anhelo

Anhelo is a Spanish noun that denotes an intense longing or yearning for something distant, unattained, or deeply desired. It can describe a present emotional state or a future outcome that one hopes for but has not yet achieved.

The term derives from the verb anhelar, meaning to yearn or long for. The sense of anhelo includes persistence and emotional tension, often implying a sense of incompleteness or a desire that remains unfulfilled. It contrasts with deseo, which refers to a general wish or desire, and with ansiedad, which conveys anxiety or urgent need.

In literature and religious or philosophical discourse, anhelo is frequently used to express spiritual longing or the human search for meaning, as well as ordinary longing for people, places, or experiences. In everyday language, it remains a strong, nuanced synonym for desire. English equivalents include longing or yearning, though no exact translation captures all the shades of the term.