saudade
/sɐw.ˈda.dɨ/
Definition
A deep, bittersweet feeling of longing for someone or something beloved that is absent or gone.
Example
Ela sente saudade da sua cidade natal.
Show translation
She feels a deep longing for her hometown.
Etymology
From Old Portuguese *soidade*, derived from Latin *solitatem* (accusative of *solitās*, meaning "solitude" or "loneliness"), from *solus* ("alone"). The word evolved in Portuguese to carry a uniquely rich emotional meaning far beyond simple loneliness.
Cultural note
*Saudade* is considered the emotional soul of Portuguese and Brazilian culture. It is famously regarded as "untranslatable" — no single English word captures its mix of longing, nostalgia, love, and melancholy. It is the central theme of *fado*, Portugal's iconic musical genre. Brazilians use it just as freely in everyday speech (e.g., *Estou com saudade de você* — "I miss you"). Be careful: English speakers sometimes confuse it with simple "sadness" (*tristeza*), but saudade carries warmth and even pleasure alongside the longing.