Untranslatable Words into English?
What happens when the words you’re trying to translate into English don’t have a direct meaning? Untranslatable words can be a challenge sometimes. One of the benefits of learning another language is opening yourself up to new ideas, concepts, and feelings that you can’t directly express in your native tongue.
In a previous blog article, we shared some words that are difficult to translate into English. Despite the fact that the English language has over a million words, there are many words in other languages which do not have a direct translation in English. Although considered untranslatable words, this doesn’t mean that they can’t be expressed in the English language. Rather, it means there is no one word which can be considered the same in English. In order to provide translation services for such words, a phrase must be used in English to describe the meaning of the untranslatable words.
Below are a few more of our favorite untranslatable words:
Abbiocco (Italian)
That sleepy feeling you get after a big meal.
Gurfa (Arabic)
The amount of water that can be held in one hand.
Desenrascanço (Portuguese)
The ability to improvise a quick solution.
Hyggelig (Danish)
To be comfy, cozy; intimate; contented.
Verschlimmbessern (German)
To make something worse when trying to fix it.
Yakamoz (Turkish)
The reflection of moonlight on water.
Palikari (Greek)
A good, strong young man.
Merienda (Spanish)
The traditional afternoon snack in Spain.
Toska (Russian)
A yearning, melancholy, depression, and emotional pain.
Tsundoku (Japanese)
Leaving a book unread after just buying it, typically piled up with other unread books.
The Art of Translating Untranslatable Words
English translation isn’t always the easiest task, especially when a professional English translator comes across untranslatable words. However, part of the training for becoming a professional translator involves being able to convey the meaning of words across the language barrier, even without direct translations.
Check Out Our Previous Blog Article on Untranslatable Words: https://www.languageconnections.com/blog/untranslatable/
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
Language Connections LLC
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com