tener ganas de
Lemma Details
Translation: to feel like; to want to; to be in the mood for; to have the urge to
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This Spanish phrase combines 'tener' (to have), 'ganas' (desires, urges), and the preposition 'de' (of). 'Ganas' comes from the verb 'ganar' (to win, to earn), which derives from Gothic 'ganan' (to covet). The construction literally means 'to have desires of' but functions as an expression of wanting or feeling inclined to do something.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 40%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Tengo ganas de comer helado.
I feel like eating ice cream.
¿Tienes ganas de ir al cine esta noche?
Do you feel like going to the movies tonight?
No tengo ganas de trabajar hoy.
I don't feel like working today.
Ella tiene muchas ganas de verte.
She really wants to see you.
Tenemos ganas de viajar a España.
We want to travel to Spain.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'ganas' as 'gaining' the desire to do something
- Remember that 'tener ganas de' literally means 'to have desires of' which makes it easier to understand why it's followed by a verb or noun
- Associate 'ganas' with enthusiasm - when you have 'ganas' for something, you're enthusiastic about it
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is extremely common in everyday Spanish conversation and is one of the primary ways to express desires or inclinations. It's more casual and immediate than formal expressions of desire and often implies a current mood or feeling rather than a long-term wish.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'tener ganas de' expresses desire or inclination, 'tener que' expresses obligation or necessity.
Confused word:
Tengo que salir a correr.
I have to go for a run.
Notes: 'Tener ganas de' is followed by a verb in infinitive form or a noun, while 'tener que' is always followed by a verb in infinitive form.
Mnemonic: 'Ganas' is about wants, 'que' is about musts.
Explanation: 'Tener ganas de' expresses a more immediate desire or mood, while 'querer' can express both immediate and long-term desires.
Notes: 'Tener ganas de' often implies a more spontaneous desire based on current mood, while 'querer' can be more deliberate.
Mnemonic: Think of 'tener ganas de' as 'in the mood for now' and 'querer' as a more general 'want'.