hiraeth

hiraeth

Definition: a deep longing for home or a place that may not exist anymore, mixed with feelings of grief or loss. It can also refer to a longing for something that has never been and will never be.

Origin: Hiraeth is a Welsh word, with no direct English equivalent, that encapsulates a profound sense of longing.

Example: After living abroad for many years, he experienced a profound sense of hiraeth, a longing for the hills and valleys of his childhood.

"Homesickness or nostalgia" is a simplified interpretation of the complex emotion encapsulated by the Welsh term "hiraeth". It refers to an intense yearning or longing for home, but unlike homesickness, it's not necessarily a place one can return to. It could be a home that no longer exists or has never existed. Hiraeth goes beyond physical locations, it's a wistful longing for a feeling, a time, or a sense of place that may be irretrievable. It expresses a deeper, more emotional state than the English words "homesickness" or "nostalgia" can fully convey.