The verb to want (querer)

The verb querer

The verb querer (to want) is essential for expressing desires and making plans. It is irregular, so its present tense forms must be memorized:

PronounQuerer (Present)
Euquero
Tuqueres
Ele / Ela / Vocêquer
Nósqueremos
Eles / Elas / Vocêsquerem

Connecting to other verbs

Unlike precisar, which requires the preposition de, querer connects directly to an infinitive (a basic, unconjugated verb ending in -ar, -er, or -ir). Just conjugate querer and follow it immediately with an action.

I want to see the museum.
Quero ver o museu.
What do you want to do tonight?
O que queres fazer hoje à noite?
She wants to visit Lisbon.
Ela quer visitar Lisboa.

Making plans and arrangements

Pair querer with verbs like reservar (to reserve), sair (to go out), alugar (to rent), and conhecer (to meet someone, or to get to know a place) to book trips or arrange outings.

I want to reserve a room in the hotel.
Quero reservar um quarto no hotel.
Do you want to go out tonight?
Queres sair hoje à noite?
We want to rent a car on the holidays.
Nós queremos alugar um carro nas férias.
I want to meet your friend.
Quero conhecer o teu amigo.

Ordering and eating food

Querer is also extremely useful in cafes and restaurants. Use it with comer (to eat) to say exactly what you are craving.

Do you want to eat the dessert now?
Vocês querem comer a sobremesa agora?
I want to eat a salad at the café.
Quero comer uma salada no café.
The man wants to eat the steak.
O homem quer comer o bife.

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