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deseo

deh-SEH-ohdeˈseo

wish, desire

Also: longing
NounmA2
A child standing in a field at night, gently holding a single, glowing, magical star in their cupped hands, symbolizing a wish or strong desire.

📝 In Action

Pide un deseo antes de soplar las velas.

A2

Make a wish before you blow out the candles.

Mi mayor deseo es viajar por todo el mundo.

B1

My greatest desire is to travel all over the world.

Tengo el deseo de aprender un nuevo idioma.

B1

I have the desire to learn a new language.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • aversión (aversion)
  • repugnancia (repugnance)

Common Collocations

  • pedir un deseo – to make a wish
  • cumplir un deseo – to fulfill a wish
  • tener el deseo de – to have the desire to

I wish, I desire

VerbA2regular ar
A friendly woman smiling and extending her hand toward a traveling bird, sending a stream of sparkling, colorful luck energy towards it, symbolizing wishing someone well.
infinitivedesear
gerunddeseando
past Participledeseado

📝 In Action

Te deseo mucha suerte en el examen.

A2

I wish you a lot of luck on the exam.

Deseo que tengas un viaje maravilloso.

B1

I wish for you to have a wonderful trip.

¿Qué desea tomar?

A2

What would you like to drink? (polite, used by staff)

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • desear suerte – to wish luck
  • desear lo mejor – to wish the best
  • dejar mucho que desear – to leave a lot to be desired

Indicative

Present

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

Imperfect

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

Preterite

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

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

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

Imperfect Subjunctive

yodeseara
túdesearas
él/ella/usteddeseara
nosotrosdeseáramos
vosotrosdesearais
ellos/ellas/ustedesdesearan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "deseo" in Spanish:

desire→i desire→i wish→longing→wish→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: deseo

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence is the most natural and common way to order a drink in a casual Spanish cafe?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
desear(to wish, to desire) — Verb
deseable(desirable) — Adjective
indeseable(undesirable) — Adjective
deseoso(eager, desirous) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word 'desidiare', which meant 'to long for' or 'to miss'. It's related to the Latin word for star, 'sidus', so the original idea might have been about looking away from the stars or waiting for something the stars might bring.

First recorded: Around the 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: desejoItalian: desioFrench: désir

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the real difference between 'deseo' and 'quiero'?

Think of 'quiero' (I want) as your everyday tool for requests and needs. 'Deseo' (I wish/desire) is for more heartfelt wishes ('I wish you luck'), formal situations ('What would you like, sir?'), or stronger longings. When in doubt, 'quiero' is usually the safer, more common choice.

Can I say 'Te deseo' to mean 'I love you'?

No, you shouldn't. 'Te deseo' means 'I desire you' or 'I want you' in a physical, often sexual, way. It's much more intense and physical than 'Te quiero' (I love you/I care for you) or 'Te amo' (I love you).