ansia
“ansia” means “longing” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
longing, yearning
Also: craving, greed
📝 In Action
Tengo un ansia enorme de viajar por el mundo.
A2I have a huge longing to travel the world.
Su ansia de poder lo llevó a tomar malas decisiones.
B1His craving for power led him to make bad decisions.
Comió con tanta ansia que ni siquiera saboreó la comida.
B2He ate with such greed that he didn't even taste the food.
anguish, anxiety
📝 In Action
Sentía un ansia constante en el pecho sin saber por qué.
B2I felt a constant anguish in my chest without knowing why.
Las ansias lo consumían mientras esperaba los resultados.
C1Anxiety was consuming him while he waited for the results.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ansia
Question 1 of 3
Which is the correct way to say 'the longing' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'anxia', which referred to a state of being troubled or distressed. Over time, in Spanish, it evolved to also represent the 'hunger' or intense desire that causes such distress.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ansia' the same as 'ansiedad'?
Not exactly. 'Ansiedad' is usually the medical or general feeling of worry (anxiety). 'Ansia' is more about a deep 'craving' or 'yearning' for something specific.
Why is it 'el ansia' if the word is feminine?
It's a pronunciation rule! When a feminine noun starts with a stressed 'a' sound, 'el' is used to prevent the two 'a' sounds from crashing together.
Can I use 'ansia' to mean I'm sick?
In some places, like Spain, 'tener ansias' can mean you feel like you're going to throw up (nausea), but the most common meaning everywhere is a strong desire.