Querer preterite = I tried, not I wanted?
I am studying preterite and found out that the past tense of querer (quise, for example) means "I tried", not "I wanted." What do I use to say "I wanted" in the past tense?
25 Answers
I am studying preterite and found out that the past tense of querer (quise, for example) means "I tried", not "I wanted." What do I use to say "I wanted" in the past tense?
Emi, to answer your question:
Querer has a lot of meanings, two of them are want and try.
So:
Quise comprar un libro, Quería comprar un libro, but the store was closed.
I wanted to buy a book, I wanted to buy a book, but the store was closed.
Try:
Ayer quise llamarte, pero chica, no tenía cobertura.
Ayer quería encender la estufa cuande me di cuenta de que no tenía cerillas.
I wanted to call you but there was no coverage.
I wanted to light the heater but...
You can translate I tried to buy a book in both senteces, as querer can mean to try. It has nothing to do with the tense but with the context. And of course, the change of usage in ENGLISH!.
I am always surprised by the extraordinary capacity that this Forum has to generate the most passionate debates about seemingly irrelevant, or at least minor, details.
I look at this current debate and marvel, not so much at the ingenuity and depth of some of the answers, but at the fact that so many people are unwilling or unable to learn from each other's answers and expand their knowledge. Instead, we seem to prefer to stick staunchly to our own views and perceptions, and I think we sadly miss out on the opportunity to grow wiser.
Reading the various and fascinating posts here, I think that everyone is a little bit right.
I think Heidita perhaps stated it best, when she insists that the differences we perceive in meaning have more to do with context than with tenses. This is something that I often mention, and those who have read my previous posts know that I almost always ask for "context, context, context". Spanish, I find, is a very contextual language - perhaps more so than English. This is one of the reasons why I also think that trying to study it purely through grammar rules is a pretty useless endeavor.
Nevertheless, I find that Jeezle's and Kiwi's suggestion that some words "change their meaning" with different tenses is fascinating. There's something very compelling about this idea, and it is definitely not something that I was ever taught at school.
So, regarding the specific interpretation of "querer" as either try or want, I must disagree with Webdunce in that I don't think that the use of "querer" as try "try" is either rare or occasional. I also disagree with Cogumela's curious interpretation of Cervante's opening line for Don Quijote. Finally, I don't believe that it is quite correct, or even fair, to state that some verbs appear to change meaning in preterite,or whatever, although I understand what Jeezle means. The different meanings of a given word are given in its definition, as stated by the DRAE, in the case of Spanish. However, certain meanings are more likely to crop up in certain tenses of the verb, under certain circumstances. I think this is what Jeezle should have stated, and probably everyone could have been happy with that.
Let me show that to you, from a native Spanish speaker's perspective. If you ask me how I would translate "querer", I'd simply say "to want". In my mind "querer" never means "to try", unless indirectly, translated as "wishing to accomplish" (whereby querer would take the place of "to wish".
So:
Yo quería comprar ese televisor, pero no quise pelear con los otros compradores enloquecidos por el viernes negro.
In English this could be read in two ways: I wanted to purchase that TV, but I did not try to fight out the other shoppers crazed by black Friday, or I wanted to purchase that TV, but I did not wish to fight out the other shoppers crazed by black Friday. (This is in fact how I would always choose to translate it in my mind.).
Yo quise ir a tu fiesta, pero mi esposa no quería que me arriesgara con ese clima tan malo. Again, two options: I tried to go to your party, but my wife did not want me to risk it under this terrible weather or I wanted / meant to go to your party, but my wife did not want me to risk it under this terrible weather. Again, I'd usually pick the second option as my first trasnlation.
Kiwi wrote:
María quiso comprar la casa.
Maria tried to buy the house. (completed action)
This is perfectly fine, but as a native Spanish speaker, I'd translate this first as "María meant to buy the house", or even "María wanted to buy the house".
Be as it may, this does not mean that the only acceptable meaning for "querer" in the preterite is "meant" or "tried".
Yo siempre te quise mucho, Clara: "I always loved you very much, Clara".
Yo siempre quise ser veterinario: I always wanted / meant to be a veterinarian.
