Eunoia

Words That Don't Translate

Eunoia was built in 24h by Steph. Search 700+ untranslatable words by 80+ languages and 60+ tags, or click refresh to see a new batch. Enjoy!


Word Definition Language Tags Audio
Shlep To bring something from one place to another, but with the implication that its a burden to the carrier. Example: I had to shlep the bag of rocks all the way down the road Yiddish physical action
Rubatosis The unsettling awareness of your own heartbeat English physical health awareness
Moledro A feeling of resonant connection with an author or artist you'll never meet, who may have lived centuries ago and thousands of miles away English awareness connection
Avspasere To take a day (or more) off from work (e.g., because one has previously worked overtime and has built up credit). Norwegian society time
Wabi-sabi Finding beauty within the imperfections of life and peacefully accepting the natural cycle of growth and decay. Japanese beauty awareness
Shibui Old school cool Japanese attribute
Greng-jai The feeling of not wanting to impose Thai feeling society
Strikhedonia The joy of being able to say "to hell with it" English positive
Dørstokkmila The longest mile between your cozy couch in your fireplace-candlelight-cabin-hygge and the door threshold. It would be "door-threshold-mile", loosely translated Norwegian nature
Buksvåger Literally means "abdomen brothers-in-law"; used for two men who have slept with the same woman Swedish physical
Fernweh To have a yearning to see distant places German travel thinking
Löyly The steam that rises from the sauna heater when water is thrown on it Finnish physical
Umami A category of taste in food (besides sweet, sour, salt, and bitter); savoriness Japanese food attribute
Janteloven Jante’s law; a set of social codes or norms that emphasize the importance of collective success rather than individual Norwegian society positive interaction
L'esprit de l'escalier Thinking of the perfect reply after the conversation is over. French friends interaction
Víðsýni A panoramic view; open-mindedness. Icelandic visual
İmece The gathering of many people and doing the work of one person Turkish community
Chrysalism An amniotic tranquility of being indoors during a thunderstorm. English nature beauty
Ja nee Directly "Yes, No", but often used when there is nothing else to say, or one is stumped. Afrikaans confusion
Gongoozler A person who enjoys watching activity on the canals of the United Kingdom. The term is also used more generally to describe those who harbour an interest in canals and canal life, but do not actively participate. English action nature
Lekker Literal translation "tasty", but can be used to describe anything that has one's hearty approval Afrikaans positive attribute
Voetstoots A sale where the thing is sold as is or with all its faults without any guarantees Afrikaans action
Tampo Behaviour in which a person withdraws his or her affection or cheerfulness from a person who has hurt his or her feelings; when you're disappointed with someone yet do not express it directly Tagalog adverse emotion
Taraadin A happy solution for everyone Arabic happiness society
Nadryv When a person releases intimate, deeply hidden feelings, sometimes that do not truly exist; imaginary, excessively exaggerated and distorted feelings Russian emotion extreme
La douleur exquise The pain that comes from wanting someone you can’t have French feeling awareness love
Carpe Diem Make the most of the present moment or opportunity. Lit. sieze the day. Latin positive
Dygn Day and night; 24 hours Swedish measurement
Tempus fugit Time flies, flees, escapes. Latin time
Schlemiel An inept, clumsy person Yiddish attribute funny




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