Most translators will be aware that certain cultures can be particularly sensitive to specific concepts, perceiving them in entirely unique ways. Often, this \u2018sensitivity\u2019 to specific items, emotions or situations is encapsulated in a word.<\/p>\n
The Italian language\u00a0<\/strong>has a vast vocabulary and naturally as such, contains some\u00a0untranslatable words<\/strong>. This sort of predicament often requires professional translators to employ some classic\u00a0\u2018lateral thinking<\/strong>.\u2019 We\u2019ve compiled a list of untranslatable words from Italy and around the globe.<\/p>\n Menefreghismo<\/em><\/strong>: this word basically conveys a sense of\u00a0arrogant disregard<\/strong>\u00a0towards people, events or situations. It\u2019s not so much used to describe a particular moment in time \u2013 in which someone might lose their temper \u2013 but more an overarching\u00a0existential attitude\u00a0<\/strong>that other countries (fortunately) don\u2019t have a word to describe. This expression derives one of the most famous fascist sayings: \u2018Me ne frego<\/em>\u2019 (or I don\u2019t give a damn), which soldiers wrote on the bandages they used to patch up their war wounds.<\/p>\n Gattara<\/em><\/strong>: this Italian word conveys a series of psychological and social nuances that are impossible to translate into other languages. The English expression \u2018Cat Lady\u2019 comes close, but it doesn\u2019t quite have the same connotations.<\/p>\n Struggimento<\/em><\/strong>: a sense of pining or heartache that seems to\u00a0gradually consume<\/strong>\u00a0the body and spirit of those in love. No wonder the Swedes don\u2019t have a word for it!<\/p>\n Meriggiare<\/em><\/strong>: an Italian word made famous by Eugenio Montale who wrote the verse \u2018Meriggiare pallido e assorto<\/em>,\u2019 which has been translated into English as \u2018to pass noon, pale and thoughtful.\u2019 The word essentially describes the act of\u00a0resting in the shade\u00a0<\/strong>outdoors during the\u00a0hottest part of the afternoon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Desbundar<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em>\u00a0a Portuguese word that means to\u00a0lose your inhibitions\u00a0<\/strong>when having fun.<\/p>\n Iktsuarpok<\/em><\/strong>: a word from the Inuit language that describes the\u00a0anxious wait\u00a0<\/strong>for someone to arrive, returning feverishly to the door or window until the person finally shows up. Such as when you\u2019re waiting for a package to arrive, for example.<\/p>\n Hygge<\/em><\/strong>: a Danish word that encapsulates a concept you\u2019ll have become very familiar with if you work in interior design. It describes an\u00a0intimate and welcoming place<\/strong>, but also a social atmosphere that transmits a sense of well-being to those within it.<\/p>\n Wabi-sabi<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em>\u00a0an appreciation for\u00a0imperfect, transient beauty<\/strong>, which is valued precisely due to its brevity.<\/p>\n Tarab<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em>\u00a0an Arabic word that conveys the state of ecstasy that you experience when cast under the spell of a piece of music.<\/p>\n Saudade<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em>\u00a0a very famous Portuguese word that describes a feeling of\u00a0nostalgia\u00a0<\/strong>for a distant time or place. Whether the thing in question exists or not is completely irrelevant. You can also have\u00a0saudade<\/em>\u00a0for people you\u2019ve never met or places you\u2019ve never visited.<\/p>\n Gumusservi<\/em><\/strong>: a Turkish word that describes the\u00a0reflection of moonlight on water.\u00a0<\/strong>The Turkish population is incredibly poetic, there\u2019s no doubt about it.<\/p>\n Sehnsucht<\/em><\/strong>: a romantic German concept to describe\u00a0love\u00a0<\/strong>for an elusive object of desire.<\/p>\n Gigil<\/em><\/strong>: a word that is widely used in the Philippines to indicate an irresistible need to pinch, cuddle or squeeze a loved one.<\/p>\n Sukha<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em>\u00a0a Sanskrit word that describes a capacity to\u00a0experience a long-lasting sense of happiness or bliss<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Wanderlust<\/em><\/strong>: a German word that describes an irrepressible (and pathological)\u00a0desire to travel.<\/strong><\/p>\n We\u2019re so used to the idea that English is a simple and familiar language that we sometimes don\u2019t realise how many English words exist in the Italian language because it has no direct equivalent.<\/p>\n Internet<\/strong>: no need for an explanation.<\/p>\n Smartphone<\/strong>: same as above.<\/p>\n Chill<\/strong>: this word describes a temperature, but also a sense of calming down or relaxing. In recent years, the word has become inextricably linked to the Netflix brand. \u2018Netflix & Chill\u2019 essentially means to relax and watch Netflix, but when someone suggests it to a romantic interest, they may have other intentions\u2026<\/p>\n Facepalm<\/strong>: literally the act of putting one\u2019s palm to one\u2019s face. Often occurs in a moment of embarrassment or discomfort.<\/p>\n Swag<\/strong>: a term commonly used by younger generations to describe a way of moving in a cool, trendy fashion \u2013 it\u2019s essentially used to define how one dresses or behaves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Most translators will be aware that certain cultures can be particularly sensitive to specific concepts, perceiving them in entirely unique ways. Often, this \u2018sensitivity\u2019 to specific items, emotions or situations is encapsulated in a word.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":748,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nUntranslatable Italian words<\/h2>\n
Untranslatable words from around the globe<\/h2>\n
Untranslatable English words<\/h2>\n