Yo quise lo mejor para ti. I wanted the best for you. If we say "you quería lo mejor para ti", we would also have to translate that as "I wanted to best for you", but the nuance is different. This is more of a wishful expression, rather than an accomplished fact. So to make it clearer perhaps, we'd translate as: "I meant all the best for you" - but never "I tried the best for you".
Start Pontification mode
Once again I have to say: languages are flexible, and there are many ways to express the same things. If we mean to be fluent, we have to somehow learn all those nuances, and that only comes from immersive practice, not from any books.
When I read something like Jeezle's or Kiwi's posts, I don't read any intention to say "I know more than a native". I read a legitimate questioning, stemming from all the time and effort they have applied in consulting the "Most Expert Sources" to learn something that genuinely interests them. I have respect for that.
I also perceive that what irks many natives is to feel questioned, when - regardless of what all the books and experts say, they simply know that this is the way things are said.
Books and courses are great sources of reference, and are excellent tools for building a strong starting point. But in my view, after a couple of years of studying grammar and vocabulary, we need to toss all those books out, and starting focusing on the practical use of language, which tends to be full of exceptions, quirks, regionalisms, slang, and idiosyncrasies that are at best poorly documented in the books and courses.
And the regional differences are by no means insignificant. I know that while I can understand what Heidita and Cogumela say, for example, I often think "that is not how I would say that at all". And of course it works the other way around too. So we learn the basic language first, and then we have to spend a few years just listening to and speaking with the natives in order to master the lingo of whatever place interests us. And if most of the time we understand each other, I'd say we have been quite successful enough.
Heck, in my HS graduation class group, we often have arguments about the correct usage of Spanish, and that's everyone's native language! I just don't think it's something worth fighting about. Neat to learn new things, but silly to fight about it.
End of pontification mode.
There is a famous book that starts saying:
"En un lugar de la Mancha, de cuyo nombre no quiero acordarme..."
What does "querer" mean in this sentence? To want? To try? to desire? to love? to wish? ...
No, it means I cannot remember.
So, I believe it is better if we approach to languages from a more open point of view, because languages are not Maths, but, fortunatelly, they are rich in meanings and colours. If a professional translator did a word-by-word translation, he probably would sound very akward. If we could translate directly from the dictionary, language would be very boring, don't you think? The verb querer has 10 entries in the dictionary apart from all the idioms that include the word where it cannot be translated literally.
As webdunce pointed, the alternative meaning you think you found has nothing to do with the tense of the verb. Rather, querer might have a broader meaning than you think, beyond the literal one,...maybe in English as well!! Or maybe it's try, the one which does. In any case, when learning languages, I suggest you to get used to finding words which are not translated to their first entry that you can find in the dictionary.
I think this thread once again exposes a flaw in the way Spanish is taught to native English speakers. There are several aspects of Spanish that differ from English in a way that most students find confusing. In an effort to teach, students are given simplified (and often incorrect) "rules" or "lists" that address specific problem areas. As they continue to learn, they encounter real usage that contradicts what they have been taught (estar doesn't mean temporary, the subjunctive doesn't mean hypothetical, words don't change meanings when the tense changes, etc.) and this is very confusing. Unfortunately, I don't have a solution to this. Maybe Lazarus will present one when his book is done--he's done a good job on the subjunctive, the use of se and other pronouns, and ser vs. estar.
I'm not singling out Spanish teaching for doing this: university physics is an extended explanation of why high school physics is incorrect.
Meanings don't usually change based on the tense of the verb. I'm not saying that's impossible, but it would be rare.
As webdunce pointed, the alternative meaning you think you found has nothing to do with the tense of the verb. Rather, querer might have a broader meaning than you think, beyond the literal one,...maybe in English as well!!
Does anybody actually ever listen to a native speaker.
A little further to Jeezle's post which I agree with here's some examples for the verbs that he mentioned as found at studyspanish.com
Here we go again...
conocer
Conocí a Juan hace cinco años.
I met Juan five years ago. (completed action)
En aquella época conocíamos muy bien la ciudad.
At that time we knew the city very well. (no definite beginning or end)
So? What's your point? The verb conocer has several meanings, among them to meet and to know. .
I knew Pedro. Le conocí.
Did you know Pedro? Oh yes , I knew him well.
Conocías a Pedro? Claro, le conocía bien.
This has nothing to do with tense, but with usage, especially the English usage. to know cannot be used in the past unless the person is dead or dead for you.
