At the A1 level, you can think of 'desgana' as the opposite of 'wanting' something. While you might not use the word 'desgana' yourself yet, you will hear people say things like 'no tengo ganas' (I don't feel like it). 'Desgana' is the noun form of that feeling. Imagine you have a plate of food you don't like; that feeling of not wanting to eat it is 'desgana'. It is a feminine word: 'la desgana'. You might see it in very simple sentences describing how someone feels. It's important to know it's about a lack of desire. If you don't want to play, you have 'desgana de jugar'. Even at this level, recognizing the 'des-' prefix as a way to say 'not' or 'opposite' is very helpful for your future learning.
As an A2 learner, you're starting to describe feelings and moods in more detail. 'Desgana' is a great word for this because it's more specific than just saying 'triste' (sad) or 'cansado' (tired). It specifically means 'lack of enthusiasm'. You will often see it used with the word 'con', like 'con desgana'. This means 'half-heartedly'. For example, if you are doing your homework but you'd rather be outside, you are doing it 'con desgana'. You should also learn the adjective 'desganado' (for a boy) or 'desganada' (for a girl), which means 'unenthusiastic'. This is very useful for describing yourself or your friends when you're not in the mood for an activity.
At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'desgana' to express nuance in your conversations. It's an essential word for talking about motivation and work-life balance. You'll notice that 'desgana' is frequently used in medical contexts (loss of appetite) and in educational settings (lack of interest in studies). You should practice using it in phrases like 'tener desgana de' followed by an infinitive. For instance, 'Tengo desgana de salir esta noche' sounds much more natural and advanced than just 'No quiero salir'. You're also starting to see how 'desgana' is different from 'pereza' (laziness); 'desgana' is more about the emotional state of not caring, while 'pereza' is about not wanting to make an effort.
By B2, you should understand the social and cultural implications of 'desgana'. In Spanish society, where 'ganas' (passion/drive) is highly valued, 'desgana' can be a strong word. It's often used in critiques of public services, political participation, or artistic performances. You should be comfortable using it as a subject: 'La desgana de los jóvenes es un problema social'. You also need to distinguish it from 'apatía' (apathy) or 'desinterés' (disinterest). 'Desgana' has a more visceral, physical quality to it. It's the sigh, the slow movement, the lack of 'hunger' for life. You might also encounter it in news reports discussing 'la desgana de los votantes' (voter apathy), which is a common political theme.
At the C1 level, you are exploring the literary and philosophical depths of 'desgana'. You'll find it in the works of Spanish existentialist writers who use it to describe the 'ennui' or the 'tedium vitae' (weariness of life). It's a key term for discussing the psychological state of characters who have lost their sense of purpose. You should be able to use it in complex sentence structures and understand its role in creating atmosphere in a text. For example, 'Una desgana casi metafísica se había instalado en su alma'. You should also be aware of regional variations, such as 'desgano' in parts of the Southern Cone, though 'desgana' remains the standard literary and international form.
For a C2 learner, 'desgana' is a tool for precise emotional and social analysis. You can discuss the 'desgana institucional' (institutional inertia) or the 'desgana existencial' in modern philosophy. You understand that the word carries a history of Spanish cultural attitudes toward work, passion, and the 'ganas de vivir'. You can use it to describe subtle shifts in tone in a text or a conversation. At this level, you might also use it ironically or in highly specific technical contexts, such as describing the 'desgana' of a biological system or a market. Your mastery of 'desgana' allows you to articulate the most subtle forms of reluctance and lack of engagement with total native-like precision.

desgana 30秒で

  • Desgana is a Spanish noun meaning 'lack of enthusiasm' or 'lack of appetite'.
  • It is the opposite of 'ganas' and is almost always used in the singular form.
  • The most common usage is 'con desgana', which describes doing something half-heartedly.
  • It can describe both a mental state and a physical loss of hunger.

The Spanish word desgana is a fascinating noun that captures a very specific human state: the lack of appetite, enthusiasm, or will to do something. Derived from the prefix des- (denoting negation or reversal) and the noun gana (desire or appetite), it literally translates to 'un-desire.' While in English we might use terms like listlessness, apathy, or reluctance, desgana carries a unique weight in Spanish culture, often associated with the physical sensation of not wanting to move or participate in life's daily activities.

