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"Quería" is a form of "querer", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to want". "Ganas" is a form of "ganas", a plural noun which is often translated as "desire". Learn more about the difference between "quería" and "ganas" below.
querer(
keh
-
rehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
5. (romance)
a. love affair
Cuando salió a relucir su querer, el gobernador renunció.When his love affair was exposed, the governor resigned.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
quererse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
las ganas(
gah
-
nahs
)A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
1. (hankering)
a. desire
No tengo ganas de ir a cenar a un restaurante japonés.I have no desire to go to a Japanese restaurant for dinner.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡Qué ganas tengo de salir a bailar!I can't wait to go out dancing!
Me dan ganas de ir a las montañas.I feel like going to the mountains.
la gana
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Podría ayudarlo pero no me da la gana.I could help him but I don't feel like it.
Quiero cumplir 18, trabajar y ganar mi propio dinero para comprar lo que me dé mi regalada gana.I want to turn 18, get a job, and have my own money to buy whatever I damn well please.
