Spanish word

interés

Pronunciation

IPA/inteˈɾes/

Meaning

  • masculine nouninterest

Example

Tengo mucho interés en aprender español.

I have a keen interest in learning Spanish.

Illustration for interés (interest)

More examples

Ella mostró interés por la cultura local.

She showed interest in the local culture.

Core concept

Focused attention or curiosity about a subject or activity.

Common phrases

  • tener interés en

    be interested in

  • mostrar interés por

    show interest in

  • perder el interés

    lose interest

Similar words

curiosidad: Desire to discover or know new things, driven by novelty.
entusiasmo: Strong energetic motivation and joy about doing something.
gusto: Pleasure in and liking for something, enjoyed in the moment.
afición: Attachment to an activity pursued regularly as a hobby.

Definition in Spanish

Atención o inclinación hacia un tema o actividad que despierta curiosidad o deseo de saber más.

Word origin

From Latin interesse (inter- 'between' + esse 'to be'), originally meaning 'to matter' or 'be between', which developed into the idea of something that concerns or attracts someone.

Usage tips

  • To express having interest, use Tengo interés en + noun/infinitive or Me interesa + clause, with Me interesa putting the emphasis on what attracts the speaker.

Other meanings

  • financial interestnoun
  • self-interestnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word