20 of our most favourite untranslatable words
15th November 2021
When a language fails to convey the essence of a word during translation, the word is considered ‘untranslatable.’ With the English language being the lingua-franca of the world, you’d have thought that by now, we would be able to translate every single word into English. Well, you are in for a surprise. There are a lot of words that are still ‘lost in translation’. Here is a list of our favourite 20.
1. Sobremesa (Spanish)
This Spanish word literally means “over the table”. However, the more meaningful translation is a bit more long winded. Imagine having dinner with family and friends. Sombremesa is the time spent after a meal, having a lovely time chatting and laughing with your family and friends, simply enjoying each other’s company.
2. Tertulia (Spanish)
Tertulia is a small meeting over coffee, either in a coffee shop or at someone’s house to discuss literature or art. You would usually meet after 4pm and chat about your new work – possibly artwork, poetry, short stories, or music.
3. Akihi (Hawaiian)
Akihi is a Hawaiian word that describes the forgetfulness of someone who has just been given directions and immediately forgets. We all know one person who resonates with this word…
4. Kilkanaście (Polish)
The Polish word that refers to any number between 11 and 19. Poles use it when they are unsure of the exact amount, but you know it’s around a dozen or so.
5. Kummerspeck (German)
This German expression literary means ‘grief bacon’. It refers to the excess weight gained from emotional over-eating.
6. Wabi-sabi (Japanese)
No, we are not talking about food. The Japanese expression Wabi-sabi means appreciating beauty that is imperfect, impermanent and incomplete. In other words, finding beauty in imperfection. Its concept derived from Buddhism, and teaches the three marks of existence: impermanence, suffering and the absence of elf-nature.
7. Tingo
This word come from Pascuense, native people of Easter Island, and means to borrow objects from a friend’s home gradually until there is nothing left (most likely not even a friendship).
8. Hyggelig (Danish)
Sounds cosy, right? This Danish word is similar in meaning to a hug, but a hug doesn’t fully capture the essence of a hyggelig. It’s something that needs to be experienced to be known, something nice, comfortable, pleasant. Think friends, fireplace and a good laugh.
9. Pochemuchka (Russian)
Pochemuchka is basically a person who asks to many questions.
10. Gökotta (Swedish)
Gökotta is a Swedish word describing the act of getting up early specifically to go outside and listen to birdsong. What a beautiful idea!
11. Fika (Swedish)
Fika describes getting together to talk and take a break from everyday routines, either at a cafe or at home, often for hours on end.
12. Hiraeth (Welsh)
Hiraeth has a close meaning to homesickness, but not quite the same. It conveys a melancholic feeling or a deep longing for a place or a person.
13. Schadenfreud (German)
Schadenfreud describes an enjoyable feeling derived by seeing or hearing about the misfortune of other people. The gleeful moments of guilty pleasure…
14. Pisan Zapra (Malaysian)
Malaysians seem to have an undeniable love for bananas. Pisan Zapra is a Malay term referring to the time it takes to eat a banana.
15. Acasă (Romanian)
Acasă describes the sense of belonging and attachment to a physical place, a place where you feel comfortable and happy, a place full of memories. Home sweet home.
16. Kilig (Tagalog)
The feeling of excitement, butterflies in your stomach, usually when something romantic takes place such as making first eye contact with one’s crush.
17. L’appel du vide (French)
The literal translation is “The call of the void”. This expression is used to describe the instinctive urge to jump from a high place.
18. Boketto (Japanese)
Boketto means gazing blankly into the distance, an empty space, without really thinking about anything specific.
19. Załatwić (Polish)
Załatwić is Polish for get something done while using one’s personal charm and connections, or even a bribe.
20. Flâner (French)
Flâner means strolling around in the city without having a destination or a particular goal. We are all guilty of this one.
