Which one should you use?
If the 'lusting' refers specifically to an intense, often forbidden or greedy desire for possessions or power, the form codiciando is more precise.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, the slang verb morbosear is used to mean 'to lust after' or 'to check someone out'. In Spain, the informal expression estar salido/a is used to mean 'to be horny'. In Mexican Spanish, the phrase andar caliente is used informally to mean 'to be hot' or 'to be turned on'. Another slang expression, babear por alguien, literally translates to 'to drool over someone'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express 'was lusting' in a continuous sense in the past, you can use the imperfect form deseaba or the construction estaba deseando.
How do you pronounce it?
/deseando/
Did you know?
- The slang verb morbosear implies a specific kind of lust tied to morbo, a feeling of attraction to things that are forbidden or taboo.
- While andar caliente in Mexico means 'to be turned on', the word caliente can describe a person's temperature or their mood if they are angry.
- The word codiciando comes from codicia, which specifically refers to the vice of greed. Using this word for 'lusting' frames the desire as a moral failing or a sin rather than just a feeling.
Examples in context
- Ella sintió un intenso deseo sexual hacia él.She felt an intense sexual desire/lust towards him.
- Su pasión desmedida se hizo evidente en su mirada.His unbridled passion/lust became evident in his gaze.
- Su apetito sexual era incontrolable.His sexual appetite was uncontrollable.
- Él babea por ella cada vez que la ve.He drools over her every time he sees her.
- No deberías morbosear a las personas de esa manera.You shouldn't lust after people like that.
- Está totalmente caliente por su nuevo compañero de trabajo.She is totally turned on by her new coworker.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are talking about a new restaurant.
- SofíaHe estado deseando probar este restaurante.I have been longing to try this restaurant.
- JavierYo también, Sofía. ¡Se ve delicioso!Me too, Sofía. It looks delicious!
- Sofía¿Qué quieres pedir, Javier?What do you want to order, Javier?
- JavierPediré el plato más grande del menú.I'll order the biggest dish on the menu.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
