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People share 30 unique words from different languages that don't exist in English

People present 30 concepts from their native language which they believe have no particular word for in English.

People share 30 unique words from different languages that don't exist in English
Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Andrea Piacquadio

The world is a beautiful place because it has different identities and cultures within it. However, as globalization has taken route, it has become essential that there is some way these different cultures can come on the same page. As reported by Lingua, the most spoken language in the world is English. Almost 1.452 billion people speak this language. People might ask, what is the reason behind the language's enduring popularity? Well, as per this Reddit thread, definitely not its all-encompassing nature.

Representative Image Source: Pexels/ Photo by  Andreea Ch
Representative Image Source: Pexels/ Photo by Andreea Ch

The thread clearly shows how so many crucial concepts in other cultures have no expression in English. It would require a lot of related words for those concepts to make a coherent meaning with the usage of English. The thread showcases that the language not only glosses over things and practices but also feelings. Ultimately, not having exact words for so many elements can be seen as a loss for English only, as so many beautiful terminologies lose their meaning in translation. Therefore, humans must keep their minds open to diverse cultures, so that they can fully absorb the beautiful concepts within them. Here are 30 things whose meanings you should know, as the English language does not do justice to their translation.

1. Sobremesa

"'Sobremesa' in Spanish is when you stay sitting at the table after lunch and dessert for a while telling stories, having tea, sometimes even playing cards, etc. Could be for as little as 30 minutes up to a couple of hours, even sometimes you don't even stop and only clean the table to have tea and biscuits/pie/küchen or any sweet at around 4 or 5 PM."- u/Ich_bin_eine_Kartoff

2. Geborgenheit

"In German, we have the word 'Geborgenheit,' which describes a very specific feeling of feeling cozy and safe and protected. Like you would feel when you're around loved ones sitting around a fire or when the person you love holds you under the warm covers when it's raining outside. I tried to explain this to someone the other day and when we googled the translation- it came up with 'coziness,' which really doesn't pay justice to what it actually means."- u/Else1

3. Komorebi

"There is a Japanese term 'Komorebi,' for which no English translation exists. It roughly translates as 'the scattered light that filters through when sunlight shines through trees.'" - u/tipsy_jana

4. Tachiyomi

"Japanese has loads of words that require entire sentences to explain in English. My favorite of all time is 'tachiyomi,' which means 'standing at a newsstand reading something without any intention of paying for it.'" - u/the2belo


5. Te Quiero

"In Spanish, the word 'Te Quiero.' It's a little more than 'I like you/I care for you' in certain contexts but also less than 'I love you.' Also, depends on if used romantically or not. A lot of people use it towards the beginning of relationships when 'Te amo' is too much."  - u/FollowingBeautiful24

6. Załatwić

"'Załatwić' in Polish. It means to get something done using connections/persuasion/backroom dealings." -u/---Loading---

7. Fika

"'Fika,' it is Swedish for ”coffee/cake break” kinda. It isn’t used for breaks only but rather as a gathering to enjoy sweets, coffee, sandwiches, etc. and chat."- u/Cerenety

8. Gatvol

"'Gatvol (Afrikaans) - can't be properly translated into anything as everything you try is too tame. Something along the lines of being really fed up but much more expressive."- u/TheInvisibleWun

9. Konkelo

"In Finnish, we have the word 'Konkelo.' It means 'a tree that has fallen but not completely as it fell against an another tree, so it's just somewhat fallen.'"- u/IceClimbers_Main
Representative Image Source: Pexels/ Photo by Irina Iriser
Representative Image Source: Pexels/ Photo by Irina Iriser

 

10. Gluggaveður

"Icelandic word, 'gluggaveður.' To the false promise of warm weather. From the window, everything looks very nice and warm outside, but it is actually very cold." - u/zenos_dog

11. Gecmis olsun

"Turkish has the expression 'gecmis olsun,' which is usually translated as 'get well soon,' but the literal translation is 'let it be past.'" - u/doublecatcat

12. Picante

"'Picante.' Hot and spicy are not even close enough to describe that sensation when eating hot or spicy food. Besides, hot and spicy have different meanings, picante is just one." - u/dragonalienigena

