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Have you ever wished that a word existed for a particular moment or emotion? Or even wished you could explain yourself in only one word rather than with a few words in a sentence?
We have a lot of words in other languages that explain the same feeling you have felt at least once in your life. Some of them will make you smile and some of them will make you realise how similar we are to one another.
1. Hiraeth (Welsh)
Have you ever felt like going home but deep inside you know that this home doesn’t exist anymore? Hiraeth defines a feeling of homesickness1 or nostalgia2. A longing for something that is from the past.
2. Saudade (Brazilian Portuguese)
This is also a feeling of longing3, and it could be for something or someone. It is a strong feeling when this thing or person is missing from you.
3. Dépayser (French)
This word means that you feel out of place. You could feel out of place in your own country if you’re in another city or when you’re travelling. You can experience this when you miss everything about your previous lifestyle or routine.
4. Hygge (Danish)
This word has a lot of meaning for Danish culture and it has become quite popular around the world. It simply rejects the idea of needing more to be happy. Hygge refers to the feeling of coziness4 and comfort you feel doing simple things with your loved ones.
5. Pennichella (Italian)
Pennichella refers to the well-deserved snooze5 after a hearty lunch in Italian culture. Who hasn’t felt woozy6 after a big lunch at grandma’s house? Well, in Italy, they have the luxury of taking a nap.
6. Tarab (Arabic)
It is such a beautiful word and it should exist in English! Tarab refers to the ecstasy7 that you feel when listening to music. Some even define tarab as ‘self-transcendence through art’.
7. Meraki (Greek)
Meraki is a soulful8 word because it refers to the times when you put your heart and soul into your creative work. Almost like leaving a piece of yourself in the work.
8. Ikigai (Japanese)
Ikigai has also become popular around the world as it refers to your life’s purpose or self-actualisation9. It is the intersection between your passion, your talent, what the world needs and what you can get paid for.
9. Wanderlust (German)
Originally from the German language, wanderlust has become a popular saying for people travelling the world. They feel this calling for travelling and find pleasure in visiting new places.
10. Flâner (French)
This word means to wander around without any goal or purpose10. It’s fun to do when visiting a new city or if you’re waiting to meet up with someone.
11. Iktsuarpok (Inuit)
You know the feeling you get when you know that someone you care a lot about is coming? You cannot wait to see them! Sometimes, you check through the curtains if they have finally arrived. This feeling of anticipation11 exists in the Inuit language as iktsuarpok.
12. Voorpret (Dutch)
This is the feeling of excitement ahead12 of a fun event. For example, when you’ve booked concert tickets to see your favourite artist, you cannot wait for the day! It could be the excitement for Christmas celebrations or going on holiday.
13. Schnapsidee (German)
Also known as “booze13 idea”, schnapsidee is a completely ridiculous idea someone had while being drunk! Who hasn’t had one of those?
14. Treppenwitz (German)
Have you ever had someone tease you and then later on thought of a smart comeback14? This is known as treppenwitz in German or “staircase joke”.
15. Weltschmerz (German)
When you watch the news and see something terrible happen, don’t you just wish you could do something, but you know that you can’t? This sad feeling of powerlessness15 is known as weltschmerz in German.
16. Gigil (Tagalog)
Do you ever see something cute and just feel all warm and giddy16 inside? This overwhelming feeling is known as gigil in the Tagalog language from the Philippines.
17. Commuovere (Italian)
Some people have the most tragic17 life stories to tell and sometimes they move you to tears. Sometimes, someone’s wedding speech about love can also make you feel emotional. This is known as commuovere in Italian.
18. Wabi-sabi (Japanese)
This poetic18 word defines something that is imperfect, impermanent19, and incomplete but is still beautiful. It is a way of living that teaches us to accept life with its imperfections.
19. Waldeinsamkeit (German)
You know the relaxed feeling you get when you’re alone in the woods? This wonderful feeling of calm and peace is known as waldeinsamkeit.
20. Ya’aburnee (Arabic)
Literally “you bury me”, ya’aburnee is an expression of hope that you will die before the person you love, as living without them would be unbearable20 for you.
Which word surprised you and which one was your favourite? Will you start using some of them in English?
- homesickness – strong feeling of wanting to go home ↩︎
- nostalgia – a sentiment attached to the past ↩︎
- longing – strong feeling of need; desire ↩︎
- coziness – warm, comfortable and safe ↩︎
- snooze – short sleep; also ‘nap’ ↩︎
- woozy – unsteady; dizzy ↩︎
- ecstasy – extreme feeling happiness or joy ↩︎
- soulful – expressing depth and often sorrowful feeling ↩︎
- self-actualisation – fulfilment of one’s talents and potentialities ↩︎
- purpose – reason for being; a person’s life ambition ↩︎
- anticipation – the act of looking forward; usually for a pleasurable event ↩︎
- ahead – before ↩︎
- booze – informal word for alcoholic drink ↩︎
- comeback – a quick reply to a critical remark ↩︎
- powerlessness – lack of power or ability ↩︎
- giddy – loss of balance from too much positive emotion ↩︎
- tragic – causing sadness ↩︎
- poetic – related to or used in poetry / poems ↩︎
- impermanent – temporary ↩︎
- unbearable – unable to endure; difficult to live through ↩︎
My Life in English 
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