No matter how well you know multiple languages, you will come across certain words or phrases that have no translation into another language. These situations are when it is important to know not only a language, but the culture that accompanies the language. Here are a few phrases that have no translation into English.
Iktsuarpok (Inuit)
You’re five minutes early to meet with a friend. You wait that five minutes, which turns into 10 which turns into 20…and you’re still waiting. The frustration that you feel while waiting for your friend is what accurately describes the meaning of Iktsuarpok.
Utepils (Norwegian)
It’s a hot sunny day, and you’re not working so you decide to spend some time outside. You’re sun bathing, and the only thing that can make the moment better is a beer. This word – Utepils – refers to the enjoyment you get while sitting outside on a sunny day enjoying a beer.
Komorebi (Japanese)
Walking through a forest may seem ominous, but when the sun starts shining through the trees, creating a scattered, dappled effect the only thing to describe the effect is Komorebi.
Pochemuchka (Russian)
You know how your 3 year old never stops asking questions? Well, Pochemuchka is the perfect word to describe them – a person who asks too many questions.
Milmuss (Spanish)
You have a huge craving for a glass of wine, but you don’t want to drink the LAST bottle of your favorite wine. Much to your enjoyment, you look in your wine cellar and notice that you have not only one bottle left, but four! The noise you make when you make this discovery is considered a Milmuss.
These are only a few of the hilarious words that cannot be directly translated into English, and now you also get a better understanding into why interpretation and translations can end up much longer than an original document – not every word can be translation into a work. But a whole sentence!
References
http://www.clickhole.com/article/7-words-have-no-english-translation-2762