11

In English, we often used the phrase looking forward to when we are excited about something in the future:

I'm looking forward to seeing you next week!

I'm really looking forward to finals being over.

He's looking forward to the day when he can finally retire.

What is the best way to translate this sentiment in Spanish?

Improve this question
1
  • One of my favorite expressions in English, for no good reason :)
    – deprecated
    Apr 18, 2012 at 0:49

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
9
  • I'm looking forward to seeing you next week!
  • Espero verte la semana entrante (or la semana próxima) (esperar here means desire, not wait)

Also:

  • Ojalá nos veamos la semana próxima (ojalá ... from the Arabic oj Aláh "May God wish"

Also for example (but not exactly)

-Me gustaría verte la semana próxima

For the other two sentences the Spanish expressions are different:

  • He's looking forward to the day when he can finally retire.

  • Él espera (ansiosamente) su retiro

  • I'm really looking forward to finals being over.

  • No veo el momento en que terminen los finales.
  • No veo la hora en que terminen los finales
  • Espero (aniosamente) que terminen los finales
  • Ya no veo la hora en que terminen los finales
  • Estoy deseando que terminen los finales
  • Etc. :)
Improve this answer
4
  • As razpeitia mentions in his answer, does "espero ..." convey that you are excited about something coming up in the future, or just that you hope/wish/desire it will happen?
    – jrdioko
    Nov 23, 2011 at 6:39
  • "Hope/with/desire". It could mean just hope ("Espero que no llueva") or security about something ("Espero que llegue pronto"). It depends a lot on context.
    – rsuarez
    Nov 23, 2011 at 9:00
  • @jrd Yep. It depends. "Espero que me pagues pronto"!
    – Dr. belisarius
    Nov 23, 2011 at 14:22
  • 1
    +1 Simply "espero", perhaps adding a reforcing adverb or locution ("sinceramente", "verdaderamente", "de verdad") is in general right. Also "No veo la hora de que..." is quite used here (Argentina), but it often suggests exhaustion rather than excitement ("No veo la hora de que empiecen las vacaciones").
    – leonbloy
    Nov 23, 2011 at 15:15
5

I would use one expression to translate another expression and not just translated it literally.

I'm looking forward to seeing you next week!
¡Ya quiero verte la siguiente semana!

I'm really looking forward to finals being over.
¡Ya quiero que los finales terminen!

He's looking forward to the day when he can finally retire.
El ya quiere que llege el dia cuando finalmente se pueda retirar.

I would also use "espero" but this denotes lack of excitement.

Improve this answer
3
  • "Ya quiero", as in the three examples, sounds rather strange to me (from Argentina).
    – leonbloy
    Nov 23, 2011 at 15:09
  • 1
    Yeap, if you're from Argentina or Spain It'll sound strange. But sounds perfectly normal in Mexico and others countries.
    – razpeitia
    Nov 23, 2011 at 15:59
  • 1
    Dropping ya from the three examples would make them sound more natural. The use of quiero in the first example sounds too intimate, at least from a Colombian perspective. You could tell a business partner I'm look forward to seeing you next week! whereas ¡Ya quiero verte la siguiente semana! sounds like something you would say to someone to whom you are emotionally attached. Espero would be a better choice for the first example.
    – Jaime Soto
    Nov 23, 2011 at 23:00
0

En España, es tener ganas de X.

Ejemplo:

Tengo ganas de verte, la próxima semana

Improve this answer
0

Many times the phrase is found in a formal context (e.g. a forthcoming interview or meeting), in which some of the expressions in the other answer are a bit too personal/informal.

More formal expressions are:

  • Aguardo/espero con interés nuestro encuentro/entrevista/reunión/etc
  • Será para mí un gusto conocerlos en nuestro futuro encuentro/entrevista/reunión/etc
  • Quedo a la espera de nuestro encuentro/entrevista/reunión/etc
  • Sera un placer para mi conocerles en nuestro futuro encuentro/entrevista/reunión/etc
Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.