Inklingo
A colorful storybook illustration showing a young child with outstretched hands looking up at a desired toy airplane on a high shelf.

deseas

deh-SEH-ahs

VerbA1regular ar
you want?informal second person,you desire?informal second person
Also:you wish?informal second person

Quick Reference

infinitivedesear
gerunddeseando
past Participledeseado

📝 In Action

¿Qué más deseas comer?

A1

What else do you want to eat?

Si deseas un cambio, tienes que trabajar duro.

B1

If you desire a change, you have to work hard.

Deseas que todo sea más fácil.

A2

You wish that everything were easier.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • quieres (you want (more common))
  • apeteces (you crave)

Antonyms

  • rechazas (you reject)

Common Collocations

  • deseas viajaryou wish to travel
  • deseas que...you wish that...

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Tú' Form

This word, 'deseas,' is used when you are speaking directly to one person whom you know well or are addressing informally (the 'tú' form).

Triggering the Subjunctive

When you use 'deseas' followed by 'que' and another verb, the second verb must change to a special form (the subjunctive) because you are expressing a wish or desire, not a fact. Example: Deseas que él 'venga' (You wish that he 'comes').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing Formal and Informal

Mistake: "Using 'deseas' when speaking formally to a stranger or elder."

Correction: For formal situations, use 'desea' (the 'usted' form). Say: '¿Qué desea usted?' not '¿Qué deseas tú?'

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal vs. Informal

If you are unsure whether to use 'deseas' (informal) or 'desea' (formal), always choose 'desea' to be polite and respectful, especially in a business setting or a restaurant.

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/usteddesea
yodeseo
deseas
ellos/ellas/ustedesdesean
nosotrosdeseamos
vosotrosdeseáis

imperfect

él/ella/usteddeseaba
yodeseaba
deseabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesdeseaban
nosotrosdeseábamos
vosotrosdeseabais

preterite

él/ella/usteddeseó
yodeseé
deseaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesdesearon
nosotrosdeseamos
vosotrosdeseasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/usteddesee
yodesee
desees
ellos/ellas/ustedesdeseen
nosotrosdeseemos
vosotrosdeseéis

imperfect

él/ella/usteddeseara
yodeseara
desearas
ellos/ellas/ustedesdesearan
nosotrosdeseáramos
vosotrosdesearais

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: deseas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'deseas'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'deseas' and 'quieres'?

Both mean 'you want.' 'Quieres' (from 'querer') is much more common and is used for everyday wants (like wanting food or a thing). 'Deseas' (from 'desear') is slightly stronger or more formal and is often used for deeper wishes, longings, or desires (like wishing for success or happiness).