One of my favorite Ukrainian words that doesn’t have a perfect equivalent in English is “затишок”. It conveys a sense of coziness, warmth, and comfort, especially in a homey atmosphere. English has “coziness,” but “затишок” feels deeper—like a state of peace and security.
“Φιλότιμο” in Greek. “Filòtimo” describes an attitude toward fellow humans and humanity at large. It means showing empathy, compassion, and generosity without expecting anything in return, taking pride in doing what is right and honorable, and being humble at the same time.
mon petit chou doesn’t translate into English as it is used in French. In French it is a term of endearment used where we might use sweetheart in English.
German is the perfect language for this prompt. I don’t know the words specifically but I do know they have a lot of specialized words that convey a feeling, emotion, or experience that has no English equivalent. Wonderful language.
There’s a word the natives in my area use that sounds like ‘shumay’ and apparently it means, roughly: ‘Oh shit everything is getting worse and there’s nothing I can do to help.’
It could mean well or huh or what or so be it or wait or one second or explain or any number of things. It’s the face, body language, context and situation that gives it meaning.
Saudade, in Portuguese. surface translation to longing is completely inadequate, nostalgia or missing someone misses the mark by a mile.. I’m not even sure the emotio maps outside the culture
For me is ‘dor’ which is such a uniquely expressive word. It captures a deep, often melancholic longing or yearning for someone or something, usually tied to love, absence, or home, something English doesn’t quite have a single word for.
‘Mi-e dor de tine’is tender and powerful. A close translation might be “I miss you”, but it doesn’t fully express the depth of emotion that “dor” carries in Romanian.
From Brazilian Portuguese “lanche” ( not to be confused with lunch) is like a afternoon snack. Almost like a British tea time. Depending on the region in the country people will eat different things too.
I always thought that the word “przyjaciel” in Polish is simply an equivalent of “friend”. But seeing how easily English speakers label other people as “friends” I must concede it is not. You won’t call your workmate “przyjaciel” after eating few lunches with him. It implies much bigger emotional connection and trust.
“Fika” in Swedish. Faroese has the equivalent “Drekkamunn”. It’s kind of like getting a cup of coffee together, but the drink is not specified and sweets or bread is also optional. It’s really just about conversation over a hot beverage. Let’s have a drekkamunn. It’s similar to when americans say “let’s grab a coffee”, but that is usually in a cafe. Fika or drekkamunn is usually at home in cozy environment.
Gesamtkunstwerk: total work of art: multiple art forms combined into a single cohesive whole. Also “studio” which is Italian. There is no one word equivalent in English so we had to adopt it.
different types of love. My mother-tongue has different words for each types of love exists and when I write in english sometimes I miss them, not being able to express those emotions. closest thing to one of those is ‘affection’ but it is also more. I don’t know how to explain it properly with my words.
My mother-tongue is called the Romance Language of my continent and an excellent medium to express one’s love.
Comments
Schadenfreude
One of my favorite Ukrainian words that doesn’t have a perfect equivalent in English is “затишок”. It conveys a sense of coziness, warmth, and comfort, especially in a homey atmosphere. English has “coziness,” but “затишок” feels deeper—like a state of peace and security.
Merienda, a meal you have in the afternoon (coffee or tea, and something sweet like pastries or toast with jam).
Gezellig (Dutch)
Doch
Does Heimat count for German?
خطيه.
its closest equivalent is pity: its used as a reaction word to someones terrible condition
Hikikomori
Gemütlichkeit. German.
“a feeling of warmth, coziness, contentment, and a sense of belonging, often shared with others”.
“Φιλότιμο” in Greek. “Filòtimo” describes an attitude toward fellow humans and humanity at large. It means showing empathy, compassion, and generosity without expecting anything in return, taking pride in doing what is right and honorable, and being humble at the same time.
mon petit chou doesn’t translate into English as it is used in French. In French it is a term of endearment used where we might use sweetheart in English.
Je ne sais quoi.
Ennui.
