10 Untranslatable Words from Other Languages
In this blog, we will explore several untranslatable words from other languages, why they are difficult to translate, and what they teach us about culture.
Language is more than just grammar and vocabulary. It carries culture, emotions, and ways of thinking.
Sometimes a single word in one language expresses an idea that English speakers need a whole sentence or even a story to explain. These are called untranslatable words.
Untranslatable words do not mean they are impossible to explain. They can be translated, but not with just one English word.
Instead, they need longer explanations, examples, or cultural context. Exploring these words is not only fun but also teaches us how people from different cultures view life.
Why Are Words Untranslatable?
A word becomes untranslatable when:
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It is deeply tied to culture.
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It describes emotions that are not commonly separated in English.
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English simply does not have a matching single word.
For example, Germans have a word Schadenfreude which means “pleasure you feel when something bad happens to someone else.” English does not have a one-word version of this, so we borrow the German word.
Such words open our eyes to different perspectives. They remind us that not all people divide the world in the same way.
Famous Untranslatable Words
Let us look at some of the most popular untranslatable words from different languages.
1. Schadenfreude (German)
This German word combines Schaden (damage) and Freude (joy). Together, it means “joy at another’s misfortune.”
Example: If your rival breaks their phone right after showing off, and you secretly feel happy, that is Schadenfreude.
English has no single word, so we often use the German one directly.
2. Hygge (Danish)
Pronounced “hoo-gah,” this Danish word is about a cozy, comfortable feeling that makes you feel content. It often involves warm lighting, soft blankets, good food, and close friends.
It is not just about comfort—it is a lifestyle for the Danish, especially during long winters. The closest English words are coziness or comfort, but they lack the cultural depth.
3. Ikigai (Japanese)
Ikigai translates as “a reason for being.” It is the idea that life becomes meaningful when you find what makes you happy and gives you a purpose.
In Japan, people believe everyone has an ikigai. It is why many Japanese people remain active and fulfilled even in old age. In English, we usually need phrases like “life purpose” or “reason to wake up in the morning.”
4. Saudade (Portuguese)
Saudade is a deep emotional state. It describes the feeling of longing for something or someone that is gone, but it is mixed with happiness for having experienced it.
For example, missing your childhood summer vacations yet smiling at the memories is saudade. English words like nostalgia or yearning come close but do not cover the whole meaning.
5. Lagom (Swedish)
This Swedish word means “not too much, not too little, just right.” It is about balance and living a life of moderation.
It can describe food, lifestyle, or even personality. English has phrases like “in moderation,” but nothing as graceful as this single word.
6. Ubuntu (Zulu, Xhosa)
This African word comes from a philosophy often translated as “I am because we are.” It expresses the idea that humans are connected and that community makes us who we are.
In English, you may say “humanity toward others,” but Ubuntu has a spiritual and cultural meaning that is much stronger.
7. Duende (Spanish)
Duende is often used to describe the magical power of art, especially music or dance, that moves people emotionally. Flamenco dancers in Spain are often said to have duende.
English might use “artistic soul” or “inspired passion,” but duende carries a mystical sense that is hard to capture.
8. Komorebi (Japanese)
This word describes the sunlight that filters gently through the leaves of trees.
Instead of saying, “the way sunlight passes through leaves and makes shifting light patterns on the ground,” the Japanese express it in just one word: komorebi. English has no such single expression.
9. Meraki (Greek)
A Greek word used when someone puts their heart, soul, and creativity into what they do. It is about doing something with love and personal touch.
For example, when a grandmother cooks a meal with care, we can say she cooked with meraki.
10. Wabi-Sabi (Japanese)
This Japanese word is about appreciating the beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity. A cracked tea cup can be beautiful because it shows history.
English lacks a single word for this philosophical idea.
Cultural Lessons from Untranslatable Words
Each of these words reveals something about culture:
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German culture names complex emotions like Schadenfreude.
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Scandinavian cultures value balance (lagom) and coziness (hygge).
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Japanese culture respects nature (komorebi) and imperfection (wabi-sabi).
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African culture emphasizes community (ubuntu).
Untranslatable words help us see what each culture treasures most.
Practical Uses of Untranslatable Words
Learning untranslatable words can make English communication richer. Many English speakers now use borrowed terms like hygge, ikigai, and saudade because they express unique ideas.
You can use them in daily life when English falls short. For example:
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“This coffee shop has such hygge vibes.”
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“I’m still searching for my ikigai.”
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“Looking at old family photos gave me saudade.”
They add depth to how we describe experiences.
A Few More Beautiful Examples
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Mamihlapinatapai (Yaghan, Chile): A look shared by two people who both want to do something but neither begins.
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Jayus (Indonesian): A joke so bad and unfunny that you cannot help but laugh.
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Gezellig (Dutch): A feeling of togetherness, warmth, and friendliness, often in a social setting.
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Sobremesa (Spanish): The time spent talking around the table after a meal is finished.
Each of these is so human, yet the words do not exist in English.
Why English Needs These Words
English is already famous for borrowing words. Words like kindergarten (German), tsunami (Japanese), and karaoke (Japanese) are now everyday English. In the same way, many untranslatable words may slowly become part of English in the future because they express what we often feel but cannot name.
By adopting them, English speakers gain new tools to describe life.
How to Learn and Use Them
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Choose words that resonate with you. If you like nature, try komorebi. If you value balance, use lagom.
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Practice using them in sentences. Try writing a journal entry with the word.
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Share them with friends. Teaching others will help you remember.
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Observe the culture behind the word. Understanding the culture is the real translation.
Untranslatable Words in Daily English Learning
For English learners, untranslatable words are useful because:
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They teach emotions and cultural feelings that normal vocabulary cannot.
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They help students practice paraphrasing. (If a word cannot be translated directly, explain it in your own words.)
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They make writing and speaking more colorful and creative.
English teachers can use these words as classroom activities, asking students to describe feelings or situations with them.
