50 Interesting Words That Don’t Have An English Equivalent
Know that experience of just sitting outside on a nice, sunny day while drinking a beer? How about that time you nonchalantly made a no-look behind-the-back basketball shot? What about that happy feeling of watching someone who cut you off on the highway getting pulled over?
The English language lacks any specific verbage to describe these kinds of circumstances, however, we can rely on other cultures that have coined specific words to encapsulate them. Respectively these above situations are utepils in Norweigan, sprezzatura in Italian, and schadenfreude in German.
Let’s look at some more words that don’t have an English translation.
Words Without An English Equivalent
Mind
Schnapsidee (German): a crazy idea that comes to you when you're drunk.
Saudade (Portuguese): a deep emotional state of nostalgic or wistful longing for an absent something or someone that one loves. Moreover, it often carries a sense of melancholy and loss.
Ikigai (Japanese): the Japanese concept of finding your purpose in life. It is believed that everyone has an ikigai and that finding it can lead to a more fulfilling life.
L'appel du vide (French): the call of the void. It is the feeling of being drawn to do something dangerous, even though you know it is wrong.
Fernweh (German): a longing for faraway places.
Sehnsucht (German): a deep longing or yearning for something that is unattainable.
Weltschmerz (German): a feeling of sadness or melancholy at the state of the world.
Desenrascanço (Portuguese): the ability to improvise or find a creative solution in a difficult situation.
Shouganai (Japanese): accepting a situation as it is, recognizing that it can't be helped or changed.
Tsuris (Yiddish): a feeling of deep sorrow or distress.
Dépaysement (French): the feeling of being disoriented or out of one's element while traveling in a foreign country.
Torschlusspanik (German): it literally translates to “door closing panic” and refers to the feeling of anxiety or panic that arises when one feels like their time to accomplish something important is running out as they get older.
Body
L'appel du vide (French): The inexplicable urge or temptation to jump from a high place.
Sprezzatura (Italian): The art of making something difficult look effortless; studied nonchalance.
Tingo (Pascuense): The act of borrowing items one by one from a friend's house until you have taken everything.
Komorebi (Japanese): The sunlight that filters through the leaves of trees.
Tsundoku (Japanese): The act of buying books and leaving them unread, typically piling them up.
Tretar (Swedish): A third refill of a coffee cup.
Hanyauku (Kwangali): The act of walking on tiptoes across warm sand.
Meraki (Greek): To do something with soul, creativity, or love; to put yourself into your work.
Social
Fika (Swedish): The act of taking a break for coffee and a pastry, usually with friends or colleagues.
Cwtch (Welsh): A warm, safe, and cozy place, often referring to a hug or cuddle.
Passeggiata (Italian): A leisurely walk, often with family, taken after a meal.
Jayus (Indonesian): A joke so poorly told and unfunny that you can't help but laugh.
Ya’aburnee (Arabic): the wish that one's loved one dies before them, so that they will not have to experience the pain of their death.
Sobremesa (Spanish): The time spent lingering at the table after a meal, enjoying conversation and company.
Femme fatale (French): A woman who is alluring and dangerous.
Saudade (Portuguese): a deep longing for something or someone that is absent.
Schadenfreude (German): the feeling of joy or satisfaction that comes from someone else's misfortune.
Freudenfreude (German): the feeling of happiness or joy that one experiences when witnessing the joy of others.
Backpfeifengesicht (German): a face that is so punchable that it makes you want to slap it.
Tartle (Scottish): The act of hesitating while introducing someone because you have forgotten their name.
Pochemuchka (Russian): A person who asks too many questions or is excessively curious.
Iktsuarpok (Inuit): the feeling of anticipation when you're expecting someone.
Mamihlapinatapei (Yaghan): a look shared by two people, each wishing that the other would initiate something that both would like to do but neither wants to do.
L'esprit de l'escalier (French): The witty remark that comes to mind too late, after leaving a social situation.
Trepverter (Yiddish): A clever comeback or witty remark that comes to mind only after the opportunity to use it has passed.
Gigil (Tagalog): The irresistible urge to pinch or squeeze someone because they are loved or cherished.
Amae (Japanese): A feeling of dependence and trust that a child feels towards their parent.
Happiness & Contentment
Wabi-sabi (Japanese): the beauty of imperfection.
Shibui (Japanese): a simple, understated beauty.
Kilig (Tagalog): a feeling of excitement, happiness, or giddiness, often accompanied by a fluttering in the chest.
Waldeinsamkeit (German): the feeling of peace and solitude experienced in the forest.
Boketto (Japanese): a state of deep contemplation or reverie, often accompanied by a vacant stare.
Hygge (Danish): a feeling of coziness and contentment.
Utepils (Norwegian): The act of enjoying a beer outside on a sunny day.
Lagom (Swedish): a state of being content with what you have.
Yugen (Japanese): a deep, profound sense of beauty that is beyond words.
Dolce far niente (Italian): the sweetness of doing nothing.
Mangata (Swedish): The glimmering reflection of the moon on water.
Bringing My Favorites Together
A young dad had been working hard in his job, but he was starting to feel a bit of torschlusspanik. He decided to take a tretrar around his city. He ended up in a park, where he sat down on a bench and enjoyed a utepils. As he sat there, he realized that he didn't need to be doing anything special to be happy. He just needed to tartle and enjoy the jayus that life had to offer.
What’s your favorite word that doesn’t have an English equivalent? Got any nominations for new ones?
