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 aprender (to learn).
Which one should you use?
While quiero aprender is a direct way to express desire, you can also use Deseo aprender to say "I wish to learn", Me gustaría aprender which literally means "it would please me to learn" or Me encantaría aprender to say "I would love to learn".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may hear me gustaría aprender more frequently instead of quiero aprender. In some Latin American countries, me gustaría can be replaced with quisiera to mean the same thing.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing the desire to learn a specific skill or action, you must follow quiero aprender with the preposition a before the infinitive verb, forming quiero aprender a… To change the subject from "I" to "we", change quiero to queremos.
How do you pronounce it?
/kjeɾo apɾendeɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word aprender is a cognate of the English word 'apprehend'. While 'apprehend' now often means to arrest someone, it originally meant to seize knowledge with the mind.
- While quiero aprender refers to the result of gaining knowledge, Spanish uses a separate verb estudiar for the process of studying. It is common to say you estudiar for hours without actually aprender anything.
- The verb aprender is a linguistic sibling to the Spanish word aprehender. While they sound similar, aprehender is specifically used for seizing something physically or grasping a concept mentally.
Examples in context
- Es que quiero aprender.It's because I want to learn.This sentence is useful for explaining a reason for a current situation using quiero aprender.Tatoeba #4371692 by umano, translation #9194596 by DJ_Saidez
- Quiero aprender a manejar.I want to learn to drive.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to learn a specific skill like driving using quiero aprender.Tatoeba #8769262 by SemperAutumnus, translation #8069222 by CK
- Quiero aprender a dibujar.I want to learn how to draw.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to learn a specific skill like drawing using quiero aprender.Tatoeba #9062106 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #8056920 by CK
- Quiero aprender españolI want to learn Spanish
- Deseo aprender el idiomaI wish to learn the language
- Me gustaría aprender más sobre la cultura hispanaI would like to learn more about Hispanic culture
- Me encantaría aprender a bailar salsaI would love to learn how to dance salsa
- Quiero aprender a tocar el pianoI want to learn to play the piano
- Deseo aprender a cantarI wish to learn how to sing
- Me gustaría aprender a programarI would like to learn how to program
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are talking about a new cooking class.
- MateoElena, quiero aprender a cocinar bien.Elena, I want to learn to cook well.
- Elena¿En serio? Es un hobby muy divertido.Really? It is a very fun hobby.
- MateoSí, por eso busco un curso.Yes, that is why I am looking for a course.
- ElenaTe puedo ayudar con eso, Mateo.I can help you with that, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aprender, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
