Words that can't be translated into English

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Reading time: 4 minutes

While English is a rich language, there are some words from other languages that dont have a direct translation. These words often describe special feelings, situations, or ideas that are deeply connected to their cultures. For example, just as some languages have specific words for different types of weather, other languages have unique words for particular moments or emotions that are hard to explain in English. Here are some interesting examples of untranslatable words that show us the different ways people see the world.

Words that can't be translated directly into English
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Examples of untranslatable words

1. Wabi-sabi ()

?Language: Japanese?

?Origin: Zen Buddhist philosophy?

Meaning: Wabi-sabi is a way of seeing beauty in things that are imperfect and temporary. It appreciates the natural cycle of growth and decay. For example, a weathered wooden bench or a chipped ceramic bowl are beautiful because they show signs of age and use.

2. Saudade

Language: Portuguese?

Origin: From Latin "solitas" meaning solitude?

Meaning: Saudade is a deep feeling of missing someone or something you love but that is not present. It is a mix of sadness and happiness, often brought on by memories.

3. Schadenfreude

Language: German?

Origin: From "Schaden" (damage/harm) and "Freude" (joy)?

Meaning: Schadenfreude is the feeling of pleasure or satisfaction when you see someone else experience trouble or suffering. It is a complex emotion that shows the mix of empathy and rivalry.

4. Hygge

Language: Danish?

Origin: From Old Norse "hugga" meaning to comfort or console?

Meaning: Hygge is a feeling of cozy contentment and well-being from enjoying simple things in life. It is often associated with candlelit evenings, warm blankets, and spending time with loved ones.

5. Mamihlapinatapai

Language: Yaghan (Indigenous language of Tierra del Fuego)?

Origin: Yaghan people?

Meaning: This word describes the look shared by two people who both want to start something but are both too shy or hesitant to do so. It is a moment of mutual understanding and hesitation.

6. Toska

Language: Russian?

Origin: From Old Russian?

Meaning: Toska is a word that describes a deep, spiritual sadness or longing. It can range from a vague restlessness to an intense, existential yearning. It is a complex emotion that can include nostalgia and a sense of the ineffable.

7. Sobremesa

Language: Spanish?

Origin: From "sobre" (over) and "mesa" (table)?

Meaning: Sobremesa is the time spent relaxing and talking after a meal, enjoying the company of others. It is a cherished tradition in many Spanish-speaking countries.

8. G?kotta

Language: Swedish?

Origin: From "g?k" (cuckoo) and "otta" (early morning)?

Meaning: G?kotta is the act of waking up early in the morning to go outside and listen to the first birds singing. It is a celebration of nature and the peace of early morning.

9. Komorebi (ľ©)

Language: Japanese?

Origin: From "ko" (tree), "moreru" (to leak through), and "bi" (light)?

Meaning: Komorebi describes the sunlight that filters through the leaves of trees, creating a beautiful play of light and shadow. It captures a peaceful and almost magical moment in nature.

10. Meraki (̦Ŧ?ʦ)

Language: Greek

Origin: From Turkish "merak" (labor of love)?

Meaning: Meraki is the soul, creativity, or love you put into something; the essence of yourself that you put into your work. It is often used to describe the passion and dedication you pour into a task.

Borrowing words from English

Interestingly, just as English speakers sometimes struggle to find the right word for certain feelings or situations, speakers of other languages also face similar challenges. When a language lacks a specific word for a new concept or item, it often borrows from another language. English, being a dominant global language, is frequently the source of these borrowed words.

For example, Japanese has adopted many English words. Here are a few examples:

1. ԥ` (Konpyta)

Origin: English "computer"?

Meaning: This word is used in Japanese to refer to a computer. While Japanese has its own words for many things, the rapid advancement of technology brought with it new concepts that didn't have existing Japanese terms.

2. ڥѥ (Peparoni)

Origin:?English "pepperoni"?

Meaning: This word is used in Japanese to mean pepperoni, a type of spicy salami often used as a pizza topping. The concept of pepperoni was introduced from Western cuisine and the English term was adapted to fit the Japanese phonetic system.

3. ` (Aisukurmu)

Origin: English "ice cream"?

Meaning: This word is used in Japanese to refer to ice cream. The concept of ice cream was introduced to Japan and the English term was adapted to fit the Japanese phonetic system.

4. ٩`` (Erebt)

Origin: English "elevator"?

