Lección 30 · Etapa 3: Planes, peticiones y comparaciones
“Would like” para un deseo cortés
Principiante“Would like” for polite wishes
Forma y uso
would like / 'd like + to verbo — una forma educada de decir lo que quieres
1.Forma
would like (forma contraída 'd like) significa “querer”, pero es más cortés que want — algo así como “quisiera / me gustaría” frente a “quiero”. Would es igual para todos los sujetos: I'd like, she'd like, they'd like.
| Estructura | Ejemplo |
|---|---|
| would like + sustantivo | I'd like a glass of water, please. |
| would like + to + forma base | I'd like to change my seat. |
| would like + persona + to + forma base | I'd like you to meet my sister. |
| Negativa | I wouldn't like to live in a big city. |
| Pregunta | Would you like some tea? · What would you like to do? |
Una pequeña 'd cambia el significado: I like coffee = me gusta el café, en general; I'd like a coffee = quisiera un café (ahora). Si olvidas la 'd al pedir, solo estás hablando de tus gustos.
2.Cuándo se usa
1. Pedir en un restaurante, comprar y solicitar un servicio
I'd like the chicken curry, please.
Quisiera el curry de pollo, por favor.
Hi, I'd like to return these shoes. They're too small.
Hola, quisiera devolver estos zapatos. Me quedan pequeños.
2. Deseos y sueños
One day I'd like to have my own café.
Algún día me gustaría tener mi propia cafetería.
Where would you like to live when you retire?
¿Dónde te gustaría vivir cuando te jubiles?
3. Ofrecer e invitar: Would you like…?
Would you like some more rice?
¿Quieres un poco más de arroz?
Would you like to join us for dinner on Friday?
¿Te gustaría cenar con nosotros el viernes?
4. Querer que otra persona haga algo: would like + persona + to + forma base
My mum would like you to call her when you land.
Mi madre quiere que la llames cuando aterrices.
I'd like you to check this email before I send it.
Me gustaría que revisaras este correo antes de enviarlo.
Muchos estudiantes dicen I want… al pedir algo. Es gramaticalmente correcto, pero con el personal de una tienda o un restaurante, con un cliente o con una persona mayor puede sonar brusco. Cámbialo por I'd like…, como cuando dices “quisiera” en vez de “quiero”, y enseguida suena cortés.
3.¿Would like o like?
| like | would like | |
|---|---|---|
| Significado | gustar (en general) | querer (ahora o más adelante) |
| Va seguido de | -ing o to + verbo | to + verbo (no -ing) |
| Ejemplo | I like swimming. | I'd like to swim now. |
| Pregunta | Do you like tea? — Yes, I do. | Would you like some tea? — Yes, please. |
Would love / would prefer / would hate también van seguidos de to + verbo:
I'd love to come — thanks for asking!
Me encantaría ir, ¡gracias por invitarme!
I'd prefer to stay in tonight. I'm exhausted.
Prefiero quedarme en casa esta noche. Estoy agotado.
I'd hate to miss your wedding.
No me gustaría nada perderme tu boda.
4.Cómo responder a Would you like…?
- Aceptar algo: Yes, please. (un Yes a secas suena seco)
- Rechazar algo: No, thank you. / No, thanks, I'm fine.
- Aceptar una invitación: I'd love to. / That would be great.
- Rechazar una invitación: I'd love to, but I can't. I'm busy that day.
5.Errores comunes
I would like eat something sweet.I would like to eat something sweet.
Hace falta to delante del verbo.
I'd like going to the cinema tonight.I'd like to go to the cinema tonight.
Would like no va seguido de -ing.
She would likes to learn the piano.She would like to learn the piano.
Forma base después de would.
I'd like that you call me back.I'd like you to call me back.
would like + persona + to + verbo (no se usa “that” como en “quiero que”).
Excuse me, I like to order the chicken.Excuse me, I'd like to order the chicken.
Sin 'd significa “me gusta”.
Would you like a coffee? — Yes, I would like.Yes, please.
Like necesita un complemento; Yes, please es la respuesta natural.
Ejemplos
- I'd like to book a table for two, please.
- I would like to buy two tickets for the seven o'clock show.
- Hi, I'd like to make a complaint about my room.
- We would like to thank everyone for coming tonight.
