Here's a breakdown of its significance:
* Intensity and compulsion: "-Sucht" implies a strong, often uncontrollable urge, desire, or craving. It suggests a state of being "consumed" by the emotion or feeling.
* Addiction-like quality: The suffix evokes the idea of a "search" or "quest" that drives the individual. This search can be for something tangible (like a physical object) or intangible (like love or fulfillment).
* Negative connotation: While not inherently negative, "-sucht" often carries a connotation of something potentially harmful or excessive. This is because the associated emotion or desire can be overwhelming and lead to unhealthy behaviors.
Examples:
* Sehnsucht: The "Sucht" signifies the intense longing that consumes the individual, leading to a yearning for something unattainable or missing.
* Eifersucht: "Sucht" highlights the overpowering jealousy that drives an individual to possessiveness and insecurity.
In summary: "-Sucht" in German conveys a powerful, often negative, sense of compulsion, desire, and obsession that drives the individual to seek something, even if it is harmful or unattainable. It's not simply a "desire" but rather a deep-seated yearning that can consume the individual's thoughts and actions.