Greetings all!
Do you ever find yourself feeling or experiencing something but unable to describe it? Well, you might be able to find the perfect word in another language but there is a catch - that word is not easily translatable!
I have just finished a lovely book by Ella Frances Sanders “Lost in Translation: An Illustrated Compendium of Untranslatable Words from Around the World” – and here are my favorite words!
Image
by ArtTower from
SAUDADE
(Portuguese, noun) – A vague, constant desire for something that does not and
probably cannot exist, a nostalgic longing for someone or something loved and
then lost.
MY NOTE: This was the word that piqued my interest in this book after I read an article that mentioned it. I think many of us have experienced this but did not know how to describe it. And now we know the word for it – Saudade!! And in Brazil, January 30th is the official Saudade day!
MY NOTE: This was the word that piqued my interest in this book after I read an article that mentioned it. I think many of us have experienced this but did not know how to describe it. And now we know the word for it – Saudade!! And in Brazil, January 30th is the official Saudade day!
COMMUOVERE
(Italian; verb) – To be moved in a heartwarming way, usually relating to a
story that moved you to tears.
MY NOTE: For me, it is a good book or a news story about people’s kindness.
MY NOTE: For me, it is a good book or a news story about people’s kindness.
MANGATA
(Swedish; noun) – The road-like reflection of the moon in the water.
MY NOTE: You might recall this word from my post “Take a fika!” and the word FIKA also popped up in this book! Read my Fika post here:[https://findingbalanceandjoy.blogspot.com/2018/06/take-fika-lagom-not-too-little-not-too.html]
MY NOTE: You might recall this word from my post “Take a fika!” and the word FIKA also popped up in this book! Read my Fika post here:[https://findingbalanceandjoy.blogspot.com/2018/06/take-fika-lagom-not-too-little-not-too.html]
MERAKI
(Greek, adjective) – Pouring yourself wholeheartedly into something, such as
cooking, and doing it with soul, creativity, and love.
MY NOTE: We could use more of meraki in so many areas of our lives!
MY NOTE: We could use more of meraki in so many areas of our lives!
PISAN
ZAPRA (Malay, noun) – The time needed to eat a banana.
MY NOTE: What a fun and funny word!
MY NOTE: What a fun and funny word!
KOMOREBI
(Japanese; noun) – The sunlight that filters though the leaves of the trees.
MY NOTE: What a lovely image! Read my Shinrin-Yoku [Forest Bathing] post here: https://findingbalanceandjoy.blogspot.com/2020/07/shinrin-yoku-forest-bathing.html
MY NOTE: What a lovely image! Read my Shinrin-Yoku [Forest Bathing] post here: https://findingbalanceandjoy.blogspot.com/2020/07/shinrin-yoku-forest-bathing.html
BOKETTO
(Japanese, noun) – Gazing vacantly into the distance without really thinking
about anything specific.
MY NOTE: This is one of my favorite activities – I find doing nothing and just being is very restorative and meditative.
MY NOTE: This is one of my favorite activities – I find doing nothing and just being is very restorative and meditative.
What did you think? Drop me a line! And in the meantime, let’s all pause and enjoy a moment of boketto!
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