quiero estar contigo
/kjeɾo estaɾ kontiɡo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I want to be with you" is translated into Spanish as quiero estar contigo.
Quiero estar contigo is used to express a desire for someone's company or to indicate a desire to be in a relationship with them.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of quiero (I want), estar (to be/to stay) and contigo (with you).
Which one should you use?
In this phrase, the verb estar is used instead of ser because estar refers to a state of being or presence in a location or company, rather than an essential characteristic.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, people might say quiero estar con vos instead of contigo.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb querer is conjugated in the first person singular quiero to express "I want". The word contigo is a contraction of the preposition con (with) and the pronoun ti (you).
How do you pronounce it?
/kjeɾo estaɾ kontiɡo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the verb querer can mean both 'to want' and 'to love'.
- The Spanish word estar shares a common ancestor with the English words 'state' and 'stand'.
- The conjugation of estar in the past tense is quite mysterious, as it likely evolved from the verb haber (to have) rather than a direct line from Latin.
Examples in context
- Quiero estar contigo en Navidad.I want to be with you on Christmas.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to be with someone during Christmas.Tatoeba #13844039 by mervert1, translation #12225116 by CK
- Quiero estar contigo para siempre.I want to be with you forever.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to be with someone forever.Tatoeba #437032 by lukaszpp, translation #437031 by lukaszpp
- Quiero estar contigo más que cualquier otra cosa.I want to be with you more than anything else.This sentence is useful for expressing that being with someone is a person's greatest desire.Tatoeba #10663340 by Adelpa, translation #10663353 by Adelpa
- En serio, quiero estar con vos, sos genialSeriously, I want to be with you, you're amazing
- quisiera estar contigo siempreI would like to be with you always
- Quiero estar contigo siempre, eres mi razón de ser.I want to be with you always, you are my reason for being.
- Me gustaría estar contigo en este momento, solo tú me haces feliz.I would like to be with you right now, only you make me happy.
- Quisiera estar contigo donde sea, eres la persona con la que quiero pasar mi tiempo.I would like to be with you anywhere, you are the person I want to spend my time with.
Example conversation
Alejandro expresses his romantic feelings to María at a park.
- AlejandroMaría, quiero estar contigo.María, I want to be with you.
- María¿De verdad lo dices?Do you really mean that?
- AlejandroSí, de todo corazón.Yes, with all my heart.
- MaríaYo también quiero estar contigo, Alejandro.I want to be with you too, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contigo, estar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
