DIRECTORY OF BEAUTIFUL WORDS
About Site | What’s New? | Feedback | Help
My Writing Portfolio at www.bykairos.com ​MAIN DIRECTORY MAIN WORD LISTS BY TOPIC MORE WORDS TO DISCOVER ​SEARCH THIS SITE
​Search site below or use Advanced Search to search the site & my vocabulary books.
VIEW UNTRANSLATABLE WORDS:
ALPHABETICAL | BY THEME | BY LANGUAGE
Category Home | Languages Sitemap
Defining the Untranslatable

​BY ALPHABETICAL LIST
[A - C ] ~ [D - F] ~ ​[G - K] ~ ​[L - R] ~ ​​[S - Z]​

BY LANGUAGE
French ~ German ~ Greek - Hindi ~ Japanese ~ Latin ~ Spanish

BY THEME​
Feelings ~ Laughter ~ Love ~ Happiness ~ Life ~ Profound ~ People​​

​ DOWNLOAD AS A WORD GUIDE
There is a Word for That!​

Learn About Words From: The Reference Corner

TRANSLATING THE UNTRANSLATABLE
PART THREE - G to K


​WORDS from G to K

"To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the music the words make."
—Truman Capote

- G -

GAGAN-CHUMBI - being tall enough to kiss the sky. (Hindi)

GATTARA -an old and lonely woman who likes stray cats. (Italian)

GEIST - a noun with a degree of importance in German philosophy. Its semantic field corresponds to English ghost, spirit, mind, intellect. Some English translators resort to using "spirit/mind" to help convey the meaning of the term. (German)

GEMUTLICHKEIT - literally, it means a 'cozy, friendly, or nice atmosphere', but can also connote time spent with loved ones, the fact of seeing a friend after a long absence, the friendliness or chattiness of a specific person, or a general sense of togetherness. (German)

GHAMASAN (ghamasān) - can be described as something devastating, extremely serious or to explain how deeply awry something is. (Hindi)

GHATAA (ghaṭā) - metaphorically, ghataa means dark, heavy clouds. It expresses the feeling of a heart heavy with grief or pain. (Hindi)

GHOSEH - to “have emptiness," or "to practice holding sadness." A perfect term for when your sorrow feels outside yourself or that needs to be carried, not internalized. (Farsi)

GHODAR-DIM – a sarcastic term for ‘nothing’ or false hope. It literally means ‘horse’s egg’, therefore representing something that doesn’t exist. (Bengali)

GIA PARTY MOU (Για πάρτη μου) - this is to do something solely on behalf of yourself. It implies a sense of not caring about anything or anyone. (Greek)

GIGIL - the urge to pinch or squeeze something that is irresistibly cute. (Filipino)

GLAS WEN – the literal translation is ‘blue smile’, and is used to describe a mocking sarcastic smile. (Welsh)

GÖKOTTA - wake up early in the morning with the specific purpose of going outside to hear the first birds sing. It confers approving societal attention on a highly enriching activity we have almost certainly been neglecting of late. (Swedish)

GOLMAAL - Chaos. This word is formed by
two other Hindi words: gol (round, circle) and maal (wealth). (Hindi)

GOSOHADA – the feeling you get when someone finally gets what they deserve. When you think to yourself ‘HA! Serves you right!’ (Korean)

GOYA - refers to the transporting suspension of disbelief that happens when fantasy is so realistic that it temporarily becomes reality. It is usually associated with good, powerful storytelling. (Hindi)

GRENG-JAI - that feeling you get when you don't want someone to do something for you because it would be a pain for them. (Thai)

GRETCHENFRAGE - a question designed specifically to find out someone’s real intentions. (German)

GUEULE - a very vulgar/offensive way to basically say “face” or “mouth,” but it has so much more meaning than that. It can be used in any variety of expressions from, “Ta gueule!” (“Shut up”) to “gueule de bois” (“Wooden mouth” or “hangover”), and even “grand guele” (“big mouth”) meaning someone who talks a big game). (French)

