Eunoia

Words That Don't Translate

Eunoia was built in 24h by Steph. Search 700+ untranslatable words by 80+ languages and 60+ tags, or click refresh to see a new batch. Enjoy!


Word Definition Language Tags Audio
Lítost Sate of agony and torment created by the sudden sight of one’s own misery. Czech adverse awareness fate
Vergangenheitsbewältigung Coping with the past German reflection growth
Papakata To have one leg shorter than the other Māori physical
Gattara A woman catlover who feeds alley cats or spends time with domestic cats Italian life society
Shuhari A Japanese martial art concept which describes the stages of learning to mastery. Roughly is translated to "to keep, to fall, to break away". To first learn the fundamentals (shu), then to break away from traditions (ha), then finally to transcend to where there are no techniques (ri). To "beomce one with the spirit alone". Japanese growth
Gambiarra A very poor or ugly but effective solution for a problem; to use improvised methods / solutions to solve a problem, with any avaiable material Portuguese creative
Janteloven Jante’s law; a set of social codes or norms that emphasize the importance of collective success rather than individual Norwegian society positive interaction
Kummerspeck Weight you gain because you're unhappy ("sorrow bacon") German food adverse habits
Uitwaaien To take a refreshing break outdoors in windy weather Dutch nature life beauty
Avspasere To take a day (or more) off from work (e.g., because one has previously worked overtime and has built up credit). Norwegian society time
Ilunga The capacity to forgive once, tolerate a second time, but never a third time. Conveys the progression toward intolerance. Tshiluba growth emotion reflection
Konfliktfähigkeit the ability to manage interpersonal conflict constructivly, without becoming personally involved. German growth
Gezelligheid Coziness, fun, the general togetherness that gives people a warm feeling. Dutch friends society positive
Feierabend End of the work day German event
Bildung education, formation, acculturation, cultivation, development. German cultural
Nadryv When a person releases intimate, deeply hidden feelings, sometimes that do not truly exist; imaginary, excessively exaggerated and distorted feelings Russian emotion extreme
Gemba The real place'; in business it refers to the real place where value is created, such as the factory floor. Instead of depending on hierarchy, the people who are closest to what's happening make decisions. Ie: the more hands-on knowledge a decision-maker has, the better their decision will be. Japanese work cultural
Nuchshlepper Someone who follows another person; a hanger-on Yiddish awareness adverse persistence
Titip To temporarily entrust something to a person Indonesian trust
La douleur exquise The pain that comes from wanting someone you can’t have French feeling awareness love
Fika Drinking coffee along with eating something sweet Swedish food society
Celístia Brighness from the stars Catalan nature physical
Oodal Overly exaggerated, fake anger that follows a lovers’ quarrel Tamil love event feeling
Umij se Splash water on your face Serbian physical action
Dor The heartbreak and sense of longing you feel because you’re separated from your love Romanian love adverse
Kenopsia The eerie, forlorn atmosphere of a place that is usually bustling with people but is now abandoned and quiet. English change time
Exulansis The tendency to give up trying to talk about an experience because people are unable to relate to it. English emotion thinking
Nintendo “Leave luck to heaven” or to leave one's fortune in the hands of fate Japanese philosophy fate
Bon vivant Someone who enjoys and appreciates the good life. French positive happiness
Subhiya Morning coffee, gossip and chat with neighbors after housewives have sent their children to school Arabic community connection




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