A cheerful storybook illustration showing a character excitedly reaching for a brightly colored, single frosted cupcake, illustrating a strong desire or craving.

apetece

ah-peh-TEH-seh

Verb (conjugated form)A2irregular (c -> zc in 'yo' form) er

I feel like (doing/having something)?Used with 'me' (Me apetece...),It appeals?General sense

Also:He/She/It craves?Literal third-person use,It tempts?Figurative

Quick Reference

infinitiveapetecer

gerundapeteciendo

past Participleapetecido

📝 In Action

¿Qué te apetece cenar hoy?

What do you feel like having for dinner today?

No me apetece ir al cine, estoy cansado.

I don't feel like going to the movies, I'm tired.

Le apetece mucho ese postre de chocolate.

She really wants that chocolate dessert. (That chocolate dessert appeals strongly to her.)

Word Connections

Synonyms

gustar (to like)
antojarse (to crave suddenly)

Antonyms

disgustar (to dislike)

Common Collocations

Me apetece mucho – I really feel like it
No me apetece nada – I don't feel like it at all

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Backwards' Structure

Like the verb gustar (to like), apetecer is often used in the 3rd person (apetece or apetecen). The thing you want is the subject, and the person who wants it is signaled by a small word like me, te, or le.

Using the Infinitive

When you feel like doing an action, you follow apetece with the base form of the second verb (the infinitive): 'Me apetece viajar' (I feel like traveling).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Over-conjugating the verb

Mistake: "Using 'Yo apetezco...' to mean 'I want...'"

Correction: While 'Yo apetezco' is grammatically correct, native speakers almost always use the *gustar*-like structure: 'Me apetece...' (I want/I feel like...). Focus on using it in the 3rd person.

⭐ Usage Tips

Asking what someone wants

The most natural way to ask someone what they want or feel like is with the question, '¿Qué te apetece...?'

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: apetece

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'apetece' to say 'I feel like pizza'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

apetecer(to crave (infinitive)) - verb

apetito(appetite) - noun

apetitoso(appetizing) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know whether to use 'apetece' or 'apetecen'?

You look at the thing you want! If you want one thing (singular), use 'apetece': 'Me apetece un café.' If you want multiple things (plural), use 'apetecen': 'Me apetecen unas galletas.'

Is 'apetecer' more formal than 'querer' (to want)?

'Apetecer' is often used for cravings, food, or specific activities, and sounds slightly softer and less direct than the forceful 'querer' (I want). It's a very polite and common way to express desire, especially in Spain.