quería
/keɾia/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I wanted to" is translated into Spanish as quería.
quería is used to express a desire or intention that someone had in the past. In Spanish, you do not need to include the pronoun yo (I) before quería because the verb ending already indicates the subject.
Which one should you use?
quería describes a continuous state of wanting in the past. In contrast, the preterite form quise often implies a specific attempt or a sudden decision to do something.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and Argentina, Me hubiera gustado can be replaced with Me hubiese gustado while maintaining the same meaning.
How does it change in a sentence?
quería is the imperfect indicative form of the verb querer, used to express an ongoing or continuous state of wanting in the past.
How do you pronounce it?
/keɾia/
Did you know?
- The verb querer can mean both 'to want' and 'to love'. Depending on the context, quería can be translated as 'I loved you' when speaking about a romantic partner or a family member.
- The word quería is part of a verb family that shares a root with the English word 'query', both originating from the Latin 'quaerere' meaning 'to seek'.
- Because quería describes an ongoing state, it is often used in Spanish to make a request sound softer and more polite. Instead of a direct command, using quería turns a demand into a gentle, indirect 'I was wanting to…'.
Examples in context
- Quería ir a París.I wanted to go to Paris.This sentence is useful for using quería to express a desire to go somewhere.Tatoeba #1722941 by Shishir, translation #1722127 by kerbear407
- Quería irme a casa.I wanted to go home.This sentence is useful for using quería to express a desire to go home.Tatoeba #2096429 by Shishir, translation #1887906 by CK
- Quería decir que no.I wanted to say no.This sentence is useful for using quería to express a desire to say something.Tatoeba #2049190 by Shishir, translation #1887909 by CK
- Habría querido asistir a la reunión hoy, pero tuve un impedimento.I would have wanted to attend the meeting today, but I had an impediment.
- Tenía intención de visitar tu empresa la semana pasada, pero surgió un imprevisto.I had the intention of visiting your company last week, but something unexpected came up.
- Quería ir al cine ayer, pero me quedé estudiando.I wanted to go to the movies yesterday, but I stayed studying.
- Hubiera querido acompañarte a la fiesta, pero ya tenía otros planes.I would have wanted to accompany you to the party, but I already had other plans.
- Tenía ganas de comer helado, pero ya era tarde.I felt like eating ice cream, but it was already late.
- Tenía ganas de haber ido a la fiesta, pero estaba cansado.I wanted to have gone to the party, but I was tired.
- 183 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are talking about a missed party.
- AlejandroQuería ir a tu fiesta ayer.I wanted to go to your party yesterday.
- María¡Qué pena! ¿Por qué no viniste?That's a shame! Why didn't you come?
- AlejandroTuve que trabajar hasta tarde.I had to work until late.
- MaríaNo te preocupes, Alejandro.Don't worry, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
