Which one should you use?
While desideroso expresses a strong desire or eagerness, the word impaziente is used when that eagerness has turned into an inability to wait, meaning the person is becoming impatient.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In everyday spoken Italian, people more commonly use the idiomatic expression non vedere l'ora di instead of the more formal desideroso to express being eager to do something. For a very informal way to express an intense craving, you can use the phrase Ho una voglia matta di, which literally means 'I have a crazy desire to'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective desideroso must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use the feminine singular form desiderosa for female subjects, the masculine plural form desiderosi for masculine subjects and the feminine plural form desiderose for feminine subjects. Additionally, desideroso is typically followed by the preposition di when it is followed by a noun or an infinitive (e.g., desideroso di means 'eager for' or 'eager to').
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable: /de.zi.deˈro.zo/.
Did you know?
- To express being 'eagerly' waiting, Italians often use the verb non stare nella pelle, which means 'not to stay in one's skin'.
- In many Italian regions, if you are too eager, people might say you have troppa voglia, which can sometimes imply a physical or sexual craving rather than just enthusiasm.
- The word desideroso shares its roots with the English word 'desire' and the Latin 'sidus', which means 'star'.
Examples in context
- Tom è desideroso di andare avanti.Tom is eager to press on.This sentence shows how to use desideroso to express the desire to move forward.Tatoeba #3537910 by Guybrush88, translation #1522120 by Spamster
- È desideroso di una possibilità di studiare all'estero.He is eager for a chance to study abroad.This sentence demonstrates using desideroso with a noun to show eagerness for an opportunity.Tatoeba #4231263 by Guybrush88, translation #304685 by CK
- Mi chinai in avanti, desideroso di cogliere ogni parola che diceva.I leaned forward, eager to catch every word he spoke.This sentence illustrates using desideroso to describe a state of eagerness while performing an action.Tatoeba #3114877 by Guybrush88, translation #260781 by Hellerick
- Sono ansioso(a) di incontrare il mio nuovo collega.I am eager to meet my new colleague.
- Sono ansioso(a) di vedere il concerto stasera.I am eager to see the concert tonight.
- Non vedo l'ora di andare in vacanza.I am eager to go on vacation.
- Non vedo l'ora di incontrare i miei amici dopo tanto tempo.I can't wait to meet my friends after a long time.
- Ho una voglia matta di mangiare una pizza.I am eager to eat a pizza.
- Sono entusiasta di iniziare il corso di cucina.I am eager to start the cooking course.
- Sono entusiasta di iniziare la nuova avventura.I am enthusiastic about starting the new adventure.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Lorenzo are discussing a new job opportunity.
- SofiaSono desideroso di iniziare questo nuovo lavoro.I am eager to start this new job.
- LorenzoSi vede che sei molto motivato, Sofia.It shows that you are very motivated, Sofia.
- SofiaSì, sono desideroso di imparare tutto velocemente.Yes, I am eager to learn everything quickly.
- LorenzoAndrà benissimo, ne sono sicuro.It will go great, I am sure of it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry desideroso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desideroso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
