What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "I have many desires of seeing you".
Which one should you use?
While tengo muchas ganas de verte expresses warmth and excitement, it is more emotive than a standard business phrase like quedo a la espera de su respuesta (I await your response).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, if you are looking forward to seeing a group of people you know informally, you use tengo muchas ganas de veros instead of tengo muchas ganas de verte.
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending of the phrase changes depending on whom you are addressing. The form tengo muchas ganas de verte uses the singular informal pronoun te. To express this to someone you address with usted (formal), you change the ending to verle or verlo. For a group of people in Spain, you use veros.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo mutʃas ɡanas de beɾte/
Did you know?
- If you use tengo muchas ganas de verte in a professional email, you might appear overly eager or even flirtatious because of its high emotional intensity.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, expressing 'ganas' can imply a craving, similar to how one might have 'ganas de comer' (desire to eat).
- Spanish speakers often express a lack of motivation by saying no tengo ganas, which is a common way to politely decline an invitation without giving a specific reason.
Examples in context
- Anticipo con entusiasmo nuestro encuentroI eagerly anticipate our encounter.
- Estoy ansioso por verteI am eager to see you
- Tengo muchas ganas de verte mañana.I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
- ¡Tengo muchas ganas de verte en la fiesta!I look forward to seeing you at the party!
- Tengo muchas ganas de verte pronto.I look forward to seeing you soon.
Example conversation
María and Javier are texting each other about meeting for coffee.
- María¿Nos vemos en el café a las cinco?Shall we meet at the cafe at five?
- JavierSí, claro. Tengo muchas ganas de verte.Yes, of course. I look forward to seeing you.
- MaríaYo también, Javier.Me too, Javier.
- JavierHasta luego, María.See you later, María.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
Hola, Mamie. I noticed that all of your translations use the informal “te” and none use the formal “se” that is normally used in business situations. Please let people know that it is somewhat informal – and would be considered normal for Americans to use the slightly less formal version, but that it is not really correct.
¡Gracias! Good point. I’ve added the formal version: with usted you say tengo muchas ganas de verle (or verlo).