We live in a world with roughly 6,500 different languages, and with each language comes a unique culture. If you've ever talked to someone with their second language, or if you are bilingual yourself, you can understand that sometimes you just can't seem to find the right words. This is because each language is not the same, and with a new languages comes new words, ideas, and feelings that you may not have had in your own native tongue. By learning a language you are not only learning a new way to communicate, but you are gaining a greater insight into the culture of that language. Below are 13 beautiful words that we lack a translation for in English.
1. Torschlusspanik
This literally translates from German to mean "gate-closing panic", but contextually it refers to the fear of loosing opportunities due to aging.
2. Dépaysement
French for the "fish out of water" feeling you get when you visit a foreign place. This is such an intense feeling, being disoriented in a new place, and such a unique thing to describe in just one word.
3. Fernweh
A German word for the feeling of being home sick for a place you've never been. I'm not exactly sure on the pronunciation of this, but it's still a very beautiful concept--to wish that you could go to a place that you've never been before.
4. Tidsoptimist
This is the Swedish noun for a "time optimist", or someone who is always running late because they think they have more time than they actually do. This is such a cool explanation for why some people can't help but always be late.
5. Wabi-Sabi (わびさび)
A Japanese way of living that focusses on finding beauty in the imperfections in life. This word has been used since the 15th century and is now so deeply ingrained in the Japanese culture that there is no easy translation. Wabi-Sabi celebrates nature's natural cycles of growth and decay, finding beauty in something that at first glance may be considered as ugly.
6. Goya (گویا)
This is a noun for "a story that feels like reality", in Urdu, the national language of Pakistan and the official language of six states in India. This word literally translates to "as if/as though", however in Urdu it has a much deeper meaning.
7. Ubuntu
Nguni, a Southern African dialect, uses this word to describe the belief that we are defined by our kindness toward others. Maybe if more languages shared this word, the belief would spread with it.
9. Muditā
A word from Sanskrit and Pali that means taking delight in the happiness of others, unselfish joy. We lack a word even close to this one in English, however jealousy could be considered one of this word's opposites.
10. Voorpret
Dutch for "pre-fun", or the excitement you feel before a party or big event. Here's a word that perfectly describes the excitement a child feels on Christmas eve.
11. Mångata
The path-like reflection the moon makes across the water. This is another beautiful word in Swedish that we don't have a direct translation for.
12. Attraversiamo
Italian for "Let's cross over". If you've read Eat Pray Love, you may already know this as Liz's favorite word in Italian. Not only does it have a beautifully simplistic meaning, but the way all of the sounds are strung together seems to just roll off the tounge. Say it out loud to yourself and you'll know what I mean.
13. Ya’aburnee
An Arabic word translating to "you bury me" in English. This is a declaration on ones hope that they will die before their loved one because they couldn't bare to live without them. Although slightly morbid, this is a beautifully poetic term.
