How do you say that you wish to do something?

Question

Please could anyone tell me the best way to say "I wish" to do something in Spanish. For example in the following sentence which could be directed to an employee of the museum on the telephone.

"Myself and some friends are planning a visit to Madrid and I wish to book a visit to the Prado".

I have found that the verb for "To wish" is Desear but I'm not sure if this is the best verb to use in this context.

Would the Spanish say "I wish" in this context or "I want"?

Gracias Neil

Answer 1

"to want" is less formal. "to wish" is more formal.

Imagine this situation: a boy wants to go to the cinema. Then, he would say: papá quiero ir al cine. I cannot imagine a boy saying to this father: papá, deseo ir al cine. This type of word can sound too refined. It is a word that it is not used in coloquial language. Also, you can use it but it would not be strange that someone looked at you in a surprised way as: ???? Where does this guy come from?

You can hear it, when you are seeing a film. Or also, you can use it when writing.

"Myself and some friends are planning a visit to Madrid and I wish to book a visit to the Prado".

"I wish to book a visit to the Prado" (deseo reservar una visita para entrar en el Prado).

Well, if you address to any employee the proper expression would be: me gustaría reservar unas entradas para el Prado. You can use: "quiero reservar unas entradas para el Prado" but it sounds a bit rude, a bit demanding. It depends if you want to sound politically correct.

I hope to be useful with this.

Answer 2

deseo

quiero

me gustaria

anhelo (maybe)

quiero ir a Italia y conocer a Sofía Loren deseo ir........ megustaria ir....... anhelo ir............

Answer 3

I want = quiero (Querer) You could try the dictionary and translator on this site.