The Psychological State
Desgana is not just about being lazy (pereza). It is an emotional state where the internal spark of motivation has been extinguished. You might feel desgana after a long period of stress, during a bout of sadness, or simply when faced with a task that feels meaningless.
Physical Manifestation
Often, this word is used to describe a lack of physical appetite. If someone is sick, they might experience 'desgana al comer' (a lack of desire to eat). It suggests a body that is shutting down its usual drives.
Social Context
In social settings, showing desgana is often seen as a sign of disrespect or burnout. If a student answers questions with desgana, they aren't just being quiet; they are showing a visible lack of interest that can be quite palpable to the teacher.

Juan hizo los deberes con una desgana evidente, arrastrando el lápiz por el papel sin interés alguno.

Desde que se fue su mejor amigo, Pedro vive sumido en una profunda desgana.

Nuance vs. Apatía
While 'apatía' is a clinical or more formal term, 'desgana' is the word of the street and the home. It feels more personal and visceral. It describes the 'slump' in the shoulders and the sigh before starting a chore.

La desgana generalizada en la oficina está afectando la productividad del equipo.

No es que no pueda hacerlo, es que lo hace con una desgana que desespera a cualquiera.

Contrast with Pereza
Pereza is 'laziness'—the desire to do nothing. Desgana is the 'lack of desire' to do something specific or to engage with the world. You can be a hard worker but still feel desgana toward a specific, boring project.

Siento una gran desgana ante la idea de tener que mudarme otra vez.

Using desgana correctly requires understanding its role as a noun that often functions as an adverbial modifier when paired with prepositions. It describes the manner in which an action is performed or the internal state of the subject. In this section, we will explore the various syntactical structures where desgana typically appears, from simple descriptions of mood to complex observations of behavior.

The 'Con Desgana' Pattern
This is the most common way to use the word. By adding 'con' (with) before 'desgana', you describe how an action is being done. It implies the person is doing it because they have to, not because they want to. For example, 'limpiar la casa con desgana' means cleaning the house without any heart or energy.
The 'Tener Desgana' Pattern
This structure describes the internal feeling. 'Tengo desgana' is similar to saying 'I don't feel like it' or 'I have no motivation.' It is often followed by the preposition 'de' and an infinitive verb, such as 'Tengo desgana de estudiar' (I have a lack of desire to study).
Desgana as a Subject
In more literary or formal contexts, 'desgana' can be the subject of a sentence, acting as a force that influences someone. 'La desgana se apoderó de él' (Desgana took hold of him) is a powerful way to describe someone falling into a slump.

A pesar de ser un gran atleta, hoy corrió con una desgana preocupante.

No podemos permitir que la desgana se convierta en la norma en este equipo de trabajo.

Desgana and Eating
In a medical or health context, 'desgana' is the go-to word for loss of appetite. 'El paciente presenta desgana y fatiga' is a standard clinical observation. It sounds more natural than using more complex medical terms in everyday conversation.

El niño apenas probó la sopa, moviendo la cuchara con total desgana.

Combatir la desgana matutina es el mayor reto de mi día a día.

In Literature
Authors use 'desgana' to describe existential boredom or the 'ennui' of a character. It creates an atmosphere of stagnation and emotional emptiness that is very evocative.

Miró por la ventana con una desgana infinita, viendo pasar las horas sin propósito.

You will encounter desgana in a wide variety of everyday situations in the Spanish-speaking world. It is a word that bridges the gap between casual conversation and formal observation. From the kitchen table to the corporate office, understanding where 'desgana' pops up will help you grasp the cultural nuances of motivation and social expectation in Spanish-speaking societies.

At the Doctor's Office
One of the most common places to hear 'desgana' is in a medical context. A doctor might ask, '¿Siente usted desgana o falta de energía?' (Do you feel a lack of desire or lack of energy?). Here, it refers specifically to the loss of natural drive and appetite that accompanies illness or depression.
In Parenting and Education
Parents often complain about their children's 'desgana' when it comes to chores or schoolwork. A teacher might note in a report card that a student 'trabaja con desgana', which is a polite but firm way of saying the student isn't trying at all.
Workplace Evaluations
In a professional setting, 'desgana' is a red flag. Managers might discuss the 'desgana general' of a team after a difficult merger or during a period of low morale. It describes a collective lack of engagement that is more than just laziness—it's a lack of belief in the work.

El médico me preguntó si mi desgana era solo por la comida o por todo en general.

No soporto ver cómo saludas a los clientes con esa desgana; ¡ponle un poco de alegría!

