Querer in the Preterite: Very confused!!!?

Question

I have read many articles and watched many videos that explain the meaning of "querer" in the Preterite, and I am hearing many different answers.

This source says that "querer" in the Preterite (quise/quisiste/quiso/quisimos/quisieron) means "wished to...": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmfYKxLfZwk

This source says that "querer" in the Preterite means "Wanted to (and did).": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnh_SOEHV-I

This source says that "querer" in the Preterite means "Tried/Refused": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtkVKn_O9T4

I have also been told by some Spanish teachers that "querer" in the Preterite can sometimes mean "wanted" if a time frame is stated. For example: "I wanted it for a second." = "Lo quise por un segundo."

Can someone clarify this for me? Are all these scenarios possible depending on context?

Thank you so much...

Answer 1

Antes de que salieras con otro, te quise mucho

Tienes razón, pues lo que pasa es que después de tanto tiempo fuera de México me equivoco de vez en cuando - ni modo, por eso estamos como estamos : - ) - 005faa61, Feb 6, 2017

Answer 2

Yes, all these scenarios are possible.

Also the desired nuance can determine the use of preterite or imperfect with some verbs, ie: Yo que quería mucho durante aquella época (during this time I loved you - maybe I love you now and maybe not as more context is necessary).

Antes de que salieras con otro, te quise mucho (by using preterite rather than imperfect, we have a feeling of finality as in no way will I ever love you again).

Answer 3

Here are a couple examples of the imperfect/preterite of "querer".

"No quería hacerlo." "I didn't want to do it.". Maybe I did do it at a later time, but it wasn't something that I favored.

"No quise hacerlo." "I refused to do it." I didn't want to do it, I did not do it, and I'll never do it.

"Yo quería hacerlo." "I wanted to do it." I wanted to do it. May I did eventually, maybe I didn't.

"Yo quise hacerlo." "I tried to do it." I wanted to do it and attempted it. This to me implies that I made an effort to do it, but was unsuccessful.