14 Untranslatable Words From Other Languages We Can All Relate To

Online language translators like Google Translate are a saving grace for both novice and expert language learners. But we’ve all had that experience where it gives us a translation that seems to be missing something or isn’t quite right.

Certain words just have a je ne sais quoi that can’t be adequately captured through an automatic translator. On one hand, dealing with these untranslatable words can be frustrating if there’s not a word-for-word translation when we’re learning the language. On the other hand, they can help you express in only a word or two what might take you a sentence to say in your mother tongue.

Untranslatable words exist in every language and give it a special touch. The words below are only a few examples of these linguistic gems. They were selected because, even though we might not have an exact translation for them in English, the meaning they convey is something we can all relate to. Some are funny, some are sentimental, but they’re all unique. Buckle up as we sample some of the best untranslatable words from around the world.

14 Untranslatable Words from Around the World

1. Avoir la pêche – French

Let’s start this list on a positive note. Feeling fine and full of energy! The French would say “avoir la pêche.” This phrase literally translates to “have the peach,” but it means that you’re in good spirits and have lots of good energy. It can be for either a physical or mental state. A synonym in French is “avoir la patate” or “have the potato.” Apparently the French love expressions with food!

2. Empalagar – Spanish

Remember Halloween as a kid? You spend all night collecting candy from your neighbors, and once you get home, it’s time to feast! But after stuffing your face with your favorite treats, there comes that sick feeling of having had a few too many sweets. This feeling can be expressed by the verb empalagar, the Spanish word for feeling sick after eating something too sweet. 

Who isn’t guilty of this after a late night fridge raid? So if you don’t want to eat another piece of your coworker’s birthday cake at yet another office party, tell them “estoy empalagado” – Which they’ll take to mean that the cake is so sweet you can’t possibly have another bite.

3. Mamihlapinatapai – Yaghan

Have you ever looked across a crowded room and locked eyes with someone? You feel that spark but you don’t know if you should approach them. So you wait and hope that they approach you.

Mamihlapinatapai is the Yaghan word for a meaningful glance shared between two people, in which both people want the other to initiate something but neither wants to begin. Yaghan, now considered an extinct language, was spoken in the Southernmost tip of South America in Chile and Argentina. This word has even won a prize. It was in the 1994 Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s most succinct word.

4. Verschlimmbesserung – German

Leave it to the Germans to create a word that’s almost as long as the explanation. Verschlimmbesserung is made up of two German words: verschlimmern (to worsen) and verbessern (to improve). And while these two words are quite contradictory, they are combined to mean that you are making things worse while attempting to make them better.

An episode of a 90s sitcom comes to mind, where the main character finds themself in some type of predicament and always manages to make the situation worse. Luckily, in the sitcom, there’s always a happy ending. And hopefully you’ll have one, as well, if you ever experience verschlimmbesserung.

5. Kilig – Tagalog

The closest English translation to the Tagalog word kilig is to have butterflies in your stomach. It’s a certain romantic excitement you might feel. When love is in the air, you might feel “giddy” or “tingly.” This is kilig. And while it’s usually felt at the beginning of a courtship, in the honeymoon phase, here’s hoping you feel kilig throughout the relationship.

6. 后怕 (hòupà) – Mandarin Chinese

If you’ve ever said “phew!” after a close call, you’ve experienced 后怕 (hòupà). It’s a Mandarin Chinese word that loosly translates to fear after the fact. Maybe the situation unfolded so quickly that you didn’t have time to be scared, but that feeling comes when you replay the scene in your head. It evokes a sense of relief that it didn’t happen, and a sense of uneasiness while you ponder, what if it did? When you’re driving and swerve at the last second to avoid another car drifting into your lane, after you react and are safely on your way, you might be hit with the sensation of 后怕.

7. Saudade – Portuguese

We’ve seen some romantic words and some funny words, but untranslatable words can also evoke a certain sadness. Saudade is the Portuguese word to express a longing or sadness for a loved one who is absent. Their presence is gone, but the memories remain and can cause a deep longing. It evokes a type of nostalgia and just hearing about it tugs at the heartstrings. They say it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. But you might not feel this way if you’re experiencing saudade.

8. Iktsuarpok ᐃᒃᑦᓱᐊᕐᐳᒃ – Inuit

Just picture it. You were in high school and your crush asked you out on a date. You spend hours getting ready. You’re supposed to meet at 7:00 (because your parents want you home at a respectable time). You’re been ready for a while and now there’s nothing left to do except nervously walk around your house, check your phone, and wait for that doorbell to ring.

This is iktsuarpok, or the anticipation of waiting for someone to arrive. It might even lead to you peering out the window or opening the door to see if they’re on the way. It’s a feeling of excitement yet nervousness. So next time, don’t leave your date hanging!

9. Lagom – Swedish

Lagom brings to mind the story of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” It’s not too big or too small. It means just the right amount of something. It’s a word that’s fitting for Swedish culture. It’s about achieving balance in all aspects of life, from work to study to relaxation. It’s usually used as an adverb or adjective to avoid extremes and, instead, create peace and serenity. 

10. Utepils – Norwegian

Honestly, this word is genius! We’ve all done it before, or at least have wanted to. Utepils translates to sitting outside on a sunny day and enjoying a beer with friends. It’s simple, it’s bliss, it’s what I want to do right now! It literally means “outdoor lager,” combining ute (outside) with pils (lager). But time has changed its meaning to become something you’d like to do on a beautiful afternoon in Spring. This word has become so popular that it’s now the name of a brewery in Minnesota!

11. Aspaldiko – Basque (Euskara)

Aspaldiko means the joy you feel when meeting up with someone you haven’t seen in a while. I think this word deserves an “awww.” Could there be a more pure emotion? At first glance, it might seem surprising that such a sensitive word comes from such a hard language. Because the Basque region is located on the sea and was once dependent on sea-faring occupations, people would spend months of the year away from their friends and family. So it only makes sense that they would feel a specific type of joy when they were finally able to reconnect with the people they hold dear.

12. Jayus – Indonesian

The Indonesian word jayus describes a joke that’s told so poorly that it actually makes you laugh. A bad pun comes to mind, one that makes you groan, but eventually you let out a chuckle because of how ridiculous it is. I think we all know someone who tells jokes like this (Hi, Dad!).

13. Tartle – Scottish

Are you good with faces, but not with names? Then this is the word for you! A tartle is the Scottish word for a pause that comes when you’re trying to remember someone’s name. You might even ask the other person for forgiveness for your tartle to excuse the awkward pause. Keep in mind that this is only for that pause before the names pop to the front of your brain. If you forget the name entirely, that’s a faux pas, and that’s a French concept!

14. 横飯 (Yoko-meshi) – Japanese

This one seems like a fit example to end on. While it literally means a meal eaten sideways, it’s used in Japan to describe the uncomfortableness and stress when speaking a language that’s not your own. If you’re learning a language, you’ll know this is a very real feeling that most of us have experienced. 

But now that you’ve learned some of these fun untranslatable words and phrases, hopefully some of your yoko meshi has been relieved and you feel confident using your newly acquired knowledge to express yourself in another language.

Untranslatable Words: Final Thoughts

Untranslatable words are an inevitable part of learning any language. Not every word and phrase will have a direct translation into your mother tongue, and learning these unique expressions can be a helpful way to immerse yourself into the language you’re learning.

And besides, they’re just fun to learn. Who knew that one or two little words could encapsulate so much meaning. So rather than changing the translations to fit your language, why not learn their actual definitions so you can use them in context. Not to mention, you’ll definitely impress your friends with your linguistic prowess!