Quiero vs. Deseo

[Cheri]

From what I can tell, they both mean "I want."

How are they different? Is one more appropriate in certain contexts?

Cheri

[Rusty]

Each verb has other meanings, so they aren't always synonymous.

The most common way to express that you want something is to use the verb querer. Desear may be used, but I don't think it expresses the exact same idea.

Don't forget that querer a alguien means 'to love someone' and that desear a alguien means 'to desire someone', with the same sexual overtones it has in English.

[Cheri]

Thanks! It's helpful to know which one is more common. :)