Learning how to speak Spanish in an authentic style involves being able to express yourself with emotion, exactly as Hispanic people do. Throughout the Hispanic world, people love to inject emotion and passion into their conversations and it’s a part of the culture I really like! Today, you’re going to discover how to bring emotion into your vocabulary with a few really simple Spanish phrases all about expressing that you’re really keen to do something.

Ganas - desire – is a very popular word to express that you really want something or that you really feel like doing something. It’s used with the regular Spanish verb Tener and it’s got loads of practical uses and is a must-have phrase to add to your Streetwise Spanish vocabulary. Time for a selection of brilliant, simple Spanish phrases containing ganas you’ll be able to play around with and modify to reflect your own personal tastes.

Tener Ganas + Infinitive - To really want to do/To strongly feel like doing something

So:

Tengo ganas de ir a la playa - I really want to go to the beach

Esta película es muy triste, tengo ganas de llorar - This film is so sad I really feel like crying!

Nice and easy yes? And you can also use ganas to express that you don’t want or don’t like doing something:

No tengo ganas de comer en ese restaurante – I don’t want to eat in that restaurant

But if you want to dial-up the emotion with ganas, all you need to do is add a couple of words, it is so easy:

Tengo unas ganas locas de besar a María - I’m aching to kiss María

Tenemos unas ganas locas de ver Barcelona - We really want to see Barcelona

It’s not difficult at all is it? You effortlessly introduce emotion and color to your Spanish just by adding two little words. These really are excellent simple Spanish phrases to sprinkle into your growing Spanish vocabulary.

Another way to add emotion to your Spanish is by using the cool Spanish verb ilusionar. False friend alert! This is not the Spanish word for illusion!

The regular meaning for this useful verb is “to build up”. However, it has a streetwise usage I really like to describe those occasions when you are pleased, overjoyed, elated and excited and all you do to express these emotions is to use it in the past perfect tense, por ejemplo:

¡Estoy ilusionado con este nuevo proyecto! - I’m pleased with this new project!

¡Estamos ilusionados con nuestro nueva casa! - We’re delighted with our new home!

¡Ella está ilusionada con su nuevo vestido! - She’s very happy with her new dress!

So easy to do.

I urge you to experiment with these practical, simple Spanish phrases to reflect your own personal tastes as both ganas and ilusionar will add authenticity, depth and emotion to your vocabulary and they’re not difficult phrases to master at all. Forming your own phrases really is a great way to learn the Spanish language as well as having a heap of fun as you go!

Suggested Further Reading:

Common Spanish Phrases To Add Depth And Color To Spanish

Learning To Speak Spanish – Key Words And Phrases

Learn How To Speak Spanish

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