TeenageTells- Words Every Language Needs

If you're multilingual, you might realise some words don't exactly... translate into other languages. And this is so confusing. Why don't we have these wonderfully unique and relatable words in every language? We might be able to describe the concept, but it doesn't capture the feeling like these words do. Well, this helps define cultures, keep them alive, and add a layer of beauty to languages you can't truly understand until you know the language. So, this week, decided to dive into some of my favourite 'untranslateable' words every language needs, and you should include in your next book. Whether it's a theme, a feeling or an inspiration, these words help create something one language can't do on its own.

If you think there is no word with a meaning you believe should be, think of it yourself. Words and language (and writing books) are all about creating new things, incorporating it with the old, and sharing ideas with others. The following words are in alphabetical order as I had no clue how else I could organise them. I tried to find something for every letter, but there was nothing for X. Sorry!

• L'abbioccio (Italian): The groggy, sleepy, happy feeling after a large meal.

• L'appel du vide (French): Literally 'the call of the void' or the sudden desire to jump when you're standing high up.

• L'esprit d'escalier (French): Literally 'the spirit of the stairs,' this is when you think of the perfect comeback or retort after the conversation has happened.

• Ailyak (Bulgarian): The subtle art of doing everything calmly and without rushing, while enjoying the experience and life in general.

• Age-Oteri (Japanese): To look worse after a haircut.

• Aspaldiko (basque): The euphoria felt when catching up with someone you haven't seen in a long time.

• Aware (Japanese): The quality of being beautiful or sad.

• Bakku-shan (Japanese): A person who looks attractive from behind but is not from the front.

• Backpfeifengesicht (German): A face badly in need of a slap.

• Bricoleur (French): Someone who starts building something without a clear plan, adding things as they go.

• Besa (Albanian): A pledge of honor to keep a promise/ by honouring your word.

• Chai-Pani (Hindi): A small bribe or "tea money."

• Culaccino (Italian): The ring left on a table by a moist glass.

• Dustsceawung (Old English): The thought that dust used to be other things, and the realisation that everything will ultimately end up as dust.

• Extrawunsch (German): To be fussy and slow things down with unnecessary requests that make an undertaking complicated.

• Facepalm: The gesture of placing one's hand across the face, as to express embarrassment, dismay, or exasperation.

• Fernweh (German): The feeling of homesickness for a place that you've never been to.

• Fika (Swedish): A traditional break from work with coffee or tea to chat with colleagues about non-business matters.

• Filotimo (Greek): "Love of honour," describing a person who feels a responsibility to always do the right thing.

• Flabbergasted: Overcome with surprise and bewilderment; astounded.

• Flâner (French): Aimlessly wandering without any destination, just to enjoy the views.

• Friolero (Spanish): Somebody who is very sensitive to the cold.

• Gattara (Italian): A woman, usually old and single, who devotes herself to stray cats.

• Gheegle (Filipino): The desire to pinch something because it is so cute.

• Ghodar-dim (Bengali): A sarcastic term for "nothing" or false hope. Literally means "horse's egg," representing something that doesn't exist.

• Gluggaveður (Icelandic): Weather that looks beautiful but is unpleasant to be in.

• Gökotta (Swedish): Waking up early to hear the first birds sing.

• Guanxi (Chinese) Having a strong personal relationship with someone that involves moral obligations and exchanging favors. Often translated as "connections" or "relationships."

• Hanyauku (Rukwangali): The act of walking on tiptoes across warm sand.

• Hiraeth (Welsh): The feeling of homesickness combined with grief and sadness for your homeland or a romanticised past that isn't attainable or perhaps never existed.

• Hygge (Danish): The emotional warmth created by relaxing in the company of loved ones, often involving a cozy atmosphere.

• Hyppytyynytyydytys (Finnish): Literally means "bouncy cushion satisfaction," describing the pleasure derived from sitting or bouncing on a bouncy cushion.

