Updated on May 29, 2024
25 inspirational words in other languages
There’s no question that English is a language full of useful expressions, interesting idioms and fun slang words.
But there are some situations, actions and emotions that are so specific that English just doesn’t have the vocabulary to effectively describe them. Luckily, many meaningful words in other languages perfectly describe what the English language can’t.
In this post, we’re taking a look at some of the most unique words in different languages. You probably didn’t even realize these beautiful foreign words were missing from your life—but you’ll wonder how you ever got by without them!
Language: Bulgarian
Not everything you do needs to be rushed to completion. Sometimes it’s better to do things in a slow, calm and relaxed way while enjoying the experience or process.
That’s the idea behind the Bulgarian word with Turkish origin ailyak—take your time and enjoy the ride!
Language: Basque
Have you ever met up with someone you hadn’t seen in a long time and just felt so good chatting and catching up with them?
In Basque, that specific feeling of happiness is known as aspaldiko.
Language: Hebrew
It’s natural to feel envious of someone who seems to have everything going for them—sometimes you just can’t help it.
But that’s not what firgun in Israeli culture is about! On the contrary, this Hebrew word conveys a genuine feeling of happiness about someone else’s accomplishment and good fortune.
Language: French
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of wandering aimlessly—yet purposefully—through a city, actively observing your surroundings in an almost philosophical way, you understand the meaning of the word flâner.
This term goes far beyond simply dawdling or taking a walk and conveys a very French way of life.
Language: Norwegian
Have you ever been in love? If so, you’ve probably experienced forelsket.
This Norwegian term describes the overwhelming feeling you get when you first begin to fall in love with someone.
Language: Swedish
If you’re not a morning person, this Swedish word and concept probably isn’t something you’ve ever experienced.
But for others, gökotta—waking up with the sunrise specifically to go outside and hear the birds singing as daylight breaks—is a blissful way to start the day.
Language: Danish
You know that cozy, comfortable and familiar atmosphere that brings a sense of contentment—like the feeling you get when you’re hanging out with good friends and there’s nowhere you’d rather be?
That is what’s known by the Danish concept of hyggelig.
There are actually similar words in German (Gemütlichkeit), Swedish (gemytlig), and Norwegian (hyggelig).
Language: Inuit
This is an Inuit word that most of us can relate to: Iktsuarpok describes the way you feel when you’re waiting for someone to show up; it’s the anticipation, even impatience, that comes over you as you check if the person you’re waiting for has arrived yet.
Language: Japanese
Picture it: You’re hiking through the woods, you look up and you see rays of sunlight filtering through the leaves of the trees.
That beautiful, scattered light is what’s referred to by the Japanese word komorebi (木漏れ日).
The first kanji refers to ‘tree’ or ‘trees,’ the second one means to ‘escape,’ and the third signifies ‘light’ or ‘sun.’
Language: Serbian
Are you someone who derives joy from life’s simple pleasures in life? Do you feel a happy sense of connectedness to the universe?
If you answered “yes,” then you know the meaning of the Serbian term (borrowed from Turkish) merak.
Language: Spanish
In Spanish culture, the pleasure of dining with friends and companions doesn’t have to end when the meal is finished!
The untranslatable Spanish word sobremesa is all about sitting at a table after everyone’s eaten, relaxing and conversing with those you shared a meal with.
Language: Japanese
We can sometimes get so caught up in the idea that we need to attain perfection in life (just check Instagram if you don’t know what we mean).
But wabi-sabi rejects that notion: It’s the idea that we should not only accept, but appreciate the beauty that comes from imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity.
Language: Urdu
Zindabad is an Urdu word originating from Persian, and is primarily used as a cheer.
However, it also holds a charming function: when uttered immediately after someone’s name, it transforms into a blessing, conveying wishes for longevity and good health, and literally translates to “long live.”
Language: Russian
Pochemuchka is a term that refers to an individual, typically a young child, who poses an abundance of questions.
Originating from the Russian word for “why,” which is “pochemu,” it characterizes someone, regardless of age, who exhibits an excessive level of curiosity or inquisitiveness.
Language: Yaghan
In the 1994 Guinness Book of World Records, the word mamihlapinatapai claimed the title of the world’s most “succinct word.” It originates from the Yaghan language (or Yamana) tribe of Tierra del Fuego, an archipelago divided between Chile and Argentina at the southern tip of South America.