GULCHARREY - simply means to be “merry” or just have the time of your life. Sometimes when you want to tell your friend that they are ”making merry” you say, “ gulcharrey udaana.” (Hindi)

GUMUSSERVI - moonlight shining on water (Turkish)

GUANXI – often translated as ‘connections’, ‘relationships’ or ‘networks’ and refers to having a strong personal relationship with someone which involves moral obligations and exchanging favours. This is one of the essential ways of getting things done in traditional Chinese society. (Mandarin)

- H -

HAIN - generally used to express disbelief, surprise, - like 'what nonsense are you talking' - or plain disgust. (Hindi)

HAKUNA MATATA – can be directly translated to ‘there are no troubles’. This phrase was made popular in the English-speaking world thanks to the 1994 Disney movie The Lion King. (Swahili)

HANDSCHUHSCHNEEBALLWERFER – a coward willing to criticize and abuse from a safe distance. (German)

HANKIAINEN - in February, when the sun returns for short visits, it melts the top of the snow just enough to solidify it. When it is solid enough to walk on top without falling in, that is hankiainen. (Finnish)

HANYAUKU – the act of walking on tiptoes across warm sand. (Samoan)

HAN SORROW - regret, grief, resentment, "a dull ache of the soul", yet passive and not revenge seeking; waiting for the injustice to be righted (Korean)

HARIKOA - joyful, euphoric, delighted, exuberant, elated, thrilled, ecstatic, jubilant. (Māori)

HARKLA – means something very similar to ‘to clear one’s throat’. A perfect example would be the moment before you’re about to give a speech and make a half-cough so you can speak clearly. (Swedish)

HÁZISÁRKÁNY – a nickname for your spouse or better half who is constantly nagging. It literally means an ‘domestic dragon’ (Hungarian)

HI FUN KOU GAI - righteous, miserable anger, frustration and despair over a situation that seems terrible but cannot be changed. For example, corruption in a government. (Japanese)

HINNA – means ‘to be on time’ ‘to find the time’. (Swedish)

HIRAETH - refers to homesickness mixed with grief and sadness over the lost or departed, or a type of longing for the homeland or the romanticized past. It represents a mixture of longing, nostalgia, wistfulness and yearning. (Welsh)

HONIGKUCHENPFERD - taken literally, this word means “horse-shaped honey cake.” But it’s a turn of phrase, somewhat equivalent to the English idiom “grinning like a Cheshire cat.” It’s talking about a big grin the wearer just can’t wipe off of their face. (German)
​
HUNKAAR - battle cry of a dozen lions roaring to the beat of the drums. (Hindi)

HÜZÜN - the gloomy feeling that things are in decline and that the situation – often political in nature – will probably get gradually worse. Despite the darkness, there’s a joy in having the word to hand, sparing us from a personal sense of persecution and reminding us that our misfortunes are largely collective in nature (Turkish)

HYGGELIG - refers to a warm, friendly, cozy, delightfully intimate moment or thing. It gives off imagery of a candlelit winter evening at home with warm blankets and maybe a bit of alcohol. (Danish)

HYO – this is both a name meaning ‘dutiful’ and a term to describe the sense of duty children have towards their parents and the expectation that they may need to make sacrifices for them out of respect. (Korean)

HYPPYTYYNYTYYDYTYS – literally means ‘bouncy cushion satisfaction’. It describes the pleasure and satisfaction derived from sitting or bouncing on a bouncy cushion. (Finish)

- I -

IKIGAI - a reason for being; the thing that gets you up in the morning. (Japanese)

IKTSUARPOK - a feeling of edgy anticipation that makes one keep on looking out the window to see if an expected visitor is coming up the path. (Intuit)

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

INDRIYA - means to control all five senses. It could loosely be used to express one’s desire to control temptations. (Hindi)

