Buzz
I thoroughly appreciated Jamie's initial collection of '10 Words That Can’t Be Translated Into English,' which sparked my interest in finding more. These words hold unique meaning within their language, and it's truly fascinating to witness how each one is intertwined with the culture it represents. So here it is: another 10 words that simply cannot be translated into English.
10. Toska
Language: Russian
Vladimir Nabokov describes it best: 'No single word in English captures all the nuances of toska. At its deepest, it is a profound spiritual anguish, often without a clear cause. At less intense levels, it manifests as a dull ache of the soul, an emptiness with no object to long for, a sickly yearning, a vague unease, mental struggles, or longing. In some cases, it may stem from a specific desire, nostalgia, love-sickness. At its mildest, it merges into ennui, a feeling of boredom.'
9. Litost
Language: Czech
Milan Kundera, author of *The Unbearable Lightness of Being*, remarked, 'As for the meaning of this word, I have searched in vain in other languages for an equivalent, though I find it difficult to imagine how anyone can understand the human soul without it.' The closest definition is a state of agony and torment brought on by the sudden realization of one's own misery.
8. Prozvonit
Language: Czech
This term refers to calling someone's mobile phone and letting it ring once, prompting the other person to return the call, thus saving the caller money. In Spanish, this action is called 'Dar un toque,' which translates to 'Give a touch.' Interestingly, this concept can be translated into languages beyond English.
7. Torschlusspanik
Language: German
Literally translated, this term means 'gate-closing panic,' but it is used to describe the fear of lost opportunities as one grows older. This feeling helps explain why many older individuals yearn to 'recapture their youth,' in an attempt to reclaim perhaps missed chances from their past.
6. Wabi-Sabi
Language: Japanese
A great deal has been written about this Japanese idea, but in simple terms, it could be understood as 'a way of life that seeks beauty in the flaws of existence and embraces the natural process of growth and decay with peace.'
5. L’appel du vide
Language: French
'The call of the void' is the literal translation of this French phrase, but it is more commonly used to describe the uncontrollable impulse to leap from high places.
4. Ya’aburnee
Language: Arabic
Simultaneously haunting and beautiful, this word means 'You bury me,' an expression of the hope that one will die before their loved one, as the thought of living without them is too unbearable to endure.
3. Mamihlapinatapai
Language: Yagan (indigenous language of Tierra del Fuego, an archipelago off the coast of South America)
A silent yet profound exchange between two people who both wish to begin something but are hesitant to take the first step. This term explains much about my past romantic failures.
2. Saudade
Language: Portuguese
This word, one of the most beautiful in any language, expresses the deep sorrow of yearning for someone or something beloved that has been lost. The melancholic Fado music is often linked to the feeling of saudade.
1. Duende
Language: Spanish
Initially describing a mythical sprite that possesses individuals and instills a deep reverence for nature, this word has evolved to represent ‘the mysterious force within a piece of art that can profoundly move the viewer.’
