Spanish · Common Verbs
Querer
To want / To love
Beginnerverb
Definition
To desire something or to love someone.
Example
Quiero un café, por favor.
I want a coffee, please.
Etymology
'Querer' comes from the Latin 'quaerere,' which means 'to seek' or 'to desire.' Over time, it took on the connotation of wanting or loving in Spanish.
How & Where It’s Used
'Querer' is used informally in conversations and more formally in written texts such as legal documents and literature. It is recognized broadly in various regions of the Spanish-speaking world.
Literary Heritage
It appears frequently in literature, such as in classical poems and songs reflecting love and desire, including works by García Lorca.