querer
/keˈɾeɾ/
To want in Spanish is querer.
The verb querer is used to express the sense of wanting, desiring or wishing.
Which one should you use?
While querer means to want, it can also mean to love when referring to people, friends or family. In these contexts, it is a less intense form of affection than amar, which is used for much stronger, romantic love.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the present indicative tense, querer is an e-to-ie stem-changing verb. This means the 'e' changes to 'ie' in most forms, such as quiero (I want), quieres (you want), quiere (he/she/it wants) and quieren (they want).
How do you pronounce it?
/keˈɾeɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful with the stem change in the present tense.
Did you know?
- The Latin root of querer also gave rise to the English word 'quest', as both involve a search or a desire for something.
- The phrase querer es poder is a popular Spanish proverb that translates to 'where there is a will, there is a way'.
- In certain contexts, the phrase no querer can mean 'to refuse' rather than just 'to not want'. For example, if a child no quiere eat, they are actively refusing the food.
Examples in context
- ¿Vas a querer más?Are you going to want more?This sentence uses querer to ask if someone will want more.Tatoeba #8563756 by arh, translation #10274058 by LimeGreenTeknii
- Vas a querer ver esto.You're going to want to see this.This sentence uses querer to say someone is going to want to see something.Tatoeba #2011987 by marcelostockle, translation #2015298 by CK
- Nadie aquí parece querer nuestra ayuda.No one here seems to want our help.This sentence uses querer to show that no one seems to want help.Tatoeba #2090264 by marcelostockle, translation #2016938 by CK
- Quiero un café, por favor.I would like a coffee, please.
- Tengo ganas de comer pizza.I feel like having pizza.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry querer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
