ADVERTISEMENT

Since time immemorial, when the Tower of Babel collapsed and all peoples began to speak their own languages (in fact, of course, since much more ancient times), each language has its own principles for the formation of words. For example, they say that the peoples living in the Far North have up to a hundred words that can mean snow.

And since languages have their own principles for composing words, it means that words are completely unique, unlike other languages. And the participants in this viral thread in the AskReddit community recall the most interesting and artsy words from their languages, which, according to them, are sorely missed in English. So here's the selection of the best examples and stories made for you by Bored Panda.

More info: Reddit

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For Definitely not my native language, but I love --

>“Kuchisabishii“ is a Japanese term which directly translates to 'lonely mouth; when you're not hungry, but you eat because your mouth is lonely.

MOS95B , snowpea&bokchoi Report

Final score:
111points
Add photo comments
POST
alexking avatar
Alex King
Alex King
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That makes a lot of sense! That’s why I’ve been eating!

Vote comment up
26
26points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
You May Also Like:
#2

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For 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 'cozyness' which really doesn't pay justice to what it actually means.

Else1 , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:
103points
Add photo comments
POST
charlotteparis1982 avatar
Charlotte
Charlotte
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have the same word in Dutch. The closest term in English would be "safe and secure". It's a feeling you get as a child, sleeping in your parents' bed during a thunderstorm, or cuddling up with your partner. A feeling of being protected and safe and warm.

Vote comment up
41
41points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For I miss roles in friendship distinguished in Polish.
“Kolega” is a friend who you like spending time with. Partying or chilling. You socialise 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.

CodNo503 , Alena Darmel Report

Final score:
89points
Add photo comments
POST
vivianekatz avatar
Vinnie
Vinnie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like having terms for different types of friends. Trying to be everything (fun friend, confidante, rescuer, etc.) may not be sustainable.

Vote comment up
16
16points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

In fact, the uniqueness of many words comes from the fact that in the language from which they come, new words are formed simply by combining other, shorter words. This is the origin of, for example, the word Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch - a Welsh town, whose name is today considered the longest in the world. By the way, according to one of the legends, initially the town had a much shorter name: Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, and only in the middle of the 19th century did the local mayor, willing to become famous, lengthen the name so much.

By the way, in the modern world, such names sometimes bring unexpected marketing effects. For example, the Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch soccer club, which plays in the local semi-amateur league, recently acquired a powerful sponsor. It was the Spanish soccer league - La Liga, whose new logo contains two letters L combined. And in the name of said town in Wales, there are five such double L's - so from now the small club is guaranteed financial and marketing growth.
#4

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For 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”.

I love how some languages are able to describe such beautiful moments in life.

tipsy_jana , Albin Stageklint Report

Final score:
86points
Add photo comments
POST
laura_ketteridge avatar
arthbach
arthbach
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sounds suspiciously like 'dappled light'; "small patches of light filtered through objects, often trees, and it creates a combination of light and shadows."

Vote comment up
48
48points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#5

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For Backpfeifengesicht. "A face in need of a fist"

I'm not a violent person but I appreciate that this word exists.

No_Tamanegi , dion gillard Report

Final score:
73points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For My native language is a Native American language called Comanche and isn't a written language but the word sounds like "chaw-tamaw-tey-quat" and it basically is a socially acceptable way to say "I'm done speaking"

SCP-33005 , Alex Green Report

Final score:
70points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu

The specific lifestyle that has developed among certain peoples over centuries of their history also largely determines the unique words in these languages. Hence, for example, there are many variations of epithets for spicy food in Spanish, or for long table conversations after a large dinner. Or, let's say, the already world-famous Danish word hygge, which denotes a feeling of coziness and comfortable communication with feelings of well-being and satisfaction. Over time, by the way, similar words can penetrate into other languages, becoming actually international.
#7

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For Kalsarikännit in Finnish. Literally "underwear drunk" , or more spesifically, "long john drunk".

Meaning deliberately getting drunk alone at home in your underpants with zero plans of meeting anyone or going out. I think other nations do this as well, but don't have a word for it.

Delightfully relaxing and therapeutic at times, slightly concerning if done exessively.

At best a wonderful opportunity to touch base with your self, your life and your deepest thoughts and feelings. And/or watch that one cheesy comedy from 1992 you love but can't get any of your friends to watch with you because they have standards.

At worst you wake up to an unholy mess accompanied by a killer headache, cheese all over the bed, cryptic messages on ripped up pieces of pizza box cardboard written by you to you all over the kitchen, and have nobody to blame than yourself.

I've seen it translated somewhere as "pants drunk", but actual pants are much too fancy attire for this. For full experience you need to wear your most comfortable, decades old long johns that have holes and a weird stain that somehow never comes off in the wash.

Fit_Share_6147 , Hauke Musicaloris Report

Final score:
59points
Add photo comments
POST
dinsdale-holly avatar
Mis Stake she/her 🇫🇮🇬🇧
Mis Stake she/her 🇫🇮🇬🇧
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kalsarikännit does not need to be done alone. you can have kalsarikännit with good friends aswell

Vote comment up
17
17points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#8

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For Perhaps not missing per se, but the distinction between uncle from your mothers side or your Fathers side and their kids.