News and Media
You might hear political commentators talk about the 'desgana del electorado' (the apathy of the electorate). This refers to voters who are so disillusioned that they have no desire to participate in elections.

La desgana política es un síntoma claro de la desconfianza en las instituciones.

A pesar de la lluvia, no debemos caer en la desgana y debemos seguir entrenando.

Sports Commentary
If a famous soccer team loses a match they should have won, commentators might blame the 'desgana' of the players—a perceived lack of 'hunger' or desire to win the ball.

El delantero jugó con una desgana que enfureció a toda la afición en el estadio.

While desgana is a relatively straightforward noun, learners often stumble when it comes to its grammatical gender, its prepositional pairings, and its distinction from similar-sounding or similar-meaning words. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Spanish sound much more natural and precise.

Mistaking the Gender
Even though it ends in '-a', some learners get confused because of the 'des-' prefix. Always remember it is 'la desgana' (feminine). Saying 'el desgana' is a common error. Also, never use 'un desgano' unless you are in specific regions of Latin America where the masculine form exists, but even then, 'la desgana' is the standard across the Spanish-speaking world.
Using the Wrong Preposition
Learners often try to say 'hacer algo por desgana' (doing something because of lack of desire). While grammatically possible, the idiomatic way to describe the manner is 'con desgana' (with lack of desire). If you want to say you feel like doing nothing, it's 'tener desgana de' + infinitive, not 'tener desgana para'.
Confusing it with 'Pereza'
This is the most frequent semantic mistake. 'Pereza' is laziness—you have the energy, but you don't want to use it. 'Desgana' is a lack of appetite or will—the energy itself feels missing. If you are tired and listless, use 'desgana'. If you just want to lie on the couch and watch Netflix instead of working, use 'pereza'.

Error: Estoy desgana. (Correct: Siento desgana / Estoy desganado).

Error: Comió con el desgana. (Correct: Comió con desgana / Comió con una desgana total).

The 'Ganas' vs. 'Desgana' Confusion
Remember that 'ganas' is usually plural ('Tengo ganas de comer'), but its opposite 'desgana' is usually singular. Saying 'Tengo desganas' sounds very strange to a native speaker. It's like saying 'I have lack of appetites' in English.

No es pereza, es una desgana profunda que me impide concentrarme en nada.

Ella aceptó la invitación con desgana, solo para no ser maleducada.

Overusing 'Desgana'
While it's a great word, don't use it for everything. If someone is just tired, use 'cansancio'. If someone is bored, use 'aburrimiento'. 'Desgana' should be reserved for that specific feeling of 'not having the heart' for something.

La desgana no se cura durmiendo, se cura encontrando un nuevo propósito.

To truly master the concept of desgana, it's helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. Spanish has a rich vocabulary for emotional states, and choosing the right word can change the entire tone of your sentence. Here is a breakdown of how desgana compares to other similar concepts.

Desgana vs. Apatía
Apatía is more formal and often implies a total lack of emotion or interest in everything. Desgana is more common in daily life and often refers to a lack of desire for a specific activity, like eating or working. You might have 'desgana' for your homework but still have 'ganas' to play video games.
Desgana vs. Pereza
Pereza is the classic 'laziness'. It's the reluctance to exert effort. Desgana is deeper; it's the lack of the internal 'want'. You can do something with 'pereza' (slowly and complaining), but doing it 'con desgana' implies you don't care about the outcome at all.
Desgana vs. Abulia
Abulia is a psychological term for a severe loss of willpower. It's much stronger than 'desgana'. You would use 'abulia' in a medical paper, but you'd use 'desgana' to tell your friend why you didn't go to the gym.

Su desgana es temporal, pero su apatía parece ser algo más profundo y preocupante.

No confundas mi desgana por este proyecto con pereza general; simplemente no creo en la idea.

Desgana vs. Desinterés
Desinterés is purely mental—you don't find a topic interesting. Desgana is more physical and emotional—you don't have the 'stomach' or the 'spirit' for it. You can have 'desinterés' in a lecture but still listen; if you have 'desgana', you probably won't even show up.

La desgana vital es un tema recurrente en la literatura existencialista española.

Después de la derrota, el equipo caminaba por el campo con una desgana palpable.

Desgana vs. Desánimo
Desánimo is discouragement. It happens after a failure. Desgana can happen for no reason at all, or just because you're bored. Desánimo is 'low spirits'; desgana is 'no will'.

