Buzz
In They Have A Word For It: A Playful Collection of Untranslatable Words and Phrases, Howard Rheingold highlights numerous words from other languages that express ideas English can’t fully capture—at least not in such a concise way. Here are just a few of the ones we find most intriguing.
1. Treppenwitz
How often do we think of the perfect response long after it’s too late? The Germans have a term for this: treppenwitz, meaning “a witty retort that comes to mind once the moment has passed.” (The French call it esprit de l’escalier—literally, “the spirit of the staircase.”) According to Rheingold, this term can also describe moments in history that seem to result from a cosmic joke, like the Battle of New Orleans, which occurred two weeks after the War of 1812 had officially ended, due to delayed communication.
2. Holopos kuntul baris
This Indonesian term refers to “a phrase uttered to summon extra strength when lifting heavy objects,” typically used by someone who is lifting alone. What words do you say to boost your strength?
3. Razbliuto
As described by Rheingold, this Russian word captures “the emotional state a person feels for someone they once loved but no longer do.”
4. Yugen
A Japanese noun that describes “a deep awareness of the universe that evokes emotions too profound and mysterious to articulate.”
5. Fisselig
This German adjective means "so flustered that one becomes ineffective." Unlike English terms like jittery, Rheingold notes, "it conveys a temporary state of disorder and carelessness brought on by another person's persistent criticism."
6. Cavoli Riscaldati
In Italy, this phrase—which literally translates to “reheated cabbage”—is used to describe an “attempt to revive a past relationship.”
7. Uffda
This Swedish exclamation expresses sympathy and is used when someone else is in pain. “Uffda combines ‘Ouch for you’ and ‘Oh, I’m sorry you hurt yourself,” explains Rheingold. It’s pronounced OOF-dah.
8. Weltschmerz
A profound German word that refers to “a melancholic, romanticized sadness about the state of the world, usually felt by privileged youth.” It literally translates to “world-grief.”
9. Sentak Bangun
The next time you wake up abruptly from a dream where you're falling, think of this Indonesian verb, which means 'to wake up with a sudden jolt.'
10. Schlimmbesserung
German has some of the best words, including this one—a noun for 'a so-called improvement that actually makes things worse.' Rheingold is eager to revive it, and we’re totally on board!
11. Suilk
This delightful Scots verb refers to 'swallowing, gulping, or sucking with a slurping sound.' Use it to tease your soup-slurping siblings at family dinner.
12. Tartle
If you’ve ever found yourself in a conversation with someone you've met before but can’t recall their name, then hesitated before introducing them to someone else—'Judy, meet ... Bob!'—you’ve tartled! This charming Scots verb means 'to hesitate when trying to recognize someone or something.'
