quis/quiseste/quis/quisemos/quiseram

Pretérito Perfeito De Querer

Level 2

The verb querer is irregular in the Pretérito Perfeito. Its stem changes from quer- to quis-, and it takes special endings. In this tense, it often implies an attempt ('tried to') in the affirmative, or a definitive lack of desire ('didn't want to' or 'refused to') in the negative.

How It Works

The Pretérito Perfeito of querer is essential for narrating past events where a desire led to an action, a refusal, or a definitive choice.

1. Conjugation Table:

  • Eu quis
  • Tu quiseste
  • Você/Ele/Ela/A gente quis
  • Nós quisemos
  • Vós quisestes
  • Vocês/Eles/Elas quiseram

Note: The 1st person singular ('Eu') and 3rd person singular ('Ele/Ela/Você/A gente') forms are identical (quis). This is a shared trait among several strong irregular verbs in the past tense, such as dizer (disse), saber (soube), and trazer (trouxe).

2. Meaning Shifts:
In the Pretérito Imperfeito (queria), the verb describes a continuous feeling of wanting. In the Preterite (quis), it describes a specific moment:

  • Affirmative: Often implies an attempt. Eu quis sair = I tried to leave.
  • Negative: Often translates to 'refused', but can also simply mean a definitive 'didn't want to' at a specific moment without implying active defiance. Ela não quis falar = She refused / didn't want to speak.

Rule of thumb: If you simply want to say "I wanted" in the past as an ongoing feeling, default to the Imperfeito (queria). Additionally, queria doubles as a polite request in the present tense (e.g., "I would like"), whereas quis is strictly for past-tense narrative. However, there is a crucial exception: when using words like sempre (always) or nunca (never), Portuguese strongly prefers the Pretérito Perfeito (e.g., Sempre quis visitar o Brasil = I always wanted to visit Brazil).

3. Spelling and Sound:
A common mistake is writing 'quiz' with a 'z'. In Portuguese, all forms of querer that use this stem are spelled with 's'. Additionally, the 'u' is always silent in these forms (e.g., quis is pronounced /kis/, unlike the English loanword 'quiz' /kwiz/).

4. Phonology:
The pronunciation of the final 's' in quis varies by region: it sounds like /s/ in many Brazilian dialects, but like /ʃ/ (the 'sh' sound) in European Portuguese and the Carioca accent. When between two vowels (intervocalic), as in quisemos or quiseram, the 's' is pronounced like a /z/.

5. The Subjunctive Cheat Code:
By dropping the '-am' from the 3rd person plural ('quiseram'), you find the stem ('quiser-') for the Pluperfect Indicative (quisera) and the Future Subjunctive (e.g., quando eu quiser). If you drop the '-ram' instead, you get the stem ('quise-') to form the Imperfect Subjunctive (e.g., se eu quisesse). Learning this mechanical rule unlocks these advanced tenses automatically! Pay special attention to high-frequency phrases like 'quando/se você quiser' (when/if you want), where learners often mistakenly use the present tense ('quer').

Examples (4)

  1. Eu quis ajudar, mas não sabia como.

    I wanted/tried to help, but I didn't know how.

    Word by Word: I wanted to-help, but not knew how.

    Here, 'quis' implies a specific moment where the speaker made an effort or had the intention to act.

  2. Ela não quis comer a sopa.

    She refused to eat the soup.

    Word by Word: She not wanted to-eat the soup.

    In the negative, the preterite of 'querer' strongly implies a refusal rather than just a lack of desire.

  3. Nós quisemos fazer uma surpresa para você.

    We wanted to make a surprise for you.

    Word by Word: We wanted to-make a surprise for you.

    Note the spelling 'quisemos' with an 's' and the pronunciation of the 's' as a /z/ sound.

  4. Eles não quiseram aceitar o convite.

    They didn't want to accept the invitation (They refused it).

    Word by Word: They not wanted to-accept the invitation.

    Using 'quiseram' indicates a completed decision to not accept.

Common Mistakes

  • Spelling 'quis' with a 'z' (quiz).

    Eu quiz ir ao cinema.
    Eu quis ir ao cinema.

    Learners often confuse the verb form with the English word 'quiz'. In Portuguese, 'querer' always uses 's' in these forms.

  • Using 'quis' for polite requests.

    Eu quis um café, por favor.
    Eu queria um café, por favor.

    The preterite 'quis' is too blunt for requests. Use the Imperfeito de Cortesia (queria) to be polite.

  • Confusing 'quis' (past) with 'quiser' (future subjunctive).

    Se você quis, podemos ir.
    Se você quiser, podemos ir.

    Both use the 'quis-' stem, but 'quis' is for the past, while quiser is for future possibilities. A common mistake is using the present tense ('quer') instead of the future subjunctive after 'se' or 'quando'.

How It Connects

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quis/quiseste/quis/quisemos/quiseramLevel 2Pretérito Perfeito De Querer

Learn This First

To understand the irregular preterite of 'querer', learners first need to be familiar with the standard -er verb conjugation system and the general concept of the Pretérito Perfeito (past tense). Recognizing the subject pronouns is also essential for mapping the specific irregular forms to the correct persons.

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querer