conditional or, less frequently, in the imperfect, which softens the expression of want.
Apetecer is uncommon in Latin America.^58 (p. 340); 8.2 (p. 36)
Me apetece un jerez.
I fancy a sherry.No me apetecen.
I don’t want them/They don’t appeal to me.
No nos apetece jugar al tenis.
We don’t feel like playing tennis.
Me apetecería tomar un chocolate.
I’d like to have a chocolate.Le apetecía comer algo.
He/she wanted to eat something.
Me apetece éste.
They want this one.57.1.3.2 Tener ganas de, ‘to feel like’, is used with an infinitive, not with a noun. It is usually
found in the present tense, but also in the imperfect indicative when reference is to past
desires.
Tengo ganas de salir.
I feel like going out.
No tengo ganas de trabajar.
I don’t feel like working.Tienen ganas de quedarse.
They feel like staying.Tenía muchas ganas de verte.
I very much wanted to see you.This expression is sometimes used on its own, without the preposition de:Gracias, no tengo ganas. Thank you, I don’t feel like it.57.1.3.3 Hacer ilusión, ‘to look forward’, is used in a construction similar to that with apetecer
or gustar, and it is normally followed by an infinitive. Its use is more common in
positive sentences, either in the present tense, or the imperfect when reference is to
past desires. This expression is generally unknown in Latin America.
Me hace mucha ilusión ir a Marbella.
I’d very much like to go to Marbella or I’m so looking forward to going to
Marbella.
Nos hace ilusión verlo de nuevo.
We’d like to see him again or We’re looking forward to seeing him again.Me hacía mucha ilusión visitar Nueva York otra vez.
I very much wanted to visit New York again./I was looking forward to
visiting New York again.Expressing desires 57.1