Inklingo

ansiar

ahn-see-AHRanˈsjaɾ

ansiar means to long for in Spanish (deep emotional desire).

to long for, to yearn for

Also: to crave
VerbB1regular ar
A child looking longingly through a window at a bright red kite stuck in a tree.
gerundansiando
past Participleansiado
infinitiveansiar

📝 In Action

Ella ansía las vacaciones de verano.

A2

She longs for the summer holidays.

Ansiamos la llegada de la paz a la región.

B1

We yearn for the arrival of peace in the region.

Tras años de espera, por fin obtuvo el éxito que tanto ansiaba.

C1

After years of waiting, he finally achieved the success he craved so much.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ansiar la libertadto yearn for freedom
  • ansiar el poderto crave power

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoansiara
ansiaras
él/ella/ustedansiara
nosotrosansiáramos
vosotrosansiarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesansiaran

Present Subjunctive

yoansíe
ansíes
él/ella/ustedansíe
nosotrosansiemos
vosotrosansiéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesansíen

Indicative

Preterite

yoansié
ansiaste
él/ella/ustedansió
nosotrosansiamos
vosotrosansiasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesansiaron

Imperfect

yoansiaba
ansiabas
él/ella/ustedansiaba
nosotrosansiábamos
vosotrosansiabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesansiaban

Present

yoansío
ansías
él/ella/ustedansía
nosotrosansiamos
vosotrosansiáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesansían

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ansiar" in Spanish:

to crave

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ansiar

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the correct 'yo' form of ansiar in the present?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Latin word 'anxiare', which meant to cause distress or anxiety. Over time, it evolved in Spanish to mean the intense feeling of wanting something so much it almost causes discomfort.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: anxiousItalian: ansimare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'ansiar' always negative because it relates to 'anxiety'?

Not at all! While it comes from a root meaning distress, in modern Spanish it usually just means you want something very, very much, like success or a vacation.

Is it a regular verb?

Yes, it follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs, though the accent mark on the 'i' in forms like 'ansío' is important for correct pronunciation.

Can I use it for food cravings?

Yes, it works for intense cravings, but 'tener antojo de' is more common for food in casual conversation.