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
Nja Combining no (nej) and yes (ja); neither yes or no (or both yes and no); expressing uncertainty. Swedish measurement
Umay Gettiing tired of a certain food Tagalog food
Arigata-meiwaku When someone does something for you that you didn’t want them to do, and having to express gratitude for the act Japanese interaction
Mono no aware The bittersweetness of a brief and grading moment of transcendent beauty. Japanese beauty
Luftmensch Literal: "air person". Refers to someone who is a bit of a dreamer Yiddish attribute
O ka la nokonoko A day spent in nervous anticipation of a coughing spell Hawaiian thinking health stress
Cierrabares "Bar-closer". A person who usually leave the party on last place. Spanish friends social
Ghalidan Rolling from side to side as lovers do Persian love action connection
Retrouvailles Lit. 'rediscovery'; a reunion (e.g., with loved ones after a long time apart). French friends family
Tîeow (เที่ยว) To wander or roam around in a carefree way. Thai travel positive change
Capicua A number that doesn't vary if the numbers are inverted. Also it can be called a palindrome, but the word capicua refers especially to the numbers Catalan measurement
Tatemae & Honne The contrast between a person's feelings and desires (honne) versus the behavior and opinions one displays in public (tatemae) Japanese feeling reflection character
On-nomi The practice of getting together with friends on the internet and having a drink together Japanese friends
Nehrotit to Literal: “Not to make X into a sharp point"; a choice not to stress about something Czech stress happiness
Dor The heartbreak and sense of longing you feel because you’re separated from your love Romanian love adverse
Kyoiku mama A mother who relentlessly pushes her children toward academic achievement Japanese family work growth
Saper vivere The ability to handle people and situations with charm, diplomacy and verve; cf. savior faire (French). Italian friends attribute
Xiao xiao The whistling and pattering of rain or wind Chinese nature beauty sound
Bohereen A tight, single lane country lane Irish explore physical
Linslus Someone who always wants to have their face in a photo. Literal translation: "lens louse" Swedish society
Wegbier A beer you're having on your way somewhere (i.e. a party) German friends event food
Sehnsucht Thoughts and feelings about all facets of life that are unfinished or imperfect, paired with a yearning for ideal alternative experiences. German philosophy reflection
Voetstoots A sale where the thing is sold as is or with all its faults without any guarantees Afrikaans action
Latah Uncontrollable habit of saying embarrassing things Indonesian habits
Fernweh To have a yearning to see distant places German travel thinking
Donaldkacsázás Translated as “Donald ducking” or wandering around one’s house with a shirt but no trousers Hungarian funny action
Guddle To fish using the hands, by searching under stones at a river bank Scottish action nature
Shinrin-yoku (森林浴) bathing' in the forest (literally and/or metaphorically). Japanese nature event
Ripsaspis (ρίψασπις) Literal: "the one that throws down his shield"; the one that gives in with dismay Greek action
Manna A sudden or unexpected help, advantage, or aid to success English change positive




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