“A saudade é a tristeza que fica em nós quando as coisas de que gostamos se vão embora.”
Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, A Menina do Mar
This sentence encapsulates the Portuguese concept of “saudade,” which has no direct translation in English. It refers to a deep emotional state of nostalgic or profound longing for something absent, typically with the knowledge that it may never return. The feeling of saudade often involves a mix of happiness and sadness, as it encompasses the memory of joyful experiences or people that are no longer present. It’s a complex and deeply rooted emotion in Portuguese culture, often associated with missing someone or something and the bittersweet reminiscence of past moments.
If you love books, the Portuguese language, we invite you to join our Reading Group.