deseo
/deˈseo/
The Spanish word for the verb 'to wish' is deseo.
The verb used to express the act of wishing or hoping for an outcome is desear. To express a deep longing or desire, you might use anhelar. For a more informal way to say you are eagerly looking forward to something or wishing for it to happen, you can use the phrase estar deseando.
Meaning: to hope for an outcome (verb)
Which one should you use?
While desear means to wish or desire, it is often more formal or intense than querer, which is more commonly used for everyday wants or wishes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, a common way to express a wish is by using the phrase Que tengas followed by the desired wish.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
deseo is the first-person singular present indicative of the verb desear. The infinitive form of the verb is desear. When conveying a wish, the verb is often accompanied by the word que before the desired statement.
How do you pronounce it?
/deˈseo/
Did you know?
- The word deseo has a surprising connection to laziness. It stems from the Latin dēsidia, which referred to 'sloth' or 'idleness'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, wishing someone 'good luck' with mucha suerte is common, but wishing for something too specifically can be seen as tempting fate.
- In some contexts, deseo can be used as a noun to mean 'lust' rather than just a 'wish'. One should be careful with its usage in intimate or formal settings.
Examples in context
- Te deseo lo mejor.I wish you all the best.This sentence is useful for wishing someone the best.Tatoeba #1189807 by Shishir, translation #2789086 by Trog41
- ¿Cuál es tu deseo?What's your wish?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's wish.Tatoeba #1284228 by marcelostockle, translation #17280 by Swift
- Solo tengo un deseo.I have but one wish.This sentence is useful for stating the number of wishes one has.Tatoeba #1445027 by marcelostockle, translation #254935 by Eldad
- Le deseo éxitoI wish you success
- Anhelo viajar por el mundoI wish to travel the world
- Les deseamos una Feliz NavidadWe wish you a Merry Christmas
- Ojalá lluevaI wish it would rain
- ¡Que tengas un día maravilloso!I wish you a wonderful day
- Te deseo un feliz cumpleañosI wish you a happy birthday
- Les deseamos lo mejorWe wish you all the best
- Ojalá pudiera hablar español con fluidezI wish I could speak Spanish fluently
- Ellos desean poder viajar por el mundoThey wish they could travel the world
- 85 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking about their future careers.
- JavierDeseo conseguir un trabajo nuevo pronto.I wish to get a new job soon.
- MaríaYo también deseo encontrar algo mejor.I also wish to find something better.
- JavierOjalá que todo salga bien para nosotros.Hopefully everything works out for us.
- MaríaTengo fe en que así será, Javier.I have faith that it will be so, Javier.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry deseo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries deseo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
