You land in Madrid, meet your new host family, and they ask you what you're looking forward to doing. "¡Estoy muy excitado de explorar la ciudad!" you say proudly, using a direct translation for "I'm very excited to explore the city!"
But instead of a warm smile, you get a strange, slightly uncomfortable look. What did I say wrong?
If this scenario sounds like a nightmare, don't worry! It's one of the most common mistakes English speakers make in Spanish. The word you think means "excited" actually means something completely different... and much more awkward.
Let's dive in and learn how to express your feelings and states of mind in Spanish like a native speaker.
The Big Mistake: Why You Shouldn't Say "Estoy Excitado/a"
In English, "excited" is a catch-all for feeling enthusiastic and happy about something. The Spanish cognate, excitado/a, seems like a perfect match. It's not.
In the vast majority of contexts, excitado or excitada means "sexually aroused" or "turned on."
¡Cuidado! (Watch out!)
Using estar excitado/a to talk about your vacation, a new movie, or a birthday party will almost certainly lead to an awkward silence or a fit of giggles. It's a classic false friend you'll want to avoid.
So, if you can't use excitado, what should you say?
The #1 Solution: "Estoy Emocionado/a"
Your go-to, all-purpose phrase for "I'm excited" is estar emocionado/a.
This phrase perfectly captures that feeling of being thrilled, moved, or filled with joyful anticipation. It’s safe, common, and exactly what a native speaker would use. The verb estar is used here because it describes a temporary emotional state. You can learn more about the difference in our guide to Ser vs. Estar.
Remember that, like other adjectives in Spanish, it needs to agree with the gender and number of the person who is excited:
- Emocionado (masculine, singular)
- Emocionada (feminine, singular)
- Emocionados (masculine/mixed group, plural)
- Emocionadas (feminine, plural)
Examples in Action
- About a trip: "¡Estoy muy emocionada por nuestro viaje a Colombia!" (I'm so excited about our trip to Colombia!)
- About an event: "¿Estás emocionado por el concierto de mañana?" (Are you excited for the concert tomorrow?)
- About seeing someone: "Estamos emocionados de que vengas a visitarnos." (We're excited for you to come visit us.)
Test Your Knowledge!
Ready for a quick check? See if you can pick the right phrase for this common scenario.
You're about to see your favorite band live. How do you tell your friend you're excited?
More Ways to Express Excitement and Anticipation
While estar emocionado/a is your best bet, Spanish offers other nuanced ways to talk about looking forward to something. Adding these to your vocabulary will make you sound even more natural.
1. Tener ganas de... (To be eager to / To feel like...)
This is a fantastic phrase to show you're really looking forward to something. It literally means "to have the desire for..." and it’s used all the time. To master this phrase, check out our guide on the versatile verb 'tener'.
- Tengo muchas ganas de ver la nueva película de Almodóvar. (I'm really looking forward to seeing the new Almodóvar film.)
- ¿No tienes ganas de salir esta noche? (Do you not feel like going out tonight?)
2. Estar ilusionado/a con... (To be thrilled/hopeful about...)
This phrase carries a beautiful sense of hope and happy illusion. It's perfect for bigger life events and milestones or things you've been dreaming about for a long time.
- Mi hermana está muy ilusionada con su boda. (My sister is so thrilled about her wedding.)
- Estoy ilusionado con la posibilidad de conseguir el trabajo. (I'm hopeful/excited about the possibility of getting the job.)
3. No puedo esperar para/a... (I can't wait to...)
Just like in English, this is a very direct and enthusiastic way to express your excitement.
- ¡No puedo esperar para empezar mis clases en Inklingo! (I can't wait to start my classes on Inklingo!)
- No espero a que llegue el verano. (I can't wait for summer to arrive.)
Quick Tip
A great, simple exclamation you'll hear often is "¡Qué ilusión!" It translates to "How exciting!" and is the perfect response when a friend tells you their good news.
Your Cheat Sheet for "Excited"
Let's recap everything in a simple table.
| Spanish Phrase | When to Use It | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Estar emocionado/a | Your main, all-purpose word for "excited." | Estoy emocionado por la fiesta. |
| Tener ganas de... | When you're eager or looking forward to something. | Tengo ganas de que sea viernes. (I'm eager for Friday to come.) |
| Estar ilusionado/a con... | For big hopes, dreams, and life events. | Estamos ilusionados con comprar una casa. |
| No puedo esperar... | A direct and enthusiastic "I can't wait." | No puedo esperar para verte. |
| Estar excitado/a | (Almost) Never! Only for "aroused." | Use with extreme caution! |
Now you're fully equipped to share your enthusiasm in Spanish without causing any confusion. It's a simple switch—from excitado to emocionado—but it makes a world of difference.
¡Qué emocionante! (How exciting!)