German word

Heimweh

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhaɪ̯mveː/

Meaning

  • neuter nounhomesickness

Example

Ich habe das Heimweh.

I'm homesick.

Illustration for Heimweh (homesickness)

More examples

Von Heimweh geplagt, schrieb sie jeden Tag an ihre Familie.

Plagued by homesickness, she wrote to her family every day.

Core concept

A person far from home feels a painful pull toward familiar rooms, people, and surroundings.

Common phrases

  • von Heimweh geplagt sein

    be plagued by homesickness

  • Heimweh spüren

    feel homesick

  • Heimwehgefühle

    feelings of homesickness

Similar words

Fernweh: A strong desire to travel to faraway places.
Sehnsucht: A deep, often painful longing for something not clearly defined.
Heimat: The place of origin that provides a lasting sense of belonging.
Zuhause: The home or dwelling where everyday life takes place.

Definition in German

Heimweh ist das schmerzhafte Sehnen nach dem eigenen Zuhause.

Word origin

The compound Heimweh joins the inherited Germanic words Heim and Weh, combining the ideas of home and pain.

Usage tips

  • When a destination is named, Heimweh commonly takes nach plus the dative, as in Heimweh nach der Heimat.

Opposites

  • Fernwehwanderlustnoun

Related words

  • Heimkehrhomecomingnoun
  • heimischlocaladjective

Word lists with this word