Inklingo

How to Say "urge" in Spanish

English → Spanish

gana

GAH-nah/ˈɡana/

nounA1general
Use 'ganas' when referring to a strong personal desire or wish to do something, often an emotional longing.
A storybook illustration of a child gazing longingly at a large, colorful slice of chocolate cake on a pedestal, representing strong desire.

Examples

Tengo muchas ganas de verte pronto.

I really want to see you soon.

¿Tienes ganas de ir al cine esta noche?

Do you feel like going to the movies tonight?

Perdió las ganas de luchar después de la derrota.

He lost the will/desire to fight after the defeat.

Expressing Desire with 'Tener'

To express wanting to do something, you must use the verb 'tener' (to have) with 'ganas.' Always follow it with 'de' and then the action: 'Tengo ganas de comer' (I want to eat).

Using 'Ser' or 'Estar'

Mistake: “Soy ganas de bailar.”

Correction: Tengo ganas de bailar. (You 'have' the feeling, you don't 'are' the feeling.)

impulso

/eem-POOL-soh//imˈpulso/

nounC1general
Use 'impulso' to describe a sudden, often unplanned, strong desire or motivation to act, similar to an impulse buy.
A simplified character suddenly jumping up from a chair, driven by a sudden urge for a cupcake on a table.

Examples

Compró el coche por un impulso, sin pensarlo mucho.

He bought the car on an impulse, without thinking about it much.

Sentí el impulso de levantarme y aplaudir.

I felt the urge to stand up and applaud.

Using Prepositions

When talking about acting on a sudden urge, Spanish uses the preposition 'por' (by/for) or 'de' (of): 'Actué por impulso' or 'Tuve el impulso de llamar.'

Confusing 'Impulso' and 'Impulsividad'

Mistake: “Using 'impulsividad' when referring to a single action.”

Correction: 'Impulsividad' is the personality trait (being impulsive), while 'impulso' is the singular action or feeling that leads to the act. Say: 'Fue un impulso' (It was an impulse).

Ganas vs. Impulso

Learners often confuse 'ganas' and 'impulso' by using 'impulso' for general desires. Remember that 'ganas' expresses a sustained wish or strong longing ('I really want to'), while 'impulso' refers to a sudden, spontaneous urge to act ('I felt like doing it right now').

Related Translations

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