Farbror, morbror, faster, moster.

Systerson, brorson, systerdotter and brorsdotter.

In English all of these words mean uncle, uncle, aunt, aunt, nephew, nephew, niece and niece.

Farbror = Fathers brother

Morbror = Mothers brother

Faster = Fathers sister

Moster = Mothers sister

Systerson = Sisters son

Brorson = Brothers son

Systerdotter = Sisters daughter

Brorsdotter = Brothers daughter

Malyn_Dredd , Craig Adderley Report

Final score:
57points
Add photo comments
POST
holschrk avatar
Bec
Bec
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would be helpful. It would be useful to have different versions of brother-in-law too, is it by marriage to your spouse or your sibling. The whole firt cousin, second cousin stuff is too much to figure out too.

Vote comment up
23
23points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For From Spanish: estrenar (verb): to use something for the first time.

ratonvacilon23 , baron valium Report

Final score:
54points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu

A special place is occupied by artificial languages, invented either by linguists for universal communication - such as Esperanto, or by writers for the needs of their own books (or both at the same time - as in the case of John R.R. Tolkien, who, being a professional linguist himself, created a whole fantastic world around the artificial languages he invented). Sometimes single words from such languages slip into our speech. Especially if the literary source is successfully filmed. As a result, for example, we know about the Dothraki or Valyrian languages from the books of George R.R. Martin. Valar morghulis!

ADVERTISEMENT
#10

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For English should definitely have a word that's not "spicy" or "hot" to describe capsaicin's flavor/effect on your mouth. "Picante" is the word we have in spanish for it

Nonirs , Rool Paap Report

Final score:
49points
Add photo comments
POST
vicmicbee avatar
Victor Botha
Victor Botha
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Picante has actually been adopted into the English language because "mild but spicy" is such a clumsy expression.

Vote comment up
35
35points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For Simple one. Te amo in spanish means i love you.

Te quiero means i love you as a friend.

In english you use the same word for different things. You can say i love you to a friend, but i would never use te amo in that case.

PiIIan , Askar Abayev Report

Final score:
48points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For Swedish

Skadeglädje=German,Schadenfreude=to be happy when something bad happens to other.

FiNsKaPiNnAr , LS - Report

Final score:
48points
Add photo comments
POST
dopeylars avatar
Not Who You Think
Not Who You Think
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Happiness at the misfortune of others." That IS German! (I know firsthand)

Vote comment up
7
7points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu

Despite the fact that the universal trend in the development of most languages of the world is their constant simplification, new words appear literally every year and in large numbers. So please feel free to read this list to the very end, try to remember the best words from this selection and probably add your own examples in case English isn't your native language. And who knows, maybe in several years some words from this list will become a tradition for English, because the practicality and beauty of the language are the most important thing.

ADVERTISEMENT
#13

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For “Saudade”
it has a similar meaning to “miss you” but we have a direct translation for that “senti sua falta”, saudade has more of an emotional feel to it, it’s really hard to explain, it’s deeper than simply missing someone
Btw I’m Brazilian so the language is Portuguese

peddy_D , microlito Report

Final score:
47points
Add photo comments
POST
andrea-fucciollo avatar
Andrea Fucciollo
Andrea Fucciollo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's also used to express that nostalgia feeling. You can feel saudade of a long time gone, of some food or taste, of something and so on.

Vote comment up
11
11points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For croatian: vukojebina

it describes a place that is far away from civilisation. It means sth like where the wolves f**k.

Brilliant_Novel_921 , Jiri Brozovsky Report

Final score:
45points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For Sobremesa (Spanish): after a meal when you sit around the table talking.

That's the best part - why don't we have a word for it!

(Note: Spanish is not my native language, but I do know quite a bit).

KommieKoala , Daniel Lobo Report

Final score:
43points
Add photo comments
POST
kristiflanigan avatar
LizzieBoredom
LizzieBoredom
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We call this '5 minutes before my sister melts down because someone asked her if she has a job yet', but Sobremesa works too.

Vote comment up
33
33points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For 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".

the2belo , Joaquin Carfagna Report

Final score:
37points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#17

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For Dunno if it exists in other languages, but my god we need two versions of 'we'

we = me and you

we = me and my buddies, but not you

bee-sting , Kampus Production Report

Final score:
35points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For English doesn't define cousins as clearly as my native language. We have different names for each parent side, the generation, related by blood or marriage.

Pretty_Dimension_149 , Thomas Quine Report

Final score:
35points
Add photo comments
POST
kristiflanigan avatar
LizzieBoredom
LizzieBoredom
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm from Alabama. I try not to ask too many questions about how I'm related to cousins.

