quisiera + Infinitive

Polite Request with Quisiera

Level 4

Use quisiera followed by an infinitive verb to make a very polite request or state a wish, similar to 'I would like to...' in English.

How It Works

Quisiera is one of the most common and polite ways to make a request or express a desire in Spanish. While it is an imperfect subjunctive form of querer, shared by yo and él/ella/usted, it's used in everyday conversation with the function of a conditional verb.

Key Points:

  • Politeness: It can soften quiero ('I want') and can alternate with the conditional querría ('I would like').
  • Structure: The pattern is simple: quisiera + infinitive verb.
  • Usage Context: It's frequently used in service situations (restaurants, shops, hotels), formal settings, or anytime you want to be particularly courteous.
  • Person and Number: A request for yourself often uses quisiera; a group can say Quisiéramos reservar una mesa (We would like to reserve a table). Other persons and numbers are possible. These forms also occur in other subjunctive contexts, such as hypothetical 'if' clauses.

For example, when ordering coffee, saying Quisiera un café can sound less direct than Quiero un café.

Quisiera can also take a noun phrase, as in Quisiera un café. With a different subject for the desired action, use que and a conjugated subjunctive: Quisiera que vinieras (I would like you to come). Politeness depends on tone and context, not a fixed ranking of these verb forms.

Examples (5)

  1. Quisiera reservar una mesa para dos personas.

    I would like to reserve a table for two people.

    Word by Word: I would like to reserve a table for two people.

  2. Quisiera un vaso de agua, por favor.

    I would like a glass of water, please.

    Word by Word: I would like a glass of water, please.

  3. Quisiera hablar con el señor García.

    I would like to speak with Mr. García.

    Word by Word: I would like to speak with the Mr. García.

  4. Quisiera saber a qué hora sale el próximo tren.

    I would like to know what time the next train leaves.

    Word by Word: I would like to know at what hour leaves the next train.

  5. Quisiera pedirle un favor.

    I would like to ask you a favor.

    Word by Word: I would like to ask you a favor.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the preterite 'quise' instead of 'quisiera' for a polite request.

    Quise un café, por favor.
    Quisiera un café, por favor.

    Quise presents wanting in the preterite; it is not the usual way to place this current order. It does not by itself prove that the desire has stopped. Quisiera expresses the softened request intended here.

  • Choosing a more direct wording when you intend to soften a request.

    Quiero hacer una reserva.
    Quisiera hacer una reserva.

    Quiero hacer una reserva is grammatical and can be appropriate. Quisiera offers a softened alternative; the comparison is about tone and context, not a grammatical ban on quiero.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

quisiera + InfinitiveLevel 4Polite Request with Quisiera

Learn This First

To use 'quisiera + infinitive', you need to understand that 'quisiera' is an irregular imperfect subjunctive form of the verb 'querer'. It functions as a more polite alternative to the present tense 'quiero' or the conditional 'querría' when making requests or expressing desires, followed directly by an unconjugated verb.

Words in This Pattern

querer