sehnlich
eager · ardent
Definition & meaning
The word "sehnlich" describes a feeling of intense, ardent, or fervent longing. It is most commonly used to express a deep desire for something to happen or for someone to arrive. While it can be used as an adjective, it is very frequently used as an adverb in combination with verbs of waiting or wishing.
For instance, when someone says they are waiting "sehnlich" for the holidays, it implies a certain emotional urgency or a painful yearning. It suggests that the person is not just waiting, but is doing so with their whole heart and perhaps a bit of impatience.
Grammar & Word origin
The word is an adjective, but in modern German, it is predominantly used in its adverbial form. It is also very common to see it in the superlative form, "sehnlichst", to add even more emphasis to the desire.
Etymologically, it is derived from the Middle High German word "senelich". It is built from the verb sehnen, which means to long for or to yearn. The suffix "-lich" is a standard German suffix used to form adjectives from verbs or nouns, similar to the English suffix "-ly" or "-like". The root is connected to the noun die Sehnsucht, which represents the abstract concept of yearning or nostalgia.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms for "sehnlich" include: innig, sehnsuchtsvoll, brennend, heiß, dringend, schmerzlich.
Antonyms for "sehnlich" include: gleichgültig, uninteressiert, leidenschaftslos, kalt.
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Examples
Wir erwarten den Frühling sehnlich.adverb
We are eagerly awaiting spring.
Es war mein sehnlichster Wunsch, dich wiederzusehen.adjective
It was my most ardent wish to see you again.
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