Ballyrag. (Newfie)
Hottentottententententoonstelling
German is the perfect language for this prompt. I don’t know the words specifically but I do know they have a lot of specialized words that convey a feeling, emotion, or experience that has no English equivalent. Wonderful language.
“Dor” in Romanian is the feeling of missing someone or something.
“闇”
I just like how this thing looks.
“Kilig” in Filipino
No amount of English words can express what this word means hahaha
There’s a word the natives in my area use that sounds like ‘shumay’ and apparently it means, roughly: ‘Oh shit everything is getting worse and there’s nothing I can do to help.’
I’ve always really liked it.
‘Dor’ in Romanian. It’s somewhere between wanting, longing, missing, desiring.
I can dor a lover. I can dor a burger. I can dor my birthplace.
It’s so goddamn beautifully Eastern European.
Not a word necessarily but the Z in the Portuguese alphabet is non existent. Also, “made from scratch”. My family is like…? 😂
“Poes” from Afrikaans.
Closest English word is pussy. But it doesn’t have the same impact. My friends and I use it like Australians use cunt.
We usually put emphasis on the P like Malfoy pronouncing Potter.
Another would be “awe” (Ah-weh)
It was usually used as a greeting over a decade ago. But we’ve (my friends and I) been using it for more conversationally.
Allora – Italian
It could mean well or huh or what or so be it or wait or one second or explain or any number of things. It’s the face, body language, context and situation that gives it meaning.
Saudade, in Portuguese. surface translation to longing is completely inadequate, nostalgia or missing someone misses the mark by a mile.. I’m not even sure the emotio maps outside the culture
German word “satt.” It really doesn’t translate exactly to English, because it also conveys a feeling of contentment.
For me is ‘dor’ which is such a uniquely expressive word. It captures a deep, often melancholic longing or yearning for someone or something, usually tied to love, absence, or home, something English doesn’t quite have a single word for.
‘Mi-e dor de tine’is tender and powerful. A close translation might be “I miss you”, but it doesn’t fully express the depth of emotion that “dor” carries in Romanian.
I’m an uncultured, filthy American that only speaks the non-King’s English, but “Backpfeifengesicht” really hits.
From Brazilian Portuguese “lanche” ( not to be confused with lunch) is like a afternoon snack. Almost like a British tea time. Depending on the region in the country people will eat different things too.
I always thought that the word “przyjaciel” in Polish is simply an equivalent of “friend”. But seeing how easily English speakers label other people as “friends” I must concede it is not. You won’t call your workmate “przyjaciel” after eating few lunches with him. It implies much bigger emotional connection and trust.
Ubuntu”(Zulu/Xhosa) the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity English just can’t capture that warmth.
“Fika” in Swedish. Faroese has the equivalent “Drekkamunn”. It’s kind of like getting a cup of coffee together, but the drink is not specified and sweets or bread is also optional. It’s really just about conversation over a hot beverage. Let’s have a drekkamunn. It’s similar to when americans say “let’s grab a coffee”, but that is usually in a cafe. Fika or drekkamunn is usually at home in cozy environment.
Gesamtkunstwerk: total work of art: multiple art forms combined into a single cohesive whole. Also “studio” which is Italian. There is no one word equivalent in English so we had to adopt it.
Sisu….. And kalsarikännit
Kiap – verb or noun, to refer to grabbing or the grabber of things between two things. Like tongs, or in your armpit.
Qapla’
Basically means success, but can be used in so many situations.
schadenfreude
noun
scha·den·freu·de ˈshä-dᵊn-ˌfrȯi-də
often capitalized
: enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others
It’s just a good word to describe this and to use when people act this way towards others.
different types of love. My mother-tongue has different words for each types of love exists and when I write in english sometimes I miss them, not being able to express those emotions. closest thing to one of those is ‘affection’ but it is also more. I don’t know how to explain it properly with my words.
My mother-tongue is called the Romance Language of my continent and an excellent medium to express one’s love.
Dùthchas in Scottish Gaelic. I’m only a beginner, however.
Not really the same thing.
But I prefer ‘lo siento’ ‘de nada’ and ‘se la vie’ to their English counterparts.