Please translate...when I grow op I want to be able to speak Spanish.

Question

When I grow up I want to be able to speak Spanish. How do you say this in español?

Answer 1

Depending on your context, there's almost 2 ways to say it.

Cuando crezca, quiero hablar español.

This sentence is used if you want to express that right now you want that when you grow up you speak Spanish. The most literal translation.

Cuando crezca, querré hablar español.

This sentence is used if you are saying that when you grow up, you will want to speak spanish, meaning that you still haven't learned it but have the desire to.

I would use querer in subjuntive rather than future in this case. - kenwilliams, Jun 3, 2012

Brandy, I don't understand how your second example means you "will want to learn Spanish" since "hablar" is the verb. Wouldn't the verb be "aprender" to have that meaning? - Esteban3304, Jun 3, 2012

Oops, my mistake. You're right, it should just be "Will want to speak." Don't know where "to learn" came from? - BradyLabuda, Jun 4, 2012

Answer 2

I work with middle school students from Mexico. I hear them say, "cuando seas grande" for "when I grow up." For example, "Cuando seas grande, quisiera hablar español" or even "cuando seas grande, quiero poder hablar español."

Hi Robin. I hear this type of construction a lot with my mexican students as well, but is "seas" used for "(when) I" and not for "(when) you"? If so, why is that? Thanks in advance! - RedLine55, Jun 4, 2012

Answer 3

De mayor quisiera hablar español.

Answer 4

Mi intento: Me gustaría poder hablar español cuando crezca. - I would like to be able to speak Spanish when I grow up.