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"Necesitar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to need", and "desear" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to want". Learn more about the difference between "necesitar" and "desear" below.
necesitar(
neh
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seh
-
see
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to require)
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. to need
Necesitan salir ya si quieren alcanzar su vuelo.You need to leave now if you want to make your flight.
desear(
deh
-
seh
-
ahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to want
Solo deseo hacerte feliz.I just want to make you happy.
¿Qué deseas para Navidad?What do you want for Christmas?
c. to desire
Los discursos del presidente dejan mucho que desear.The president's speeches leave a lot to be desired.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
"¿Qué desea?", preguntó el mayordomo."How can I help you?," asked the butler.
¿Desea algo de tomar?Would you like something to drink?
a. to want
"Te deseo", dijo el rompecorazones de la película."I want you," said the heartbreaker in the movie.