Wünsche

Wünsche is a German noun meaning desires, wishes, or requests. The singular form is Wunsch, and the plural is Wünsche. It can refer to something concrete that a person wants, such as a new car or trip, or to a more abstract hope for the future, such as peace or happiness. In everyday language it is common to say, for example, Ich habe drei Wünsche or Ich äußere einen Wunsch.

Grammatically, Wunsch is masculine: der Wunsch, des Wunsches, dem Wunsch, den Wunsch. In the plural: die Wünsche, der Wünsche, den Wünschen, die Wünsche. The word often appears with verbs like haben, äußern, erfüllen, or erfüllen können in phrases such as Wünsche erfüllen.

Etymology and cognates: Wunsch derives from Old High German wunsch and has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as Dutch wens and the English wish. The term belongs to a family of words related to longing and desire and has a long-standing presence in German literature, philosophy, and everyday speech.

Cultural and linguistic usage: Wünsche occur across contexts—from personal conversation to marketing and culture. Common compounds include Wunschliste (wishlist) and Wunschkonzert (concert of requests), the latter historically referring to radio programs where listeners requested songs. In broader discourse, Wünsche are often contrasted with Bedürfnisse (needs) in discussions of consumer behavior, social planning, and philosophy, highlighting the distinction between desires and essential requirements.