What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb esperar (to wait/hope) and the prepositional phrase con ansias (with eagerness/anxieties).
Which one should you use?
While espero con ansias expresses excitement, the simpler espero que… (I hope that…) is used for neutral expectations rather than eager anticipation. For a more poetic or formal tone, one can also use Con ansias espero to mean "I eagerly await".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to express this depending on the setting. For an informal or casual tone, use Estoy deseando (I'm looking forward to) or ¡No veo la hora de (I can't wait for). In formal situations, Espero con interés is a suitable translation. If you are writing formal business correspondence and simply want to say you are waiting for a response, it is more common to use quedo a la espera de (I await your response) rather than expressing personal excitement.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase Tengo muchas ganas de is widely used to mean "I'm really looking forward to" or "I'm eager to".
How does it change in a sentence?
You can follow espero con ansias directly with a noun to express anticipation for a specific thing or event, such as espero con ansias tu llegada (I look forward to your arrival). When following this phrase with an action, use the infinitive form of the verb, for example: espero con ansias verte (I look forward to seeing you).
Did you know?
- The word ansias in espero con ansias is a cognate of the English word 'anxiety'. While 'anxiety' usually implies stress in English, here it describes a positive, breathless longing.
- The phrase No veo la hora de literally translates to 'I do not see the hour of', which is a common way to express impatience in Spanish.
- The phrase Tengo muchas ganas de uses the word ganas, which has no direct single-word English translation. It describes a specific internal drive, desire or craving to do something.
Examples in context
- Espero con interés recibir su respuesta.I look forward to receiving your response.
- Anticipo con entusiasmo la oportunidad de trabajar juntos.I eagerly await the opportunity to work together.
- Estoy emocionado/a por conocerlos y aprender de su experiencia.I am excited to meet you and learn from your experience.
- Con ansias espero su respuesta a mi solicitud.I eagerly await your response to my request.
- Estoy deseando verte en la fiesta de mañana.I'm looking forward to seeing you at tomorrow's party.
- ¡No veo la hora de ir de vacaciones!I can't wait for vacation!
- Estoy ansioso/a por comenzar el nuevo proyecto.I'm anxious to start the new project.
- Tengo muchas ganas de visitar Barcelona en las vacaciones.I'm really looking forward to visiting Barcelona on vacation.
- Espero con ansias nuestro viaje.I look forward to our trip.
- Espero con ansias verte de nuevo.I look forward to seeing you again.
- Espero con ansias las vacaciones de verano.I look forward to the summer holidays.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are talking about an upcoming trip.
- MaríaYa compré los boletos para el viaje.I already bought the tickets for the trip.
- Mateo¡Qué bien! Yo espero con ansias el viaje.That's great! I look forward to the trip.
- MaríaVa a ser una experiencia increíble, Mateo.It is going to be an incredible experience, Mateo.
- MateoTienes razón, será muy divertido.You're right, it will be a lot of fun.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
