Te quiero used in requests

Question

I'm continually confused by this little phrase when it comes to asking someone to do a simple task. For example, "te quiero ir al mercado" should mean "I want you to go to the market", but many translators will return something like "I love you to go to the market". I have heard the "normal" way to say things such as this is to use the subjunctive, like "Quiero que te vayas al mercado". Not being a native speaker, what is the most normal, conversational way of saying this?

Vamos al mercado, (you and me) "Ve al mercado" (Only your friend) Quiero que "vayas" al mercado (your friend like a obligation) Vamonos del mercado (leave to the marke) - Jonathansanzt, Mar 18, 2012

Answer 1

"Quiero que vayas al mercado" is correct.

Irse is not used for going to a destination, it means "to leave" most of the time, and you do use subjunctive in those instances.

"Quiero que vayas al mercado" is like when the mom says hey john! I want you to go to the market for a pound of meat - Jonathansanzt, Mar 18, 2012

But if is a friend you just say: Hey Carlos "ve" al mercado for 2 beers - Jonathansanzt, Mar 18, 2012

Thanks! It seems the subjunctive adds a component of command to the statement. - Noetol, Mar 18, 2012

To Styrcora - Thanks for your help. You pointed out "te vayas" as a form of "irse", and reminded me once again to be careful of my pronouns! - Noetol, Mar 18, 2012

Answer 2

I am spanish speaker, and what would you say? look.

if you want to go with someone to market you should say.

Vamos al mercado?

No more.

"Te quiero ir al mercado" is like, I want (love) you go to market. is impossible.

"Vamos" "al" "mercado" --> "go" "to the" "market"

Thanks again. I'll save "te quiero" for my wife. - Noetol, Mar 18, 2012

Jomathan, ¡Bienvenido al foro! ¡Gracias por su ayuda! - 002262dd, Mar 18, 2012

Answer 3

Ill put it in another aspect:

"Te quiero decir que......."

Here te quiero isn't used as to say I love you, but to say "I want to say to you."

"Quiero que me digas que......"

Now here, we don't use te quiero at all, it is simply an introductive clause followed by the subjunctive.

The same goes for "hacer que..." (to make someone do something)

So requests/(wanting someone to do something) is always followed in the subjunctive.

Muy bueno que hayas explicado otro uso y significado de "te quiero..." ☺ - Gloriange, Mar 18, 2012

Answer 4

Just a quick note on te quiero. As a friend of mine from Mexico told me, "In Spanish, we only love other people. And this type of love is the romantic type. We don't "love" coke or ice cream, etc. They just please us very much!"