This term can be roughly translated as “a shared look between two people desiring to initiate something, yet neither taking the first step,” or an unspoken agreement.
Language: Arabic
The Arabic word ya’aburnee literally means to “you bury me.” However, its significance extends beyond the literal interpretation.
Ya’aburnee carries the poignant wish for a loved one to outlive oneself. It serves as a poignant acknowledgment, expressing the bittersweet desire to spare oneself the anguish of living without the presence of a beloved individual.
Language: Chinese
Ré nao (热闹), a Chinese word often rendered as “lively” or “bustling,” carries a significance that transcends its literal meaning.
It conveys the essence of a vibrant and animated atmosphere, drawing one in with its lively energy and inviting ambiance.
Language: German
Waldeinsamkeit is a compound German word consisting of two words: “Wald,” meaning forest, and “Einsamkeit,” signifying loneliness or solitude.
This concept evokes both the sensation of solitude within the woods and a tranquil unity with nature.
Language: Norwegian
Utepils, a Norwegian word, holds the essence of enjoying a beer in an outdoor setting. Translating to “outdoors lager,” it combines “ute,” meaning outside, and “pils,” referring to lager.
For an authentic utepils experience, wait for a sunny day, especially after enduring a lengthy winter. A more precise interpretation could be “the inaugural outdoor drink of the year.”
Language: Hindi
The Hindi word जिजीविषा (jijivisha) embodies a profound and enduring longing for life and its continuation.
Typically applied to individuals with a deep passion for existence, it conveys intense sentiments and a strong desire to live and flourish.
Language: Portuguese
The Portuguese saudade concept encompasses more than the intense feeling of missing something or someone.
It embodies a profound sense of deep melancholy and nostalgia, experienced when longing for something—or someone—who is absent.
Language: Japanese
Ukiyo-e, a term from Japanese, literally translates to “floating world.” This concept is hard to define in the English language but in Japanese culture, it characterizes individuals who live for the moment, untroubled by minor concerns.
This unique word can be used to describe people who don’t take a second of their life for granted.
Language: Italian
Abbiocco, an Italian term, encapsulates the drowsy sensation following a hearty meal.
Think of it as a description of the contentedly full and relaxed state experienced after sharing a delightful big meal with friends.
Language: Welsh
Hiraeth, a Welsh term, encapsulates a complex blend of homesickness and sorrow for what is lost or absent. It conveys a deep yearning for the homeland or a nostalgic longing for a romanticized past.
The concept embodies a profound, bittersweet sentiment of yearning and nostalgia that transcends mere longing for a specific place or individual. Rather, it evokes a melancholic longing and wistfulness for a bygone era that cannot be reclaimed.
Language: Tagalog
In Tagalog, the term gigil captures the intense fondness individuals experience when encountering something irresistibly cute, often accompanied by a sudden urge and desire to nurture or safeguard it.
This sensation is also known as “cuteness aggression,” just like the impulse to pinch a baby’s cheeks.
For all of its advantages, English isn’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to describing the world around us.
Just look beyond your everyday expressions and you’ll discover tons of inspirational words in other languages that you can incorporate into your vocabulary.
In this section, let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions about the most beautiful words from around the world.
The notion of the most beautiful word spans across languages, but the Portuguese saudade mentioned earlier stands out with its true meaning of intense longing and nostalgia.
Words that inspire are those that evoke intense emotions and motivate action. For example, ukiyo-e in Japanese, which literally translates to “floating world,” inspires living in the present moment and letting go of trivial worries.
Many languages offer beautiful words conveying profound emotions, like mamihlapinatapai from Yaghan, meaning a shared longing for initiation, or Waldeinsamkeit from German, evoking time spent in solitude in the woods.
In exploring these 25 beautiful untranslatable words from various foreign languages, we’ve uncovered a rich tapestry of human emotions and experiences.
From the Japanese wabi-sabi, embracing the beauty of imperfection, to the Portuguese saudade, encapsulating exquisite pain mingled with longing, each term offers a unique insight into the human condition.
Though direct English translations of a foreign language word may sometimes fall short, these words carry a full meaning that resonates deeply with us all.
Through these beautiful words, we are reminded of the universality of human emotions and the power of language to capture the essence of our shared human experience.