Venció su desgana inicial y terminó disfrutando de la fiesta más de lo esperado.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The root 'gana' actually comes from the Gothic 'gana', which meant 'greed' or 'envy'. In Spanish, it evolved to mean a more neutral 'desire'.

発音ガイド

UK /desˈɡana/
US /desˈɡɑːnə/
The stress is on the second syllable: des-GA-na.
韻が合う語
mañana semana ventana campana gana rana lana sana
よくある間違い
  • Pronouncing the 'g' as a 'j' sound.
  • Stressing the first syllable (DES-gana).
  • Making the 's' sound like a 'z'.
  • Vocalizing the 'd' too harshly like an English 'd'.
  • Elongating the 'a' sounds too much.

難易度

読解 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the 'des-' prefix and common root 'gana'.

ライティング 3/5

Requires knowledge of the 'con desgana' or 'tener desgana de' patterns.

スピーキング 3/5

Intermediate learners need to remember it's a noun, not an adjective.

リスニング 2/5

Clearly pronounced, but can be confused with 'desgano' in some dialects.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

gana ganas querer hacer sentir

次に学ぶ

apatía desánimo pereza entusiasmo voluntad

上級

abulia tedio indiferencia desidia anhedonia

知っておくべき文法

Nouns as Adverbs with 'Con'

Hacerlo 'con desgana' (with lack of desire) converts the noun into an adverbial phrase.

The Prefix 'Des-'

Desgana (lack of desire), Deshacer (undo), Desconocido (unknown).

Tener + Noun vs. Estar + Adjective

Tener desgana (to have listlessness) vs. Estar desganado (to be listless).

Prepositional Complement 'De'

Desgana 'de' + infinitive (desgana de comer, desgana de vivir).

Gender Agreement with 'Mucha'

Mucha desgana (not 'mucho desgana').

レベル別の例文

1

Tengo desgana de comer.

I have no appetite to eat.

Uses 'tener' + 'desgana' + 'de'.

2

Él hace la tarea con desgana.

He does the homework with no enthusiasm.

'Con desgana' acts as an adverb.

3

La desgana es mala.

Lack of desire is bad.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

4

¿Tienes desgana hoy?

Do you feel listless today?

Question form using 'tener'.

5

Ella camina con desgana.

She walks without enthusiasm.

Prepositional phrase 'con desgana'.

6

No me gusta la desgana.

I don't like the lack of desire.

Direct object with 'gustar' (inverted).

7

Él tiene mucha desgana.

He has a lot of lack of desire.

'Mucha' agrees with the feminine noun 'desgana'.

8

La desgana de Juan es clara.

Juan's lack of enthusiasm is clear.

Possessive 'de' phrase.

1

Siento una gran desgana por el trabajo.

I feel a great lack of enthusiasm for work.

'Sentir' is a common verb to use with 'desgana'.

2

Habló con desgana durante la reunión.

He spoke half-heartedly during the meeting.

Past tense 'habló' modified by 'con desgana'.

3

La desgana de comer es un síntoma.

The lack of appetite is a symptom.

'Desgana de comer' is a set phrase for 'loss of appetite'.

4

No hagas las cosas con tanta desgana.

Don't do things with so much lack of enthusiasm.

Negative imperative 'no hagas'.

5

Ayer tuve mucha desgana de salir.

Yesterday I had no desire to go out.

Preterite tense of 'tener' (tuve).

6

Su desgana es muy evidente para todos.

His lack of interest is very obvious to everyone.

Possessive adjective 'su'.

7

Limpiamos la cocina con desgana.

We cleaned the kitchen half-heartedly.

First person plural 'limpiamos'.

8

Esa desgana no te ayudará a aprobar.

That lack of will won't help you pass.

Future tense 'ayudará'.

1

La desgana se nota en su forma de caminar.

The lack of enthusiasm is noticeable in the way he walks.

Passive 'se nota'.

2

Combatir la desgana es difícil por las mañanas.

Fighting off listlessness is difficult in the mornings.

Infinitive 'combatir' as a subject.

3

Me contestó con una desgana que me sorprendió.

He answered me with a lack of interest that surprised me.

Relative clause 'que me sorprendió'.

4

Si tienes desgana, es mejor descansar un poco.

If you feel listless, it's better to rest a bit.

Conditional 'si' clause.

5

La desgana de vivir es algo muy serio.

