tengo ganas de llorar
/tenɡo ɡanas de ʝoɾaɾ/from spelling rules
To say "I feel like crying" in Spanish, use tengo ganas de llorar.
This phrase is used to express that you have a strong urge or desire to cry. You can also use the alternative me dan ganas de llorar, which shifts the focus slightly to the urge itself coming to you.
Which one should you use?
me dan ganas de llorar is a common alternative that focuses on the urge 'giving' itself to the speaker.
How does it change in a sentence?
The expression tengo ganas de is followed by an infinitive verb to express an urge to do an action, such as tengo ganas de [infinitive]. If you want to say that you felt like crying in the past, use the imperfect tense: tenía ganas de llorar.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo ɡanas de ʝoɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb llorar is a distant relative of the English word 'implore'. Both words descend from the Latin 'plorare', which originally meant to cry out or wail loudly.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying me dan ganas de llorar can be used hyperbolically to describe something overwhelmingly beautiful or touching, not just something sad.
- Saying no tengo ganas is a common and polite way to decline an invitation without using the word 'no'.
Examples in context
- Tengo ganas de llorar.I feel like crying.This sentence is useful for expressing the direct feeling of wanting to cry using tengo ganas de llorar.Tatoeba #536501 by Leono, translation #19565 by CK
- Hoy estoy muy triste, tengo ganas de llorar.Today I'm very sad, I feel like crying.
- Después de la noticia, tengo ganas de llorar.After the news, I feel like crying.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking about a sad book in a cafe.
- ElenaEste final es tan triste que tengo ganas de llorar.This ending is so sad that I feel like crying.
- MateoTe entiendo, Elena, a mí también me pasa.I understand you, Elena, it happens to me too.
- Elena¿Crees que el protagonista será feliz?Do you think the protagonist will be happy?
- MateoNo lo sé, pero la historia es muy conmovedora.I don't know, but the story is very moving.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, ganas, llorar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
