how to say “longing” and “yearning” in Hebrew

 

הִשְׁתּוֹקְקוּת, גַּעֲגוּעִים
Raise your hand if you’ve ever missed someone. Raise your hand if you’ve ever longed for someone.


There are several ways to express longing in Hebrew. The basic, more well-known word is גַּעֲגוּעִים (gah-ah-goo-EEM). In verb form, this is לְהִתְגַעֲגֵע (leh-heet-gah-ah-GHEH-ah). You can learn how to use this intensive-reflexive התפעל (heet-pah-EL) verb here.


But that’s simple longing, usually used in the context of someone being physically not present.


But to yearn for someone or something is לְהִשְׁתּוֹקֵק (leh-heesh-toh-KEK). It comes from the same root as the word for passion – תְּשׁוּקָה (teh-shoo-KAH). 


The object of the השתוקקוּת yearning (heesh-toh-keh-KOOT) – might be right in front of the subject’s eyes, and yet there’s that deep feeling.


להשתוקק is also a התפעל verb.


שבת שלום וסוף שבוע נעים לכולם!
Shabbat Shalom and a pleasant weekend to all!



 



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