to long for
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to long for
To wish for something or someone with great, heartfelt longing. It expresses a deep, emotional desire.
Nach den anstrengenden Wochen ersehnte sie einfach nur ein paar Tage Ruhe.
After the exhausting weeks, she simply longed for a few days of rest.
The verb is based on 'sehnen' (to long/yearn) and is closely related to 'die Sehnsucht' (longing). The prefix 'er-' intensifies the meaning and expresses an intense, almost painful wish.
Die im Ausland lebenden Eltern ersehnen ein Wiedersehen mit ihren Kindern.
The parents living abroad long for a reunion with their children.
'Ersehnen' (to long for) is a very emotional and poetic word. It is used for deep, heartfelt wishes and is rather rare in everyday language. It is too strong for simple wishes.
Nach dem langen, kalten Winter ersehnen alle den Frühling.
After the long, cold winter, everyone longs for spring.
The verb is transitive and requires an accusative object. You can also use the reflexive form 'sich (Dativ) etwas ersehnen' (to long for something for oneself) to emphasize the personal meaning.
Der Gefangene ersehnte die Freiheit.
The prisoner longed for freedom.
to consume / to pine
Ersehnen describes a deep, emotional wish. Sich nach etwas verzehren also expresses strong longing, but it sounds more elevated and emphasizes more strongly that the feeling is wearing the person down inwardly. For a heartfelt wish, ersehnt fits; for particularly tormenting longing, sich verzehren is used.
Nach vielen Jahren im Ausland ersehnt sie ein Wiedersehen mit ihrer Familie.
After many years abroad, she longs for a reunion with her family.
Nach vielen Jahren im Ausland verzehrt sie sich vor Sehnsucht nach ihrer Familie.
After many years abroad, she is pining for her family.
