español · A1 · verb · 4 minutes
Querer in the present
State wants, make requests, and express affection.
Understand the choice
Use querer for wants, intentions, affection, and straightforward requests. Learn the stem change by separating the two unstressed plural forms from the other four.
Core rule: Querer changes e to ie in stressed present forms; nosotros and vosotros keep e: queremos, queréis.
Notice it in context
Quiero descansar, pero queremos terminar primero.
I want to rest, but we want to finish first.
Quiero changes e to ie; queremos keeps the original stem vowel.
¿Quieres venir conmigo?
Do you want to come with me?
Querer + infinitive states the desired action.
Ellas quieren mucho a su abuela.
They love their grandmother very much.
Querer a a person can express affection.
What to remember
- Quiero + noun is useful for simple requests.
- Quisiera is a softer form learned later; quiero is not inherently rude with por favor.
Common trap: Do not apply the stem change to nosotros: quieremos is wrong; use queremos.