9 Untranslatable Words In Different Languages

Sometimes, words aren’t enough. That’s why we’ve started collecting untranslatable words and concepts from different languages and translating them on our Instagram page.

Here are the words we’ve collected so far. Which words did we miss? Comment on one of the Instagram posts below to let us know.

1) Fernweh (German)

Every Wednesday, we post a word that is #untranslatable, often representing a concept that only exists in that culture. Have a suggestion? Put it in the comments. #Fernweh (German): Being homesick for a place you’ve never been.

A photo posted by Cultural Vistas (@culturalvistas) on Aug 12, 2015 at 5:31am PDT

2) Komorebi (Japanese)

Welcome to our new #untranslatable series. Every Wednesday, we’ll post a word that can’t be translated, often representing a concept that only exists in that culture. Have a suggestion? Put it in the comments. #Komorebi (Japanese): “The scattered light effect that happens when sunlight shines through trees.” ?☀️ A photo posted by Cultural Vistas (@culturalvistas) on Aug 5, 2015 at 2:04pm PDT

3) Koselig (Norwegian)

Submitted by Laura Graham (@uwalau), YSEALI Generation: Earth alumna.

Every Wednesday, we post a word that is #untranslatable, often representing a concept that only exists in that culture. Have a suggestion? Put it in the comments. #Koselig (Norwegian): A cozy feeling around a person, place or thing that gives one a deep sense of inner warmth.

A photo posted by Cultural Vistas (@culturalvistas) on Aug 19, 2015 at 5:13pm PDT

4) Waldeinsamkeit (German)

Every Wednesday, we post a word that is #untranslatable, often representing a concept that only exists in that culture. Have a suggestion? Put it in the comments. #Waldeinsamkeit (German): The feeling of being alone in the woods. A photo posted by Cultural Vistas (@culturalvistas) on Aug 26, 2015 at 8:31pm PDT

5) Culaccino (Italian)

Every Wednesday, we post a word that is #untranslatable, often representing a concept that only exists in that culture. Have a suggestion? Put it in the comments. #Culaccino (Italian): The mark left on a surface by a cold glass.

A photo posted by Cultural Vistas (@culturalvistas) on Sep 9, 2015 at 5:17pm PDT

6) Gufra (Arabic)

Every Wednesday, we post a word that is #untranslatable, often representing a concept that only exists in that culture. Have a suggestion? Put it in the comments. #Gufra (Arabic): The amount of water that can be held in one’s hands. A photo posted by Cultural Vistas (@culturalvistas) on Sep 2, 2015 at 3:32pm PDT

7) Bayanihan (Filipino)

Submitted by Jules Guiang (@JULESguiang), YSEALI Generation: Earth alumnus.

Every Wednesday, we post a word that is #untranslatable, often representing a concept that only exists in that culture. Have a suggestion? Put it in the comments. #Bayanihan (Filipino): an altruistic act that requires teamwork from people in a community to help someone else, also known as a “spirit of community.”

A photo posted by Cultural Vistas (@culturalvistas) on Sep 16, 2015 at 7:21pm PDT

8) Torschlusspanik (German)

Submitted by @FranzWRivera, CBYX alumnus.

Every Wednesday, we post a word that is #untranslatable, often representing a concept that only exists in that culture. Have a suggestion? Put it in the comments. #Torschlusspanik (German): Literally “gate-closing panic,” the fear that time is running out and that opportunities are diminishing as you age. A photo posted by Cultural Vistas (@culturalvistas) on Sep 23, 2015 at 3:12pm PDT

9) Dépaysement (French)

Every Wednesday, we post a word that is #untranslatable, often representing a concept that only exists in that culture. Have a suggestion? Put it in the comments. #Dépaysement (French): The feeling that comes from being outside of one’s home country; a disorientation due to unfamiliar surroundings, as if one is a “fish out of water.”

A photo posted by Cultural Vistas (@culturalvistas) on Oct 14, 2015 at 11:04am PDT

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Lauren Aitken

Lauren Aitken is a communications professional focusing on international exchanges, language education, and public diplomacy. She has worked for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, Cultural Vistas, and Meridian International Center. Lauren has a Master's Degree in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Bachelor's Degree in International Relations and Economics from American University.

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