Spanish Phrase
¿Cuánto quieres sacar?
Meaning
Literally, “How much do you want to take out?” It is most commonly used when asking someone how much money they wish to withdraw from an ATM, a bank teller, or a cash register.
When to use
Use this question at a bank, ATM, or any place where cash is being dispensed. It works in informal settings with friends or family, and can be slightly formalized with ‘quiere’ for strangers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Cuántoquieressacar?
Cuánto (interrogative adjective)
Used to ask about quantity or amount; it agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies, but here it stands alone.
Querer (present tense)
The verb ‘querer’ expresses desire. In the second‑person singular informal form it becomes ‘quieres’.
Sacar (infinitive)
The infinitive ‘sacar’ means ‘to take out, withdraw, or get’. It follows ‘querer’ to form a desire‑infinitive construction.
🗨In Conversation
¿Cuánto quieres sacar?
How much do you want to take out?
Quiero doscientos euros, por favor.
I’d like two hundred euros, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Cuanto quieres sacar?
Missing the accent changes the meaning; ‘cuanto’ is a relative pronoun, not an interrogative.
¿Cuánto quiere sacar?
Use ‘quiere’ for formal situations or when speaking to a stranger.
¿Cuánto quieres ganar?
‘Sacar’ is correct for withdrawing money; avoid ‘sacar’ with ‘dinero’ when you mean ‘to earn’ – use ‘ganar’ instead.
↔Alternatives
¿Cuánto deseas retirar?
How much would you like to withdraw?
¿Cuánto vas a sacar?
How much are you going to take out?
¿Cuánto quiere sacar?
How much would you like to take out? (formal)
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries it’s polite to ask the exact amount before a transaction, especially at ATMs where you must pre‑select the sum. Using ‘quieres’ signals familiarity; switch to ‘quiere’ when speaking to a bank clerk you don’t know well.