• Iktsuarpok (Inuit): The feeling of anticipation you get when waiting for someone to arrive.

• Ilunga (Tshiluba): A person who is ready to forgive any abuse for the first time, to tolerate it a second time, but never a third time.

• Jayus (Indonesian): A joke so poorly told that one cannot help but laugh.

• Jaysus (Indonesian): An unfunny joke that's told so badly that you actually laugh.

• Kilig (Tagalog): The feeling of butterflies in your stomach specifically associated with romance.

• Komorebi (Japanese): Sunlight that filters between the leaves on a tree.

• Kyoikumama (Japanese): A mother who pushes her children to achieve academically.

• Litost (Czech): The feeling of humiliated despair when reminded of one's own failures by someone else's accomplishments.

• Loskop (Afrikaans): Someone who is forgetful, absent minded and a bit 'air-headed'.

• Mamihlapinatapei (Yagan): The silent, shared look between two people who both want to start something but are both too afraid to do so.

• Mångata (Spanish): The trail created by the moon's reflection on water.

• Merak (Serbian): The feeling you get from simple pleasures that adds up to a sense of happiness and fulfilment.

• Mokita (Kivila): A painful fact that everybody knows but does not mention to avoid causing more pain or embarrassment.

• Nadryv (Russian): A sudden, hysterical outburst of anguish or emotion.

• Odnoliub (Russian): Someone who is only capable of having one love in their life.

• Papakata (Cook Islands Maori): A woman with one leg shorter than the other.

• Pisan zapra (Malay): The time needed to eat a banana.

• Pochemuchka (Russian): A person who asks too many questions.

• Poronkusema (Finnish): The distance a reindeer can comfortably travel before needing to urinate (around 4.7 miles / 7.5 km).

• Prozvonit (Czech): Ringing somebody's phone once so that they call you back.

• Querencia (Spanish): A place where one feels safe and draws strength, not necessarily where they live.

• Raaskia (Finnish): To have the heart or courage to do something.

• Ré nao (Chinese): A fun, lively place with an inviting vibe that makes you want to be there.

• Rire dans sa barbe (French): Literally 'laughing into your beard,' which means laughing to yourself at something that happened in the past.

• Samar (Arabic): Staying up late after the sun has gone down and having an enjoyable time with friends.

• Saudade (Portuguese): The longing for something beautiful that's now gone.

• Schadenfreude (German): Pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.

• Schilderwald (German): A forest of confusing and unnecessary signs.

• Serendipity: The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

• Shlimazl (Yiddish): A consistently unlucky person.

• Taarradhin (Arabic): The act of coming to a happy compromise where everyone wins, without anyone losing face.

• Tartle (Scottish): The hesitation before introducing someone when you've forgotten their name.

• Tingo (Pascuense): The act of gradually borrowing all of a friend's objects.

• Tokka (Finnish): A beautiful object.

• Torschlusspanik (German): "Gate-closing panic," the fear of diminishing opportunities as one gets older.

• Toska (Russian): A mixture of pining, restlessness, yearning, nostalgia, melancholy, and depression.

• Tsundoku (Japanese): Buying a book and leaving it unread, usually surrounded by a lot of other unread books.

• Utepils (Norwegian): Sitting outside on a sunny day and enjoying a beer.

• Verschlimmbessern (German): Accidentally making things worse when trying to mend or improve it.

• Wabi-Sabi (Japanese): The quality of being attractive because of being imperfect.

• Waldeinsamkeit (German): The feeling of being alone in the woods.

• Won (Korean): Reluctance to let go of an illusion.

• Ya'aburness (Arabic): An emotional declaration and hope that a loved one will outlive you.

• Zloradstvovat (Russian): To be "devilishly happy" when seeing someone else's misfortune.

Hope you use one of these for the theme of your next book!

If you found this week's tips for teenage writers helpful, enjoyable or you think someone else will love to read it, share it with others! Let's help more teen writers achieve their dreams. Together.