In most situations, “querrán” fits; “van a querer” suits a set plan, and “quisieran” keeps the tone polite.
You’ve got an English phrase that looks simple and turns tricky once you try to say it out loud: “they will want.” Spanish gives you more than one clean option, and which one sounds right depends on what you mean. Are you talking about a desire that’s likely later? A plan that’s already on the calendar? A polite request where you don’t want to sound pushy?
This article gives you the exact Spanish forms native speakers expect, plus sentence patterns you can reuse. You’ll also get a quick way to choose between “querrán” and “van a querer,” and you’ll see when “quisieran” is the smoother pick.
They Will Want in Spanish For Plans And Predictions
If you want a direct translation of “they will want,” the go-to choice is querrán. It comes from the verb querer, which covers “to want” and, in other contexts, “to love.” The Royal Spanish Academy lists querer with senses like “desire” and “have the will to do something,” which is why it carries so much weight in daily speech. RAE’s dictionary entry for “querer” is a helpful checkpoint when you’re unsure which sense you’re using.
So why not stop there? Because English “will” can mean two different things in one small word:
- A later-time desire: “They’ll want to leave early.”
- A planned action: “They’re going to want to talk after the meeting.”
Spanish can mirror both, and the difference matters. Querrán often sounds like a projection or expectation. Van a querer often sounds like a near-term plan or an intention that’s already taking shape.
When “Querrán” Sounds Natural
Use querrán when you’re stating what you expect they’ll desire later, or when you’re offering a calm guess. It’s also common in advice, planning, and everyday talk when no one is locking anything in.
Quick Patterns You Can Copy
- Querrán + infinitive: “Querrán comer.” (They’ll want to eat.)
- Querrán + noun: “Querrán café.” (They’ll want coffee.)
- No querrán + infinitive/noun: “No querrán esperar.” (They won’t want to wait.)
One common slip is misspelling these forms. The Academy’s usage guide flags incorrect spellings like “quedré” instead of “querré,” which is the same pattern your plural form follows. RAE’s usage note on “querer” forms is the straight answer on what’s accepted in standard Spanish.
What “Querrán” Can Imply
In many contexts, querrán carries a sense of “they’ll probably want” or “they’re likely to want.” That’s perfect when you’re planning meals, arranging rides, or thinking through someone else’s preferences. If you mean “they will want” as a firm plan, keep reading.
When “Van A Querer” Fits Better
Spanish often uses ir a + infinitive to express a later action that’s close in time or tied to intention. If you’re leaning toward “they’re going to want,” van a querer is usually the clean match.
The Academy describes ir a + infinitivo as a verbal periphrasis that signals an action that is going to happen, often with intention or purpose. That’s why it pairs well with situations where people’s needs are about to show up. RAE’s note on “ir a + infinitivo” breaks down these uses in plain terms.
Common “Van A Querer” Setups
- After a trigger event: “Cuando lleguen, van a querer descansar.”
- After a long day: “Después del viaje, van a querer una ducha.”
- As a heads-up: “Van a querer ver el contrato.”
One tiny detail matters: Spanish keeps the a in ir a. That’s true even when two “a” sounds run into each other in speech. The Academy’s grammar notes keep the structure clear and consistent. RAE’s basic grammar on periphrases covers ir a + infinitivo as a time-marking pattern.
What You Mean Changes The Best Translation
Before you pick a form, pin down the English intent. Are you making a calm guess? Are you stating a plan? Are you trying to sound polite? This is where most translations get awkward, because English lets you hide intent inside “will,” while Spanish tends to show it.
Use this simple mental test: if you can replace “will” with “probably” in English without changing the meaning much, querrán often lands well. If you can replace “will” with “are going to” and it still feels right, van a querer often lands well.
Decision Table For “They Will Want” Translations
Here’s a quick chooser you can use while writing, texting, or translating. Pick the row that matches what you’re trying to say, then grab the Spanish option.
| English Intent | Spanish Option | When It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Later-time desire you expect | Querrán | Prediction, assumption, planning talk |
| Near-term plan or intention | Van a querer | Something about to happen, often tied to intention |
| Polite request or soft ask | Quisieran | Customer service, formal settings, gentle tone |
| “They would like…” in a menu tone | Querrían | Courtesy phrasing, less direct than “quieren” |
| They won’t want something | No querrán / No van a querer | Use the one that matches prediction vs plan |
| They’ll want me/you to… | Querrán que + subjunctive | When “want” targets another person’s action |
| They’ll want it done | Querrán que esté / que se haga | Preference about a result, not the doer |
| They’ll want to know | Querrán saber | Common fixed pairing with an infinitive |
| They’ll want more info | Querrán más información | Useful in emails, forms, and planning |
How To Say “They Will Want You To…”
English can say “They will want you to call.” Spanish usually switches to a “want that…” structure: querrán que llames. That que is the hinge, and it brings in the subjunctive because you’re talking about someone else’s action.
