Inklingo

How to Say "greed" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “greed” is “afán” — use 'afán' primarily when expressing an eager desire or drive, especially in the specific phrase 'afán de lucro' (desire for profit or gain). It's less about negative avarice and more about strong motivation..

afánB1

Use 'afán' primarily when expressing an eager desire or drive, especially in the specific phrase 'afán de lucro' (desire for profit or gain). It's less about negative avarice and more about strong motivation.

Learn more →
ansia🔊B1

Choose 'ansia' when the 'greed' implies a strong, often overwhelming longing or craving, particularly for things like travel, experiences, or sometimes money/power, but with a sense of intense desire.

Learn more →
codicia🔊B2

Use 'codicia' specifically for an excessive and often negative desire for wealth or material possessions, implying avarice and a potential for unethical behavior.

Learn more →
ambiciónC1

Opt for 'ambición' when referring to an excessive desire for power, success, or status. While it can overlap with desire for wealth, it more strongly emphasizes the drive to achieve a higher position.

Learn more →
English → Spanish

afán

nounB1general
Use 'afán' primarily when expressing an eager desire or drive, especially in the specific phrase 'afán de lucro' (desire for profit or gain). It's less about negative avarice and more about strong motivation.

Examples

Tiene un gran afán de superación profesional.

He has a great drive for professional improvement.

ansia

/AHN-syah//ˈansja/

nounB1general
Choose 'ansia' when the 'greed' implies a strong, often overwhelming longing or craving, particularly for things like travel, experiences, or sometimes money/power, but with a sense of intense desire.
A child looking out a window at a distant, colorful balloon in the sky.

Examples

Siente un ansia irrefrenable por conocer el mundo.

He feels an irrepressible craving to see the world.

Tengo un ansia enorme de viajar por el mundo.

I have a huge longing to travel the world.

Su ansia de poder lo llevó a tomar malas decisiones.

His craving for power led him to make bad decisions.

Comió con tanta ansia que ni siquiera saboreó la comida.

He ate with such greed that he didn't even taste the food.

The 'El' vs 'La' Rule

Even though 'ansia' is a feminine word, we say 'el ansia' in the singular. This is because the word starts with a stressed 'A' sound, and 'la ansia' would sound awkward (like 'laansia').

Using 'de' for connection

When you want to say what you are longing for, always follow 'ansia' with the word 'de'. For example: 'ansia de chocolate' or 'ansia de ganar'.

Using 'La' in singular

Mistake: “La ansia de libertad.”

Correction: El ansia de libertad. (In plural, however, it goes back to feminine: 'Las ansias').

codicia

/koh-DEE-syah//koˈdi.sja/

nounB2general
Use 'codicia' specifically for an excessive and often negative desire for wealth or material possessions, implying avarice and a potential for unethical behavior.
A character clutching a massive pile of gold coins and jewels to their chest with a wide-eyed expression.

Examples

La codicia lo cegó y tomó decisiones terribles.

Greed blinded him and he made terrible decisions.

La codicia rompe el saco.

Greed breaks the bag. (A proverb meaning greed leads to losing everything).

Su codicia por el poder lo llevó a cometer errores.

His greed for power led him to make mistakes.

Debemos evitar que la codicia controle nuestras vidas.

We must prevent greed from controlling our lives.

Using 'por' to show the goal

To say what someone is greedy for, use the word 'por'. For example: 'codicia por el dinero' (greed for money).

Nouns ending in -ia

Like many abstract concepts in Spanish, this word ends in '-ia' and is feminine, so it always uses 'la' or 'una'.

Confusing Greed and Ambition

Mistake: “Using 'codicia' to describe a hard-working, motivated person.”

Correction: Use 'ambición' for positive drive. 'Codicia' is almost always used for a negative, selfish hunger for more than one needs.

ambición

nounC1general
Opt for 'ambición' when referring to an excessive desire for power, success, or status. While it can overlap with desire for wealth, it more strongly emphasizes the drive to achieve a higher position.

Examples

Su ambición de poder era insaciable.

His ambition for power was insatiable.

Confusing 'Codicia' and 'Ambición'

Learners often confuse 'codicia' (greed for possessions) and 'ambición' (ambition for power/status). Remember that 'codicia' focuses on wanting *things*, while 'ambición' focuses on wanting *to be* or *to have* a higher position or greater influence.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.