If words label and even create our world, what does it mean to lack a particular word in our own language? Are we not then missing out on some vital parts of existence that fail to us, out of sight.

Untranslatable words

‘’Untranslatable words really have the power to uplift and transform our reality in many positive ways.’’ I find it incredible how certain words can enrich and deepen my understanding of the world. Some of them come from my mother tongue, but many others are often coming from foreign languages. Such words broaden the mental representations I can have of certain fields, concepts, sensations, behaviours, etc. They are called ‘’untranslatable words’’ because there is usually no close equivalent in our native language. Their individual definition can describe something very specific that you might have experienced before, or can be much broader and difficult to grasp because it would take a lot of practice and reflection to attain even a rudimentary level of understanding of what they mean. Either way, discovering their existence is already a big step forward in cultivating our open-mindedness. On that note, a few years ago Tim Lomas created a lexicography that references a long list of untranslatable words to help us enrich our understanding of wellbeing. Such a surprising source of inspiration and spirituality. If you prefer something with a bit more casualness instead, you can still browse through Urban Dictionary where you can find some interesting gems.