Learn essential Spanish question words and the verb "querer" to ask for what you need and want.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
¡Hola de nuevo! This chapter is all about getting what you need and want in Spanish! Knowing how to ask questions is crucial for communication. We'll introduce you to the fundamental question words and how to use them to inquire about basic needs, desires, and even start ordering food and drinks. Get ready to become a more active participant in Spanish conversations!
(Optional Review): Can you recall the verb 'tener' (to have) from the last chapter? We'll be using it alongside a new verb, 'querer' (to want), in this chapter!
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| yo | quiero | I want |
| tú | quieres | you want (informal) |
| él/ella/usted | quiere | he/she/you (formal) wants |
| nosotros/as | queremos | we want |
| vosotros/as | queréis | you want (informal, plural - Spain) |
| ellos/as/ustedes | quieren | they/you (plural) want |
Learn question words, "querer," and ordering phrases.
Import Chapter 12 Flashcards(Requires login to import/study)
Instructions: Draw a line (mentally or on paper) to match the Spanish question word on the left with its English equivalent on the right.
¿Qué? ( ) Where?
¿Quién? ( ) Why?
¿Dónde? ( ) What?
¿Cuándo? ( ) Who?
¿Por qué? ( ) How?
¿Cómo? ( ) When?Answer Key:
¿Qué? → What?
¿Quién? → Who?
¿Dónde? → Where?
¿Cuándo? → When?
¿Por qué? → Why?
¿Cómo? → How?Instructions: Choose the correct present tense conjugation of "querer" to complete the sentences (correct answer bolded in key).
Answer Key:
Instructions: Match the Spanish ordering phrase on the left with its English equivalent on the right.
Quisiera... ( ) Anything else?
¿Me puede dar...? ( ) No, thank you.
Para mí... ( ) I would like...
¿Algo más? ( ) For me...
No, gracias. ( ) Can you give me...?Answer Key:
Quisiera... → I would like...
¿Me puede dar...? → Can you give me...?
Para mí... → For me...
¿Algo más? → Anything else?
No, gracias. → No, thank you.Instructions: Practice the following speaking and writing exercises.
Instructions: Complete the following questions in Spanish using the appropriate question word based on the English prompt.
Answer Key:
Instructions: Say the following sentences aloud in Spanish, expressing what you want.
Example Answers:
Instructions: Imagine you are in a café. Say aloud three things you would like to order using "Quisiera..." or "¿Me puede dar...?"
Example Responses:
(No answer key - practice forming sentences)
Instructions: In pairs, take turns asking and answering simple questions using the question words and the verbs "querer" and "tener."
Student A: ¿Qué quieres comer?
Student B: Quiero una ensalada. ¿Y tú?
Student A: ¿Tienes sed?
Student B: Sí, tengo mucha sed. ¿Dónde está el agua?(No answer key needed)
Instructions: One person plays the role of a customer, and the other plays the role of a waiter/server. Practice ordering food and drinks using the phrases learned in this chapter.
Example Exchange:
Customer: Quisiera una hamburguesa, por favor.
Waiter: ¿Algo más?
Customer: Sí, me puede dar un vaso de limonada.
Waiter: Enseguida. (Right away.)(No answer key needed)
Instructions: In pairs, interview each other about your basic needs and wants using "¿Qué quieres?", "¿Tienes...?", and "¿Necesitas...?"
(No answer key needed)
¡Felicidades! You've learned so much already. Now, let's see how much you can understand by reading a short story in Spanish. Try to read it through first without looking at the translation. Pay attention to the vocabulary and verbs you've learned so far (like ser, estar, tener, querer, and the question words).
Hola. Yo soy Sofía. Hoy es lunes. Tengo veinticinco años. Soy estudiante.
Por la mañana, tengo hambre. Quiero comer una manzana. También quiero beber agua.
Después, voy a la escuela. ¿Dónde está la escuela? La escuela está cerca de mi casa.
En la escuela, veo a mi amigo Carlos. Él es alto y simpático.
—Hola, Carlos. ¿Qué tal? —digo.
—Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú? —responde Carlos.
—Así así. Tengo sueño —digo yo.
Carlos tiene una pregunta.
—¿Qué quieres hacer después de la escuela? —pregunta Carlos.
—Quiero estudiar en la biblioteca —respondo—. ¿Y tú? ¿Qué quieres hacer?
—Yo quiero comer pizza —dice Carlos—. Tengo mucha hambre.
Después de la escuela, Sofía va a la biblioteca. Carlos quiere ir a un restaurante para comer pizza.
Más tarde, Sofía tiene sed. Quiere beber agua. Carlos tiene calor y también quiere beber agua.
Por la noche, Sofía está cansada. Tiene sueño. Quiere ir a casa y dormir.
—Adiós, Carlos —dice Sofía.
—Hasta luego, Sofía —responde Carlos.
Sofía va a su casa. Ella está feliz porque el día no es malo.
Hello. I am Sofía. Today is Monday. I am twenty-five years old. I am a student.
In the morning, I am hungry. I want to eat an apple. I also want to drink water.
Afterwards, I go to school. Where is the school? The school is near my house.
At school, I see my friend Carlos. He is tall and nice.
—Hello, Carlos. What's up? —I say.
—Fine, thank you. And you? —Carlos responds.
—So-so. I am sleepy —I say.
Carlos has a question.
—What do you want to do after school? —Carlos asks.
—I want to study in the library —I respond—. And you? What do you want to do?
—I want to eat pizza —says Carlos—. I am very hungry.
After school, Sofía goes to the library. Carlos wants to go to a restaurant to eat pizza.
Later, Sofía is thirsty. She wants to drink water. Carlos is hot and also wants to drink water.
In the evening, Sofía is tired. She is sleepy. She wants to go home and sleep.
—Goodbye, Carlos —says Sofía.
—See you later, Sofía —responds Carlos.
Sofía goes to her house. She is happy because the day is not bad.
When ordering food and drinks in Spanish-speaking countries, politeness is generally appreciated. Using phrases like 'por favor' (please) and 'gracias' (thank you) is essential. The level of formality can vary depending on the establishment, but erring on the side of politeness is usually a safe approach.
Directness in asking for what you want is often acceptable, but softening your request with 'Quisiera...' (I would like...) can be perceived as more courteous, especially when speaking to someone you don't know well.
Tipping customs can vary from country to country. In some places, it's customary to leave a small tip for good service in restaurants and cafes, while in others, it might be less common or already included in the bill. It's always a good idea to research the local customs if you are traveling.
When asking '¿Qué quieres?', be mindful of your tone, especially with people you don't know well, as it can sometimes sound a bit direct. In more formal situations, "¿Qué desea?" (What do you desire?) might be more appropriate, although "¿Qué quiere?" is generally acceptable in most everyday scenarios.
Question words: ¿Qué?, ¿Quién?, ¿Dónde?, ¿Cuándo?, ¿Por qué?, ¿Cómo?
Verb "querer": quiero, quieres, quiere, queremos, queréis, quieren.
Other useful words: tener, hambre, sed, necesitar, quisiera, ¿me puede dar?, para mí, ¿algo más?, no, gracias, sí, por favor, comer, beber, ir al baño, ayuda.
Present tense conjugation of "querer," using question words to form basic inquiries, using "querer," "tener," and "necesitar" to express wants and needs, basic ordering phrases.
Excellent work on mastering basic questions and expressing your wants in Spanish! In the next chapter, we will continue to expand your knowledge of numbers, moving beyond twenty-nine and learning how to count up to one hundred. This will be essential for discussing prices, quantities, and more!