verlangens

Verlangens is the Dutch plural noun meaning desires or longings; the singular form is verlangen. The term covers a broad range of internal states that motivate thought and action, from immediate cravings to long-term aspirations. In everyday speech, verlangens are often emotional and may be satisfied, deferred, or suppressed.

Etymology and grammar: Verlangen is the related verb meaning to long for. The noun verlangens is the plural, used when speaking of multiple desires or longings. The concept can refer to both concrete wants and more abstract yearnings.

Contexts and usage: Verlangens appear in personal life as everyday wants—food, comfort, affection—as well as in aspirations such as career, education, or relationships. In philosophy and psychology, desires are analyzed as motivational forces that influence behavior, sometimes in tension with rational considerations or perceived duties. In religion and ethics, desires may be described as temptations, temptations to virtue, or spiritual longings. In literature and culture, verlangens drive plots and character development, often exploring themes of fulfillment, frustration, or transcendence.

Relation to other concepts: Verlangen is often distinguished from behoeften (needs) and wensen (wishes). The distinction typically rests on intensity, duration, and emotional charge. While needs imply necessity, verlangens emphasize volitional and affective attraction toward something desirable.

Overview: Verlangens captures a central aspect of human motivation in Dutch language and discourse, reflecting how people imagine, pursue, and respond to what they desire.