Sometimes there is a particular emotion or understanding you have but it takes too many words to explain. However, another language may have the exact word you need. Keep these few words on the tip of your tongue for the next time you need them,
Sobremesa
Nothing like a crowded table of food and people to get you hungry.
Spanish in origin, sobremesa is a time that everyone has experienced and enjoyed. It is the time spent after a meal. The time when you remain at the table with your friends or family and keep chatting. It's a light conversation that flows as you sit back in your chair surrounded by used napkins and scraps on plates. The food always tastes delicious and the good mood lingers. As soon as someone rises from the table, the bubble bursts and you return to reality.
Allemansratten
It's beautiful, so keep it that way.
The exact definition of this Norwegian word is "right to roam." Norway is full of breathtaking sceneries and its people recognizes this and gives people the freedom to explore the land. It includes only three rules: you can sleep anywhere as long as its 150 meters from the nearest residence if you stay more than two nights you must ask for permission from the landowner, and you must have respect for nature, wildlife, and locals.
Fjellvettreglene
What a view!
In addition to allemansratten, Norwegians also follow "mountain code." They know nature can be harsh and one must be humble while exploring and appreciating it. Fjellvettreglene means you plan your trip, report where you go, bring the necessary equipment for yourself and to help others, knowing where you are, seeking shelter if needed, and no shame in turning around. Fully appreciating the journey you are taking is the important part of exploration.
Cwtch
Pronounced "cutch", it is a Welsh word often translated into "hug," when it is much more than a hug. When a person asks for cwtch, they are asking for a private safe space between two people's hearts. It feels like you have been transported into a separate room. It is finding a home in someone else's arms and embracing them.
Lagom
Lagom is a Swedish word meaning the "virtue of moderation and balance." Often meant as a reminder to enjoy yourself but stay healthy and content at the same time. Lagom is different for everyone and in different aspects of life. For example, in food you will not indulge all the time and at work, you will not overexert yourself. It is finding your comfort zone, your preferences, and respecting other people's lagom as well.
Fjaka
Another mood or state of mind that everyone has fallen into but is unable to find a single word to describe the feeling is fjaka. A Serbo-Croatian word encompassing the lethargic feeling of time moving slowly. It is a sublime state in which a human aspires for nothing, and it is considered a gift from God. You may find yourself on fjaka in the summer, as a warm breeze blows by and you can't fight the urge to do nothing.
Philotimo
Give back and help others.
Greeks don't even agree on the exact meaning of philotimo in Greek. It has been translated to "love of honor", but it can also be defined as doing the right thing or striving for perfection. It is loving other people and helping them. Philotimo takes courage and selflessness. It is the feeling inside of you that pushes you to do the right thing even when no one is watching.
