How to Say "longing" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “longing” is “ansia” — use 'ansia' for a strong, almost physical craving or yearning for something you deeply want, often related to experiences or experiences like travel.
ansia
AHN-syahˈansja
Examples
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').
deseo
deh-SEH-ohdeˈseo
Examples
Pide un deseo antes de soplar las velas.
Make a wish before you blow out the candles.
Mi mayor deseo es viajar por todo el mundo.
My greatest desire is to travel all over the world.
Tengo el deseo de aprender un nuevo idioma.
I have the desire to learn a new language.
Using 'Tener' with 'Deseo'
You'll often hear 'tener el deseo de...' which literally means 'to have the desire to...' It's a slightly more formal or emphatic way to say you want to do something, compared to just 'querer'.
anhelo
ah-NEH-lohaˈnelo
Examples
Su mayor anhelo era volver a ver a su familia.
Her greatest longing was to see her family again.
Sentía un profundo anhelo de libertad.
He felt a deep yearning for freedom.
Aquel anhelo de paz se cumplió después de muchos años.
That desire for peace was fulfilled after many years.
Using 'De' to link actions
When you want to say you long 'to do' something, always use 'de' before the action verb: 'el anhelo de viajar' (the longing to travel).
Always Masculine
Even though it describes feelings (which are sometimes feminine words in Spanish), 'anhelo' is always a masculine noun. Always use 'el' or 'un'.
Wrong Preposition
Mistake: “Su anhelo para libertad.”
Correction: Su anhelo de libertad (or 'por la libertad'). Use 'de' or 'por' to explain what you are longing for.
hambre
ahm-brehˈambɾe
Examples
Tiene hambre de poder y no se detendrá ante nada.
He has a hunger for power and will stop at nothing.
Después de años sin viajar, tenía un hambre de aventura.
After years without traveling, she had a craving for adventure.
Su hambre de conocimiento era insaciable.
His thirst for knowledge was insatiable.
sediento
seh-dee-EHN-tohseˈðjento
Examples
El joven estaba sediento de conocimientos.
The young man was thirsty for knowledge.
Es un político sediento de poder.
He is a politician thirsty for power.
La justicia tardó en llegar a un pueblo sediento de paz.
Justice took a long time to reach a people thirsty for peace.
The connecting word 'de'
When you are thirsty for something metaphorical, always follow the word with 'de' (of/for).
Using the wrong connector
Mistake: “Sediento por poder.”
Correction: Sediento de poder. In Spanish, we say you are 'thirsty of' something, not 'thirsty for' it.
Anhelo vs. Ansia vs. Deseo
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