What does it mean word for word?
Literally, tengo ganas de translates to "I have desires of" or "I have the urge of".
Which one should you use?
While quiero expresses a direct will or a specific requirement ("I want"), tengo ganas de is used to express a more spontaneous or visceral inclination ("I feel like").
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase Me apetecería is sometimes used instead of Me gustaría to express a desire. In Latin America, the expression Quisiera que followed by a verb in the subjunctive form is used to convey a polite desire or request.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase tengo ganas de is conjugated in the first person singular present tense of the verb tener. To express the desire to perform an action, follow the phrase with an infinitive verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo ɡanas de/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, saying tener ganas can imply a physical or sexual urge, so speakers often use it carefully depending on the context of the following verb.
- To express an intense, almost uncontrollable urge, Spanish speakers often upgrade tengo ganas de to me muero por, which literally means 'I am dying for'.
- The word ganas can also be used to describe the effort or 'drive' someone puts into a task, such as saying someone does their work sin ganas (without desire).
Examples in context
- Quiero ir al cine esta noche.I want to go to the movies tonight.
- Tengo ganas de comer algo rico.I feel like eating something delicious.
- Tengo ganas de comer pizza.I am wanting to eat pizza.
- Tengo ganas de ir al cine hoy.I am wanting to go to the movies today.
- Tengo ganas de descansar un poco.I am wanting to rest a little bit.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are deciding what to do on a Saturday afternoon.
- SofíaHola Daniel, tengo ganas de caminar.Hi Daniel, I feel like going for a walk.
- DanielYo también, ¿vamos al parque?Me too, shall we go to the park?
- SofíaSí, es una idea perfecta.Yes, that is a perfect idea.
- DanielEntonces vamos ahora mismo.Then let's go right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
