Fernweh

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wanderlust, longing for faraway places, urge to travel
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/ˈfɛʁnveː/
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A longing to leave familiar surroundings and travel toward distant places, often understood as the outward-facing opposite of homesickness.
Practice using this word in conversation

Examples

  • Nach einem langen Winter war sein Fernweh kaum zu ertragen.
    After a long winter, his longing for faraway places was almost unbearable.
  • Reiseberichte wecken oft Fernweh.
    Travel writing often awakens wanderlust.
  • Beim Anblick der Fotos bekam sie sofort Fernweh.
    Looking at the photos immediately gave her wanderlust.
  • Im Büro träumte er von Bergen und Wüsten und spürte Fernweh.
    At the office, he dreamed of mountains and deserts and felt faraway longing.
  • Das Fernweh zog ihn immer wieder ans Meer.
    Fernweh kept drawing him back to the sea.

Similar words

Wanderlust
Reiselust
Reisefieber
Sehnsucht
Fernsucht
Wandertrieb

Meanings

Usage

The word points to emotional longing for distance and discovery. It is stronger and more poetic than simply wanting to book a trip.

Common mistakes

Die Fernweh has the wrong gender, and using Heimweh for longing to travel reverses the meaning.

Etymology

A compound of German fern, meaning far or distant, and Weh, meaning pain or ache, formed in contrast with Heimweh, homesickness.

FAQ

What does Fernweh mean?

Fernweh means a longing for faraway places or a strong urge to travel away from familiar surroundings.

Is Fernweh the same as wanderlust?

It is close to wanderlust, but it often carries a more emotional sense of aching for distant places.

Is Fernweh masculine, feminine, or neuter?

Fernweh is neuter, so German uses das Fernweh.

What is the opposite of Fernweh?

The usual opposite is Heimweh, which means homesickness or longing for home.

Where does Fernweh come from?

It combines fern, meaning far, with Weh, meaning ache or pain, by analogy with Heimweh.

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