Querer (to want) in Portuguese

Overview

Querer (to want) (O Verbo Querer) is a beginner (CEFR A1) topic in Portuguese grammar. Irregular verb 'querer' (quero, queres, quer, queremos, quereis, querem). Expresses desire or wish. Used with infinitive or noun.

Understanding querer (to want) is essential for building correct Portuguese sentences and communicating effectively. This concept is introduced at the A1 level and forms part of the foundation for more advanced grammar structures.

Whether you are learning Brazilian or European Portuguese, mastering querer (to want) will significantly improve your ability to express yourself naturally and accurately in a variety of contexts.

How It Works

Present tense conjugation of querer:

Person	Form	Example
eu	quero	Quero um cafe.
tu	queres	Queres vir?
ele/ela/voce	quer	O que quer?
nos	queremos	Queremos ir.
vos	quereis	Quereis ficar?
eles/elas/voces	querem	Querem sair.

Usage patterns:

1. Querer + noun: Quero um cafe. (I want a coffee.)
2. Querer + infinitive: Quero ir ao cinema. (I want to go to the cinema.)
3. Polite form: Queria um cafe, por favor. (I would like a coffee -- imperfect for politeness.)

Examples in Context

Portuguese	English	Note
Quero um café.	I want a coffee.
Queres vir?	Do you want to come?
Queremos ir ao cinema.	We want to go to the cinema.
O que é que querem?	What do they want?
Nao quero nada.	I do not want anything.
Queria um cafe.	I would like a coffee.	polite
Querem sair?	Do they want to go?
O que queres comer?	What do you want to eat?
Nao quer vir?	Doesn't he want to come?

Common Mistakes

Applying wrong conjugation endings

• Wrong: Mixing up verb class endings (-AR/-ER/-IR)
• Right: Identify the verb class from the infinitive and apply the correct endings
• Why: Each verb class has distinct personal endings that must be kept separate.

Forgetting preposition requirements

• Wrong: Omitting required prepositions after certain verbs
• Right: Learn verbs together with their required prepositions
• Why: Many Portuguese verbs require specific prepositions that differ from English patterns.

Regularizing irregular forms

• Wrong: Applying regular patterns to an irregular verb
• Right: Check whether a verb is irregular before conjugating
• Why: Common verbs often have irregular forms that must be memorized.

Usage Notes

This concept appears across both Brazilian and European Portuguese, though specific usage patterns may differ between the two variants. At the A1 level, focus on understanding the core patterns before worrying about regional differences.

In everyday conversation, querer (to want) is used frequently in both formal and informal contexts. Pay attention to how native speakers use it in the media you consume, and note any differences between Brazilian and Portuguese sources.

Practice Tips

1. Practice querer (to want) with authentic Portuguese texts, listening for how native speakers use these forms in context.
2. Create flashcards with complete example sentences rather than isolated words to reinforce natural patterns.
3. Write short paragraphs using querer (to want) and compare them with native-written texts to identify areas for improvement.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Regular -ER Verbs -- provides the foundational knowledge needed for querer (to want)