Ganar/ganas

[caliber1]

I don't know if this is actually correct speech or if it is slang, but I have heard people say, "Tengo ganas de. . . ". Is this used to mean something like, "I inteded to. . . " or "I wanted to. . . "? Thanks in advance.

[Rusty]

Ganar (win) has nothing to do with gana (wish, will). Tener (las) ganas de means 'to feel like (doing something)'.

I feel like going to the movies.
Tengo ganas de ir al cine.

I don't feel like it.
No tengo las ganas.

I don't feel like working today.
Hoy no tengo ganas de trabajar.

[caliber1]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Ganar (win) has nothing to do with gana (wish, will). Tener (las) ganas de means 'to feel like (doing something)'.

I feel like going to the movies.
Tengo ganas de ir al cine.

I don't feel like it.
No tengo las ganas.

I don't feel like working today.
Hoy no tengo ganas de trabajar.

Thank You Rusty!!! That has been bugging me for a while and I keep on forgetting to ask. That does make sense. I asked a Hispanic guy if it meant something like "quise hacer" and he said yes, so that is why I was unsure. Thanks for clarifying as always amigo!

[Rusty]

Siempre que puedo elucidar lo que no te quede claro, tengo ganas de celebrar.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Siempre que puedo elucidar lo que no te quede claro, tengo ganas de celebrar.

Queda mejor con"...me dan ganas de celebrar"

[Rusty]

... me da ganas ...

[chileno]

matter of "speech"

[caliber1]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Siempre que puedo elucidar lo que no te quede claro, tengo ganas de celebrar.

¡(Yo) Tengo ganas de aprender más español!

Thanks again for the explanation. That has been one that confused me.

[caliber1]

Hey guys! Just wanted to add a question to this again. How would I just say, "I don't feel like it"? Would I just say, "No tengo ganas de la/lo"?
The reason I ask is because I know I often have opportunities to say this to be facetious, but would it have the same effect in Spanish. I wouldn't say it if it were considered rude basically. Thanks in advance.

[Rusty]

Your question has already been answered in post #2.