INNERER SCHWEINEHUND - literally ‘inner pig dog'; it is the lazy voice in your head. It symbolizes the part of you that doesn’t want to go jogging, that prefers staying at home with chocolate and pizza and is just generally lazy. (German)

INSORTABLE - how you would describe a person you can’t bring with you to a public function because they are embarrassing you. (French)

- J -

JAYUS - a joke that is so unfunny or told so badly you just have to laugh. (Indonesian)

JAZBAA - strong desire or passion. (Hindi)

JI - used to show respect while having a conversation - usually with your elders. (Hindi)

JIGYASA (jijñāsā) - jigyasa has many meanings in Hindi. Depending on the way it’s used, it could mean demand, doubt, curiosity or inquisitiveness. (Hindi)

JIJIVISHA - refers to the strong, eternal desire to live and to continue living. It is usually used to talk about a person who loves life and always has intense emotions and desires to live and thrive. (Hindi)

JOBBIG – means troublesome or trying, annoying or difficult. It can be used to refer to people, things, events – almost anything that is difficult, annoying, or tedious. (Swedish)

JO-HA-KYU - is a concept of modulation and movement applied in a wide variety of traditional Japanese arts. Roughly translated to "beginning, break, rapid", it essentially means that all actions or efforts should begin slowly, speed up, and then end swiftly. (Japanese)

JOLIE LAIDE - a word that translates into English as “pretty ugly” doesn’t quite convey its actual meaning very well. The term refers to someone who has a unique or unconventional beauty. It’s the feeling you get looking at someone, knowing they don’t reflect the general cultural notion of attraction, but not being able to still find them attractive. (French)

JOOTHA (jūṭhā) - refers to an item that has been used or touched by someone else with their mouth. For example, if a person eats with a spoon and another uses it later, the second person to use the spoon is using the first person’s ‘jootha’. Jootha is a cultural concept and something that should not be practiced as per certain religious beliefs in India. (Hindi)

JUGAAD (jugād) - colloquial Hindi word that means to find the least expensive solution to something or a make-do solution to a problem. (Hindi)

JUILLETISTES/AOÛTIENS - people who vacation in July and August, respectively. The French are so obsessed with their month-long summer vacations they even have a name for people based around what month you flee for the South of France! Those who travel in juillet (July) are juilletistes, and those who travel in août (August) are aoûtiens. (French)

- K -

KAAMOS - literally ‘polar nights’; the period of time between November and February when the sun sets for three months; a range of feelings from longing (for sunshine), to lack of enthusiasm, to depression (Finnish)

KAAPSHLJMURSLIS - being cramped in public transportation during rush hour. (Lithuanian)

KABELSALAT - tangled up cables; literally a “cable-salad" (German)

KAEK - someone spirited, bold, cheeky, cocky. (Danish)

KAELLING - you know that woman who stands on her doorstep (or in line at the supermarket, or at the park, or in a restaurant) cursing at her children? The Danes know her, too. (Danish)

KAIMOS – deep sadness, intense sorrow, longing, yearning, grievance. (Greek)

KALMOOHI - Hindi slang kalmooha (male) or kalmoohi (female) is used as a negative adjective for a person who is good for nothing, stupid or even considered bad luck. (Hindi)

KALSARIKÄNNI - literally means to get drunk at home alone in your underwear with no intention of ever going out. Bottoms up! (Finnish)

KAMAKI (Καμάκι) - technically the word for “harpoon,” but it’s meaning refers to men trying to pick up women. It’s commonly used when men are flirtatious/charming with the intention of “reeling” a woman in. Originally it was used in reference to men who had the intentions to hook-up with tourists, but now it’s a more general term. (Greek)

KANYADAAN (kanyādān) - describes a ritual performed at Hindu weddings, usually by the bride’s father, that basically means giving his daughter away to the groom. (Hindi)

KAPSOURA (Καψούρα) - the first, initial phase of complete infatuation with a new love — you hate to be away from them, and your thoughts are consumed by them. This intense state of feeling/obsession leads one to suppress their self-respect in order to act irrationally for the sake of the person they desire. (Greek)

