German word

Lust

Pronunciation

IPA/lʊst/

Meaning

  • feminine noundesire

Example

Ich habe momentan keine Lust zu kochen.

I don't feel like cooking at the moment.

Illustration for Lust (desire)

More examples

Nach dem langen Tag habe ich trotzdem Lust auf Musik.

After the long day, I still feel like listening to music.

Core concept

A pleasant pull that turns attraction into a wish to enjoy something or do something enjoyable.

Common phrases

  • keine Lust haben

    not feel like ___

  • Lust auf etwas haben

    feel like ___

  • Lust bekommen

    get the urge

Similar words

Laune: A passing mood that influences what someone feels like doing.
Appetit: A physical or mental desire for food or drink.
Interesse: Curiosity about a subject and a wish to know more.
Spaß: Pleasure or amusement caused by an activity or event.

Definition in German

Lust ist das Verlangen nach Vergnügen oder die Motivation, etwas Angenehmes zu tun.

Word origin

German Lust and English lust descend from Proto-Germanic *lustuz, which expressed both desire and enjoyment before their modern senses diverged.

Usage tips

  • With a noun, Lust takes auf plus the accusative, while an activity normally follows zu plus an infinitive.

Other meanings

  • pleasurenoun

Opposites

  • Unlustlack of desirenoun

Related words

  • lustlosunmotivatedadjective
  • Lustgefühlfeeling of desirenoun

Word lists with this word