13. Duša draga

"Not exactly a word, but rather an expression. In Croatian, people will say 'duša draga' as the ultimate expression of compassion or sympathy for someone who is hurt, struggling, etc. It's most often said for kids and sometimes animals. It literally translates to 'dear soul,' but more accurately could be said as 'poor thing/poor little soul,' though I don't think the gravity and kindness of the expression can be translated into any language." -u/FrogsAndDaffodils

14. Lagom

"'Lagom' (Sweden)- It's when something is not too little, not too much, it's just right and perfect. Fits Swedish mentality perfectly." - u/WhoAmIEven2

 15. Gunnen

"Gunnen. Means you would love for someone to get or achieve something. 'Oh, you're buying a lottery ticket? I really - gun - you to win a prize!'"- u/LiamFN

16. Kuier

"'Kuier'- In Afrikaans it's like hanging out or spending time together or visiting your friends, but it has a much stronger and more specific meaning than 'spending time' in Afrikaans."- u/BlightPaladin

17. Saudade

"'Saudade' in Portuguese means the feeling to miss someone you love/ care for." - u/Stonyc422

18. Jutho

"In Nepali there is a word called 'Jutho,' which means a food or objects that are ritually polluted or excluded and are therefore inedible by another person. It is seen with disgust."- u/fantasticO0o

19. Mia

"In Korean, 'mia' means lost/missing child in one word but it portrays a lost child who has strayed too far from a familiar and safe place like home. Especially, when I was a teenager and felt lost, it's the feeling I've had that I couldn't put into an Englsh word. It's a strong expression that is meant to help understand how lost and vulnerable someone feels by likening the confusion of a child when they're lost in a new and unfamiliar environment and searching in desperation for the person(s) that make him/her feel safe."- u/graceetchemkeem 

20. Jo

"I think the word 'Jo' from Norwegian doesnt exist. It's yes, but not really. It's if you're trying to argue with something, like 'yes, I do' or 'yes it does' or something. I don't think English has one single word for it, but it can also be things like 'yeah but-' but thats only if you say 'but' after it (The norwegian word for but) I don't think I've ever seen a word perfectly describe it."- u/Ancient_starburst459 

21. Nenna

"‘Nenna’- Icelandic word for not bothering to do something out of laziness. ‘Bothersome’ is kinda close but doesn’t do it justice." - u/Banksybo

22. Ennui

"A simple one: 'Ennui' which describes a state of overwhelming boredom but like being tired of life."- u/LifeHappenzEvryMomnt

23. Kopfkino

"The German word 'Kopfkino.' It means imagining all sorts of consequences or reactions in your head that might come up after some action or event. Could be good or bad."- u/beeronika

24. Kolega & Przyjaciel

"I miss roles in friendship distinguished in Polish. 'Kolega' is a friend who you like spending time with. Partying or chilling. You socialize and have a good time. 'Przyjaciel' is a friend whom you don’t need to keep in touch or have a good time. But when some bad thing is happening, you know you can call him." - u/CodNo503
 

25.  Outwith

"Outwith- It’s a word in Scots but not in English. It means beyond the bounds of something- the nearest English equivalent is ‘outside’ but it doesn’t mean the quite same thing."- u/Grazza123

26. jiàn wài

"见外 (jiàn wài) - the sentiment is that a good friend is using the same level of politeness with you that you'd expect from a stranger, not someone of your closeness. Like if your friend forgot their wallet at lunch so you pick up the check, and they promise to make it up to you, you might tell them to stop acting so polite, of course you're happy to pay for lunch because you're best friends." -u/femmestem

27. Luce

"Not my native tongue, but I love 'luce' in Farsi (Persian). It basically means intentionally acting all cutesy/precious/coy because you think it's appealing."- u/_eviehalboro

28. Doch

"'Doch' - missed every single day."- u/Alwaystardis221B

#29. Toska

"Russian is my native language. There are a huge number of words in Russian that describe a sadly devastated state, which are difficult to translate into English. And one of them is 'melancholia' (toska). This condition can be described as mental suffering, without any obvious reason (pain and throwing of the soul, vague anxiety, sadness, nostalgia)". - u/Ang3ll0k

30. Mos 

"A word I've often missed from Afrikaans is 'mos' (Not moss, although the Afrikaans word for moss is also spelled mos). There's just nothing like it in English. You just kinda throw it into a sentence to imply that what you're saying is general knowledge, or known to be true by the person you're speaking to."- u/dOLBEK63

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