Spanish Drill 2: Haves and Wants

Last time, we described how we were feeling. This is a wonderful skill, but in English, we sometimes say, "I am" for things that Spanish-speaking people say, "I have." A few of these things are problems that can be pretty important to travellers, so this drill focuses on problems we "have" and on how to obtain the solutions we need.

1. Tengo _____.  (I have ____.)

—hambre. (hunger, i.e. I'm hungry)
—sed. (thirst)
—dolor (pain)

If you are speaking for your party, use the plural form:

2. Tenemos _____. (We have_______.) 

—hambre.
—sed.
—sueño.
—dolor.

Note that these are not pluralized, and they don't have to agree with the gender of the speaker.

3. Tengo dolor de __________. (I have a pain in my ______.)

—cabeza. (head)
—cuello. (neck)
—espalda. (back)
—pie. (foot)
—estómago. (stomach)
—abdomen.

Now you can tell someone what's wrong. They may suggest a solution, or you may have to tell them what you want. Sometimes, you'll cut to the chase and go straight for the solution. Either way, here's how to ask for what you want. We are going to use a softened form of "I want,"  which will help you avoid the appearance of the ugly American (or Russian, or Iranian, as the case may be.)

Quisiera ______. (I would like ____.)

—desayuno. (breakfast; Be prepared for things you don't associate with breakfast, however.)
—desayuno americano. (American breakfast, eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc.)
—gorditas. (a kind of tortilla sandwich, literally, "fatties")
—tacos. (Not as common as you might think)
—lonche. (lunch)
—la comida. (dinner)
—un helado. (ice cream)
—una paleta. (a popscicle)
—pasteles. (cakes)
—carne de vaca. (beef. Beware of "carne de rez," of which the only thing you can be certain is that it was once some animal.)

That covers hambre. Now, suppose you are speaking for yourself and another person. These solutions for thirst work in the singular as well, but note the change in verb:

Quisiéramos __________. (We would like ______.)

—agua purificada. (purified water; be sure it comes in a sealed bottle.)
—un vaso de té  (iced tea)
—una taza de té (hot, in a cup)
—cerveza. (beer)
—una botella de vino. (a bottle of wine)
—un vaso de vino. (a glass of wine)
—maguey. (Be careful!)
—jugo. (juice)
—limonada.  (lemonade).
—miel de fruta. (fruit nectar)
                —See Rico V. for more cool drinks.

Now to the real troubles, that list of dolores.  We are going to be a little more forceful, but still polite. Instead of "I would like," we'll say, "I need."

Necesito ________. (I need_____.)

—el servicio. (the bathroom. Be sure to carry your own paper, though.)
—una aspirina. (an aspirin; if you're picky about having Tylenol, carry your own.)
—ver a un doctor. (to see a doctor)
—ver a un quiropráctico.  (chiropractor)
—el hóspital. (a hospital)
—un pedicurista. (podiatrist; I add this mainly to prevent people going to the doctor for a pedicure.)
—antiácido.  (antacid).
—medicina para la diarrea. (If the agua purificada came in a sealed bottle, you shouldn't need this.)
—una bolsillo de hielo. (a bag of ice)

I truly hope none of you ever need the things on this list, but if you do, at least you can get them. 

To speak for your group:

Necesitamos __________. (We need ________.)

—el servicio.
—una aspirina.
—ver a un doctor.
—ver a un quiropráctico. 
—el hóspital.
—un pedicurista.
—antiácido. 
—medicina para la diarrea.
—una bolsillo de hielo.

 RULE: To be polite, request things by saying "quisiera" (I would like).