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German

Weltschmerz

VELT-shmertz

ˈvɛltʃmɛrts

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Syllable breakdown

Weltschmerz

Sounds like

Say 'VELT-shmertz'.

Dictionary meaning

A feeling of melancholy and world-weariness; sadness about the state of the world.

History and origin

German — 'Welt' (world) + 'Schmerz' (pain).

Examples

  • Reading the news every morning had given him a deep Weltschmerz he couldn't shake.

Common mispronunciations

WELT-shmertzvel-SHMERTZ

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WON-der-lust

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