11 Untranslatable Words

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Our language conveys meaning, our opinions, our feelings. It allows us to connect with other people. Usually a language develops and evolves with time according to cultural traditions and usage norms. Therefore it goes hand in hand with the culture and with the people who speak that particular language. It grows and transform itself to respond to its speakers' needs of expression.

There are certain situations, feelings or even just words in a particular language that express just that thing you've always been wanting to say but never found the right expression for.

So I am hereby utterly delighted to give you a list of my favourite untranslatable words in different languages (with commens, not witty, not ironic.. AT ALL.)

Graphic by Stephan Hogel, Sprachenatelier Berlin
Gezelligheid, Dutch. The comfort and coziness of being at home, with family, friends and loved ones.

Graphic by Stephan Hogel, remixed from original Minimalism outside by 55Laney69 under the license CC BY-NC 2.0
 тоска (Toska), Russian. Deep spiritual pain, often without a specific reason. The ache of a soul, the longing with nothing to long for. (Oh, how romantic).

Graphic by Stephan Hogel, remixed from original Méditation by Sylke Ibach under the license CC BY-NC 2.0
豁達 (Huòdá), Chinese. A relaxed attitude towards everything. Accepting the facts without worrying about it. (How similar to the Russian one!

Graphic by Stephan Hogel (remixed), from the original saudade from renna c under the license CC BY-NC 2.0
Saudade, Portuguese. A melancholic feeling of incompleteness, longing for someone or something that might never return. (Oh, dear, I definitely know this one.. don't you?).
Graphic by Stephan Hogel. Remixed from Herz aus Stein by Frank Behrens under the licence CC BY-SA 2.0
Forelsket, Norwegian. That walking-on-a-cloud feeling you get when you first fall in love.

Graphic by Stephan Hogel. Remixed from Chilling by Rosmarie Voegtli under the licence CC BY 2.0
Ei viitsi, Estonian. The feeling you get when you can’t be bothered to go anywhere or do anything.

Graphic by Stephan Hogel (remix), original Studio Stresses: Rachel by Michael Clesle under the license CC BY-NC 2.0
よこめし(Yokomeshi), Japanese. That nervous, stressed-out feeling you get when you are conversing in a foreign language. (We all know this one, right?).

Graphic by Stephan Hogel
Feierabend, German. That moment when you get off work and you’re ready to party (Basically, every day is a Friday).

Graphic by Stephan Hogel. Remixed from Time by Stefanos Papachristou under the licence CC BY-NC 2.0
L'esprit de l'escalier, French. Thinking of something clever to say when it's too late. (Like sometimes I wonder why I come up with things always too late?! Now, I have a way to express this, thank you French language).

Graphic by Stephan Hogel (remixed), original kid by Petras Gagilas under the license CC BY-SA 2.0
Gigil, Filipino. The urge to pinch or squeeze something that is unbearably cute (How about those cute babies? And puppies?).

Graphic by Stephan Hogel. Remixed from Happy by Blondinrikard Fröberg under the licence CC BY 2.0
Lykke, Danish. Ultimate happiness and the feeling that everything is perfect in life (Oh well, Danish people must be a happy bunch, I guess).

So those were my favourite ones. Can you add more? Let us know in the comments! 

Sources:
http://www.k-international.com
http://untranslatable.peiyinglin.net
https://www.collinsdictionary.com
Location: Berlin, Deutschland

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