Learn to express wishes, polite requests, and suggestions using key phrases like "Me gustaría" (I would like), "Querría" (I would want), and "Debería" (I should), combined with infinitive verbs for respectful and effective communication.
  1. The phrase me gustaría + infinitive is used to express wishes.
  2. The word querría is used to be polite or to express hypothetical wishes.
  3. Debería + infinitive expresses a recommendation or advice.
Expresión (Expression)Fórmula (Formula)Ejemplo (Example)
Me gustaríaGustar en condicional + infinitivo (Gustar in conditional + infinitive)Me gustaría planificar un viaje al comienzo del verano. (I would like to plan a trip at the beginning of summer.)
QuerríaQuerer en condicional + infinitivo (To want in conditional + infinitive)Querría realizar todos mis planes antes del final del año. (I would like to carry out all my plans before the end of the year.)
DeberíaDeber en condicional + infinitivo (Should in conditional + infinitive)Deberías soñar con un futuro posible. (You should dream of a possible future.)

Exercise 1: Expresar deseos, cortesía y sugerencias: "Me gustaría", "Debería", "Querría"

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Querría, gustaría, Me gustaría, deberías, Deberías

1. Deseos hipotéticos:
... hacerme escritor algún día.
(I would like to become a writer someday.)
2. Deseo:
... realizar mis sueños antes del final del verano.",
(I would like to achieve my dreams before the end of summer.)
3. Deseo:
... comenzar una nueva etapa en mi vida.
(I would like to start a new chapter in my life.)
4. Consejo:
... evitar lo imposible y enfocarte en lo que puedes lograr.
(You should avoid the impossible and focus on what you can achieve.)
5. Deseo:
A mi pareja le ... formar una familia pronto.
(My partner would like to start a family soon.)
6. Consejo:
Tú ... pensar en tu familia.
(You should think about your family.)
7. Consejo:
... pensar en tu futuro con más optimismo.
(You should think about your future with more optimism.)
8. Deseo:
... comenzar una nueva etapa en mi vida.
(I would like to start a new chapter in my life.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Select the correct sentence that expresses wishes, advice, or suggestions politely, using "Me gustaría", "Querría" or "Debería" correctly.

1.
Error: after 'Me gustaría' the infinitive must be used, not subjunctive ('viajar' instead of 'viajo').
Conjugation error: after 'Me gustaría' goes infinitive ('viajar'), not conjugated verb.
2.
Error: the correct structure is 'Querría' + infinitive ('hablar'), not gerund.
Error: after 'Querría' the infinitive is used, not subjunctive ('hablar' instead of 'hablo').
3.
Error: after 'Deberías' the infinitive ('descansar') should be used, not gerund.
Error: 'que' and conjugated verb should not be used after 'Deberías', but infinitive.
4.
'En tu lugar' is used with conditional for suggestions, not present indicative imperative like 'debes'.
Incorrect for this structure because with 'En tu lugar' conditional is used, not 'deberías' + infinitive directly.

Expressing Wishes, Politeness, and Suggestions in Spanish

This lesson focuses on polite expressions commonly used to convey desires, wishes, and recommendations in Spanish. You will learn key phrases such as "Me gustaría", "Querría", and "Debería", which are essential for everyday communication when you want to be respectful and courteous.

Key Expressions and Their Structure

  • Me gustaría: Formed by the verb "gustar" in the conditional tense followed by an infinitive verb. Use this to express a wish or desire politely, e.g., Me gustaría planificar un viaje al comienzo del verano.
  • Querría: Uses the conditional tense of "querer" plus an infinitive. It expresses polite hypothetical desires or requests, e.g., Querría realizar todos mis planes antes del final del año.
  • Debería: Formed with the conditional of "deber" plus an infinitive. This structure communicates advice or recommendations politely, e.g., Deberías soñar con un futuro posible.

Using These Expressions in Context

These phrases are often used to soften statements and make requests or recommendations sound more considerate. They appear frequently in formal and informal situations requiring courtesy.

Important Notes on Usage

All three phrases are followed by the infinitive form of the verb, never by a conjugated verb or subjunctive mood. For example, say Me gustaría viajar instead of Me gustaría que viajo.

Comparison with English

In English, polite wishes and suggestions are often expressed with modal verbs like "would" and "should." Spanish uses the conditional tense combined with infinitives for this purpose. For example, "I would like to travel" translates as Me gustaría viajar, and "You should rest" as Deberías descansar. Unlike English, where the verb after "would like" is in the base form, Spanish explicitly requires the infinitive form.

Useful Phrases for Practice

  • Me gustaría aprender más vocabulario. (I would like to learn more vocabulary.)
  • Querría pedir más información. (I would like to ask for more information.)
  • Deberías estudiar todos los días. (You should study every day.)

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