Quiero--requires yo?

[Zach]

I was just wondering...why do many people put "yo" in front of "quiero?" Doesn't "quiero" already mean "I want?"

It makes sense that you'd put a clarifier for other people, "usted quiere," "ella quiere," etc. but why need a clarifier for "quiero?"

Thanks!

[EnglishStudent]

You are right, it is enough say "quiero", instead of "yo quiero". However, sometimes I use "Yo quiero", for instance when I´m in a group of people and I want to emphasis what I will say.

Imagine you are in a restaurant with a group of people and the waitress is taking the order, so it would be proper you say "Yo quiero una hamburguesa, por favor";butif yo say "Quiero una hamburguesa, por favor" it would correct to.

I hope I don´t mix you up.

[Zach]

No, I understood all of it. Thank you for clearing that up.

You speak English really well.. :P