Beautiful Phrases That Don’t Translate To English | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Beautiful Phrases That Don’t Translate To English

Have you ever felt something but wasn't sure exactly how to describe it?

246
Beautiful Phrases That Don’t Translate To English

There are so many beautiful things in life that words cannot explain or even come close to describing. The holidays can be hard for many people, whether it’s because they're not with someone they love, they are missing someone or their home, they are lonely, or maybe the cold winter months just make them feel down in the dumps. These are some beautiful words in other languages that aren't directly translated to English. These words express feelings and habits of everyday people, I hope these sayings brighten someone’s day, and makes this winter just a little bit easier and warm.

Ah-un (Japanese): “Unspoken communication between close friends”

Fargin (Yiddish): “Toglow with pride at the success of others”

Gökotta (Swedish): “Waking up early to hear the first birds sing”

Mbuki-mvuki (Bantu): “To shed clothes to dance uninhibited”

Querencia (Spanish): “A secure place from which one draws strength”

Tarab (Arabic): “Musically-induced ecstasy or enchantment”

Toska (Russian): “A wistful longing for one’s homeland”

Sobremesa (Spanish): “When the food is gone but the conversation is still flowing”

Schnapsidee (German): “An ingenious plan hatched while drunk”

Mamihlapinatapei (Yagan): “The wordless, yet meaningful look shared by two people who both desire to initiate something but are both reluctant to start”

Jayus (Indonesian): “A joke so poorly told and so unfunny that one cannot help but laugh.”

Tartle (Scottish): “The act of hestitating while introducing someone because you’ve forgotten their name.”

Wabi-Sabi (Japanese): “A way of living that focuses on finding beauty within the imperfections of life and accepting peacefully the natural cycle of growth and decay.”

Saudade (Portuguese): “refers to the feeling of longing for something or someone that you love and which is lost.”

Luftmensch (Yiddish): “dreamer or a social misfit.”

Goya (Urdu): “The suspension of disbelief one feels while hearing a really good story.”

Cwtch (Welsh): “Safe place,” or “An affectionate hug.”

Sisu (Finnish): “The quality of being a badass.”

Yakamoz (Turkish): “reflection of moonlight on water.”

Fernweh (German): “That feeling you get of homesickness for a place you’ve never ever been to.”

Treppenwitz (German): “That moment when we think of the perfect comeback long after the chance to actually use the comeback.”

Lagom (Swedish): “Not too much and not too little, but just the right amount.”

Shouganai (Japanese): “Something can’t be helped, so why worry about it?”




Credit:

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/lost-translation-30-words-with-english-equivalent.html

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/45KArA/:9Z6x9icU:jpBlu57v/qz.com/605935/there-are-hundreds-of-positive-emotions-that-have-no-direct-english-translation

http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/20-awesomely-untr...

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

604422
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

495183
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments