Wehmütigkeit

wistfulness, gentle melancholy

noun VAY-mue-tikh-kite Rare

Usage Note

Wehmütigkeit is the quality of being wehmütig — softly sad and nostalgic, without despair. Unlike Trauer, it is tinged with tenderness. Mit leichter Wehmütigkeit erinnerte er sich an die alte Zeit — he remembered the old days with mild wistfulness.

Examples

"Die Wehmütigkeit in ihrer Stimme verriet, wie sehr sie die Kindheit vermisste."

Natural Translation

The wistfulness in her voice betrayed how much she missed her childhood.

Literal Translation

The wistfulness in her voice revealed how much she missed childhood.

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