Words not easily translated into English
Culture has a big influence on the development of language and cultures differ significantly around the world. That is why each language has a number of words which just can’t be easily translated into another. Why would the Spanish need multiple names for snow when they hardly get any? While people in Iceland just couldn’t do without this distinction.
Have a look at our list of words that cannot be easily translated into English.
Abbiocco (Italian) – the drowsiness one feels after overeating or eating a big meal
Backpfeifengesicht (German) – the face of someone who deserves a beating
Cafune (Brazilian Portuguese) – the act of tenderly running your fingers through the hair of your lover
Dépayser (French) – to leave your comfort zone or your country
Dor (Romanian) – this word is a mixture of longing and sadness
Duende (Spanish) – to be in awe of nature, to feel the overwhelming sense of nature’s beauty, now also used to describe being in awe of art
Empalagar (Spanish) – when something is so sweet that it’s disgusting
Eomchina (Korean ) – literally means “mother’s friend’s son” derives from the fact that Korean mothers often compare their kids to their friend’s children
Kilkanaście (Polish) – there is not a single English word that could express this word in Polish, it means any number between 11 and 19
Menefreghista (Italian) – someone who has a general ‘I don’t care’ attitude
Pochemuchka (Russian) – someone who asks too many questions
Sambo (Swedish) – someone who you have a long-term serious and committed relationship with, but you are not married
Utepils (Norwegian) – a beer that you drink outdoors
Waldeinsamkeit (German) – the feeling of being alone in the forest
Zeg (Georgian) – the day after tomorrow (but way shorter!)
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