Words with no equivalent in English
People say that English has more words than any other language. However, sometimes we must turn to other languages to find le mot juste. Here are some international words which don't exisit in English. Can you identify the language they come from?
There are 10 questions and there is a time limit of 120 seconds. Good luck!
People say that English has more words than any other language. However, sometimes we must turn to other languages to find le mot juste. Here are some international words which don't exisit in English. Can you identify the language they come from?
There are 10 questions and there is a time limit of 120 seconds. Good luck!
German
Estonian
Hungarian
Polish
Shemomedjamo
You know when you’re really full, but your meal is just so delicious, you can’t stop eating it? This word means, “I accidentally ate the whole thing".
Georgian Polish
Japanese
Hawaiian
Tartle
That panicky hesitation just before you have to introduce someone whose name you can't quite remember.
Scottish
Greek
Welsh
Irish
Backpfeifengesicht
German Polish
Georgian
Danish
German Polish
Russian Danish
Polish Danish Russian GermanIktsuarpok
Inuit
Samoan
Buli, Ghana
Filipino
Inuit Samoan Buli, Ghana Filipino
Mencolek
Indonesian Russian Buli, Ghana Filipino
Faamiti
To make a squeaking sound by sucking air past the lips in order to gain the attention of a dog or child.
Samoan
Thai Indonesian Filipino
Gigil
The urge to pinch or squeeze something that is irresistibly cute.
Samoan
Thai Indonesian Filipino
Zhaghzhagh
The chattering of teeth from the cold or from rage.
Yiddish
Persian Indonesian Filipino
Luftmensch
Persian German Filipino Yiddish
Vybafnout
A word tailor-made which is perfect for annoying older brothers - it means to jump out and say boo.
Yiddish
Czech Thai Inuit
Lagom
This little word is hard to define, but means something like, “Not too much, and not too little, but juuuuust right.”
Czech Polish Hungarian
Swedish
Bakku-shan
This is a slang term, which describes the experience of seeing a woman who appears pretty from behind but not from the front.
Japanese
Chinese
Vietnamese
Korean
Ya’arburnee
This word is the hopeful declaration that you will die before someone you love deeply, because you cannot stand to live without them. Literally, may you bury me.
Japanese
Arabic Yiddish Korean
Koi No Yokan
The sense upon first meeting a person that the two of you are going to fall in love.
Japanese Arabic
Yiddish
Korean
Boketto
Gazing vacantly into the distance without thinking.
Japanese
Arabic Yiddish
Korean
Pana Po’o
This word means to scratch your head in order to help you remember something you’ve forgotten.
Hawaiian Arabic Yiddish Georgian
Zeg
It means “the day after tomorrow.”
Hawaiian Arabic Chinese Georgian
Cafune
This word means tenderly running your fingers through your lover’s hair.
Portuguese Inuit
Danish Georgian
HONIGKUCHENPFERD
Taken literally, this word means “horse-shaped honey cake.” It’s talking about a big grin the wearer just can’t wipe off of their face.
German Inuit Danish Georgian
RAZBLIUTO
The nostalgic feeling you may have for someone you once loved, but don’t anymore.
German Filipino Danish Russian
SENTAK BANGUN
This verb means “to wake up with a start.”
Thai Filipino Indonesia Russian
SHOUGANAI
If there’s nothing you can do about it, don’t waste time being angry or worrying.
Thai Japanese Indonesia Russian
Sobremesa
This word describes that sedated, drowsy, happy conversation that results from full stomachs, a few bottles of wine, and good friends.
Spanish Japanese Arabic Russian