quiero ser
/kjeɾo seɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I want to be" is translated into Spanish as quiero ser.
This phrase is used to express a desire to become a certain type of person or professional in the future.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb ser (to be) because it refers to an essential characteristic or a profession.
How do you pronounce it?
/kjeɾo seɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
When expressing a desire to become a professional or a certain type of person, avoid using quiero estar instead of quiero ser.
Did you know?
- The Spanish verb ser used in quiero ser actually contains an ancient history of 'sitting' within it. It stems from a linguistic merger between the Latin 'esse' and the verb 'sedēre', which means 'to sit'.
- While quiero ser expresses a goal, Spanish speakers often use the phrase quisiera ser to sound more polite or to express a wish that feels more like a dream than a concrete plan.
- The word ser is also the Spanish noun for 'a being', such as in the phrase ser humano for 'human being'.
Examples in context
- Quiero ser un gato.I want to be a cat.This sentence demonstrates the phrase when expressing a desire to be an animal.Tatoeba #13711827 by ecorralest101, translation #9843220 by shekitten
- Quiero ser tu amiga.I want to be your friend.This sentence shows the phrase used to express a desire to be someone's friend.Tatoeba #2087351 by hayastan, translation #2012133 by CK
- Yo quiero ser doctor.I want to be a doctor.This sentence illustrates the phrase used when talking about a profession.Tatoeba #1239340 by marcelostockle, translation #321715 by CK
- Quisiera ser médicoI would like to be a doctor
- Quiero ser un actorI want to be an actor
- Quiero ser una actrizI want to be an actress
- Anhelo ser arquitectoI yearn to be an architect
- Aspiro a ser científicoI aspire to be a scientist
- Quisiera ser diplomáticoI would like to be a diplomat
- Desearía ser empresario/aI would desire to be an entrepreneur
- 119 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are talking about their future careers.
- DanielElena, yo quiero ser ingeniero.Elena, I want to be an engineer.
- Elena¡Qué bien! Yo quiero ser artista.That's great! I want to be an artist.
- Daniel¿Te gusta pintar mucho?Do you like to paint a lot?
- ElenaSí, es mi sueño.Yes, it is my dream.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ser, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
