Answers
May 20, 2011 - 09:06 AM
In certain contexts they can mean pretty much the same thing. For example, if talking to a waiter:
Quisiera un agua
Me gustaria un agua
Those would mean the same thing. But in a context where you aren't clearly making a request of someone, the word "qusiera" tends to convey more of a request than "me gustaria". For example:
Quisiera ir al cine
Me gustaria ir al cine
In this case, I think quisiera conveys more of a request than me gustaria, i.e. I would like to go to the movies, and I'm politely requesting that we do so. Whereas "me gustaria ir al cine" is more just saying that I would like to go to the movies, without any suggestion that I'm making a request.
These are obviously VERY subtle differences, so it really isn't something to worry much about at this point. In most cases, either one will be acceptable.
Quisiera un agua
Me gustaria un agua
Those would mean the same thing. But in a context where you aren't clearly making a request of someone, the word "qusiera" tends to convey more of a request than "me gustaria". For example:
Quisiera ir al cine
Me gustaria ir al cine
In this case, I think quisiera conveys more of a request than me gustaria, i.e. I would like to go to the movies, and I'm politely requesting that we do so. Whereas "me gustaria ir al cine" is more just saying that I would like to go to the movies, without any suggestion that I'm making a request.
These are obviously VERY subtle differences, so it really isn't something to worry much about at this point. In most cases, either one will be acceptable.
Dec 04, 2011 - 02:13 AM
quisiera can be looked at as meaning I wish, a request as noted above. I wish to order ice water, I wish to go skiing, whereas me gustaria means it would be pleasing to me, I would like, etc.