Recently, I was reading a blog post by K.M. Weiland about the value of language. In it, she mentioned how some languages have words for concepts that another tongue might not have a word for. This seemed like a fascinating concept, so I decided to look for words in other languages which had no English equivalent. Below are some of these words.
Tartle
In Scots, it describes that awkward hesitation when you momentarily forget someone's name. I have this problem all the time.
In Scots, it describes that awkward hesitation when you momentarily forget someone's name. I have this problem all the time.
Béaláiste
Irish word that describes a toast used to seal a deal.
Irish word that describes a toast used to seal a deal.
Cynefin
A Welsh word that describes a sense of belonging and familiarity, or a place that one feels at home in.
Hiraeth
Welsh word which describes a powerful sense of longing or nostalgia for something that is absent.
A Welsh word that describes a sense of belonging and familiarity, or a place that one feels at home in.
Hiraeth
Welsh word which describes a powerful sense of longing or nostalgia for something that is absent.
Saudade
Found in Portuguese, it's defined as a melancholic or nostalgic longing for a person or thing that is not present. It conveys the same meaning as the Welsh word hiraeth.
Found in Portuguese, it's defined as a melancholic or nostalgic longing for a person or thing that is not present. It conveys the same meaning as the Welsh word hiraeth.
Desenrascanco
Portuguese for an improvised solution, or the ability to improvise a solution.
Politikerlede
Danish word that describes a feeling of dislike or distrust towards politicians.
Mamihlapinatapai
Yámana word referring to the look people give each other when they want something done, but none of them want to initiate it. So I suppose it could describe everyone's expressions when someone says, "Whose turn is it to do dishes?"
Danish word that describes a feeling of dislike or distrust towards politicians.
Mamihlapinatapai
Yámana word referring to the look people give each other when they want something done, but none of them want to initiate it. So I suppose it could describe everyone's expressions when someone says, "Whose turn is it to do dishes?"
ᐃᒃᑦᓱᐊᕐᐳᒃ (Iktsuarpok)
Inuktitut word which describes the feeling of anticipation while waiting for someone, and going outside frequently to see if they've arrived.
тоска (Toska)
A Russian word which describes a longing, restlessness, or anguish. Can be a yearning for someone or something, or be without specific cause.
переподвыподверт (Perepodvypodvert)
Russian word meaning "complicated way of expressing ideas".
A Japanese word that some bookworms can relate to. It refers to buying books and leaving them unread, often piled up with other unread books.
A Russian word which describes a longing, restlessness, or anguish. Can be a yearning for someone or something, or be without specific cause.
переподвыподверт (Perepodvypodvert)
Russian word meaning "complicated way of expressing ideas".
つんどく (Tsundoku)
A Japanese word that some bookworms can relate to. It refers to buying books and leaving them unread, often piled up with other unread books.
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| Christopher Paolini's steadily growing to-be-read pile. |
ぼけっと (Boketto)
Japanese word that means "to stare vacantly without doing anything". I'm a master at this.
Japanese word that means "to stare vacantly without doing anything". I'm a master at this.
いるす (Irusu)
The act of pretending not to be home. I guess the Japanese are well-acquainted with introversion. Either that, or really annoying people who come over frequently.
The act of pretending not to be home. I guess the Japanese are well-acquainted with introversion. Either that, or really annoying people who come over frequently.
しんりんよく, 森林浴 (Shinrin'yoku)
Found in both Japanese and Chinese, shinrin'yoku literally means "forest bathing". It's a trip to the woods in order to relax and find peace.
加油 (Jiāyóu)
A Chinese word that means "add oil". It's often said to encourage someone undertaking a task, or to wish someone good luck.
加油 (Jiāyóu)
A Chinese word that means "add oil". It's often said to encourage someone undertaking a task, or to wish someone good luck.
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