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
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
Capoclaque Someone who co-ordinates a group of clappers. Italian society 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
Riposo Rest, repose; a nap; cf. siesta. Italian event society
Hikikomori Reclusive adolescents or adults who withdraw from social life, often seeking extreme degrees of isolation and confinement Japanese society
Dugnad Communal work in a gathering for mutually accomplishing a task (ex: a knitting bee) Norwegian work society connection
Formacja A state of mind and its own culture of a generation Polish society change
Eomchina Contraction of the phrase "Mom's friend's son". Academically successful (and possibly wealthy) male student who is the target of envy among others Korean family society work
Mambo Someone that still lives with their mother Swedish family persistence society
Yuanfen A relationship by fate or destiny. This is a complex concept. It draws on principles of predetermination in Chinese culture, which dictate relationships, encounters and affinities, mostly among lovers and friends. Chinese love society
Occhiolism The awareness of the smallness of your perspective English awareness life society
Majime (真面目) Reliable, responsible, diligent; seriousness, formality. Japanese society attribute
Crapoter verb. To not take a lungful of a cigarette. French health action society
Talkoot a collectively pursued/undertaken task; voluntary community work. Finnish event society
Philoxenia (Φιλοξενία) Love of strangers, guests; a hospitable act of welcome. Greek society
Opia the ambiguous intensity of eye-contact which can feel simultaneously invasive and vulnerable. English society awareness
Tachiyomi To stand in a bookstore and read a book without buying it Japanese society funny action
Nekama A man who pretends to be a woman on the internet Japanese society
Sortable adj. Someone you can take out without fear of being embarrassed, usually used to refer to friends or family members. e.g. "Elle n'est pas sortable." French friends interaction society
Philotimo (φιλότιμο) The inner impulse to act well and in alignment with the moral virtues that represent one's own society and upbringing Greek society character family
Weltschmerz Feeling hopeless about the state our world is currently in ("world pain") German adverse society
Guān xì (關係) Cultivating relationships; reciprocal connections; networking; social karma. Chinese society friends
Mokita The truth we all know but agree not to talk about. Kilivila awareness thinking society
Linslus Someone who always wants to have their face in a photo. Literal translation: "lens louse" Swedish society
Épater les bourgeois To shock the middle classes French society surprise extreme




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