Hoy quiero merendar con mis amigos en el parque.

Today I want to have a snack with my friends in the park.

Breakdown of Hoy quiero merendar con mis amigos en el parque.

• el amigo: the friend
• yo: I
• querer: to want
• en: in

Questions & Answers about Hoy quiero merendar con mis amigos en el parque.

What does merendar mean in this context?

In Spanish (particularly in Spain), merendar refers to having a light meal or snack, usually in the afternoon. It often involves something sweet or a small sandwich and is typically enjoyed between lunch (which is often eaten later in Spain) and dinner (which can be quite late as well).

Why do we use quiero instead of another verb form?

Quiero is the first-person singular form of the verb querer (meaning to want). Since the sentence starts with Hoy quiero… (Today I want…), we’re talking about I want in the present tense, so quiero is the correct choice.

Is there a reason we say en el parque instead of al parque?

Yes. En el parque means in the park or at the park, which emphasizes the location where you plan to have the snack. If you used al parque (to the park), it would emphasize going to the park or heading there, rather than being inside it. Since the sentence suggests you’re going to enjoy your snack in that place, en el parque is more suitable.

How do I know when to use mis amigos instead of mis amigas or another form?