We have already talked about this, please do listen to the few native speakers we have on this forum, after all, we should know what we are talking about
The dictionary does indicate that "to attempt" is a possible meaning of querer. I would say this is just an optional (and rare?) use of querer.
Meanings don't usually change based on the tense of the verb. I'm not saying that's impossible, but it would be rare. Anyway, in the case of querer, it would generally mean "wanted" in the various past tense forms. Context, however, may dictate that it mean something else, however.
I rather think you simply encountered a sentence that used querer in an different way and, coincidentally, it also happened to be in preterite form.
Even our own verb "want" can mean to desire, to lack, or even to be impoverished, but these are simply optional meanings of the English verb "want"...tense doesn't matter.
When I read something like Jeezle's or Kiwi's posts, I don't read any intention to say "I know more than a native". I read a legitimate questioning, stemming from all the time and effort they have applied in consulting the "Most Expert Sources" to learn something that genuinely interests them. I have respect for that.
We all have respect for that, gekko
but at the fact that so many people are unwilling or unable to learn from each other's answers and expand their knowledge
Trust me, I marvel at that every single day...especially when learners are told by native speakers "this is not correct"
This is very wel put....Great answer as always Gekkosan. - jeezzle
I am happy to see , jeezle, (and kiwi), that you found an answer you actually liked and could agree with. Please be so kind as to convince gekko to answer all your questions as he is the only one whose knowledge you trust
I would like to take this time to thank everyone for all the little bits and pieces that they have added to this and every other thread that has taught me so much. I have learnt so many things on these kind of threads that reading all the books in the world wouldn't have shown me and I think you're all awesome. 
On this particular thread I have found many comments to be helpful but for me personally the following have been especially so
The verb conocer has several meanings, among them to meet and to know. Heidi
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The verb querer has 10 entries in the dictionary apart from all the idioms that include the word where it cannot be translated literally. - Cogu
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querer might have a broader meaning than you think, beyond the literal one - Heidi
.
- it seems basic I know but just those three comments really helped me to step back and view the verb as a whole rather than focus only on what happens in the preterite
In my mind "querer" never means "to try", unless indirectly, translated as "wishing to accomplish" - / no quise pelear - I didn't wish/try to fight - Gekko .
- This comment too I found helpful because sure we may have be able to replace quise by the English 'try' but we can also stick to the original most common meaning of querer 'to want/wish and have it mean the same thing.
For the above explanations and the many others that have been given over the time that I've been a member here I'm extremely grateful to all the active native speakers on this forum - sometimes it's just a little comment that they make that helps me make the connection and start to look at things from the right perspective and other times it's an indepth explanation, either way their thoughts are always appreciated.
So although I might go around asking questions or posting what I have learnt, albeit often from erroneous books/sites, I certainly don't do it to question the knowledge or understanding of our native speakers and I'm fully expecting and hoping to be shown where my understanding is lacking.
I think that Lorenzo hit the nail on the head regarding the biggest problem people such as myself face when we're unable to fully immerse ourselves in the language.
In an effort to teach, students are given simplified (and often incorrect) "rules" or "lists" that address specific problem areas. As they continue to learn, they encounter real usage that contradicts what they have been taught (estar doesn't mean temporary, the subjunctive doesn't mean hypothetical, words don't change meanings when the tense changes, etc.) and this is very confusing.
Very nicely put Lorenzo and I can say from personal experience and to my frustrating disappointment also very true!
Before I comment on a grammar point I always try to do my research but as you aptly point out there is often a plethora of simplified rules or explanations that seem to be backed up by examples - but the information is not correct; estar and ser with the temporary / permanent rule probably being the worst one out there! (thanx Lax I'm forever grateful for your input on that one je je )
Far too often carte blanche statements are made or simplified rules are given by a number of seemingly reputable sources that have proved to be very helpful previously on different topics.
Here's a few
I N C O R R E C T
examples that I had read previous to this thread:
Some verbs actually change meaning, depending upon whether they are used in the preterite or the imperfect.
