sehnsüchtig
longing
Filled with a strong desire or longing for someone or something.
EXAMPLE
Sie wartete sehnsüchtig auf einen Brief von ihm.
She waited longingly for a letter from him.
sehnsüchtig
longing
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is derived from 'die Sehnsucht' (longing). This noun is itself an intense combination of '(sich) sehnen' (to long for) and 'die Sucht' (addiction). So it describes an almost addictive desire.
EXAMPLE
Mit sehnsüchtigem Blick schaute er dem abfahrenden Zug hinterher.
With a longing look, he watched the departing train.
Adjective or adverb
'Sehnsüchtig' (longing/longingly) can stand before a noun as an adjective or describe an action as an adverb. As an adverb, it often modifies verbs of waiting, looking, or thinking.
EXAMPLE
Er schrieb ihr einen sehnsüchtigen Brief.
He wrote her a longing letter.
Typical collocations
'Sehnsüchtig' (longing/longingly) is very often combined with verbs of waiting or expecting. A typical collocation is 'sehnsüchtig auf etwas warten' (to wait longingly for something).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder warten sehnsüchtig auf den Weihnachtsmann.
The children are waiting longingly for Santa Claus.
Compare with
sehnsüchtig vs nostalgisch
nostalgic
Sehnsüchtig describes a strong longing for a person or thing and can also refer to something in the present or future. Nostalgisch specifically describes an often idealized and sentimental longing for the past. Nostalgisch is therefore more precise when talking about memories.
sehnsüchtig
Sie blickt sehnsüchtig auf das Foto ihres Partners, der morgen zurückkommt.
She gazes longingly at a photo of her partner, who is coming back tomorrow.
nostalgisch
Sie blickt nostalgisch auf die Fotos ihrer längst vergangenen Schulzeit.
She gazes nostalgically at photos from her school days long ago.
In real life
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