Questions & Answers about Esta noche tengo ganas de ver una película en casa.
Why do we say tengo ganas de ver instead of just quiero ver?
Both are correct, but they don’t sound the same.
- Quiero ver una película = I want to watch a movie. (a straightforward wish/want)
- Tengo ganas de ver una película = I feel like watching a movie / I’m in the mood to watch a movie.
Tener ganas de + infinitive is a bit softer and more about your mood or desire at that moment. In everyday speech in Spain, tengo ganas de… is very common and sounds natural and conversational.
What exactly does tener ganas de + infinitive mean, and how is it formed?
Tener ganas de + infinitive literally means to have desire to… and is used like to feel like doing something.
Structure:
- tener (conjugated) + ganas de
- infinitive
Examples:
- Tengo ganas de comer. – I feel like eating.
- No tenemos ganas de salir. – We don’t feel like going out.
- ¿Tienes ganas de viajar? – Do you feel like travelling?
You always keep the de before the infinitive.
Why is ganas plural? Is there a singular form?