Hanker after Meaning in English
expression
ˈhæŋkɝ/ /ˈæftɝ
HANG-ker AF-ter
hˈæŋkɐ/ /ˈɑːftɐ
HANG-kuh AHF-tuh
Definition
To strongly and persistently desire something you cannot have or is difficult to get, often used for things or experiences.
Usage & Nuances
Somewhat formal or literary; usually not used in everyday speech. Common with dreams, nostalgia, or luxuries: 'hanker after fame', 'hanker after the past'. Rarely used in negative sentences. Often interchangeable with 'long for' or 'yearn for'.
Spanish: ansiar (por) - anhelar (por)Portuguese (BR): almejar - ansiar (por)Portuguese (PT): ansiar - desejar intensamenteChinese (Simplified): 渴望（得到）Chinese (Traditional): 渴望（得到）Hindi: लालायित होनाArabic: يتوق إلى - يحن إلىBengali: তীব্র আকাঙ্ক্ষা করা - তীব্রভাবে চাইতে থাকাRussian: тосковать по - жаждать - страстно желатьJapanese: 切望する - 恋い焦がれるVietnamese: ao ước - khao khátKorean: 간절히 바라다 - 그리워하다Turkish: özlem duymak - arzulamakUrdu: شدید خواہش کرنا - تڑپناIndonesian: sangat merindukan - sangat menginginkan
Example Sentences
She often hankers after her childhood days.
basic
Many people hanker after a simpler life.
basic
I sometimes hanker after adventures I had in my youth.
basic
After years in the city, he began to hanker after the quiet countryside.
natural
Sometimes I hanker after foods from home when I’m abroad.
natural
You can’t help but hanker after a bit of excitement now and then.
natural