die Sehnsucht, ¨-e
longing
Ein starkes Gefühl, dass man etwas oder jemanden sehr vermisst und sich tief danach wünscht.
The German word "Sehnsucht" is a noun that translates to "longing" or "yearning" in English. It is composed of "sehnen," which means "to long for" or "to crave," and the suffix "-sucht," a form associated with desires or desires. "Sehnsucht" often conveys an intense emotional desire for something that is missed, lost, or unattainable, encompassing feelings of nostalgia and deep yearning.
Similar words in German include:
- Wunsch (wish): A general desire for something.
- Traum (dream): Often implies a more fantasy-oriented longing.
- Begierde (desire): Suggests a strong longing for something but can be more physical or primal.
Difference: While "Sehnsucht" has a poetic and deep emotional connotation, referring more to the essence of longing for something abstract or far away (often related to love or an ideal), "Wunsch" is more straightforward and can refer to any simple desire. "Traum" may involve aspirations or desires that are not necessarily rooted in reality, while "Begierde" often relates to more visceral and immediate desires.
Make “Sehnsucht” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Er verspürt eine tiefe Sehnsucht nach Abenteuern.noun
He feels a deep longing for adventures.
Die Sehnsucht nach fernen Ländern wächst.noun
The longing for distant lands is growing.
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad