10 Untranslatable Words to Help You Describe the Complexities of Life

10 Untranslatable Words to Help You Describe the Complexities of Life 10 Untranslatable Words to Help You Describe the Complexities of Life Sometimes you just dont have the right word.You can stammer and gesticulate, but without the right word, youll be like a fish out of whatever-it-is-that-fish-live-in.And the unfortunate thing is that sometimes the word youre looking for simply doesnt exist in the language youre speaking. When you speak multiple languages, trying to find a word that translates to the word you want can become a polyglot problem. Luckily, theres an easy and fun solution for this: just use an untranslatable word from a foreign language!Untranslatable words are descriptive, entertaining and just downright cool. Just because your parents didnt give you a cool foreign name doesnt mean you still cant have something foreign and exotic in your life.Before we get too far in, lets be straight: untranslatable words are not universally recognized.  Scientific American  points out that even the idea of an untranslatable word is up for debate. Some argue that no words are untranslatable since you can usually explain any words meaning in a few words. Others might argue that since all words have complex meanings, all words are untranslatable. But whether you think everything or nothing is translatable, the fact remains that some words are more difficult to translate or explain than others.In fact, many languages have words that are often considered untranslatable. For example, there are plenty of Spanish words and Japanese words that fit the bill.So whether you believe in untranslatable words or not, theyre still fun to learn more about. Today well look at 10 entertaining words that some consider untranslatable. Why Should You Learn These Untranslatable Words?One popular reason to learn untranslatable words is that they offer vivid descriptions for things you wouldnt otherwise be able to describe easily. Some languages have developed words for concepts, actions, feelings and things that other languages dont necessarily have words for. Maybe theyre ahead of the trend and other languages will fo llow, but the fact remains that these words capture essential meanings that words in other languages do not.Additionally, untranslatable words add color to your vocabulary. Theyre interesting and dynamic, and using them will certainly make an impression and leave others asking more about the curious words.Plus, untranslatable words are just plain fun. Theres something indescribably appealing about them. You may even find yourself sharing them with your friends and/or trading them like Pokemon cards. Theyre the gift that keeps on giving.Resources for Learning Untranslatable WordsIf you finish this post and find you just cant get enough untranslatable wordsâ€"they  are addicting, after all!â€"here are a few resources to help you get your fix.The School of Life flashcardsThis 20-card set introduces some vibrant untranslatable words, with colorful illustrations to accompany each words definition. You may use them as a crash course in untranslatable words or simply a fun item to display proudly on your coffee table.Untranslatable WordsUntranslatable Words is a Tumblr account dedicated to sharing and discussing some of the strange and exciting words that are out there. Its archives are vast, so it could fill your brain for days. Plus, you can also filter by language or part of speech to make it easy to find just the right word.Lost in TranslationLost in Translation is a beautifully illustrated book that contains 50 untranslatable words. The definitions also include part of speech, making the words significantly easier to work into your everyday vocabulary.Dictionary of Untranslatables: A Philosophical LexiconIf you fancy a more academic approach to untranslatable words, you might try Dictionary of Untranslatables: A Philosophical Lexicon. This volume contains about 400 words related to politics, philosophy, literature and more. It features words from over a dozen languages with entries written by over 150 scholars. Entries are quite thorough, so this is best for in- depth study rather than casual perusal.10 Untranslatable Words to Help You Describe the Complexities of Life1. SchadenfreudeLanguage:GermanDescription:Schadenfreude is pleasure derived from someones misfortune. Thanks to the popular musical Avenue Q, which dedicates a whole song  (with adult content, so be warned) to it, schadenfreude is perhaps one of the better known untranslatable words.Usage Example:â€"Why do you want to go to the park? It just started raining. â€"Because a lot of people were picnicking there, and watching them frantically pack up is the best schadenfreude.2. IktsuarpokLanguage:Inuktitut (an Inuit language from Arctic region in central and eastern Canada)Description:The feeling of anticipation when you are waiting for someone to arrive and keep checking to see if he/she has arrived yet.Usage Example:I have too much  iktsuarpok. Im just going to wedge myself into the windowsill until he arrives.3. UtepilsLanguage:NorwegianDescription:Utepils literally means outdo ors lager. It can be used to refer to a beer you drink outdoors, or to the act of drinking beer outside on a nice day.Usage Example:After nine months of winter, its finally nice out. Want to come over for an  utepils?4. LítostLanguage:CzechDescription:The sudden feeling of recognizing your own failures and miseries. Its a combination of humiliation, remorse and self-pity.Usage Example:Blair posted on social media about her tour of five-star restaurants in France. My most notable dining experience recently was last week when the food trucks refrigerator went out and they had that seafood sale. I dont know whats worse: the  lítost  or the food poisoning.5. MokitaLanguage:Kilivila (an Austronesian language used in the Trobriand Islands of Papua New Guinea)Description:Something everyone knows but does not discuss.Usage Example:Id love to find out where Sharon got her new calf implants, but I cant ask anyone. Its a  mokita.6. MamihlapinatapeiLanguage:Yagán/Yaghan (an indigenous langua ge from Tierra del Fuego, the southern tip of South America)Description:The Guinness Book of World Records named mamilhlapinatapei the most succinct word. Thats quite an accomplishment for a word thats 16 letters long! Mamihlapinatapei refers to an expressive exchange of glances when two people share the same thought. That thought may very well be romantic, but it doesnt have to be.Usage Example:When the boss started talking about how his employees needed to work harder after he himself had taken a two-hour nap in the copy room, Matt and Dave shared a mamihlapinatapei.7.  ?? (Wabi-sabi)Language:JapaneseDescription:?? means beautiful imperfection. Its a popular aesthetic concept  that stems from Buddhist teachings.Usage Example:My eyebrows arent unevenly plucked! Theyre just  ?? (wabi-sabi).8. TingoLanguage:Pascuenese/Rapa Nui (indigenous language of Easter Island)Pronunciation:Since this is an uncommon language, audio pronunciations are few and far between. However, the pronunciatio n is approximately TEEN-go.Description:Depending on the source,  you might find two different definitions for  tingo.  The first is to haul as much as you can. The second is to borrow your neighbors belongings one at a time until theyre all gone. The second is definitely more colorful.Usage Example:My neighbor just went to IKEA, so Im going over to  tingo  the heck out of that place. I just hoped they saved a few leftover meatballs.9. TrepverterLanguage:YiddishDescription:A witty comeback you think of too late.Usage Example:Five minutes after she told me that my shoes were ugly, I finally came up with a trepverter: Well, at least I have a sole.10. TartleLanguage:ScottishDescription:Hesitation when youre about to introduce someone but have abruptly realized youve forgotten his or her name.Usage Example:When I tried to introduce my great-grandfathers girlfriend to my boss, I had a tartle. She told me shed forgive me as long as I helped her apply her eczema cream.So if you just cant pu t your finger on the right word to communicate an idea, dont hesitate to throw in an untranslatable word!