Using quisiera for I would like (alternative to querría)

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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:

¿Quisiera usted otra copa de vino, señor?Would you like another glass of wine, sir?

¿Querría otra copa de vino, señor?Would you like another glass of wine, sir?

Or in a bank you could say:

Quisiera abrir una cuenta bancaria.I would like to open a bank account.

Querría abrir una cuenta bancaria.I would like to open a bank account.

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:

Yo quisiera dedicar más tiempo a mis hijos, pero estoy tan ocupada...I would like to dedicate more time to my children, but I am so busy...

Mis padres querrían comprar una casa en la playa.My parents would like to buy a house at the beach.

No creo que ella quisiera casarse conmigo.I don't think she would want to marry me.

No querría interrumpiros en este momento, pero es algo urgente.I didn't want to interrupt you right now, but it's something urgent.

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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Examples and resources

¿Quisiera usted otra copa de vino, señor?Would you like another glass of wine, sir?
¿Querría otra copa de vino, señor?Would you like another glass of wine, sir?
Quisiera abrir una cuenta bancaria.I would like to open a bank account.
Querría abrir una cuenta bancaria.I would like to open a bank account.
Yo quisiera dedicar más tiempo a mis hijos, pero estoy tan ocupada...I would like to dedicate more time to my children, but I am so busy...
Mis padres querrían comprar una casa en la playa.My parents would like to buy a house at the beach.
No creo que ella quisiera casarse conmigo.I don't think she would want to marry me.
No querría interrumpiros en este momento, pero es algo urgente.I didn't want to interrupt you right now, but it's something urgent.
I'll be right with you...