The lack of will to live is something very serious.

Abstract noun phrase.

6

Hizo el informe con total desgana y muchos errores.

He did the report with total lack of care and many mistakes.

'Total' emphasizes the noun 'desgana'.

7

No dejes que la desgana arruine tus metas.

Don't let lack of motivation ruin your goals.

Subjunctive 'arruine' after 'dejes que'.

8

Siento desgana incluso para mis aficiones favoritas.

I feel a lack of desire even for my favorite hobbies.

'Incluso para' adds emphasis.

1

La desgana generalizada afecta al rendimiento escolar.

Widespread lack of enthusiasm affects school performance.

Adjective 'generalizada' modifying 'desgana'.

2

Afrontó el reto con una desgana impropia de él.

He faced the challenge with a lack of will uncharacteristic of him.

'Impropia de' is an advanced descriptive phrase.

3

La desgana del electorado preocupa a los políticos.

The apathy of the electorate worries the politicians.

Collective noun 'electorado'.

4

Es difícil motivar a alguien sumido en la desgana.

It's hard to motivate someone mired in listlessness.

'Sumido en' (immersed in) is a strong collocation.

5

Su desgana era solo una máscara para su miedo.

His lack of interest was only a mask for his fear.

Metaphorical usage.

6

La película transmite una desgana existencial profunda.

The movie conveys a deep existential listlessness.

Verb 'transmitir' used for feelings.

7

Actuó con desgana, como si no le importara el resultado.

He acted half-heartedly, as if the result didn't matter to him.

'Como si' + imperfect subjunctive 'importara'.

8

La desgana puede ser el primer paso hacia la depresión.

Listlessness can be the first step toward depression.

Modal verb 'puede ser'.

1

La desgana burocrática ralentiza todos los procesos.

Bureaucratic inertia slows down all processes.

Specific domain usage (bureaucracy).

2

Se percibía una cierta desgana en el ambiente festivo.

A certain lack of enthusiasm was perceived in the festive atmosphere.

Passive reflexive 'se percibía'.

3

La desgana vital es un rasgo de la Generación del 98.

Vital listlessness is a trait of the Generation of '98.

Literary/Historical reference.

4

Sus palabras rezumaban una desgana difícil de ocultar.

His words oozed a lack of interest that was hard to hide.

Metaphorical verb 'rezumar'.

5

No es odio, es algo peor: una desgana absoluta.

It's not hate, it's something worse: absolute apathy.

Contrastive structure.

6

La desgana se ha cronificado en este sector laboral.

The lack of motivation has become chronic in this labor sector.

Medical metaphor 'cronificarse'.

7

Cualquier intento de ayuda chocaba contra su desgana.

Any attempt to help clashed with his listlessness.

Verb 'chocar contra' used figuratively.

8

La desgana es el óxido que corroe la ambición.

Listlessness is the rust that corrodes ambition.

Poetic metaphor.

1

La desgana ontológica permea la obra del autor.

Ontological listlessness permeates the author's work.

High-level academic vocabulary ('ontológica').

2

Resulta imperativo erradicar la desgana institucional.

It is imperative to eradicate institutional inertia.

Formal 'resulta imperativo'.

3

Esa desgana es el epítome de la decadencia social.

That listlessness is the epitome of social decadence.

Sophisticated noun 'epítome'.

4

La desgana no es sino la ausencia de eros en la acción.

Listlessness is nothing but the absence of eros in action.

Philosophical 'no es sino' structure.

5

Su desgana era tan vasta como el desierto que habitaba.

His listlessness was as vast as the desert he inhabited.

Simile for literary effect.

6

La desgana se parapeta tras una falsa modestia.

Listlessness takes cover behind a false modesty.

Reflexive verb 'parapetarse'.

7

Es una desgana que trasciende lo meramente psicológico.

It's a listlessness that transcends the merely psychological.

Verb 'trascender'.

8

La desgana puede ser una forma sutil de resistencia.

Listlessness can be a subtle form of resistance.

Political/Sociological analysis.

よく使う組み合わせ

comer con desgana
profunda desgana
desgana vital
vencer la desgana
desgana generalizada
notar la desgana
con total desgana
desgana de estudiar
caer en la desgana
desgana política

よく使うフレーズ

Hacer algo con desgana

— To do something without any heart or interest.

Hizo la limpieza con desgana.

Tener desgana de algo

— To have no desire for something specific.

Tengo desgana de ir al cine.

