We often find that no matter how much we look in the English dictionaries, the words we need to express what we are trying to convey just don’t exist. So, we steal shamelessly.
Why invent new English words, when we could simply take from other languages?
We’ve compiled a list of foreign words that will help you express yourself in the best way possible. We’ve provided links to native pronunciations wherever possible.
Untranslatable words are those that cannot be translated.
It doesn’t necessarily mean we cannot express the meaning of a foreign word in English. The term “untranslatable”, simply, means there is no equivalent English word for the foreign phrase.
The German word Schadenfreude combines Schaden (damage) and Freude (joy, delight, or pleasure), to express the enjoyment one feels at another person’s misfortune. We’ve all felt this way, whether we admit it to ourselves or not. But we can’t think of an English term that captures its essence.
This is why many words that are considered “untranslatable”, or difficult to translate, end up being loanwords used in English.
Some words on our list may be familiar to you as loanwords from English. Some words may be unfamiliar to you. You can express yourself well using all of these.
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Feelings and emotions in other languages
All of us have struggled with the ability to express our feelings clearly. These words are from all over the world and can help you.
Relationships, joy, and love
Aspaldiko – Basque (Euskara)
The word “reunion” comes from the Pyrenees mountains, which are located on the border of Spain and France. It describes the feeling one gets when meeting up with a friend who has been away for a while.
This is expressed in the French term retrouverailles, which means “findings”.
Liubovat’sia – Russian
The word liubovat’sia comes from the Russian verb liubit, which means “to love.” It is the warm, fuzzy feeling that you experience when someone or something is so beautiful.
You’ll experience a powerful sense of liubovat’sia when you discover how fast you can study Russian online. And you will be able express this feeling more effectively than you ever have before.
virh
Hindi/Marathi
The word “regret” is often the inspiration for romantic comedies, like My Best Friend’s Wedding . This regret comes when you discover that your former lover was your true love.
Attaccabottoni – Italian
You’ll learn many musical and rhythmic words in the Italian language . One of these is attaccabottoni.
bottoni are people with whom you might have an unintentional relationship. This is most likely to happen at work. This clingy individual will tell you endless tales of pointless stories that detail their entire life.
It is probably best to refer to this as ” Energy vampire” in English.
Jian Wai (jianwai) – Mandarin Chinese
An attaccobottoni implies a lack of intimacy and closeness. Jian Wai is almost exactly the opposite.
Jianwai, a Mandarin word that means to treat a friend or colleague with excessive politeness and create an artificial separation in their relationship.
The closest English equivalent is to say that a person stands on ceremony or gives a cold-shouldered look.
Humor
Jayus – Indonesian
Sometimes, cringeworthy humor is so good that it can be funny. Imagine your favorite dad joke or the joke you told in freshman biology. “What is Mil doing?” “He Parties.” He is a good guy.
That’s jayus. This term may not be offensive to you if you enjoy bad puns.
Elmosolyodni – Hungarian
You might find that your lips start to twitch into Elmosolyodni when you hear Jayus. It is reserved for inappropriate jokes or when you are overcome with strong emotions.
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Feelings of sadness and loneliness
Weltschmerz – German
This word literally means “world suffering” was coined by Jean Paul, a Satirist originally known as Johann Paul Friedrich Richter.
Worldschmerz is a way to describe the anguish you experience when your world seems deplorable. Lisa Simpson would make a great cartoon poster for Worldschmerz.
Saudade – Portuguese
This Portuguese term is sometimes referred to as Saudades. It represents the heartbreaking feeling of nostalgia when you miss someone or something that no longer exists in your life. This can refer to a person, a place or even a time that is gone forever.
This is a sad, bittersweet memory. It echoes in a word the famous line by Alfred Lord Tennyson, : “It is better to love and lose / Than to never have loved.”
can help you learn Portuguese online to discover the unique way that people in Portugal and Brazil express their feelings and describe their lives.
Terms for Tech Terms
The English language has spawned many tech terms that have been adopted by other languages around the globe. English, in turn has taken technological terms from other languages.
In online communication, two of these words are commonly used to express oneself.
Hui Wen Zi (emoji) – Japanese
Emoji may sound similar to Emoticon but it is actually a combination between the Japanese words “picture and character.”
The original smileys were emoticons. Each one consists of several characters that are meant to be seen sideways. For example, 🙂 represents a smiling face.
Emoji, on the other hand, are tiny icons that appear as part of a virtual keyboard. They represent everything from emotions and facial expressions to animals and objects.
Avatar – Sanskrit
The image you use to represent yourself online, whether it is a drawing, a symbol or emoji, is called an avatar. Sanskrit avtaar avatara was translated into English nearly 250 years ago via Hindustani (avtar and also rendered as wtr).
The name was popularized by several role-playing video games from the 1980s, and Neal Stephenson’s 1992 Snow Crash book. It is also now a James Cameron movie franchise.
Karolina Grabowska
Food, drinks, and fun words
These words can be used to discuss our common experiences, whether we are online or face-to-face.
meogbang (mukbang) – Korean
This is also known as Meokbang. A host will eat while they present their topic on livestream. Meogbang is a combination of two Korean words, meogneun and bangsong.
Mukbang involves preparing a meal that is eaten by the host on camera. Researchers such as Kyae-Hyung Kim, EunKyo Kang, Jihye L., and Young Ho Yun believe that the meal allows viewers to feel like they have shared a meal.
Entarter – French
The French verb “entarter” is used to describe the act of hurling a pie at someone. Noel Godin , a celebrated pie-thrower from Belgium, targeted Bill Gates in 1998 with a Tarte Classic.
You’re much less likely to be an target when you learn French with customized courses.
Craic — Irish
This word, is famously Irish and means a great time for conversation, fun, and relaxation. However, actually came from Middle English Crack ,, which meant bragging talk or loud conversation.
The craic last night was “mighty”, which means that you had an amazing time.
Kairos
Talking of time, there is kairos, which you can think of as the most appropriate time to do something – be it a good meal, drinking with friends or getting a pie on the face.
Habits and words for home
These words are important for all of us, whether we’re bibliophiles or coziness seekers, or appreciate good upholstery.
Ji Du (tsundoku) – Japanese
Tsundoku, which is not to be confused as “sudoku,” a popular Japanese number puzzle name, literally means “to stack up reading”.
Are you accumulating stacks of books to read in the future by your bed? You’re probably a tsundoku practitioner.
Sturmfrei – German
You can’t behave the way you want to if you live with others. When everyone is gone, it’s your turn to play the music or watch all of your favorite shows.
You will be able to relax and enjoy a state that is completely storm-free.
Use your sturmfrei to enjoy your studentenfutter, (trail mix), while you practice German with online daily exercises.
We promise not to tell your roommates.
Friolero
Do you always bundle up, no matter the weather? You sneak off from the house to change the thermostat. Your friends may call you a Friolero or a Friolera.
You might also be called Friolenta or Friolento in some South American countries (and French speakers might call you frileux which means both “sensitive” to the cold and “cautious” about changes).
You can learn Spanish words quickly by studying online Spanish vocabulary.
Hyppytyynytyydytys – Finnish
This is the kind of Finnish word Tigger, the Winnie-the-Pooh character would use. This literally means “bouncy-cushion satisfaction.”
Next time you’re sitting in a chair that has a cushion with an especially resilient feel, remember this phrase.
How to fill in the blanks with “untranslatable words”
If you are struggling to find the perfect word, or for any situation in particular, consider using one of these lovely and untranslatable phrases from all over the world.
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