Ever get that annoying feeling that you can’t find the exact word to describe something? While you might not have the exact right word in English, you probably know words in other languages that could do the trick. The catch is that they are untranslatable words, and you can only use them in their native tongue. For instance, to convey something unique to Latino/a culture, you might use untranslatable words in Spanish, like these listed below.
How to use untranslatable Spanish words
With untranslatable words of course! The beauty of these words is that they often encapsulate the feelings or experiences of a situation you experience in your day to day life, that you previously may have disregarded simply because you couldn’t describe them.
To help you discover a whole new way to describe some common emotions or situations, we’ve gathered 15 untranslatable words in Spanish, and done our best to sum them up in English!
Untranslatable Spanish Words To Describe Your Daily Life
1) Sobremesa
It’s that time spent after a meal when the food is gone but the conversation is still flowing at the table.
2) Anteayer
A one-word way of saying the day before yesterday.
3) Estadounidense
Someone who’s specifically from the United States. The demonym “Americano” (American in English) would refer to a person from North or South America.
4) Estrenar
To use or wear something for the first time.
5) Vergüenza Ajena
To feel embarrassed or ashamed on behalf of someone else, even if they don’t share the feeling. This is sometimes referred to as “secondhand embarrassment”.
6) Desvelado
Unable to sleep because of being kept awake by someone or something, sleep-deprived.
7) Tuerto
A person with only one eye.
8) Friolero
Someone who is very sensitive to the cold.
9) Te quiero
More meaningful than “I like you” (me gustas) but less meaningful than an “I love you” (te amo). It’s a way to tell someone you care about them and it may be used as “I love you” in non-romantic relationships.
10) Merendar
To have or go out for an afternoon snack.
11) Tutear
To treat someone informally by addressing them as “tú” instead of the more formal “usted.”
12) Madrugar
To get up really early, awaken at the crack of dawn.
13) Botellón
A large gathering in a public space to drink alcohol and have a good time.
14) Entrecejo
The space between the eyebrows.
15) Trasnochar
To stay up all night.
Do you know any other untranslatable Spanish words that help you describe your day to day life? Or do you know any untranslatable words in other languages?
Let us know in the comments!
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