What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "we have many desires to see you".
Which one should you use?
Other options include ¡Estamos deseando verte! (We are looking forward to seeing you!), ¡Estamos ansiosos por verte! (We are anxious to see you!) or the more direct ¡No podemos esperar para verte! (We can't wait to see you!).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In a professional business context, the more formal alternative esperamos verle pronto (we hope to see you soon) is preferred over the more colloquial tener ganas.
Is it said differently in some regions?
To address a group of people informally specifically in Spain, use tenemos muchas ganas de veros instead of verte. In Latin America, tenemos muchas ganas de verlos is the standard way to address a group of people, regardless of whether the situation is formal or informal.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form tenemos muchas ganas de verte uses the informal singular pronoun te, making it appropriate for a friend or peer. To address one person formally, use verle or verla instead of verte.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenemos mutʃas ɡanas de beɾte/
Did you know?
- When using tener ganas, the phrase is essentially saying you 'have' an internal feeling or impulse. It treats 'excitement' as a commodity or a thing that you currently possess.
- While ganas literally means 'desires', it is used in daily life to describe any kind of craving, such as tener ganas de un chocolate for wanting a piece of chocolate.
- If you use estamos ansiosos por verte, be careful with your tone. While it translates to 'we are looking forward to seeing you', in many contexts it can imply a sense of genuine anxiety or nervousness rather than just excitement.
Examples in context
- Tenemos muchas ganas de verte mañana.We are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.
- Nosotros tenemos muchas ganas de verte pronto.We are looking forward to seeing you soon.
- Tenemos muchas ganas de verte en la fiesta.We are looking forward to seeing you at the party.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are texting about an upcoming dinner party.
- DanielHola María, ¿vienes a cenar el sábado?Hello María, are you coming to dinner on Saturday?
- MaríaSí, ¡tenemos muchas ganas de verte!Yes, we are looking forward to seeing you!
- Daniel¡Qué bien! Nos vemos pronto.That's great! See you soon.
- María¡Hasta entonces, Daniel!Until then, Daniel!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
