nostálgico
/nosˈtalxiko/
The English phrase 'homesick' is translated into Spanish as nostálgico.
nostálgico is an adjective used to describe someone who is missing their home or family.
Meaning: missing one's home or family (adj)
Which one should you use?
While nostálgico is an adjective describing a state of being, the verb extrañar (to miss) is more commonly used in many Spanish-speaking regions to express the active feeling of missing someone or something (e.g., 'Extraño mi casa').
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the person feeling homesick, so use the feminine form nostálgica if the subject is female. The adjective must agree in number with the subject, using the masculine plural form nostálgicos for a group of males or a mixed group and the feminine plural form nostálgicas for a group of females.
How do you pronounce it?
/nosˈtalxiko/
Did you know?
- The word nostálgico shares its roots with the Greek words for 'homecoming' and 'pain', meaning literally 'the pain of returning home'.
- While nostálgico describes the feeling, many Spanish speakers use the phrase tener morriña to describe a profound, painful homesickness, particularly in parts of Spain.
- While 'homesick' is usually a negative feeling in English, nostálgico can be used to describe a pleasant, bittersweet mood while listening to old music.
Examples in context
- Me pregunto si Tom está nostálgico o no.I wonder whether or not Tom is homesick.Tatoeba #10233403 by manufrutos, translation #6524211 by CK
- Me puse nostálgico.I got homesick.Tatoeba #6608100 by arh, translation #2245791 by CK
- Sé que tú también has experimentado esa sensación de nostalgia por tu hogarI know you have also experienced that feeling of nostalgia for your home
- Hoy me siento un poco nostálgico por mi país.Today I feel a little homesick for my country.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their families.
- MaríaExtrañas mucho a tu familia, Mateo?Do you miss your family a lot, Mateo?
- MateoSí, me he sentido muy nostálgico últimamente.Yes, I have been feeling very homesick lately.
- MaríaLo entiendo, María también extraña su casa.I understand, María misses her home too.
- MateoQuizás deberíamos llamar a casa juntos.Maybe we should call home together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry nostálgico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nostálgico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
