.
- Me gustaría pedir unos tacos de carnitas, por favor.I would like to order some carnitas tacos, please.
- Quisiera solicitar tacos vegetarianos, por favor.I would like to request vegetarian tacos, please.
- Tengo mucha hambre, quiero tacos.I am very hungry, I want tacos.
- No sé qué comer, pero quiero tacos.I don't know what to eat, but I want tacos.
- Hoy no quiero pizza, quiero tacos.Today I don't want pizza, I want tacos.
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to eat for dinner at home.
- ElenaAlejandro, ¿qué quieres cenar?Alejandro, what do you want to eat for dinner?
- AlejandroNo estoy seguro, ¿y tú?I'm not sure, and you?
- ElenaYo quiero tacos.I want tacos.
- Alejandro¡Perfecto! Vamos por unos.Perfect! Let's go get some.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
