Gustaría and Quisiera

[tessgold]

Hola, I have a very basic question. I've only been studying Spanish for a few weeks, so please don't anybody talk about the intricacies or the nuances of the language. It would be totally lost on me.

I'd just really like to know if there is a huge difference between these two phases:

Me gustaría estudiar.

Quisiera estudiar.

I'd like to know that no one would laugh at me if I chose either one when I mean to say "I'd like to study". Does one mean "enjoy" and the other "wish"?

Ayudame, por favor,
Una nueva estudiante

[JPablo]

¡Hola, Tessgold!
Welcome to the forums. There is no huge difference between these two phrases.
Naturally I personally would say "Me gustaría estudiar." (Probably saying what I'd like to study... as in "Me gustaría estudiar chino" (I'd like to study Chinese).

"Quisiera" sounds more formal to me, but nobody is going laugh at you (unless you say it "Kizzierrra" or something bizarre, of course!) :)

"Me gustaría" is literally "I'd enjoy" but the sense is that of "I wish..." "I'd like..." :)

[tessgold]

Gracias por ayudarme, JPablo. I was hoping that was the answer.

[JPablo]

De nada. (Glad to be of help!) :)

[Kalmetam]

Also I'd like to add..

I'd usually say Quisiera if you want an item.. Like at a restaurant I'd say

Quisiera un té helado por favor

[Elaina]

Also I'd like to add..

I'd usually say Quisiera if you want an item.. Like at a restaurant I'd say

Quisiera un té helado por favor


Well, at a restaurant you would say....
-Quiero un té helado por favor.

Don't you think?

[JPablo]

Yes, but the way Kalmetam mentions is also correct, and/or more polite.
"Quisiera un té helado por favor"
(Maybe a bit dated, but totally fine too.)
Polite way to say it too,
"¿Me pone un té helado por favor?"
Barman:
"¿Qué va a ser?"
"Un té helado, gracias."

Reminds me one of the 007 Daniel Craig's movies,
--Shaken or stirred?
--Do I look like I give a f...?

[Kalmetam]

Yes I like being formal when I order my food LOL

[JPablo]

Bueno, Kalmetam... ¡todavía hay modales!
(There are still [good] manners!) ;) :)