KAUKOKAIPUU - a yearning to travel. To faraway places. (Finnish)

KARA SEVDE – meaning “black love” this is a lovesick term for when you feel that passionate, blinding love for another person. (Turkish)

KARELU – the mark left on the skin by wearing something tight. (Tulu Indian)

KILIG – the heady-sublime rush you experience right after after something good happens, particularly in love/dating. Like running into your crush, kissing someone for the first time, hearing someone you love tell you they love you too for the first time. (Tagalog)

KEFI (Κέφι) - spirit of joy, passion, and enthusiasm which overwhelms the soul and requires a release. People release kefi by doing things like breaking plates and dancing on tables. (Greek)

KERASMATA (Κεράσματα) - this is any host of goodies you have on hand at your home at all times in case a guest comes by. It’s expected that you will serve coffee, along with an offering (kerasma) of something like chocolates, homemade pitas or pies, or home-made liquor (among other things). (Greek)

KILKANAŚCIE – refers specifically to any number between 12 and 19 and is used in a similar way as the English ‘umpteen’ or ‘many’, but neither translation is quite correct. (Polish)

KIMKARTVYAVIMOODH - a state of dilemma due to inability to decide or being at crossroads. (Hindi)

KINTSUKUROI - to repair with gold. Understanding that a piece is more beautiful for having broken. (Japanese)

KOEV LI HALEV - refers to a certain kind of empathy. If you can't watch people you love suffering that you become so affected to the point of causing you serious physical pain then this is the term for you. (Hebrew)

KOI NO YOKAN –the sudden knowledge upon meeting someone that the two of you are destined to fall in love. (Japanese)

KOMBINOWAĆ – to make something or try to resolve a problem with the bare minimum and in an unusual way. This could be as a result of having limited access to resources or knowledge. (Polish)

KOMOREBI - refers to the sunlight that filters through the leaves of trees. (Japanese)

KOPFKINO - imagining scenarios vividly; head cinema. (German)

KOPSOFLEVIKA (Κοψοφλεβικα) - a genre of music, roughly translated to “vein cutters.” Basically, these are songs so incredibly sad, emotional, and full of passion/pain that Greeks joke they will make you want to slit your wrists. (Greek)

KORINTHENKACKER - literally “raisin-pooper.” A German insult to describe an obsessive & petty anal retentive nitpicker who can’t crap anything bigger than a raisin. (German)

KSENEROSA - refers to the effort of stopping a feeling of interest or feeling excited about something or someone. It does not mean a gradual loss of interest or enthusiasm, it comes as a result of a sudden or unexpected encounter, situation, etc. that causes a person to change a positive perspective or idea. (Greek)

KSENEROTOS (Ξενέρωτος) - someone who is not interesting or intriguing; very boring. This person brings down everyone’s mood; they often cause the feeling of ksenerosa. (Greek)

KUIDARE - to eat yourself into bankruptcy. (Japanese)

KWAAKAARI - the glow of the river at dusk (Japanese)

KYOIKUMAMA - a mother who pushes her kids into academic achievements (Japanese)

KYYKKYVIINI - the low-income-choice. It literally means “squat wine” — the cheaper and often not that great quality wine. You need to kneel down to get this from the bottom shelf. (Finnish)

UP NEXT: PART 4 [L-R]

A BEAUTIFUL WORD ... a vocabulary site for logophiles, writers and word lovers that is part of
A SERIES OF BEAUTIFUL WORDS
Collection of Vocabulary Books, Sites and Resources
Series Homepage | View Sites | Download Books
​Words are also posted on twitter under the hashtags #beautifulwords and #wordoftheday and shared visually on pinterest bulletin boards

ABOUT SITE | SITEMAPS | SEARCH | FEEDBACK
​Content by Kairos ~ @kairosoflife
Homepage | Portfolio | Contact
Original content ​© 2021 Copyright, Kairos