Picture this: It's a warm, sunny afternoon. You're strolling through a beautiful park in Barcelona, and a sudden, undeniable craving for gelato hits you. You know the word for "I want" (quiero), but that doesn't quite capture the feeling, does it? You don't just want gelato; you feel like having it. You're in the mood for it.
So, how do you say that in Spanish?
Enter one of the most useful, expressive, and common phrases in the Spanish language: tener ganas de.
The Core Meaning: More Than Just "Wanting"
Literally translated, "tener ganas de" means "to have the desire/urge of." But in everyday use, it's the perfect way to say:
- To feel like...
- To be in the mood for...
- To have an urge to...
- To fancy... (for our UK friends!)
It’s all about expressing a current feeling, a mood, or a craving, rather than a deep, long-term desire. It's a great way to talk about your feelings and states of mind in the moment.
Key Translation
Think of tener ganas de as the Spanish equivalent of "to feel like" or "to be in the mood for." It's your go-to phrase for cravings and spontaneous urges!
How to Use It: The Simple Formula
Using this phrase is incredibly simple. You just need to remember the two main patterns.
1. With a Verb (for an activity)
When you feel like doing something, you use this structure:
Tener (conjugated) + ganas de + infinitive verb
Let's see it in action:
- Tengo ganas de bailar. (I feel like dancing.)
- ¿Tienes ganas de ver una película? (Do you feel like watching a movie?)
- Él no tiene ganas de trabajar hoy. (He doesn't feel like working today.)
- Tenemos ganas de viajar a México. (We're in the mood to travel to Mexico.)
2. With a Noun (for a thing)
When you're in the mood for a specific thing (like that gelato!), the structure is just as easy:
Tener (conjugated) + ganas de + noun
- Tengo ganas de pizza. (I'm in the mood for pizza.)
- Ella tiene ganas de un café. (She feels like a coffee.)
- ¿Tenéis ganas de playa? (Are you all in the mood for the beach?)
Don't Forget to Conjugate 'Tener'!
The "tener" part of the phrase changes depending on who you're talking about. This is a core concept, so if you're not familiar with it, check out our full guide to the verb tener. Here’s a quick refresher for the present tense:
| Pronoun | Tener Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Yo (I) | tengo |
| Tú (You, inf.) | tienes |
| Él/Ella/Usted | tiene |
| Nosotros/as (We) | tenemos |
| Vosotros/as (You all, inf.) | tenéis |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | tienen |
Use It in Any Tense!
You're not limited to the present! You can use this phrase in the past, too. For example: "Ayer tenía ganas de ir al cine, pero estaba muy cansado." (Yesterday I felt like going to the movies, but I was too tired.) Notice the use of tenía from the imperfect tense.
Time for a Quick Check-in!
Let's see if you've got it. Test your new knowledge with this quick question.
You're tired after a long week. How would you say 'I don't feel like going out tonight' in Spanish?
Turning Up the Volume: Adding Intensity
Want to express that you really feel like doing something? Or that you have absolutely no desire at all? You can easily modify the phrase.
- Tengo muchas ganas de verte. (I'm really looking forward to seeing you. / I really feel like seeing you.)
- Tengo pocas ganas de estudiar. (I don't really feel like studying.)
- No tengo ningunas ganas de limpiar. (I have zero/no desire whatsoever to clean.)
Watch Out for this Expression!
You might hear people exclaim, "¡Qué ganas!" By itself, this is a common way to say "I can't wait!" or "I'm so excited!" For example, if a friend says, "My party is on Saturday," you could respond with, "¡Qué ganas!"
Your New Superpower Phrase
And there you have it! Tener ganas de is more than just a phrase; it's a key to sounding more natural and expressing your feelings like a native speaker. It adds a layer of nuance that querer (to want) just can't match.
So next time you're craving some tapas, in the mood for a siesta (part of your daily routine, perhaps?), or feel like dancing the night away, you know exactly what to say.
Ready to practice this phrase and thousands of others in real-life contexts? Try reading our interactive stories in Spanish and start speaking with confidence today!