querer is a central verb in Spanish, expressing both desire and affection. It links to emotional and motivational states, making it essential for everyday conversation and for expressing what moves people.
- Main meanings: to want, to love (in a moderate, close sense)
- Verb type: regular in most tenses, but with a stem change (e → ie) in the present indicative/subjunctive and imperative
- Emotional core: connects desires (wants) and affections (loves)
'querer' means both 'to want' and (to) love (affectionately).
'querer' is a stem-changing verb (e → ie).
Meanings & Usage
Querer expresses:
- Desire: wanting something or someone (wishes, demands, requests)
- Affection: loving someone (among family/friends, not typically for passion)
As "to want"
- Me quiero ir. (I want to leave.)
- ¿Quieres café? (Do you want coffee?)
As "to love" (affectionately)
- Te quiero mucho. (I love you a lot.)
- Ellos se quieren. (They love each other.)
'querer' is used for wanting things or people and for expressing affectionate love.
'querer' expresses love in close, informal relationships and not for passionate love.
Conjugation Patterns
Root: quier- (for most forms with e→ie)
Infinitive: querer
Meaning: to want / to love
| Tense | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Present (yo) | quiero | Stem change e→ie (quier-) |
| Present (nosotros) | queremos | No stem change |
| Preterite (yo) | quise | Different root (quis-) |
| Present Subjunctive | quiera | Stem change e→ie |
| Imperative | quiere / no quieras | Stem change, used for affirmative/negative |
Present Indicative
| Subject | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | quiero | Quiero chocolate. |
| Tú | quieres | ¿Quieres salir? |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | quiere | Ella quiere un perro. |
| Nosotros/as | queremos | Queremos viajar. |
| Vosotros/as | queréis | Queréis helado. |
| Ellos/Uds. | quieren | Quieren comprar casa. |
Preterite
| Subject | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | quise | Quise ayudarte. |
| Tú | quisiste | Quisiste ser feliz. |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | quiso | Quiso estar allí. |
| Nosotros/as | quisimos | Quisimos ir juntos. |
| Vosotros/as | quisisteis | Quisisteis aprender. |
| Ellos/Uds. | quisieron | Quisieron cambiarlo. |
'querer' is 'queremos' for 'nosotros' (no stem change).
The preterite root for 'querer' is 'quis-'.
Usage Notes & Comparisons
- Querer vs Amar:
- Querer = to love (affection, among family/friends, also to want)
- Amar = to love (passion, romance, very strong)
- Can soften requests: "¿Quieres un favor?" (Do you want a favor?)
- Shows both emotional and practical bonds.
'querer' is for wanting and moderate love; 'amar' is for deep, romantic love.
'querer' can be used to soften requests (e.g., '¿Quieres ayudar?').
Conclusion
querer is a vital verb that blends desire and affection, crucial for expressing what we want and how we feel in Spanish.
- It means both "to want" and "to love" (in an affectionate sense).
- Remember the stem change (e → ie) and the special preterite root (quis-).
- Use querer for emotional bonds as well as everyday desires.
'querer' is used for love among family, close friends, and informal romantic contexts.
'querer' changes from e to ie in its stem for most present tense forms.