1.
nostalgic, dear (from the past)
Describes a warm, fond feeling toward something from the past. The subject evokes pleasant memories.
この歌を聞くと懐かしい。
Hearing this song makes me feel nostalgic.
懐かしい友達に会った。
I met an old friend I hadn't seen in a long time.
Lit. 'a nostalgic friend'
お久しぶり！懐かしいね。
Long time no see! It brings back memories.
Common greeting
子供の頃に遊んだ公園を見て、懐かしくなった。
Seeing the park where I played as a child made me feel nostalgic.
昔の写真を見ていたら、学生時代の懐かしい思い出がたくさんよみがえってきた。
While looking at old photos, many fond memories from my student days came flooding back.
Unique Japanese emotion describing fond feelings about the past. There's no exact English equivalent—it combines 'nostalgic,' 'I miss it,' and 'brings back memories.'
IMPORTANT USAGE:
Unlike English, the thing you're nostalgic for is the subject, not the object:
- 故郷が懐かしい (I miss my hometown - lit. 'hometown is natsukashii')
- NOT: 私は故郷を懐かしむ
FORMS:
- 懐かしく思う (to feel nostalgic about)
- 懐かしさ (nostalgia - noun)
- 懐かしがる (to act nostalgic about)