1

There is a popular song now entitled "Malditas Ganas"

According to google translate, this is "damn win"

That can't be quite right. What is the singer really trying to convey with that?

3 Answers 3

4

Of course it could mean different things depending on the context. Maldito/a is one of those swearing words that could stress something as either positive or negative.

The robots from Google (translator) are tranlating "ganas" as 2nd person present simple of "ganar" (to win): tú ganas. But that ganas actually means

Deseo, apetito, voluntad de algo.

So, it means something like need for X, craving for X, attitude, willingness or interest to do X, feeling like doing X, etc.

If the song is Malditas Ganas from some "El Komander" guy,

no se me quitan estas ganas malditas de tomar

Means something like "damn need to drink". Idem for

no se me quitan estas ganas horribles de llamarte this horrible need to call you

Which is actually not that far from

no se me quitan estas ganas benditas de abrazarte this blessed need to hug you

"Ganas" is either craving, need, want...

Tengo ganas de ir al cine = Me apetece ir an cine = I want to go to the cinema = I fancy to go to the cinema.

Again, in the song

me dan ganas de acercarme I want to get closer

so "malditas ganas" is the damn need to do X, Y or Z

2

The expression tener ganas means "to be in the mood", so malditas ganas (ganas is always plural) in that song can mean something like "I hate that I'm in the mood".

1

It is a little more complex. My first laguage is Spanish from Mexico and it simply means: "These Damm urges of wanting". But no swear words: "malditas" is not a swear word in Spanish.

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.