How to Say ‘I Feel Like’ in Portuguese: Estou com Vontade de
Estou com vontade de is a natural way to say you feel like doing or having something.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Estar com vontade de means to feel like doing or having something. Follow de with a noun or infinitive. The phrase describes a current desire rather than a permanent preference.
Use estar com vontade de for a desire
Estou com vontade de comer comida japonesa.
I feel like eating Japanese food.
A gente está com vontade de viajar.
We feel like traveling.
Use ter vontade de for a general wish
Ter vontade de also means to feel like or want to. It can describe a current urge or a more general wish, depending on the time expression and context.
Tenho vontade de conhecer o Nordeste.
I feel like visiting the Northeast someday.
Hoje ela teve vontade de ficar em casa.
Today she felt like staying home.
Do not translate every English ‘feel’ literally
When feel means an emotion or physical sensation, Portuguese often uses sentir: sinto saudade (I miss), sinto frio (I feel cold). Use estar com vontade when you mean that you want to do something.
Estou com vontade de tomar um café.
I feel like having a coffee.
Sinto falta dos meus amigos.
I miss my friends.
Put it into practice
Use estar or ter vontade de for ‘feel like doing,’ and sentir for an emotion or physical sensation.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “I miss my friends”?
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