German word

nostalgisch

Pronunciation

IPA/nɔˈstalgɪʃ/

Meaning

  • adjectivenostalgic

Example

Wenn ich alte Fotos sehe, werde ich nostalgisch.

When I see old photos, I get nostalgic.

Illustration for nostalgisch (nostalgic)

More examples

Der alte Geruch des Buches macht mich nostalgisch.

The old smell of the book makes me nostalgic.

Core concept

An old photo opens a warm but slightly aching wave of memories about an earlier time or place.

Common phrases

  • eine nostalgische Stimmung

    a nostalgic mood

  • nostalgisch gestimmt sein

    be in a nostalgic mood

  • nostalgische Lieder

    nostalgic songs

Similar words

wehmütig: Marked by quiet, reflective sadness when recalling past events.
melancholisch: Marked by a quiet, lingering sadness with no clear cause.
sentimental: Easily moved to strong emotion or tears by memories or scenes.
sehnsüchtig: Filled with intense longing for an unattainable wish or a distant person.

Definition in German

nostalgisch beschreibt ein sehnsuchtsvolles Gefühl beim Erinnern an frühere Erfahrungen oder Orte.

Word origin

German nostalgisch ultimately combines Greek nostos, meaning 'return home', and algos, meaning 'pain', with -isch forming an adjective.

Usage tips

  • German writes nostalgisch in lowercase as an adjective, while the related noun Nostalgie is capitalized.

Opposites

  • modernmodernadjective
  • zukunftsorientiertfuture-orientedadjective

Related words

  • Nostalgienostalgianoun
  • Nostalgikerinfemale nostalgistnoun

Word lists with this word