I collect words.
I've always been obsessed with those words in other languages that have meanings that English words lack. Or those that have been made up in attempt to describe a feeling or action.
It kind of started with a short film by Wong Fu Productions, on this Japanese word komorebi, which is:
Here are some of my favourite words from my collection:
Jayus [Indonesian]-a joke so poorly told and so unfunny that one cannot help but laugh.
I've always been obsessed with those words in other languages that have meanings that English words lack. Or those that have been made up in attempt to describe a feeling or action.
It kind of started with a short film by Wong Fu Productions, on this Japanese word komorebi, which is:
komorebi 木漏れ日 [Japanese] -sunlight that filters through the leaves of trees
"There are certain words that are specific to a culture. Words that can't be translated directly into another language" -Komorebi, Wong Fu Productions
Here are some of my favourite words from my collection:
Jayus [Indonesian]-a joke so poorly told and so unfunny that one cannot help but laugh.
shirin-yoku 森林浴 [Japanese] - a visit to the forest for relaxation, a chance to stroll through nature and take in the atmostphere for one's well-being; lit. 'forest-bathing'].
gökotta [Swedish] - to wake up early in the morning to hear the first birds sing or to go outside to appreciate nature; literally 'dawn picnic to hear the first birdsong'.
psithurism - the sound of the wind through the trees.
la douleur exquise [French] - the exquisite pain of wanting the affection of someone you know you can never have.
natsukashii 懐かしい [Japanese] - of some small thing that brings you suddenly, joyously back to fond memories, not with a wistful longing for what's passed, but with an appreciate of the good times.
Eutony- the pleasantness of a word's sound. I think this is what Envy from her blog Lost in Translation meant.
l'espirit de l'escalier [French] - the feeling you get after leaving a conversation, when you think of all the things you should have said; lit, 'the spirit of the staircase'.
Iktsuarpok [Inuit] - the frustration of waiting for someone to turn up.
meraki [Greek] - to do something with soul, creativity or love; to put something of yourself into your work.
Waldeinsamkei [German] - being in the woods and feeling connected to nature.
These are some of the words that were referred from the internet, so it may not be very accurate. Do you speak another language? What are some words in that language that cannot be directly translated to English?
gökotta [Swedish] - to wake up early in the morning to hear the first birds sing or to go outside to appreciate nature; literally 'dawn picnic to hear the first birdsong'.
psithurism - the sound of the wind through the trees.
la douleur exquise [French] - the exquisite pain of wanting the affection of someone you know you can never have.
natsukashii 懐かしい [Japanese] - of some small thing that brings you suddenly, joyously back to fond memories, not with a wistful longing for what's passed, but with an appreciate of the good times.
Eutony- the pleasantness of a word's sound. I think this is what Envy from her blog Lost in Translation meant.
l'espirit de l'escalier [French] - the feeling you get after leaving a conversation, when you think of all the things you should have said; lit, 'the spirit of the staircase'.
Iktsuarpok [Inuit] - the frustration of waiting for someone to turn up.
meraki [Greek] - to do something with soul, creativity or love; to put something of yourself into your work.
Waldeinsamkei [German] - being in the woods and feeling connected to nature.
"It says a lot, don't you think? The language of different people can tell you what they find important in life" - Komorebi, Wong Fu ProductionsIn the same way, a person's favourite words can tell you what they find important in life.
These are some of the words that were referred from the internet, so it may not be very accurate. Do you speak another language? What are some words in that language that cannot be directly translated to English?
I could've used Jayus a few times! Haha, I've always loved words as well...There are so many words and such a small dictionary.
ReplyDeleteMerkai... Such a cool word. Stealing it! Haha, joking. Can we share the knowledge of it? How do you pronounce it?
ReplyDelete