sehnen
Translation
to long for, to yearn for, to crave
Examples
Ich sehne mich nach dem Sommer.
I long for the summer.
Er sehnt sich nach seiner Heimat.
He longs for his homeland.
Grammar Patterns
sich ((nach+3)) sehnen to long for ((sth./sb.)) I long for my family.
Similar Words
vermissen, wünschen, verlangen
Etymology
From Old High German 'senen' (to desire, strive for). Related to 'Sehne' (tendon), from the idea of being 'stretched' towards something.
Memory Tips
Imagine your heart being pulled by a tendon ('Sehne') towards something you long for ('sich sehnen nach').