Genius Words the English Language Needs to Steal From the Rest of the World

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    Aşermek (Turkish) A pregnant woman is who is craving a particular type of food.
    1/30 Aşermek (Turkish) A pregnant woman is who is craving a particular type of food.
  • 2/30
    Arlésienne (French) A word used to describe people who are at the centre of a conversation, situation or problem but are nowhere to be found.
    2/30 Arlésienne (French) A word used to describe people who are at the centre of a conversation, situation or problem but are nowhere to be found.
  • 3/30
    Traktir (Russian) To treat someone to something, such as dinner, on a special occasion.
    3/30 Traktir (Russian) To treat someone to something, such as dinner, on a special occasion.
  • 4/30
    Feieraband (German) The ‘celebration evening’ you have when you finish work.
    4/30 Feieraband (German) The ‘celebration evening’ you have when you finish work.
  • 5/30
    Spaegie (Shetland Dialect) The soreness you feel in your muscles a day or so after you’ve had a hard workout.
    5/30 Spaegie (Shetland Dialect) The soreness you feel in your muscles a day or so after you’ve had a hard workout.
  • 6/30
    Mamihlapinatapei (Yagan - Indigenous language of Tierra del Fuego) The silent and meaningful look between two people who desire to initiate something romantic but are reluctant.
    6/30 Mamihlapinatapei (Yagan - Indigenous language of Tierra del Fuego) The silent and meaningful look between two people who desire to initiate something romantic but are reluctant.
  • 7/30
    Litost (Czech) The state of agony and torment created by the sudden realisation of one’s own misery.
    7/30 Litost (Czech) The state of agony and torment created by the sudden realisation of one’s own misery.
  • 8/30
    Cafuné (Brazilian) This describes the tender act of running your fingers through someone’s hair.
    8/30 Cafuné (Brazilian) This describes the tender act of running your fingers through someone’s hair.
  • 9/30
    Wabi-Sabi (Japanese) This word is used to describe a particular way of living that focuses on finding beauty within the imperfection and accepting the natural cycle of growth and decay.
    9/30 Wabi-Sabi (Japanese) This word is used to describe a particular way of living that focuses on finding beauty within the imperfection and accepting the natural cycle of growth and decay.
  • 10/30
    L’appel du vide (French) The strange, yet instinctive urge to jump from high places.
    10/30 L’appel du vide (French) The strange, yet instinctive urge to jump from high places.
  • 11/30
    Pochemuchka (Russian) Someone who asks a lot of questions.
    11/30 Pochemuchka (Russian) Someone who asks a lot of questions.
  • 12/30
    Nekama (Japanese) A man pretending to be a woman on the internet.
    12/30 Nekama (Japanese) A man pretending to be a woman on the internet.
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    Tingo (Pascuense - Easter Island) Taking objects you want from a person’s house by gradually borrowing all of them.”
    13/30 Tingo (Pascuense - Easter Island) Taking objects you want from a person’s house by gradually borrowing all of them.”
  • 14/30
    Duende (Spanish) This word is used to describe the unexplainable power a work of art can have to move a person.
    14/30 Duende (Spanish) This word is used to describe the unexplainable power a work of art can have to move a person.
  • 15/30
    DONALDKACSÁZÁS (Hungarian) This literally means “Donald Ducking”, which in this case is the act of wearing a shirt but no pants at home. Don’t pretend you haven’t done it.
    15/30 DONALDKACSÁZÁS (Hungarian) This literally means “Donald Ducking”, which in this case is the act of wearing a shirt but no pants at home. Don’t pretend you haven’t done it.
  • 16/30
    Torschlusspanik (German) Despite the literal translation meaning “gate-closing panic” it is used to describe the diminishing opportunities available due to aging.
    16/30 Torschlusspanik (German) Despite the literal translation meaning “gate-closing panic” it is used to describe the diminishing opportunities available due to aging.
  • 17/30
    Kyoikumama (Japanese) A mother who constantly pushes her children towards academic achievement.
    17/30 Kyoikumama (Japanese) A mother who constantly pushes her children towards academic achievement.
  • 18/30
    Iktsuarpok (Inuit) The feeling of anticipation that leads you to go outside and check if anyone is coming, and probably also indicates an element of impatience.
    18/30 Iktsuarpok (Inuit) The feeling of anticipation that leads you to go outside and check if anyone is coming, and probably also indicates an element of impatience.
  • 19/30
    Jayus (Indonesian) An unfunny and poorly told you joke that you can’t help but laugh at.
    19/30 Jayus (Indonesian) An unfunny and poorly told you joke that you can’t help but laugh at.
  • 20/30
    Dépaysement (French) A sad feeling from not being in your home country.
    20/30 Dépaysement (French) A sad feeling from not being in your home country.
  • 21/30
    Prozvonit (Czech) The act of calling a cell phone and letting it ring once before hanging up so the other person will call you back.
    21/30 Prozvonit (Czech) The act of calling a cell phone and letting it ring once before hanging up so the other person will call you back.
  • 22/30
    Goya (Urdu) The suspension of disbelief that can occur through good fiction or storytelling
    22/30 Goya (Urdu) The suspension of disbelief that can occur through good fiction or storytelling
  • 23/30
    Tartle (Scottish) The moment of hesitation whilst introducing someone because you’ve forgotten their name.
    23/30 Tartle (Scottish) The moment of hesitation whilst introducing someone because you’ve forgotten their name.
  • 24/30
    Culaccino (Italian) The mark a cold glass leaves on a table.
    24/30 Culaccino (Italian) The mark a cold glass leaves on a table.
  • 25/30
    AYURNAMAT (Inuit) The philosophy that there is no point in worrying about things that can’t be changed.
    25/30 AYURNAMAT (Inuit) The philosophy that there is no point in worrying about things that can’t be changed.
  • 26/30
    Saudade (Portuguese) The feeling where you long for something or someone that you love which is lost.
    26/30 Saudade (Portuguese) The feeling where you long for something or someone that you love which is lost.
  • 27/30
    Zapoi (Russian) Two or more days of drunkenness that usually involves a journey or waking up somewhere unexpected.
    27/30 Zapoi (Russian) Two or more days of drunkenness that usually involves a journey or waking up somewhere unexpected.
  • 28/30
    Ya’aburnee (Arabic) The literal translation of the word is “You bury me.” The meaning behind it is the hope that you’ll die before another person because of how difficult it would be to live without them.
    28/30 Ya’aburnee (Arabic) The literal translation of the word is “You bury me.” The meaning behind it is the hope that you’ll die before another person because of how difficult it would be to live without them.
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    Sobremesa (Spanish) The food-induced conversations that you have with people after you've shared a meal.
    29/30 Sobremesa (Spanish) The food-induced conversations that you have with people after you've shared a meal.
  • 30/30
    Schadenfreude (German) The feeling of pleasure derived by seeing another’s misfortune.
    30/30 Schadenfreude (German) The feeling of pleasure derived by seeing another’s misfortune.

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There are some things we do and experiences we share but we just don't have words to describe it. Or...we kinda do but usually it has to be a sentence. These clever languages know how to put all these feelings into one word!

Source: Distractify