Sonder (noun)
son-der
The realisation that every passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own, full of their own thoughts, struggles, routines, and stories.
Coined in 2012 by writer John Koenig for his project The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows.
The word was inspired by German (where sonder- can suggest “special” or “separate”), but sonder itself is an invented term designed to fill a gap in English.
Example sentences
“It’s my birthday today! Getting old comes with an appreciation of sonder, the realisation that everyone else is also the main character in their own story.”
Reading at the beach, taking your book to the local park, turning pages by the pool or simply spending a few quiet hours reading in your own back garden; when…
A group attending Essex Pride, on Saturday 20th June 2026, united to protest against Reform UK’s censorship in local libraries. Save Our Libraries Essex (SOLE) joined the parade with banners…