Sentir desgana

— To feel listless or unmotivated.

Siento desgana desde que me desperté.

Mostar desgana

— To show visible lack of interest.

No muestres desgana delante del jefe.

Desgana al comer

— Lack of appetite.

La gripe me produce desgana al comer.

Una desgana infinita

— A state of total and endless apathy.

Me miró con una desgana infinita.

Sin desgana

— Without reluctance (positive).

Aceptó el reto sin desgana.

Luchar contra la desgana

— To try to find motivation.

Lucho contra la desgana cada lunes.

Desgana colectiva

— Apathy shared by a group.

Hay una desgana colectiva en el pueblo.

Fruto de la desgana

— The result of a lack of effort.

Este error es fruto de la desgana.

よく混同される語

desgana vs pereza

Pereza is laziness (unwillingness to exert effort). Desgana is lack of desire/appetite.

desgana vs desgano

Desgano is the masculine version used in some Latin American countries. Desgana is the standard form.

desgana vs desdén

Desdén is disdain or contempt. Desgana is lack of enthusiasm.

慣用句と表現

"Con el alma en los pies"

— Used to describe extreme desgana or sadness.

Caminaba con el alma en los pies.

informal
"A rastras"

— Doing something 'dragging' oneself, with total desgana.

Fui al gimnasio a rastras.

informal
"Por compromiso"

— Doing something only because of obligation, usually with desgana.

Vino a la boda por compromiso.

neutral
"De mala gana"

— The most common idiomatic equivalent of 'con desgana'.

Limpió su cuarto de mala gana.

neutral
"Como quien no quiere la cosa"

— Doing something as if one doesn't care (can imply desgana).

Lo hizo como quien no quiere la cosa.

colloquial
"Estar de capa caída"

— To be in a slump or state of desgana.

El negocio está de capa caída.

informal
"No tener sangre en las venas"

— To be extremely passive or show total desgana.

¡Muévete! Parece que no tienes sangre en las venas.

informal
"Estar apalancado"

— To be stuck in a state of physical desgana/laziness.

Está apalancado en el sofá.

slang (Spain)
"Pasar de todo"

— To not care about anything; extreme desgana.

Últimamente pasa de todo.

slang
"Estar sin fuelle"

— To be out of energy or motivation.

El equipo está sin fuelle al final de la liga.

informal

間違えやすい

desgana vs desgana

Sounds like 'desganar' (to lose).

Desgana is the noun for lack of will. Desganar is the verb, but rarely used.

Siento desgana.

desgana vs desgracia

Both start with 'des-'.

Desgracia is a misfortune or tragedy. Desgana is just lack of will.

Fue una desgracia.

desgana vs desgana

Often confused with 'ganas' (desires).

They are opposites. Desgana is negative, ganas is positive.

Tengo ganas vs Tengo desgana.

desgana vs desgano

Gender variation.

In Spain, 'desgana' is feminine. In Argentina, 'desgano' is masculine. They mean the same.

El desgano (Arg) vs La desgana (Esp).

desgana vs desgana

Confused with 'desgana' as a verb conjugation.

Desgana is primarily a noun. As a verb (desganar), it is very rare.

La desgana me mata.

文型パターン

A1

Tengo desgana.

Tengo desgana hoy.

A2

Hacer [algo] con desgana.

Juan limpia con desgana.

B1

Tener desgana de [infinitivo].

Tengo desgana de estudiar matemáticas.

B2

La desgana de [sujeto] es [adjetivo].

La desgana de los alumnos es preocupante.

C1

Sentir una [adjetivo] desgana por [sustantivo].

Siento una profunda desgana por la política actual.

C1

Vencer la desgana para [infinitivo].

Venció la desgana para ir a correr.

C2

La desgana como síntoma de [concepto].

La desgana como síntoma de la crisis existencial.

C2

Una desgana que [verbo en subjuntivo].

Es una desgana que asusta a cualquiera.

語族

名詞

desgana
gana

動詞

desganar (rarely used)
ganar (to win - unrelated meaning but same root)

形容詞

desganado
desganada

関連

desganar
ganas
ganoso
desganarse
desgano

使い方

frequency

Common in daily conversation and literature.

よくある間違い
  • Estoy desgana. Tengo desgana / Estoy desganado.

    Desgana is a noun, not an adjective. You can't 'be' a noun in this context.

  • Él tiene mucho desgana. Él tiene mucha desgana.

