想家

You use it as a verb phrase. You can say 我想家了 to mean 'I am homesick now.' The 了 at the end shows a change in state. Maybe you were fine yesterday, but today you saw a photo of your mom's cooking. Now, you are feeling the feels. You can also add modifiers. Use 很 or 非常 to show how much you miss home. It is a very simple and direct way to share your emotions.

Use it when you are studying abroad and feeling lonely. Use it when you are on a long business trip. It is perfect for texting your parents to show you care. You can even use it at a restaurant. If the food tastes like your hometown, tell your friends 我想家了. It is a great way to bond over shared nostalgia. Everyone has a home they miss sometimes.

Do not use it for a short trip. If you are at the grocery store for ten minutes, it sounds dramatic. Avoid using it in high-pressure business negotiations. It might make you look like you want to quit and leave. Also, do not confuse it with 回家. 回家 means the physical act of going home. 想家 is the emotional feeling of missing it. Don't say 我想家 if you are actually standing in your living room!

In Chinese culture, family is the absolute center of life. There is a famous poem by Li Bai about looking at the moon and 'thinking of home.' For centuries, Chinese people have traveled for work or exams. This phrase carries a lot of weight and history. During the Spring Festival, millions of people travel just to stop feeling 想家. It is considered a very noble and natural emotion. It shows you are a person who values your roots.

You might hear 思乡. This is a more poetic, formal version. You will see it in songs or literature. Another one is 想念家人, which specifically means missing your family members. If you want to be more casual, you can just say 想家了. If you are really suffering, you can say 想家想得厉害. That means you are 'terribly' homesick. It sounds a bit more intense and desperate.