тоска́
toskáfeminine
The English phrase 'longing' can be translated into Russian as тоска́ (toská), which specifically refers to a melancholic desire.
Depending on the context, you might instead use words that express different types of longing: Стремление (Stremleniye) expresses a strong desire or aspiration, often indicating an intense longing for something, while the verb Скучаю (Skuchayu) translates loosely to 'I miss' and is commonly used to express longing for a person who is absent.
Meaning: melancholic desire (noun)
Which one should you use?
While тоска́ describes a state of melancholic longing, Стремление focuses on a strong aspiration or striving toward something and Скучаю is the verb used to express the act of missing someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
тоска́ is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
toská
Did you know?
- The verb скучать used in Скучаю also means 'to be bored', creating a linguistic link between the feeling of missing someone and the emptiness of boredom.
- Russian literature often associates тоска́ with the vast, empty landscape of the steppes, turning a personal emotion into a geographic characteristic of the land.
- The word тоска́ is famously described by Vladimir Nabokov as a feeling that can range from a dull ache in the soul to a piercing, spiritual anguish.
Examples in context
- Я испытываю стремление к путешествиям и новым впечатлениям.I have a longing for travel and new experiences.
- Ужасно скучаю по твоей компании!I terribly miss your company!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “longing” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
