Spanish Conversation · Level 13
90 words
Spanish word
ansia
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈansja/
Meaning
- feminine nounlonging
Example
Tiene ansia de aprender.
He has a longing to learn.
More examples
Esperaba con ansia la respuesta.
He was waiting eagerly for the reply.
Core concept
A tight, urgent craving.
Common phrases
tener ansia de
have a longing for
esperar con ansia
wait eagerly for
sentir ansia
feel anxiety
Similar words
deseo: Strong wish or yearning to have or do something.
gana: General desire or inclination to do something.
afán: Strong, persistent drive to accomplish a goal.
ansiedad: Restless, worried unease or nervous tension.
Definition in Spanish
Deseo muy intenso y urgente por algo, que suele ir acompañado de inquietud o malestar interior.
Word origin
From Latin anxius, from angere 'to squeeze', originally describing a constricting bodily feeling later used for an intense, unsettling desire.
Usage tips
- Commonly used with tener or sentir + ansia de + infinitive to mark an urgent craving, while ansiedad is the term for psychological or clinical anxiety.
Other meanings
- eagernessnoun
- anxietynoun
Opposites
- tranquilidadtranquilitynoun
- calmacalmnessnoun
Related words
- ansiarlong forverb
- ansiosolongingadjective
- ansiosamentelonginglyadverb