Querer Verb Conjugation
Querer verb conjugation is important for understanding the Spanish verb tenses and expressing desires accurately. From the present indicative “yo quiero” (I want) to the past subjunctive “yo quisiera” (I would like), understanding “querer verb” conjugation unlocks the ability to convey wishes, needs, and requests adeptly.
Querer is a Spanish verb “to want/ to love”. Examples: Quiero comer rice (I want to eat rice) and te quiero (I love you).
Similar verbs to querer are: ansiar (to long for), desear (to want/ wish), apetecer (to feel like) .
| Item | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Infinitive | querer | to want, to love |
| Past participle | querido | wanted |
| Gerund | queriendo | wanting |
Indicative Tenses of Querer
The Indicative Present of querer is used to talk about situations, events or thoughts that are happening now or in the near future. It is also used to talk about facts and truths. For instance, “quiero un cachorro“, meaning “I want a puppy“.
In Spanish, the Indicative Present is referred to as “El Presente”.
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | quiero | I want |
| Tú | quieres | you want |
| Ella / Él / Usted | quiere | s/he wants, you (formal) want |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | queremos | we want |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | queréis | you (plural) want |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | quieren | they want, |
Querer Verb in the Indicative Preterite
The Indicative Preterite of Querer is used to talk about actions done in the past, at a specific point in time. For example, “quise un cachorro“, meaning “I wanted a puppy“.
In Spanish, the Indicative Preterite is referred as “El Pretérito Indefinido”.
| Pronoun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | quise | I wanted |
| Tú | quisiste | you wanted |
| Ella / Él / Usted | quiso | s/he wanted, you (formal) wanted |
| Nosotras / Nosotros | quisimos | we wanted |
| Vosotras / Vosotros | quisisteis | you (plural) wanted |
| Ellas / Ellos / Ustedes | quisieron | they wanted, |
Querer Verb Conjugation: Basic Forms
The most popular querer conjugation forms are as follows:
| Subject | Present | Preterite | Future | Imperfect |
| yo | quiero | quise | querré | quería |
| tú | quieres | quisiste | querrás | querías |
| él, ella, Usted | quiere | quiso | querrá | quería |
| nosotros | queremos | quisimos | querremos | queríamos |
| vosotros | queréis | quisisteis | querréis | querías |
| ellos, ellas, ustedes | quieren | quisieron | querrán |
Example Sentences and Usage
Quiero que me digas la verdad. I want you to tell me the truth.
Eso es porque no quieres estar solo. It’s because you don’t want to be alone.
¿Quieres decir que ocultas intencionalmente tu belleza? You are saying you intentionally hide your good looks?
Yo sólo quería revisar mis correos electrónicos. I just wanted to check my email.
¿Quién quiere chocolate caliente? Who wants some hot chocolate?
¡No quiero pedir tu mano! I don’t want to propose to you!
Quiero un masaje. Necesito relajarme. I want a massage. I need to relax.
Quisiera pilas para este aparato. I would like batteries for this device.