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Foreign words that don't have direct translation into English

(59 Posts)
Grandma70s Mon 19-Oct-20 12:20:50

A favourite of mine is the German Weltschmerz, literally ‘world pain’, a sense of deep sadness at the state of the world,

Parsley3 Mon 19-Oct-20 12:12:58

The Gaelic word bourach describes a right shambles, I think. Very apt on occasion.

Franbern Mon 19-Oct-20 12:12:31

Machatunim - not sure if proper spelling, but that is how it sounds. Yiddish word meaning close relatives, not directly related. Eg: the parents and.or siblings of my daughter's husband. Or my son's wifes parents/siblings.

It is such a useful word and nothing like it in English.

Frum - I have always understood as meaning Jewish people who stick very strictly to things like kosher rules.

Lots of lovelky Yiddish word, Meshinginnah - meaning someone who acts in a totally mad way, but not having any sort of mental health meaning. Often used very affectionaely.

Vampiequeen, I love that Japanese word, could have been invented for me!!!!!

Fennel Mon 19-Oct-20 12:09:18

There are loads in Geordie - mostly adapted from other languages.
eg 'gan', 'gannin' ='going' I think it comes from a german verb for 'go' eg 'entrance' 'way to go in' is 'eingang'.

Marydoll Mon 19-Oct-20 11:56:49

Thanks Aggie. As my mother woukd say: It's a sair fecht!

Don'y worry, I will pull myself out of it. grin

Auntieflo Mon 19-Oct-20 11:55:15

Marydoll, {{{hugs}}}. and flowers

Marydoll Mon 19-Oct-20 11:05:20

There is a Scottish word scunnered, which doesn't quite translate into English. It however, sums up a feeling of being extremely fed up. In fact it describes my mood very accurately today.

vampirequeen Mon 19-Oct-20 11:05:04

"Kuschisabishii"

A Japanese word. When you're not hungry but you eat because your mouth is lonely.

vampirequeen Mon 19-Oct-20 11:01:21

"Frum"

The other day I was talking to a friend about my upbringing and how it has left me with some (now odd/old fashioned) views about men and women. For example I still hide my sts in the back of my knicker drawer and I was horrified the other day when DH put some blood stained towels in the washing machine. She found it really funny but in an 'adorable' (her word) way. She said I was "frum" which in Yiddish technically means pious but is more about people like me who behave in slightly embarrassed ways about things that are perfectly normal.

Do you know any other words that have no single word equivalent?