You can’t always get what you want, but you can learn to ask politely and appropriately. Saying “I want” in Spanish is a matter of learning what is appropriate, from the most direct requests like quiero (I want) to polite forms that show off your good manners like quisiera (I would like). Learning how to say “I want in Spanish” is a key to a positive experience as you navigate new cities and destinations in Spanish-speaking countries.
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Quiero: the basic ‘I want’ in Spanish
The most literal translation of “I want” in Spanish is quiero. You can include the subject pronoun and say yo quiero, but it’s not strictly necessary, since the verb’s “o” ending tells your listener that the subject is yo (I). This conjugation clue is why many subject pronouns in Spanish are dropped in everyday communication.
Quiero will work for very simple and direct requests where you don’t need to be too worried about manners. In some cultures, this is considered acceptable even in restaurants or shops, but it could be considered a bit too forward or blunt.
You could also use quiero to simply express the things you want to do or accomplish.
- Quiero dos cafés, por favor. = I want two coffees, please.
- Quiero empezar mañana, pero no sé si estaré lista. = I want to start tomorrow, but I don’t know if I will be ready.
- Para mi cumpleaños quiero salir con amigos. = For my birthday I want to go out with friends.
Put no in front of quiero to express what you don’t want. No quiero (I don’t want) is especially helpful for expressing frustrations or complaining.
- ¡No quiero más lluvia! = I don’t want more rain!
- ¡No quiero despertarme! = I don’t want to wake up!
- ¡No quiero trabajar! = I don’t want to work!
Quisiera/Querría: the polite ‘I would like’
The words quisiera/querría are other forms of the same verb, querer (to want). Since they are different verb tenses (imperfect subjunctive/conditional respectively), they can sound softer and more well-mannered.
Quisiera/querría (I would like) are considered polite ways to say “I want” in Spanish, so the only danger is that you’ll sound more formal than you need to be. Try these out if the person helping you starts by using formal or polite structures, such as usted vs. tu forms of verbs.
- ¿Qué desea? = What do you desire?
- Quisiera comprar dos billetes, por favor. = I would like to buy two tickets, please.
- ¿Y para usted? = And for you?
- Querría una ensalada. = I would like a salad.
Depending on where you are in the Spanish-speaking world, you might hear these expressions out in public, in business, or when asking strangers for a want or need. Be a good observer of your surroundings and you can fit in with the expectations of the culture.
Tengo ganas de: I feel like/I’m craving
Ever want something “just because”? We might call this a craving in American English, while in British English you might say you “fancy” a sweet. Tener ganas de (to crave/to feel like/to fancy) is a perfect Spanish expression of this feeling.
- Tengo ganas de una leche merengada. = I feel like (having) a cinnamon milkshake.
- Tengo ganas de otro trozo de pastel. = I’m craving another piece of cake.
Deseo: I desire
Context is key when using the verb desear (to desire). If it’s a neutral situation, like talking about hopes and dreams, deseo (I desire) simply expresses a wish or a goal, but be aware that this expression can carry a distinct romantic connotation between people.
- Deseo un nuevo coche este año. = I desire a new car this year.
- El director desea mejorar los resultados este año. = The principal wishes to improve the results this year.
- Te deseo todo lo mejor en el nuevo año = I wish you all the best.
- Te deseo. = I desire you/I want you (sexually).
Te quiero: ‘I love you’ or ‘I want you’ in Spanish?
Now that we’ve stepped into the personal realm, quiero can seem like a tricky word indeed. According to the Real Academia Española, the verb querer can mean anything from appreciation, to love, to desire. Again, context is everything here. The expression te quiero doesn’t necessarily carry the literal meaning of “want.”
In many Spanish-speaking places, it’s common to hear te quiero among platonic friends or family members. It’s just an expression of appreciation and fondness, with no deeper meaning than los dos besos (a common greeting of a kiss on each cheek, with absolutely no romantic feelings attached).
If you find yourself cozy with a romantic interest, that same te quiero might mean something more like te amo (I love you). Me caes bien (I like you in a friendly way) is a way to create a little distance, and te deseo would be more about sexual attraction.
How do you say ‘I want’ in Spanish at a restaurant
One thing to note is that it may not be necessary to use the verb querer when ordering food in Spanish in a restaurant. Consider the following ways to request that you’d like a rich mole or sweet arroz con leche.
| Spanish | English Meaning |
| ¿Me da…? | Give me…? |
| Me gustaría… | I would like… |
| ¿Me podría traer…? | Could you bring me |
| ¿Me pone…? | Get me…? |
| ¿Me puede traer…? | Can you bring me…? |
| ¿Me trae…?/¿Me traes….? | Bring me….? (formal/informal) |
| Un café, por favor. | A coffee, please. (sometimes you don’t need a verb at all) |
The amount of bluntness or politeness these expressions have can be lost in these English translations. While regional differences are difficult to nail down at first, don’t worry. No matter how you ask for what you want, restaurant employees will understand that you’re ordering food, and most are patient with learners who are trying to be as polite as possible. With time and practice, you’ll learn the cultural norms and most common expressions.
Set your Spanish learning goals with quiero
Quiero can also help you express a goal with determination. If you’re learning Spanish, you might say something like Quiero aprender más (I want to learn more). This double verb structure comes in handy, because you don’t need to conjugate the action verb that comes after quiero. You just leave it in its original infinitive form.
- Quiero hablar con más fluidez. = I want to speak with more fluency.
- Quiero comprender mejor. = I want to understand better.
- Quiero viajar. = I want to travel.
- Quiero poder comunicarme con mi suegra. = I want to be able to communicate with my mother-in-law.
Share your goals with a helpful language partner, one of Rosetta Stone’s tutors, or write them in a journal as you practice. Having goals and a proven method like Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion is a recipe for getting what you want from your language study.
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