World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesSehnsucht
Pronunciation / Transliteration: /ˈzeːnˌzʊxt/
"Er spürte eine tiefe Sehnsucht nach der Heimat."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A strong desire, longing, or yearning for something.
"She had a sudden yen for travel after watching the documentary."
- 1
To have a strong desire or yearning for something.
"He yenned for the quiet days of his childhood in the countryside."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the Cantonese dialect word 'yan' meaning 'year' or 'opium', which entered English in the late 19th century through sailors and opium smokers in the treaty ports of China. It evolved from denoting a craving for opium into a general colloquial term for a strong desire, yearning, or urge.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Yen"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Yen" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
envie
Transliteration: /ɑ̃.vi/
"Elle avait une forte envie de voyager."
Sehnsucht
Transliteration: /ˈzeːnˌzʊxt/
"Er spürte eine tiefe Sehnsucht nach der Heimat."
voglia
Transliteration: /ˈvɔʎ.ʎa/
"Aveva una grande voglia di gelato."
anhelo
Transliteration: /anˈe.lo/
"Sentía un profundo anhelo por ver el mar."
anseio
Transliteration: /ãˈsɐj.u/
"Ela tinha um forte anseio de aprender."
लालसा
Transliteration: laalsaa
"उसके मन में कुछ नया सीखने की तीव्र लालसा थी।"
渴望
Transliteration: kěwàng
"他对成功有着强烈的渴望。"
갈망
Transliteration: galmang
"그는 자유에 대한 강한 갈망을 느꼈다."
切望
Transliteration: setsubō
"彼女は平和を強く切望している。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all German termsA visitor or attendee whose arrival was not anticipated or announced beforehand.
Causing strong emotional or ideological reactions because it relates to political issues, power dynamics, or government policies.
Deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss; the state of being saved.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Yen"
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