Desejo

Desejo is a noun in Portuguese that denotes a strong feeling of wanting something. It can refer to a wish, longing, craving, or aspiration, including material goods, experiences, goals, or relationships. In everyday use, desejo often carries a sense of motivation or emotional pull beyond a simple preference, and it can express romantic or sexual longing as well as general ambitions.

Etymology and linguistic notes: desejo derives from the verb desejar, which means to desire. The verb, in turn, has its roots in Latin desiderare, meaning to long for or to desire, connected to desiderium, a longing or desired thing. The noun form desejo is widely used across registers, from informal speech to literary and scholarly contexts.

Usage and contexts: in personal speech, desejo appears in expressions of hopes and cravings, such as desejo de felicidade or desejo de viajar. In romantic or sexual contexts, it conveys intimate longing. In social and economic discussion, desejo is used to describe consumer or aspirational desires, distinguishing what people want from what they need. In philosophy and psychology, o desejo is a subject of analysis as a mental state that can motivate actions, be constrained by reason, and interact with moral considerations.

Related terms and nuances: the word often contrasts with vontade (will or willingness) and necessidade (need). While desejo emphasizes longing and aspiration, vontade emphasizes volition and choice, and necessidade denotes necessity. The nuance of desejo can range from mild preference to intense yearning.