Spanish Conversation · Level 30
88 words
Spanish word
querer
Pronunciation
IPA/keˈɾeɾ/
Meaning
- verbwant
Example
Quiero un café.
I want a coffee.
More examples
Te quiero mucho.
I love you very much.
Core concept
A person reaching toward a cup and toward another person's hand.
Common phrases
querer + infinitivo
want to + infinitive
querer algo
want something
querer a alguien
love someone
Similar words
desear: Feels a strong wish or longing for something.
necesitar: Needs something regarded as essential or indispensable.
pedir: Asks another person for an item or an action.
preferir: Prefers one option over others when choosing.
Definition in Spanish
Expresar deseo de poseer algo, de realizar una acción o de mostrar afecto por alguien.
Word origin
From Latin quaerere 'seek', Spanish querer develops a sense of desiring or longing and extends to indicate affection between people.
Usage tips
- A noun or an infinitive follows querer to mark what is wanted (quiero agua; quiero salir), and polite requests often use the conditional querría or quisiera or the phrase me gustaría.