8 Beautiful Words That Do Not Have English Translations

In 2013, 8List.ph featured a story on Filipino words that do not translate to English. Last year, a second one followed. These lists were so nice, we’re featuring them thrice! This time, however, the focus will be on other beautiful foreign words. Here are 8 that the English language still do not have the exact word translations for.

Via TXT

A word that means “a girl who looks pretty, but only from behind”

This is pretty much similar to the Pinoy term “talikogenic,” which basically translates to great body but not-so-pretty face.

Via yoyowall.com

A word that means feeling homesick for a place that you’ve never visited.

A Tumblr site explains: “It is basically the opposite of homesickness (Heimweh): when you feel like you have to leave your familiar surroundings to discover new places. It is the need for distance, the wish to experience something far away from home, the urge to escape from your everyday life by travelling.”

Via wallpapersinhq.com

A noun that means ” the reflection of moonlight on water,” or, more specifically, the road-like reflection that it creates on water.

Via armstrongeconomics.com

A word that means making something worse while having (honest) attempts to improve it.

Via pinterest.com

A word for that wonderful feeling that you get after reading story that moved you to tears.

Via lindsaydoeslanguages.com

Another wonderful Japanese word that doesn’t have a direct English translation. This one’s a noun that means buying books but never reading them; stacking all that literature in one place but never touching them. This word, which originated from Japan’s Meiji era, literally means “reading pile.”

Via conexionbrando.com

Something that a lot of Filipinos are very familiar with. This is a Spanish word for that after-lunch conversation; a gathering around the table after the meal and indulging in some stimulating chat.

Via moritzaust's flickr

A word that literally translates to “air man” or “air person.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “an impractical contemplative person having no definite business or income,” while the more romantic ones say that it’s basically a dreamer.

Want to add anything to this list? Share them in the comments below!

8 Beautiful Words That Do Not Have English Translations