Sehnsucht
longing, yearning, deep desire
Pronunciation
/ˈzeːnzʊxt/
Cultural Note
Sehnsucht is one of those famously untranslatable German words. It goes beyond simple 'missing' — it describes a deep, almost painful yearning for something or someone. It is a key concept in German Romanticism and philosophy. In relationships, 'Sehnsucht nach dir' expresses a profound emotional ache for a loved one's presence, much stronger than simply saying 'Ich vermisse dich' (I miss you).
📝 Example Sentences
Ich habe große Sehnsucht nach dir.
I miss you deeply. / I have a great longing for you.
Die Sehnsucht nach ihm wurde mit jedem Tag stärker.
The longing for him grew stronger with each day.
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