Three Reliable Patterns
- Querrán que + verb: “Querrán que llegues temprano.”
- Van a querer que + verb: “Van a querer que firmes.”
- No querrán que + verb: “No querrán que pagues hoy.”
When you’re speaking, this structure also keeps the sentence smooth. It avoids clunky calques like “querrán tú llamar,” which doesn’t work in Spanish.
Polite Options That Still Mean “Want”
English “will want” often shows up in service talk: “They will want a table by the window,” or “They will want to speak with you.” In Spanish, if you want to sound courteous, the conditional forms can feel better than the straight forms.
Two Polite Picks
- Quisieran: “Quisieran una mesa cerca de la ventana.”
- Querrían: “Querrían hablar con usted.”
Quisieran can feel softer and more deferential. Querrían is also polite and can sound slightly more businesslike, depending on region and context. Both can translate “would like,” yet they often serve the same role English speakers try to express with “will want” in polite settings.
Make Sure You Mean “Want,” Not “Need”
English speakers sometimes use “want” when they mean “need,” like “They’ll want their passport,” meaning they must have it. Spanish can still use querer, but if the point is necessity, verbs like necesitar or phrases like tener que can be clearer.
Try this check: if you can swap “want” with “must have” and it stays true, consider shifting to a necessity phrasing in Spanish. Your reader or listener will thank you, since it removes guessing.
Regional Notes That Affect The Sentence
The core forms stay the same across Spanish-speaking regions, yet a few details can shift your sentence:
- Ustedes vs vosotros: Many regions use ustedes for “you all,” which changes forms elsewhere in the sentence, though querrán stays as “they/you all.”
- Vos: In places that use vos, the “you” forms change, yet “they” stays the same, so your target phrase is stable.
- Courtesy level: Service Spanish often leans on conditional forms as a default.
If you’re translating for a specific audience, match their pronoun habits first, then plug your “want” structure into that frame.
Second Table: Ready-To-Use Sentence Frames
Use these as templates. Swap the last word group, keep the verb form, and your sentence will still sound natural.
| Frame | Spanish | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| They’ll want + noun | Querrán + sustantivo | General expectation |
| They’ll want to + verb | Querrán + infinitivo | Action preference |
| They’re going to want + noun | Van a querer + sustantivo | Near-term plan |
| They’re going to want to + verb | Van a querer + infinitivo | Near-term action |
| They’ll want you to + verb | Querrán que + subjuntivo | Another person’s action |
| They’d like + noun | Quisieran + sustantivo | Polite service tone |
| They wouldn’t want + verb | No querrían + infinitivo | Gentle disagreement |
Common Mistakes To Avoid
A few errors pop up again and again when people translate this phrase. Fixing them once saves a lot of awkward lines later.
Mixing Up “Querrán” With “Quieren”
Quieren is “they want” in the present. It can be right, yet it changes the meaning. If your sentence is about later, querrán or van a querer will usually match better.
Skipping “Que” In “Want You To” Sentences
Spanish needs the bridge: querrán que. Without it, the sentence breaks. Keep the structure, and the rest becomes easy.
Using “Quedrán” Or Other Misspellings
Because querer is irregular, the spelling changes. If you’re ever unsure, check the Academy’s guidance on standard forms and stick with it in writing.
Mini Checklist Before You Hit Send
- Are you predicting a desire, or stating a plan that’s already brewing?
- If it’s a plan, would “they’re going to want” sound right in English?
- If it’s polite service talk, would “they would like” fit the tone?
- If it’s “want you to,” did you write que plus a subjunctive verb?
- If it’s about necessity, is necesitar clearer than querer?
Quick Recap Without Guesswork
Most of the time, querrán is the clean translation for “they will want.” Use van a querer when the desire is tied to an intention or a near-term setup. Use quisieran or querrían when you want a courteous tone. Once you match the intent, the Spanish almost writes itself.
References & Sources
- Real Academia Española (RAE).“querer | Diccionario de la lengua española.”Defines core senses of querer used for “want” and related meanings.
- Real Academia Española (RAE) / ASALE.“querer | Diccionario panhispánico de dudas.”Notes standard irregular forms and flags common misspellings.
- Real Academia Española (RAE) / ASALE.“ir, irse | Diccionario panhispánico de dudas.”Explains ir a + infinitivo as a periphrasis tied to later actions and intention.
- Real Academia Española (RAE).“Perífrasis de infinitivo | Nueva gramática básica.”Describes time-marking periphrases, including ir a + infinitivo.