Verbs that Change Meaning in the Preterite Colby Edu
Verbs That Change Meaning in the Preterite - Cliff's Notes
So at the end of the day I'd like to thank everyone for the their participation on this forum I think everyone plays a vital role - the newbies who ask many of the questions, the learners who give their input which often makes someone else think well hang I think that too, is there a bit more to this than meets the eye? and to the natives who are able to all expand our knowledge and relegate any erroneous understandings that we may have picked up to the rubbish bin je je And for that all I can say is:
The dictionary does indicate that "to attempt" is a possible meaning of querer. I would say this is just an optional (and rare?) use of querer.
Web does not say at any point this usage is "rare" he just indicates this as a possibility
The reason I said this answer is wrong is because Webdunce said it's a rare use of querer and it's not a rare use. - jeezzle
You might want to reread what you said , jeezle:
Verbs that "change meaning" in preterite
I never said the meaning had to do with the tense
Anyway, I personally think this should be clear by now. You were told by two native speakers you are mistaken. I think that should do the trick
I still find this confusing. How would you express the difference between;
I wanted to rob the bank. ¿Quería robar el banco? ¿Quise robar el banco?
I tried to rob the bank. ¿Quise robar el banco? ¿Quería robar el banco?
Once again, Gekkosan comes in to save the day with his common sense and diplomatic approach to life!
I think that everyone is a little bit right.
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I...marvel.... at the fact that so many people are unwilling or unable to learn from each other's answers
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I find that Jeezle's and Kiwi's suggestion that some words "change their meaning" with different tenses is fascinating.
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I also disagree with Cogumela's curious interpretation of Cervante's opening line for Don Quijote.
.
....while I can understand what Heidita and Cogumela say, for example, I often think "that is not how I would say that at all".
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Neat to learn new things, but silly to fight about it.
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Bravo, Gekkosan!
Just as a matter of fact, even on the Cervantes sentence, not all native speakers agree, you can find lots of literature on this, like this one for example:
Aún hoy se asume el estado de la cuestión sintetizado por Ángel Rosenblat: convirtiendo el no me acuerdo inicial de los cuentos en no quiero acordarme, Cervantes habría trasmutado «la anodina deficiencia de la memoria, real o ficticia, en un acto de voluntad, lleno de misterio»2.
This theory would prove cogumela's point .
Bottom line, querer can have such a lot of meanings...one can only tell by context, and sometimes not even then do we all agree
to know cannot be used in the past unless the person is dead or dead for you.
This isn't true:
I knew Shakira before she was famous.
This doesn't mean that Shakira is dead or that I don't still know her: I could be her best friend. It means that there was a time when she was not famous that ended before now, and that I knew her during that time.
Verbs that "change meaning" in preterite. (they appear to change meaning)
conocer - to know
preterite - to meet imperfect - to (have known) knew
querer - to want, to love
preterite - to try, to mean (to have meant to) imperfect - to want
no querer - to not want / to not mean / to not have meant to
preterite - to refuse imperfect - to not want (to not have wanted)
saber - to know
preterite - to find out imperfect -to (have known) knew
poder - to be able to
preterite - to have succeeded, been able to perform (an action) imperfect -to be able to
tener - to have
preterite - to recieve imperfect -to had, to have had.
It should be noted that these are not unusual forms, and that the verb doesn't "change meaning" but it can be viewed differently from that perspective. Tuve una carta - I had a letter, I received a letter. Tenía una carta, I had a letter. There are many different meanings and different forms though so you need to be careful befpre you say something you don't mean.
So at the end of the day I'd like to thank everyone for the their participation on this forum I think everyone plays a vital role - the newbies who ask many of the questions, the learners who give their input which often makes someone else think well hang I think that too, is there a bit more to this than meets the eye?
Kiwi, thanks for this post. We often get worked up over this is right, that is wrong, and seem to forget that behind the questions there is a real person trying to learn and simply get some insight in and some light shed onto this whole learning process.
I am the first to do this ...and I would like to apologize, I guess we often read to much into an answer and get worked up over why do these guys not believe me? jeje, silly really, after all you all just want to know
the
newbies who ask many of the questions, the learners who give their input
Actually the owners of the site put an idea forward ...they wanted to separate the forum into beginners and advanced , or something similar.
I personally don't agree with this. First many of you, especially you kiwi, answer a lot of questions from those newbies, and second, everybody learns from any question, I think it would be counterproductive to separate the forum.
Anyway, thanks for your post, and thanks for helping so much on the forum, written words often don't come over very well
