heimwee
homesickness, nostalgia
Intermediate Noun Neuter
🔊
Pronunciation
/ˈɦɛi̯m.weː/
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Cultural Note
Heimwee (from 'heim' = home + 'wee' = pain/woe) is a deeply felt concept for the Dutch, especially given the country's long history of seafaring and colonial trade. Many Dutch people living abroad report strong heimwee, particularly for specific cultural elements like 'gezelligheid,' cycling, and Dutch food.
📝 Example Sentences
Ik heb heimwee naar Nederland.
I'm homesick for the Netherlands.
Het heimwee werd erger naarmate de maanden verstreken.
The homesickness got worse as the months passed.
Een geur kan soms heimwee oproepen.
A scent can sometimes evoke homesickness.