Quisiera vs Quiero
Quisiera is the imperfect subjunctive form of querer «to want» (check here the Spanish verb»querer» conjugation). I can be used instead of «I would like», in Spanish, to ask for something politely.
Quisiera una ración de paella de marisco, por favor. (I would like a plate of seafood paella, please.)
Don’t mistake «quisiera» with «quiero» (I want) because if you use «quiero» to ask for something you can sound very demanding:
Quisiera un café (I would like a coffee).
Quiero un café (I want a coffee).
It is also used to indicate a wish that may be very difficult o to happen or impossible:
Quisiéramos ir en un crucero, pero no tenemos dinero (We would like to go on a cruise, but we don’t have money).
Ways to say I would like in Spanish
Apart from «quisiera» there are other ways to express this is by using the conditional form of gustar (to like) or encantar (to love):
Me gustaría hacer una reserva… (I would like to do a reservation…).
Nos gustaría/encantaría ir en un crucero… (We would like/love to go on a cruise…).
¡Cómo me encantaría volver a mi país en Navidad! (How I’d love to go back to my country at Chrismas!).
Remember that the conditional tense can be used to express politeness. Learn more about the conditional tense:
– ¿Le gustaría ver mi casa? (Would you like to see my house?).
– Sí, me encantaría (Yes, I’d love it).
Don’t forget that you can contact your tutor if you have any question about the different ways to say I would like in Spanish. Don’t you have a Spanish tutor online yet?
Vídeo de Cinco cantando «Quisiera», con letra en español
Este grupo formado precisamente por cinco jovenes de Miami, ha hecho famoso internacionalemnte este regueton, seguro que te ayuda a memorizar el vocabulario. Aquí puedes descargarte la letra, ayudate de un diccionario si lo necesitas, también puedes descargarte la canción en MP3.