Meaning of sonder | Babel Free

Definitions

The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it.

neologism, uncountable

Examples

“I had a sonder, a realization that the random girl sitting next to me inside of Starbucks might have a fantastic life or she might be dealing with a very ill family member.”

“We need to have a "sonder" moment, where we realize that we aren't the only ones with feelings, dreams, regrets and hopes.”

“I knew the feeling of sonder my whole life. […] Every time I stopped what I was doing and just watched people, this feeling of breathlessness would wash over me.”

CEFR level