Spanish for Aspirations: Talk About Future Work Goals
Learn to express career aspirations and plans in Spanish using 'quiero ser' and 'pienso' + infinitive. Build confidence for real conversations about your future.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn to talk about your career aspirations and future work plans in Spanish. You will use the verb querer (to want) and the phrase pensar + infinitive (to plan to) to express what you hope to achieve professionally. This is different from talking about study habits because the focus is on future work goals, not daily routines. By the end, you will be able to say what you want to be and share your plans for a promotion or new job.
By the end, you can…
- say what profession I want to have using 'quiero ser'.
- express a plan for a promotion or new job using 'pienso' + infinitive.
- ask someone about their future work goals.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Quiero ser doctor.
I want to be a doctor.
KYEH-roh sehr dohk-TOHR
Use 'quiero ser' + profession. The article 'un' is not used after 'ser' when stating a profession. For a female doctor, say 'Quiero ser doctora.'
Pienso solicitar un ascenso.
I plan to apply for a promotion.
PYEHN-soh soh-lee-see-TAR oon ah-SEHN-soh
Use 'pienso' + infinitive to express a plan. 'Ascenso' means promotion in a work context.
Mi meta es ser gerente.
My goal is to be a manager.
mee MEH-tah ehs sehr heh-REN-teh
Use 'mi meta es' + infinitive to state a goal. 'Gerente' is common for manager in Latin America.
Voy a estudiar para ser ingeniero.
I am going to study to be an engineer.
boy ah es-too-DYAR PAH-rah sehr een-heh-NYEH-roh
Use 'voy a' + infinitive for future plans. For a female engineer, say 'ingeniera'.
¿Qué quieres ser en el futuro?
What do you want to be in the future?
keh KYEH-rehs sehr en el foo-TOO-roh
Use this question to ask someone about their career aspiration. 'En el futuro' means in the future.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To talk about aspirations, use 'quiero ser' + profession. For example, 'Quiero ser abogado' (I want to be a lawyer). To talk about plans, use 'pienso' + infinitive, as in 'Pienso buscar un nuevo trabajo' (I plan to look for a new job). Another useful pattern is 'mi meta es' + infinitive: 'Mi meta es aprender inglés' (My goal is to learn English). Remember that after 'ser' when stating a profession, you do not use 'un' or 'una': 'Quiero ser médico,' not 'Quiero ser un médico.'
When to use it
Use these expressions when talking about future career goals, such as in a job interview, a casual conversation with friends, or when making plans. For example, you might say 'Pienso pedir un aumento' (I plan to ask for a raise) to a coworker. Use 'quiero ser' for aspirations that are more dream-like, and 'pienso' for more concrete plans. In Latin America, 'ascenso' is commonly used for promotion, while in Spain 'ascenso' is also used, but 'promoción' can sometimes refer to a promotion as well. Stick with 'ascenso' for clarity.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
¿Qué quieres ser en el futuro?
What do you want to be in the future?keh KYEH-rehs sehr en el foo-TOO-rohQuiero ser enfermera. ¿Y tú?
I want to be a nurse. And you?KYEH-roh sehr en-fehr-MEH-rah. ee tooYo pienso estudiar medicina para ser doctor.
I plan to study medicine to be a doctor.yoh PYEHN-soh es-too-DYAR meh-dee-SEE-nah PAH-rah sehr dohk-TOHR¡Qué bien! Mi meta es trabajar en un hospital.
That's great! My goal is to work in a hospital.keh byehn. mee MEH-tah ehs trah-bah-HAR en oon ohs-pee-TAHLA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American countries, conversations about career aspirations are common among friends and family. It is polite to ask about someone's goals, but avoid pressing if they seem uncomfortable. When talking about promotions, 'ascenso' is widely understood. In some regions, 'pedir un aumento' means to ask for a raise, while 'ascenso' is a change in position. Use 'usted' with older people or in formal settings to show respect.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Quiero ser un doctor' by adding 'un' before the profession.
Try this instead: In Spanish, you do not use the indefinite article 'un' after 'ser' when stating a profession. Say 'Quiero ser doctor' (I want to be a doctor). The article is only used if the profession is modified, e.g., 'Quiero ser un buen doctor' (I want to be a good doctor).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I want to be a lawyer' in Spanish?
Show a sample answer
Quiero ser abogado.
This uses 'quiero ser' + profession without an article. For a female lawyer, say 'Quiero ser abogada.'
2Translate: 'I plan to ask for a promotion.'
Show a sample answer
Pienso pedir un ascenso.
This uses 'pienso' + infinitive 'pedir' and the noun 'un ascenso' for promotion. You could also say 'Pienso solicitar un ascenso.'
3What question would you ask to find out someone's career goal?
Show a sample answer
¿Qué quieres ser en el futuro?
This question directly asks about future aspirations. You could also ask '¿Cuál es tu meta profesional?' (What is your professional goal?).
Use 'quiero ser' for aspirations and 'pienso' + infinitive for plans. Remember not to use 'un' after 'ser' when stating a profession.
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