Quiero llorar
/kjeɾo ʝoɾaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I want to cry" is translated into Spanish as Quiero llorar.
Quiero llorar is used to express a strong desire or the feeling of needing to shed tears because of an emotion. For example, you might say Me siento triste y quiero llorar to mean "I feel sad and want to cry".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the first-person singular present indicative of querer (to want) and the infinitive llorar (to cry).
Which one should you use?
Quiero echarme a llorar means "I want to burst into tears", and Tengo ganas de llorar means "I feel like crying".
How do you pronounce it?
/kjeɾo ʝoɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying Quiero llorar can be used hyperbolically to describe something that is overwhelmingly beautiful or cute, rather than sad.
- The English word 'implore' shares its roots with llorar, as both descend from the Latin 'plorare', which meant to cry out or lament loudly.
- The verb llorar is often used in the phrase llorarle los hombros a alguien, which means to complain or vent your sorrows to a friend.
Examples in context
- Quiero llorar.I want to cry.This sentence is a direct example of using Quiero llorar.Tatoeba #2105498 by Shishir, translation #452275 by CM
- Después de una larga discusión, me siento triste y quiero llorar para desahogarme.After a long argument, I feel sad and want to cry to let it out.
- Después de ese desengaño amoroso, solo quiero echarme a llorar.After that heartbreak, I just want to burst into tears.
- Después de ver esa película triste, tengo ganas de llorar.After watching that sad movie, I feel like crying.
- Cuando escucho esa canción, se me aguan los ojos.When I hear that song, my eyes well up with tears.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía tells Mateo about a difficult day at work.
- SofíaTuve un día terrible, quiero llorar.I had a terrible day, I want to cry.
- MateoLo siento mucho, Sofía. ¿Qué pasó?I am so sorry, Sofia. What happened?
- SofíaMi jefe gritó frente a todos.My boss yelled in front of everyone.
- MateoNo llores, todo va a estar bien.Don't cry, everything is going to be okay.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries llorar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
