Inklingo

How to Say "wishes" in Spanish

English → Spanish

desea

deh-SEH-ah/deˈse.a/

VerbA1Informal/Neutral
Use 'desea' when referring to a personal desire, longing, or want, often for oneself or someone else, and when conjugated for he/she/it or formal 'you'.
A simple storybook illustration of a young child sitting on the floor, gazing intently and longingly at a large, perfect slice of chocolate cake placed slightly out of reach on a high shelf, illustrating the concept of desire.

Examples

Ella desea un futuro brillante.

She wishes for a bright future.

Ella desea un café fuerte por la mañana.

She desires a strong coffee in the morning.

¿Usted desea algo de postre?

Do you (formal) want something for dessert?

El director desea revisar el informe antes de la reunión.

The director wishes to review the report before the meeting.

The Meaning of 'desea'

'Desea' is the present tense form used for 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' or the polite way to say 'you' (usted). It tells us what that person wants right now or habitually wants.

Connecting to Another Person's Action (Subjunctive)

If someone 'desea' that another person performs an action, the second verb must change to a special form (the subjunctive). For example: 'Ella desea que tú vayas a la fiesta' (She wants you to go to the party).

Using Indicative After 'Desea que'

Mistake: “Él desea que yo *termino* el trabajo.”

Correction: Él desea que yo *termine* el trabajo. (When expressing desires about someone else, Spanish requires the subjunctive form: *termine*.)

votos

BOH-tohs/ˈbotos/

NounC1Formal
Use 'votos' to express formal good wishes or hopes for someone's success, recovery, or well-being, typically in a group or public context.
A child gently blowing the seeds off a large dandelion head, symbolizing making a wish or expressing hopes.

Examples

Mis mejores votos para tu nuevo proyecto.

My best wishes for your new project.

Hacemos votos por la pronta recuperación de todos los afectados.

We express our sincere wishes for the speedy recovery of all those affected.

Mis votos son que logres todo lo que te propongas.

My wishes are that you achieve everything you set out to do.

Fixed Expression

This meaning is almost exclusively used in the phrase 'hacer votos por [algo/alguien]', meaning to wish strongly for that thing or person.

Personal Desire vs. Formal Good Wishes

Learners often confuse 'desea' and 'votos' by using the verb for personal desires in formal contexts where 'votos' is appropriate. Remember, 'desea' is about what someone wants for themselves or others personally, while 'votos' are more like formal pronouncements of hope for collective or significant events.

Related Translations

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