Travel
How to say “I would like” in Spanish
“Quisiera” is a polite way to say I would like in shops, restaurants and hotels. “Me gustaría” works too. “Quiero” (I want) is direct and sounds less polite when you order in a formal place.
In Spanish
Quisiera...
I would like...
Say it: kee-SYEH-rah
Other ways to say “I would like”
-
Me gustaría...
I would like...
Polite, common everywhere.
-
Quería...
I wanted... (polite)
Very common in spain when ordering: “quería un café”.
-
Quiero...
I want...
Direct; fine with friends, or once you are already served.
-
¿Me pone...?
Could you give me...?
Very common in spain bars and shops.
Example sentences
-
Quisiera una mesa para dos, por favor.
I would like a table for two, please.
-
Me gustaría un café con leche.
I would like a coffee with milk.
-
Quería una botella de agua.
I'd like a bottle of water.
How to reply
Claro, enseguida.
Of course, right away.
Good to know
- “Quisiera” and “me gustaría” are conditional forms, which is why they sound polite.
- Don't translate “I would like to” with “yo quiero” for a polite request; use quisiera or me gustaría.
Questions about “I would like” in Spanish
How do you say “I would like” in Spanish?
“I would like” in Spanish is “Quisiera...” (I would like...). It is pronounced kee-SYEH-rah. You can also say “Me gustaría...”, “Quería...”, “Quiero...”.
How do you pronounce “Quisiera...”?
“Quisiera...” sounds like kee-SYEH-rah. The capital letters mark the stressed syllable. Tap the speaker on this page to hear it.
What are other ways to say “I would like” in Spanish?
“Me gustaría...” (I would like...): polite, common everywhere. “Quería...” (I wanted... (polite)): very common in Spain when ordering: “quería un café”. “Quiero...” (I want...): direct; fine with friends, or once you are already served. “¿Me pone...?” (Could you give me...?): very common in Spain bars and shops.
How do you reply to “Quisiera...”?
A natural reply is “Claro, enseguida.” (Of course, right away.).
Practise it, don't just read it.
Play short games with real Spanish sentences and audio, free on the web and in the Pinglingo app.