Querer: to want, to love
Pronunciation: keh-REHR (stress the capital letters)
Querer means “to want, to love” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to want, to love
- How to say it: keh-REHR
- Present: yo quiero, tú quieres
- Level: Beginner (A1)
What “querer” means and how to use it
Querer means “to want.” With people, it can also mean “to love” (te quiero), depending on the context and how close you are.
How to conjugate “querer”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | quiero | I |
| tú | quieres | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | quiere | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | queremos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | quieren | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo quise, él quiso | I / he or she |
| Past participle | querido | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Quiero un café, por favor.I want a coffee, please.
- ¿Quieres venir con nosotros?Do you want to come with us?
- Quiero mucho a mi abuela.I love my grandmother very much.
Usage tip
Quiero is direct. To sound softer when ordering, many speakers say “quisiera” or “me gustaría.” “Te quiero” is a warm “I love you” used with family, friends, and partners.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to want, to love” in Spanish?
“to want, to love” in Spanish is “querer.” It is pronounced keh-REHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “querer”?
Say keh-REHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “querer”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “quise” and “él” is “quiso.” The past participle is “querido.”
Practice “querer” for free
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