longing
word
/ˈɫɔŋɪŋ/
LAWNG-ing
/lˈɒŋɪŋ/
LONG-ing
Definition
A strong feeling of wanting or wishing for something or someone, especially something far away or out of reach.
Usage & Nuances
'Longing' is emotional and poetic, not used for practical wants. Commonly used with 'for' (longing for home). Often describes distant people, places, or times. Similar to 'yearning' but often gentler and more nostalgic.
Spanish: anhelo - ansia - deseo profundoPortuguese (BR): anseio - saudade - desejo intensoPortuguese (PT): anseio - saudade - desejo intensoChinese (Simplified): 渴望 - 思念Chinese (Traditional): 渴望 - 思念Hindi: लालसा - तरस - तड़पArabic: حنين - شوق - رغبة قويةBengali: আকুলতা - তীব্র ইচ্ছাRussian: тоска - стремление (эмоциональное)Japanese: 憧れ - 慕いVietnamese: nỗi khao khát - nỗi nhớ nhungKorean: 그리움 - 갈망Turkish: özlem - hasretUrdu: آرزو - تمنا (محسوساتی)Indonesian: kerinduan - hasrat
Example Sentences
His longing to travel grew stronger every year.
basic
There was longing in her eyes as she looked at the old photos.
basic
He spoke with a quiet longing about his childhood home.
natural
There’s a certain longing in songs about lost love.
natural
She felt a deep longing for her family.
basic
After years abroad, a wave of longing hit her when she heard her native language.
natural