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### Polite requests with *quisiera*

When asking for something, the present tense *quiero* (I want) can sound a bit direct. For a highly polite and formal request, use the imperfect subjunctive form of **querer**.

**Quisiera** translates to "I would like." It's perfect for asking for services or amenities in formal settings, like a high-end spa or restaurant.

| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| yo / él / ella / usted | **quisiera** |
| tú | **quisieras** |
| nosotros / nosotras | **quisiéramos** |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | **quisieran** |

Let's see some polite requests in action:

{{item:782245}}

{{item:782248}}

{{item:782254}}

### Asking for items vs. actions

Just like *quiero*, you can use **quisiera** to ask for a specific item (a noun) or to request to do something (an infinitive verb).

To ask for a physical item or service, place the noun directly after the verb:

{{item:782258}}

{{item:782252}}

To say you would like to *do* an action, follow *quisiera* with an infinitive:

{{item:782264}}

{{item:782265}}

Polite requests (quisiera)

adjective

adverb

auxiliary verb

conjunction

determiner

expression

interjection

noun

numeral

prep

preposition

pronoun

sentence

verb

Definite articles and 'to be' (el, la, soy)

Masculine and feminine pairs (el hermano, la hermana)

Basic sentences and negation (no)

Indefinite articles (un, una)

Formal and informal you (tú vs. usted)

Plural pronouns and the verb to be (somos, son)

Making nouns plural (-s, -es)

Plural articles (los, las, unos, unas)

Noun gender exceptions

Adjective agreement

Invariable adjectives

State and location (estar)

Ser vs. estar

There is / there are (hay)

Hay vs. estar

To have (tener)

Possession (de)

Possessive adjectives (mi, tu, su)

Regular -ar verbs

Yes/No questions

What and who (qué, quién)

Regular -er verbs

Regular -ir verbs

Asking where (dónde, adónde)

How, when, and why (cómo, cuándo, por qué)

How much and how many (cuánto)

Days of the week

Going to a place (ir a)

Preposition contractions (al, del)

In and by (en)

With me and with you (conmigo, contigo)

Prepositional pronouns (mí, ti)

Conjunctions (y, o, pero)

Giving reasons (porque)

Stem-changing verbs (e to ie)

Stem-changing verbs (o to ue)

Stem-changing verbs (e to i)

Irregular yo forms (hago, salgo)

To know (saber vs. conocer)

Weather expressions (hace, está)

Desires and plans (querer)

Ability and requests (poder)

Obligations (tener que)

Expressing likes (me gusta)

Plural likes (me gustan)

Verbs like gustar (encantar, doler)

Very vs. a lot (muy, mucho)

Numbers 0 to 15 (cero, uno, dos…)

Numbers 16 to 31 (dieciséis, veinte…)

Numbers 30 to 1000 (treinta, cien, mil)

Months of the year (enero, febrero, marzo)

Seasons and dates (el dos de mayo)

Telling time (es la..., son las...)

Ordinal numbers 1st to 10th (primero, segundo, tercero)

Reflexive pronouns and verbs (me, te, se, nos)

Direct object pronouns (lo, la, los, las)

The near future (ir a)

The present continuous (estar + -ando, -iendo)

Near demonstrative adjectives (este, esta, estos, estas)

Medium demonstrative adjectives (ese, esa, esos, esas)

Comparatives of inequality (más / menos ... que)

Comparatives of equality (tan ... como)

Indefinite and negative pronouns (algo, nada, alguien, nadie)

Affirmative commands

Far demonstratives (aquel, aquella)

Possessive pronouns (el mío, el tuyo)

Shortened indefinite adjectives (algún, ningún)

Adverbs of quantity (demasiado, bastante)

Adverbs of frequency (a menudo, a veces)

Adverb formation (-mente)

Exclamations (¡Qué...!)

Irregular comparatives (mejor, peor, mayor, menor)

Relative superlatives (el más... de)

Adjective intensification (-ísimo)

Indirect object pronouns

Pronoun placement with infinitives

Double object pronouns (me lo, te la)

The 'se lo' rule (se lo, se la)

Impersonal statements (se)

Impersonal obligation (hay que)

Personal obligation (deber)

Starting actions (empezar a)

Finishing and quitting actions (terminar de, dejar de)

Repeating actions (volver a)

Continuing actions (seguir + gerundio)

Question	Answer
the massage	el masaje
I would like a massage for my back, please.	Quisiera un masaje para la espalda, por favor.
the robe	la bata
the slipper	la zapatilla
We would like two robes and some slippers.	Quisiéramos dos batas y unas zapatillas.
the treatment	el tratamiento
facial	facial
the spa	el spa
I would like a facial treatment at the spa today.	Hoy quisiera un tratamiento facial en el spa.
relaxing	relajante
She would like the relaxing massage because she is tired.	Ella quisiera el masaje relajante porque está cansada.
the sauna	el sauna
I would like a clean robe for the sauna.	Quisiera una bata limpia para el sauna.
the therapist	el terapeuta
I would like an appointment with the therapist, please.	Quisiera una cita con el terapeuta, por favor.
thermal	termal
We would like a thermal treatment for the body.	Quisiéramos un tratamiento termal para el cuerpo.
I sometimes forget the slippers; I would like some new ones, please.	A veces olvido las zapatillas; quisiera unas nuevas, por favor.
I would like to speak with the therapist; I have been waiting for an hour.	Quisiera hablar con el terapeuta; espero desde hace una hora.
I would like to use the thermal water, because it is very relaxing.	Quisiera usar el agua termal, porque es muy relajante.
We would like to book a facial treatment for tomorrow.	Quisiéramos reservar un tratamiento facial para mañana.
I would like to enter the sauna before the massage.	Quisiera entrar al sauna antes del masaje.
I would like to visit the thermal spa tomorrow, please.	Quisiera visitar el spa termal mañana, por favor.
to excuse (disculpe: excuse me)	disculpar
Excuse me, I would like to pay.	Disculpe, quisiera pagar.
Sorry, can you help me?	Disculpa, ¿me puedes ayudar?
the gentleman (formal)	el caballero
The gentleman would like to pay for dinner.	El caballero quisiera pagar la cena.
Excuse me, sir, where is the bathroom?	Disculpe, caballero, ¿dónde está el baño?

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