憧れ

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 憧れ(あこがれ) is a noun related to the verb 憧れる(あこがれる), expressing a wish to resemble or draw closer to something admired.
• Basic usage: It can refer both to the feeling of admiration or longing and to the person, occupation, or way of life it is directed toward.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Different particles with the noun and verb
  • 海辺で暮らすことへの憧れ is a noun phrase for longing to live by the sea. With the verb, the object of longing takes に, as in 海辺で暮らすことに憧れる.
• The feeling and its object
  • 私の憧れだった is used to say that astronauts were an object of the speaker's admiration. In 憧れが強くなる, it is the feeling itself that grows stronger.