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querer

to want

verb keh-REHR Common
Mind & Emotions Emotions

Origin: From Latin quaerere (to seek).

Also means

to love

Usage Note

Querer covers both 'to want' (quiero un café) and 'to love' in the sense of deep affection for people and pets (te quiero — I love you). For romantic love, te amo is more intense and formal. In the past tense the preterite quise means 'I tried to' (and failed), while the imperfect quería means 'I wanted to' — a subtle but important distinction. ¿Qué quieres decir? = 'What do you mean?'

Examples

"Quiero aprender español este año."

Natural Translation

I want to learn Spanish this year.

Literal Translation

I-want to-learn Spanish this year

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