Wanderlust

/ˈvandɐlʊst/
yearning to travel

Sein Wanderlust treibt ihn jedes Jahr in ferne Länder.

His wanderlust drives him to distant lands every year.


neutral

A strong desire to travel and explore the world.

Nach dem Abschluss überkam sie eine große Wanderlust, und sie beschloss, ein Jahr lang durch Asien zu reisen.

After graduation, she was overcome by a strong wanderlust and decided to travel through Asia for a year.

Er hat einfach Wanderlust und kann nicht lange an einem Ort bleiben.

He just has wanderlust and can't stay in one place for long.

Often used in a positive or romanticized context, evoking adventure and freedom.

Collocations

Wanderlust habento have wanderlustvon Wanderlust gepackt seinto be seized by wanderlustseiner Wanderlust folgento follow one's wanderlust

Pro Tip

Avoid literal translation

Do not translate 'Wanderlust' as 'hiking desire' or 'travel lust.' The English loanword 'wanderlust' is widely understood and preferred in most contexts.

Word Origin

Compound of *wandern* (to hike, wander) + *Lust* (desire, pleasure), first attested in the early 20th century. The term reflects the German cultural emphasis on travel and exploration.

Usage Notes

Wanderlust is a unisex noun and is often used in both casual and literary contexts. It is a loanword in English but retains its German spelling and pronunciation.

Word Breakdown

wandern
to hike, wander
root
+
Lust
desire, pleasure
root
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