désir

Désir is the French noun for desire, longing, or appetite. It denotes a subjective motivation that can range from everyday cravings to intense emotional or sensual yearnings. The word comes from Old French desir, ultimately from Latin desiderium, reflecting the long-established place of desire in Western thought.

In psychology and cognitive science, desire is considered a motivational state that can be conscious or unconscious, shaping behavior through goal pursuit and anticipation of reward. Philosophically, it is discussed in relation to autonomy, happiness, and the good, with debates on whether desire necessarily leads to misfortune or can align with virtue.

In religious and spiritual contexts, desire is interpreted variously. It may be viewed as a source of temptation or attachment to be overcome, as in Buddhism's description of craving; or as a legitimate or even divine impulse in certain strands of mysticism and Christian thought.

In culture, Désir appears as a recurring motif and as a title in arts and media. Works of literature, cinema, and music have used Désir to explore themes of longing, love, and pursuit, reflecting the universal significance of desire across societies and periods.

Grammatically, désir is masculine in gender (un désir). Verbs and adjectives derive forms such as désirer (to desire), désiré (desired), désirable (desirable), and désirant (desiring). The term remains a common and versatile concept in French, indexing both personal experience and broader cultural ideas.