Inklingo

How to Say "homesickness" in Spanish

English → Spanish

nostalgia

/noh-STAHL-hee-ah//nosˈtal.xja/

nounB1general
Use 'nostalgia' when you feel a general sense of missing your home, country, or familiar surroundings, often triggered by memories or distance.
An elderly person sitting in a cozy room, holding a small, worn-out wooden toy horse with a gentle, thoughtful smile.

Examples

Siento mucha nostalgia por mi país.

I feel a lot of nostalgia for my country.

Esta canción me da mucha nostalgia.

This song makes me feel very nostalgic.

Recordamos los veranos de la infancia con nostalgia.

We remember childhood summers with nostalgia.

Using 'dar' to express feelings

In Spanish, we often use the word 'dar' (to give) with feelings. Instead of saying 'I am nostalgic,' we say 'me da nostalgia' (it gives me nostalgia).

The connector 'por'

To say what you are nostalgic for, always use the connector 'por.' For example: 'Nostalgia por el hogar' (Nostalgia for home).

Using 'de' instead of 'por'

Mistake: “Siento nostalgia de mi infancia.”

Correction: Siento nostalgia por mi infancia. While 'de' is sometimes used, 'por' is the more natural way to show what causes the feeling.

melancolía

nounB2general
Choose 'melancolía' when the feeling of homesickness is accompanied by a deeper sadness or a wistful longing for a past time or place associated with home.

Examples

Siento una profunda melancolía cuando escucho las canciones de mi infancia.

I feel a deep melancholy when I listen to the songs of my childhood.

Choosing Between Nostalgia and Melancolía

Learners often confuse 'nostalgia' and 'melancolía'. While 'nostalgia' is the more common and direct translation for missing home, 'melancolía' implies a more profound sadness and wistfulness, often tied to the past. Use 'nostalgia' for general homesickness and 'melancolía' for a deeper, more poetic sense of longing.

Related Translations

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