    Desgana is feminine, so it requires 'mucha' instead of 'mucho'.

  • Lo hizo por desgana. Lo hizo con desgana.

    While 'por' is grammatically possible, 'con' is the standard way to describe the manner of an action.

  • Tengo desganas de comer. Tengo desgana de comer.

    Unlike 'ganas', 'desgana' is almost always singular.

  • Su desgana es perezosa. Su desgana es evidente.

    Don't confuse the state (desgana) with the person (perezoso). A state isn't 'lazy'; it's 'evident' or 'deep'.

ヒント

Use it with 'con'

The most natural way to use 'desgana' to describe an action is with the preposition 'con'. 'Hizo la tarea con desgana'.

Learn the adjective

Don't forget 'desganado/a'. It's often easier to say 'Estoy desganado' than to use the noun.

Appetite matters

In Spanish-speaking cultures, eating is very important. Using 'desgana' to describe a lack of appetite is a very common and useful application.

Not just lazy

Use 'desgana' when you want to sound more empathetic or precise than just calling someone lazy (perezoso).

Listen for 'sin ganas'

Native speakers often say 'sin ganas' instead of 'con desgana'. They mean the same thing, but 'sin ganas' is slightly more informal.

Subject usage

In creative writing, you can make 'la desgana' the subject of your sentence to create a mood: 'La desgana inundó la habitación'.

Avoid 'por'

While you might be tempted to say 'por desgana' (because of lack of will), 'con desgana' is more idiomatic for describing how something is done.

Clinical use

If you are at a doctor in a Spanish-speaking country, 'desgana' is the perfect word to describe feeling 'blah' or not wanting to eat.

Apatía vs Desgana

Use 'apatía' for long-term psychological states and 'desgana' for temporary feelings or specific tasks.

The 'Gana' connection

Always remember that 'ganas' = 'want'. So 'des-gana' = 'don't want'.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of 'desgana' as 'dis-gain'. You have 'dis-gain' (no gain) of energy or interest. Or think: 'DES-' (destroy) + 'GANA' (the desire to win/gain).

視覚的連想

Imagine a balloon with all the air (desire) slowly leaking out until it's flat on the floor.

Word Web

desgana falta de ganas apatía sin energía no querer mala gana desganado desgano

チャレンジ

Try to use 'con desgana' to describe three chores you hate doing. For example: 'Limpio el baño con desgana'.

語源

From the Spanish prefix 'des-' (negation/removal) and the noun 'gana' (desire/appetite).

元の意味: The removal or lack of desire.

Romance (Spanish).

文化的な背景

Be careful when using 'desgana' to describe someone's work; it can be more insulting than 'cansancio' (tiredness) because it implies they don't care.

English speakers often use 'laziness', but 'desgana' is closer to 'listlessness' or 'lack of heart'.

The poetry of Antonio Machado often touches on the 'desgana' of the Castilian landscape. The concept of 'ennui' in European literature is the closest philosophical parallel. Clinical psychology in Spanish uses 'desgana' as a key symptom of dysthymia.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Eating and Health

  • desgana al comer
  • falta de apetito
  • no tener hambre
  • sentir náuseas

Work and Productivity

  • hacerlo con desgana
  • falta de motivación
  • rendimiento bajo
  • no tener ganas de trabajar

Social Life

  • desgana de salir
  • no me apetece
  • estar desganado
  • qué flojera

School/Education

  • desgana escolar
  • falta de interés
  • no querer estudiar
  • hacer los deberes con desgana

Politics/Society

  • desgana del electorado
  • apatía social
  • falta de compromiso
  • desinterés general

会話のきっかけ

"¿Alguna vez has hecho un trabajo con tanta desgana que salió mal?"

"¿Qué haces cuando sientes una gran desgana por la mañana?"

"¿Crees que la desgana es contagiosa en un equipo de trabajo?"

"¿Qué comida te produce más desgana cuando estás enfermo?"

"¿Cómo podemos vencer la desgana en los días de lluvia?"

日記のテーマ

Describe un día en el que sentiste una desgana total. ¿Qué causó ese sentimiento y cómo terminó el día?

Escribe sobre una tarea que siempre haces con desgana. ¿Por qué no te gusta y cómo podrías cambiar tu actitud?

Reflexiona sobre la diferencia entre la pereza y la desgana en tu propia vida profesional o académica.

