Help with 'al' and 'a la' por favor

[tmember]

If I say I want to go to the store, I say 'Quiero ir a la tiende', because tiende is feminine. But if I say I want to go to the bank, I say 'Quiero ir al banco', because banco is masculine.

My question is this: If I want to add more words to the list of where I'd like to go, do I add 'al' to those words which are masculine and 'a la' to the feminine words? Or is that too easy?

For example, I'd like to say, 'I want to go to school'. Do I say 'Quiero ir a la escuela' because escuela is feminine?

[chileno]

Originally Posted by tmember

If I say I want to go to the store, I say 'Quiero ir a la tiende', because tiende is feminine. But if I say I want to go to the bank, I say 'Quiero ir al banco', because banco is masculine.

My question is this: If I want to add more words to the list of where I'd like to go, do I add 'al' to those words which are masculine and 'a la' to the feminine words? Or is that too easy?

For example, I'd like to say, 'I want to go to school'. Do I say 'Quiero ir a la escuela' because escuela is feminine?

"al" is a contraction of "a el"

Voy a el banco and voy al banco is the same.

And yes, it is that easy.

[tmember]

Is voy used more than 'Quiero ir' in everyday conversation?

How do I say 'I want to go to school'? or 'the school'?

[chileno]

Originally Posted by tmember

Is voy used more than 'Quiero ir' in everyday conversation?

How do I say 'I want to go to school'? or 'the school'?

Not really.

I'm going to XXX H.S = Voy a la escuela XXX

I want to go to XXX H.S... = Quiero ir a la escuela XXX...

[tmember]

So 'voy' is no substitute for quiero is it, since quiero means 'I want' and not 'to go' (voy).

[chileno]

Originally Posted by tmember

So 'voy' is no substitute for quiero is it, since quiero means 'I want' and not just 'I'.

Right.

[tmember]

I think I'm guilty of making something simple more complex than it needs to be. But...since voy means 'to go', and seems to be a synonym for 'ir' (to go), could I substitute 'voy' for 'ir' in the sentence, and say, 'Quiero voy a la escuela' instead of 'Quiero ir a la escuela'?

(I'm trying to avoid saying 'ir' because it's hard for me to say.)

[tacuba]

Originally Posted by tmember

I think I'm guilty of making something simple more complex than it needs to be. But...since voy means 'to go', and seems to be a synonym for 'ir' (to go), could I substitute 'voy' for 'ir' in the sentence, and say, 'Quiero voy a la escuela' instead of 'Quiero ir a la escuela'?

(I'm trying to avoid saying 'ir' because it's hard for me to say.)

Nope, you have to follow the conjugated verb with an infinitive, in this case "ir". Otherwise it would be read as "I want I go..." "Voy" doesn't mean "to go", it means "I go."

[chileno]

It's like saying: it is difficult for me to say "to" so I say "I want go school"

[tmember]

Okay, I'm getting it now. This is too funny. I want go bed now.

Thanks for all your help!