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A simplified illustration showing a person reaching upwards with great effort towards a bright, shimmering star in the night sky.

ganas

GAH-nahs

NounfA1
desire?strong wish or longing,inclination?a tendency or preference to do something
Also:willpower?when talking about energy/motivation,urge?sudden strong desire

📝 In Action

¿Tienes ganas de ir al cine esta noche?

A1

Do you feel like going to the movies tonight?

No tengo ningunas ganas de trabajar hoy.

A2

I have absolutely no desire to work today.

Ella estudió con muchas ganas y sacó una A.

B1

She studied with a lot of enthusiasm/effort and got an A.

Si de verdad tienes ganas, lo lograrás.

B2

If you truly have the will/motivation, you will achieve it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • deseo (desire, wish)
  • apetito (appetite (physical or abstract))

Common Collocations

  • tener ganas de + [inf] – to feel like doing something
  • perder las ganas – to lose the desire/will
  • con ganas – enthusiastically, with effort

Idioms & Expressions

  • quedarse con las ganas – to be left wanting (to not get what you desired)
  • dar ganas – to make someone feel like doing something

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural

Even though it refers to a single want or desire, ganas is almost always used in its plural feminine form, often requiring plural adjectives and articles if they are present.

The 'Tener Ganas' Structure

You express 'to want' or 'to feel like doing' something using the verb tener (to have): 'Tengo ganas de comer' (I have desires of eating = I feel like eating).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Ser' or 'Estar'

Mistake: "Soy ganas / Estoy ganas."

Correction: Use *Tener* (to have). *Tengo ganas* is correct. Think of it as 'I possess the desire.'

Forgetting 'de'

Mistake: "Tengo ganas ir al parque."

Correction: Always include the preposition *de* when followed by a verb: *Tengo ganas de ir* (I feel like going).

⭐ Usage Tips

Expressing Strong Effort

Using the phrase con ganas shows intensity and enthusiasm: 'Trabajó con muchas ganas' means 'He worked with a lot of effort/enthusiasm.'

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: ganas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly expresses the idea of 'I feel like eating pizza'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

ganar(to win/earn) - verb
ganador(winner) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'ganas' usually plural?

In modern Spanish, *ganas* has standardized as a plural noun, even when referring to a single desire. Think of it as 'having desires' or 'having the will,' which sounds slightly more intense than a simple 'want.'

What is the difference between 'Quiero...' and 'Tengo ganas de...'?

*Quiero* means a general or long-term desire ('I want a house'). *Tengo ganas de* is usually reserved for transient, immediate urges or inclinations ('I feel like having ice cream right now').