Meaning: This word is used in Japanese to refer to an elevator. As modern buildings with elevators became more common in Japan, the English term was borrowed.

These borrowed words are often adapted to fit the phonetic and grammatical systems of the borrowing language. This process of borrowing and adapting words shows how languages evolve and influence each other, enriching their vocabularies and enabling speakers to communicate new ideas.

These words show us that language is not just a way to communicate but also a reflection of the unique ways different cultures understand and interact with the world. While they may not have direct translations in English, their meanings resonate with universal human emotions and experiences. So next time you experience a moment that feels hard to describe, remember that somewhere in the world, there might be a perfect word for it.

Explore our blog posts 'Translating sayings into English C with some funny results' and 'English tongue twisters to test your English skills'.

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    2. The bees knees

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    3. More holes than Swiss cheese

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    4. Bamboozle

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    5. Fuddy-duddy

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    6. Gobbledygook

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    7. Mad as a hatter

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    8. Raining cats and dogs

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    9. Lollygag

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    10. The whole shebang

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    11. Cat got your tongue?

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    12. As cool as a cucumber

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    Praise in the classroom is a valuable resource that every teacher has in their toolbox.?It can encourage struggling students and reward learners who have been studying diligently and working hard on their language skills.

    But not all types of praise have the same effect. Lets take a look at different types of praise and how you can use it to boost your learners motivation and?self-esteem.?

    Different types of praise in the classroom

    There are three types of praise that teachers commonly engage in - but theyre not all equal and are not all desirable:?

    • Personal praise: Here you praise a student for a specific ability or quality. For example, you might say something like,?You have a great memory for vocabulary.??
    • Effort-based praise: This?is when you comment on a students efforts. For example, you could say,?I can see you tried really hard with this vocabulary homework C well done.??
    • Behavior-based praise:?This type of praise?is where you comment on how a student is acting, an example would be,?You were really paying attention during the vocabulary lesson C good job.

    So how C and when C should we use these types of praise in the classroom??

    Try not to praise ability

    The first type of praise C personal praise C should be avoided in the classroom.??has shown that this type of praise doesnt have a beneficial effect on motivation.?

    In fact, praise for intelligence actually has a detrimental effect on student achievement. When students were praised for their intelligence, they tended to care more about their performance goals C the score they achieved on a test, for example. Learning goals, like mastering a new skill, became less important to them.?

    Moreover, personal praise has been shown to undermine student resilience in the face of failure. Students showed less persistence when it came to challenging tasks and less enjoyment of the challenge. They also performed more poorly than children praised for effort.?

    Furthermore, when you praise students for their ability, they also tend to see intelligence or aptitude as a fixed trait. However, students who are praised for effort are more likely to see ability as something they can improve on. This feeds into the development of a growth mindset vs a fixed mindset.?Its important to?instill?a growth mindset in learners to enable them to reach their full potential.?

    How to praise effort and behavior

    When it comes to praising effort and behavior, whats the most effective way to do it? Here are some techniques to employ:?

    1. Be specific ?

    General praise such as Good job isnt nearly as effective as a comment that shows youve been paying attention to what the student is doing. A precise compliment will make a much bigger impact on a student, for example:?I was really impressed at how hard you concentrated during the listening exercise. Well done.??

    2. Give praise in the moment?

    Immediate praise doesnt need to be disruptive, but it shows students that you are paying attention and noticing good behavior and effort.?

    3. Avoid comparisons with other students?

    Instead of saying, You got the best mark in the class C well done! say something like,?You got a really high score in the reading test. Your hard work has really paid off this term.

    4. Keep track of praise?

    Before your class, choose three or four students youre going to praise that day. That way, you can be sure that each and every student will benefit from the motivational power of effective classroom praise!

    5. Personalize your praise, depending on the student?

    Young students enjoy being praised publicly, but shy students, older children and teenagers prefer positive feedback to be given quietly.?

    Dont overpraise and watch your positive bias?

    Its important to be sincere. Older children, especially adolescents, have an extremely low tolerance of insincerity. So, dont be tempted to praise students too often, or too effusively C it can actually have a negative impact on your relationship with your whole class. Insincere praise can lead students to question your judgement.?

    Its also really important to be aware of your positive bias.?that teachers consistently give students of color more positive feedback on their work. Its done with good intentions, but it can actually be harmful. If you regularly overpraise students for minor achievements, it can imply that you have low expectations for these students. And, this can make your students feel like they might not be capable of fulfilling the high expectations that you should have of them.?

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