Vote comment up
76
76points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For Empalagoso (when something is too sweet that you get kinda yucked out)

Sobremesa (relaxing at the dinner table after eating with conversation)

Cabron/a

chrispg26 , kbxxus Report

Final score:
32points
Add photo comments
POST
russelllarsen avatar
Hokuloa
Hokuloa
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

English does have a word for empalagoso. It’s “cloying.” Maybe not perfect, but it does convey the same thought.

Vote comment up
26
26points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For Different words elder brother, elder sister, younger brother, younger sister. Anna, Akka, Thambi, Thangachi respectively. In my country everyone calls literally everyone else, except family, using these words, regardless of station/class/hierarchy. But really older women are exceptionally called Amma (mother).

Edit: Language name is Tamil.

redefined_simplersci , Public.Resource.Org Report

Final score:
30points
Add photo comments
POST
lyuben-petko avatar
Lyuben Petkov
Lyuben Petkov
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Bulgarian we also have words for older sister - "kaka" / "кака", older brother : "batko" /"батко".

Vote comment up
3
3points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#21

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For Lagom (swedish)

It means not bad, and not too good. Just an average between. A very neutral word.

For example, when you wash your hands, the water should be lagom hot. Not cold, not scalding hot. Just lagom.

Live_Rock3302 , Katherine Johnson Report

Final score:
28points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For Gigil? It's when something's so cute you get this sort of feeling of violence? I don't think I'm explaining it right. Kilig is also a similar feeling, but that one is for love; something's so romantic it gives you goosebumps? Or makes you giddy.

ClickGrayson , Virginia State Parks Report

Final score:
28points
Add photo comments
POST
mlbankston avatar
Marisol L. Banks
Marisol L. Banks
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That word defines the feeling you have when you see a baby so cute and adorable you want to eat them up.

Vote comment up
17
17points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For 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

Grazza123 , Tobin Report

Final score:
27points
Add photo comments
POST
carolinegannon avatar
Mabelbabel
Mabelbabel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm English, and I use it occasionally. Usually when I'm talking about something being "outwith my area of responsibility" or "outwith my area of expertise." So basically, it's nothing to do with me, and I know nothing about whatever it is.

Vote comment up
4
4points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For 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.

femmestem , Kristoffer Trolle Report

Final score:
25points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#25

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For In my native language
(I am sure in many more) there are terms for the day after tomorrow and the day before yestrday. Like english what the hell. You need that. Bruh, in my language there is a world for TWO days after tomorrow or TWO days before yestrday.
I mean english has a word for throwing someone out of a window but not this. Cmon.

Edit: there is also this great word that is: skršiti se.
It translates somewhere along the lines falling hard/falling abruptly. Idk when you say it in my language it means they fell really funny, but (most of the time didn't hurt them self). It's used in a funny context.

Living_Advice5420 , Dafne Cholet Report

Final score:
23points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For 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

TheInvisibleWun , a loves dc Report

Final score:
23points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For The French word "chez" as in "Chez moi" roughly translates as "Place" but it is soooo much more versatile.

The Tahitian word "ma" as in "ona ma" is a word used to refer to a person and everyone with them. I've heard it described as "posse" in English, but that doesn't really do it justice.

The English word "get" needs to be adopted by every other language. I mean, what other language just has a catch-all for verbs? It can be used as a substitute for the following:
-to become
-to come
-to have
-to grab
-to understand
-to stand
-to go
and so much more


If you know how to conjugate and use "get" it's like a cheat code for the English language.

A0ma , Stock Catalog Report

Final score:
22points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#28

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For In norwegian we have "pålegg" which basically is toppings you have on bread like cheese, salami and even f**in spreads like nutella, nugatti and even f**in peanut butter I don't think butter itself counts as pålegg as it's technically just this extra thing you put on before the pålegg itself

Imaginary-dick , N i c o l a Report

Final score:
22points
Add photo comments
POST
milapreradovi avatar
Mila Preradović
Mila Preradović
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this one of those "Guess if it is an IKEA name or a swear word" quizzes again?🤨

Vote comment up
19
19points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For Voilà

Amadeus404 , leo gonzales Report

Final score:
20points
Add photo comments
POST
kayrose avatar
Roan The Demon Kitty
Roan The Demon Kitty
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

eh, this one has kinda just been adopted into English, though. or in english use "tah-dah!" too

Vote comment up
20
20points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Folks Who Speak Several Languages Point Out 30 Concepts English Doesn’t Have A Word For Ohrwurm is german is wordly translated as "earworm"
When a song plays in ur head over and over again and u cant turn it of u have an Ohrwurm

Kxxd8dx69sdsxx8 , Nenad Stojkovic Report

Final score:
20points
Add photo comments
POST
hughcooks avatar
Hugh Cookson
Hugh Cookson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same in English .... My favourites are ' I can hear it coming in the air tonight ' by Phil Collins - including the dum dum dum dum ta dum on the drums and 'Billie Jean' by Michal Jackson. I thank you, you will have those tunes in your head for at least 3 hours ... tee he, I'm a bad man.

Vote comment up
3
3points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 39 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!