Imagina un mundo donde nadie sintiera desgana. ¿Cómo sería la sociedad y qué problemas nuevos surgirían?

Analiza cómo la desgana afecta tus relaciones personales. ¿Cuándo has mostrado desgana hacia un amigo?

よくある質問

10 問

Not exactly. Laziness (pereza) is the desire to avoid effort. Desgana is the lack of the internal drive or appetite to do something. You can be a non-lazy person but still feel desgana toward a specific task because it doesn't interest you.

Yes! 'Desgana al comer' is a very common way to say you have no appetite. Doctors use this term frequently to describe symptoms of illness.

Both are correct. 'Tengo desgana' uses the noun (I have lack of will), while 'Estoy desganado' uses the adjective (I am unenthusiastic). The latter is slightly more common when describing your general state.

Yes, it almost always describes a negative state of being unmotivated or uninterested. However, in some contexts, it can be a neutral observation of a symptom.

The plural is 'desganas', but it is very rarely used. Usually, we use 'mucha desgana' or 'momentos de desgana' to talk about it in larger quantities.

It is a hard 'g' like in the English word 'goat'. It never sounds like an 'h' or 'j'.

Yes, 'desgano' is the masculine form. It is very common in Latin America (especially Argentina, Uruguay, and Mexico). In Spain, 'desgana' (feminine) is the standard.

Yes, if you are in a region that uses the masculine form. If you want to be safe and understood everywhere, 'con desgana' is the most universally accepted form.

The most direct opposite is 'ganas' (desire/will). Other opposites include 'entusiasmo' (enthusiasm) and 'interés' (interest).

It is neutral. It can be used in a medical report, a novel, or a casual conversation with a friend.

自分をテスト 200 問

writing

Write a sentence about a student doing homework with no enthusiasm.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Describe how you feel when you have no appetite using 'desgana'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Use 'con desgana' in a sentence about cleaning.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Write a short paragraph about a time you felt 'desgana' at work.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Explain the difference between 'pereza' and 'desgana' in your own words.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Create a dialogue between a doctor and a patient using 'desgana'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'desgana' as the subject.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Describe the atmosphere of a boring party using the word 'desgana'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Use 'desgana vital' in a sentence about a book or movie.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Write a formal complaint about 'desgana institucional'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Compare 'desgana' and 'apatía' in a formal essay fragment.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Use 'desganado' as an adjective to describe a character.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'tener desgana de' + infinitive.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Describe a sports team losing because of 'desgana'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Create a mnemonic sentence to remember 'desgana'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'mucha desgana'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Describe a rainy day using 'desgana'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Translate: 'The apathy of the voters is clear.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Use 'vencer la desgana' in a motivational sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'con total desgana'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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speaking

Pronounce 'desgana' correctly.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Tengo desgana de comer'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Tell a friend you are feeling listless today.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Describe a task you do 'con desgana'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Explain to a doctor that you have no appetite.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Argue why 'desgana' is different from 'pereza'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Roleplay: A boss telling an employee to stop working with desgana.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Give a short speech about 'la desgana de los jóvenes'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Discuss the 'desgana vital' in a movie you've seen.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Use the word 'desganadamente' in a sentence.

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speaking

Debate: Is desgana a form of resistance?

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'No dejes que la desgana te venza'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Describe a boring lecture using 'desgana'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Pronounce 'desganado' and 'desganada'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Ask someone if they feel desgana today.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Tell a story about a 'desgana' day.

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speaking

Use 'mucha desgana' in a sentence about exercise.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Explain 'vencer la desgana' to a student.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Discuss 'desgana política' in your country.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Use 'con total desgana' to describe a chore.

Read this aloud:

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listening

Listen and write the word: 'desgana'.

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listening

Identify if the speaker said 'ganas' or 'desgana'.

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'Tengo mucha desgana hoy.'

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'Lo hizo con desgana.'

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listening

What feeling is the speaker describing?

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listening

Is the speaker happy or unmotivated?

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listening

Listen for the adjective: 'Está muy desganado'.

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listening

Identify the phrase: 'Desgana de comer'.

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listening

Listen to the sentence and identify the subject.

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listening

Does the speaker sound like they have energy?

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'La desgana vital es profunda.'

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listening

Listen for the preposition 'con'.

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listening

Identify the word 'desgano' (masculine).

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listening

Transcribe: 'Vencer la desgana es el reto.'

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listening

Is the tone formal or informal?

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/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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