Quiero defender a mi familia.

the family

Breakdown of Quiero defender a mi familia.

• yo: I
• querer: to want
• mi: my
• a: to
• defender: to defend

Questions & Answers about Quiero defender a mi familia.

What does “Quiero defender a mi familia” literally translate to in English?

It translates to "I want to defend my family." The sentence uses “quiero” (I want) followed by the infinitive “defender” (to defend), and “a mi familia” tells us that the object of that defense is the speaker’s family.

Why is the verb “defender” in its infinitive form instead of being conjugated?

In Spanish, when verbs such as “querer” (to want) express a desire or intention, they are typically followed by another verb in its infinitive form. This construction—“querer” + infinitive—is a common way to indicate what action the speaker wants to perform.

What is the purpose of the preposition a before “mi familia”?

The a here is known as the personal a. In Spanish, it is used before direct objects that refer to specific persons or animate beings. Since “mi familia” refers to people, the personal a is required.

Can I omit the personal a before “mi familia” because family can be seen as a collective noun?

No, you should not omit it. Even though “mi familia” is a collective noun, it represents a group of individuals. Spanish grammar mandates the use of the personal a when the direct object is a person or a group of people, so it remains necessary.

Is this modal construction (verb of desire + infinitive) common in Spanish?

Yes, it is very common. Many verbs that express wishes, intentions, or abilities (like querer, poder, or deber) are followed by an infinitive. This structure—such as in “quiero defender”—is standard in Spanish and is used widely across both Spain and Latin America.

Are there any additional situations where the personal a is used in Spanish?

Absolutely. The personal a is used whenever the direct object is a specific person or something personified, such as when speaking about a beloved pet or close friend. However, it is not used with inanimate objects or abstract ideas. For example, you’d say “Veo a María” (I see María) but “Veo el coche” (I see the car) without the a.