Looking up...
A feeling of longing for one's home or homeland, often accompanied by sadness or melancholy.
Sie litt unter Heimweh, als sie ihre Familie vermisste.
She suffered from homesickness when she missed her family.
Das Heimweh wurde stärker, je länger er weg war.
The homesickness grew stronger the longer he was away.
Heimweh is a uniquely German concept that captures a deep emotional connection to one's home, often triggered by physical or emotional distance.
Heimweh is more intense than simple homesickness in English. It often carries a sense of longing for a place that no longer exists or has changed.
Heimweh is always used with 'haben' (to have), never with 'sein' (to be).
From 'Heim' (home) + 'Weh' (pain, ache). Literally 'home-pain', reflecting the emotional distress of being away from home.
Heimweh is often used to describe a deep, almost physical ache for one's home, distinct from simple nostalgia. It can be triggered by physical distance or even emotional detachment from one's roots.