In Spanish, El Condicional Simple and El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo of the verb "querer" are equivalent in sentences where the speaker requires extra politeness. Therefore, in formal situations, for example in a restaurant, the waiter could say:
Or in a bank you could say:
Even though "quisiera" is not the conditional form but El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo, we still use this form as if it were the conditional (would).
Both forms are equally correct, accepted, and formal.
These two forms can also be used in other more general situations simply to say "I would like to do something". Here are some examples:
Remember that El Pretérito Imperfecto of querer can also be used exactly in the same way. See Polite requests in Spanish: querría, quería and quisiera to politely say "I would like"
Also note that "Me gustaría..." which is a more direct translation of "I would like..." can also be used and is more common than the other formulas explained above.
See also Using gustar in the conditional in Spanish = would like [to do something].
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