French word

nostalgique

Pronunciation

IPA/nɔstalʒik/

Meaning

  • adjectivenostalgic

Example

Je me sens nostalgique aujourd'hui.

I feel nostalgic today.

Illustration for nostalgique (nostalgic)

More examples

Elle devient nostalgique quand elle entend cette chanson.

She becomes nostalgic when she hears this song.

Core concept

A person carrying a warm but bittersweet memory of the past.

Common phrases

  • avoir l'air nostalgique

    look nostalgic

  • être nostalgique de

    be nostalgic about ___

Similar words

mélancolique: Feeling quietly sorrowful about what has passed or disappeared.
triste: Feeling so sad that cheerfulness and energy fade.
sentimental: Feeling tender emotions stirred by memories or evocative scenes.
ému: Feeling deeply moved, sometimes enough to bring tears or a trembling voice.

Definition in French

Qui ressent de la nostalgie, c'est-à-dire une mélancolie douce liée au souvenir du passé.

Word origin

French nostalgique derives from nostalgie, ultimately from Greek nostos, "return," and algos, "pain."

Usage tips

  • The adjective uses de before the thing or period longed for, as in nostalgique de son enfance.

Other meanings

  • wistfuladjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word