Inklingo

ansiar

ahn-see-AHR/anˈsjaɾ/

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

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

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

present

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

indicative

preterite

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

imperfect

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

present

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

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.