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ansioso

ahn-SYOH-soh/anˈsjo.so/

“ansioso” means “anxious” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

anxious, worried

Also: nervous
A small, wide-eyed rabbit sitting alone, gripping its paws tightly, conveying a feeling of worry and nervousness.

📝 In Action

Mi hermana está ansiosa por su entrevista de trabajo mañana.

A2

My sister is anxious about her job interview tomorrow.

Estábamos ansiosos esperando la llamada del médico.

B1

We were anxiously waiting for the doctor's call.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • sentirse ansioso – to feel anxious
  • estado ansioso – an anxious state

eager, keen

Also: impatient
A puppy sitting excitedly by a closed red door, leaning forward with its tail wagging vigorously, clearly eager to go outside.

📝 In Action

Estoy ansioso por empezar mis vacaciones en la playa.

B1

I am eager to start my beach vacation.

Los niños estaban ansiosos de abrir sus regalos.

B2

The children were keen (or impatient) to open their presents.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ansioso por saber – eager to know

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ansioso" in Spanish:

anxious→eager→impatient→keen→nervous→worried→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ansioso

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'ansioso' to mean 'eager' (strong, positive desire)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
ansiedad(anxiety, worry) — Noun
ansiosamente(anxiously, eagerly) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin 'anxiosus,' meaning 'distressed' or 'troubled.' This root is also linked to the Latin verb 'angere,' which meant 'to choke' or 'to tighten,' reflecting the physical feeling of anxiety.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: ansiosoPortuguese: ansioso

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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.