tengo morriña
/tenɡo moriɲa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I am homesick" can be expressed in Spanish as tengo morriña.
This phrase expresses a feeling of sadness caused by missing one's home and family while being away.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb tener (to have) and the noun morriña (homesickness), literally translating to "I have homesickness".
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word morriña is specifically associated with the Galician language and culture, though it is understood and used in Spanish to express a deep, nostalgic longing for one's homeland.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo moriɲa/
Did you know?
- The word morriña is rooted in the Latin word mori, which means 'to die'. This connection suggests that the feeling of homesickness is so intense it feels like a kind of death or a loss of life.
- In Galician culture, morriña is not always seen as a purely negative emotion. It can be a cherished state of melancholy that defines a person's identity and connection to their roots.
- While understood throughout Spain, morriña is specifically rooted in the culture of Galicia, a rainy Atlantic region in the northwest. It often describes a longing not just for people, but for the specific mist and green landscapes of that coast.
Examples in context
- Estoy extrañando mi casaI am missing my home
- Tengo morriña de mi pueblo.I am homesick for my village.
- Siento que tengo morriña hoy.I feel like I am homesick today.
- No puedo evitarlo, tengo morriña.I can't help it, I am homesick.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are studying abroad in a different city.
- ElenaMateo, hoy tengo morriña y quiero volver.Mateo, I am homesick today and I want to go back.
- MateoEs normal, yo también la siento a veces.It's normal, I feel it sometimes too.
- ElenaEcho mucho de menos a mi familia.I miss my family very much.
- MateoLlama a tu casa para sentirte mejor.Call your home to feel better.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries morriña, CC BY-SA 4.0.
