Tell me more ×
German Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for speakers of German wanting to discuss the finer points of the language and translation. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 16 down vote favorite

Is there a good English translation for Fernweh? dict.leo.org suggests wanderlust and itchy feet, but they are both more about travelling around rather than going away.

share|improve this question
7  
it's funny that one of the few options here is another German word (even if it's not used that much anymore.) – splattne♦ May 24 '11 at 20:49
I'd say it's one of the words like "Angst" or "Weltschmerz" that are just not understandable to Non-native German speakers and impossible to translate accurately :-) – Sean Patrick Floyd May 25 '11 at 9:57
I am not familiar with Fernweh but itchy feet is very much a term used to describe someone who wants to "go away". From what you've said, it sounds like that might be accurate. – BudgieInWA May 25 '11 at 10:35

5 Answers

up vote 11 down vote accepted

I think "wanderlust" and "itchy feet" are the best translations. If you're using it in combination with a specific location, e.g.

Wer Fernweh nach Australien hat, ...

you could translate it to

Anyone with a longing for Australia...

share|improve this answer
up vote 10 down vote

Another suggestion from LEO:

She's got the travel bug.

See here.

share|improve this answer
7  
A programmer would never say that. :) – toscho May 25 '11 at 2:39
1  
I'm a programmer and I say that a lot. (Not now thow since I am currently travelling) – hippietrail Jun 3 '11 at 23:33
up vote 5 down vote

Itchy feet is an urge to get away/move on from where one's current location, whereas wanderlust is an urge to travel in a more continuous sense.

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

I once heard "Far Cry" but I don't find something about it on the Internet.

share|improve this answer
I've only seen far cry used as a measurement of distance. (M-W) – Tim N May 25 '11 at 9:53
2  
This is a far cry from a reliable answer. – Phira May 30 '11 at 11:31
up vote 0 down vote

I'd translate Fernweh (somewhat literally) as "a longing for the faraway." It would be the opposite of "homesickness."

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.