ansioso
/ahn-SYOH-soh/
anxious
Feeling worried or nervous is one meaning of ansioso (anxious).
ansioso(Adjective)
anxious
?feeling worried or nervous
,worried
?feeling uneasy
nervous
?about an event
📝 In Action
Mi hermana está ansiosa por su entrevista de trabajo mañana.
A2My sister is anxious about her job interview tomorrow.
Estábamos ansiosos esperando la llamada del médico.
B1We were anxiously waiting for the doctor's call.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Like all Spanish adjectives, 'ansioso' must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'ansioso' (masculine singular), 'ansiosa' (feminine singular), 'ansiosos' (masculine plural), 'ansiosas' (feminine plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Anxious' Meanings
Mistake: "Using 'ansioso' when you simply mean 'eager' (Definition 2) but forgetting the preposition."
Correction: When meaning 'worried,' you often use 'ansioso POR' + noun. When meaning 'eager,' it's common to use 'ansioso POR' or 'ansioso DE' + infinitive.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using Prepositions
When talking about the cause of the anxiety, use the preposition 'por': 'ansioso por el futuro' (anxious about the future).
Ansioso can also mean having a strong desire or being eager (eager) for something.
ansioso(Adjective)
eager
?having a strong desire
,keen
?very interested in doing something
impatient
?when waiting for a positive event
📝 In Action
Estoy ansioso por empezar mis vacaciones en la playa.
B1I am eager to start my beach vacation.
Los niños estaban ansiosos de abrir sus regalos.
B2The children were keen (or impatient) to open their presents.
💡 Grammar Points
Positive Anticipation
When 'ansioso' means 'eager,' it often describes a positive or exciting feeling, even though the root word 'ansiedad' (anxiety) is usually negative.
⭐ Usage Tips
Prepositions for Eagerness
When you are eager to DO something, use 'ansioso por' or 'ansioso de' followed by the verb in its base (-ar, -er, -ir) form: 'ansioso de viajar' (eager to travel).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ansioso
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'ansioso' to mean 'eager' (strong, positive desire)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change 'ansioso' if I'm talking about a woman or a group?
Since 'ansioso' is an adjective, it must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes. If you are talking about a woman, use 'ansiosa.' For a mixed or male group, use 'ansiosos.' For a female group, use 'ansiosas.'
Is 'ansioso' always a negative feeling?
No! While the root word 'ansiedad' (anxiety) is negative, 'ansioso' is often used to mean 'eager' or 'keen,' describing a strong, positive excitement about something that is about to happen.