Have you ever felt an emotion that you couldn’t simply describe using only one word? Language plays an important role in understanding emotions; however, there are many emotional words in one language that are not used in others, and vice versa.
For example, while the word “快乐” exists in English, it does not capture the same feeling shared by a person speaking another language.
If you have seen a word that corresponds to your experience, you will recognize that word immediately, thus illustrating that emotions are universal even though their physical manifestation varies from culture to culture.
However, some emotions are mentioned in other languages, but there is no equivalent word for them in English.
Learning these emotion-based words will enable you to better understand your own feelings as well as those of others; it will also demonstrate the extent to which culture/language influences our emotional experiences.
1. Saudade (Portuguese)
The word ‘saudade’ describes an intense sense of longing for a person or thing that may never come back. It is more than just missing someone, as it conveys both a sense of sadness and warmth.
While remembering those who have left can be painful, they also hold great meaning; thus, when considering our reminiscences, we experience both loss and gratitude simultaneously.
In English, this concept would be conveyed by using multiple words or sentences; however, the notion of ‘saudade’ can be summed up in one concise word; it illustrates the connection between memory retention and emotional longevity across time.
2. Schadenfreude (German)
“Schadenfreude” refers to feeling satisfaction in another person’s misfortune, which is not always about cruelty but can be from comparison or relief.
This feeling is present yet not always openly admitted to. There is no one word in English that represents this type of emotion.
The term “schadenfreude” expresses this complex emotional response and illustrates both the positive and negative impact of emotion for an individual.
3. Toska (Russian)
Toska can be described as a deep, dark sadness that you may not have a defined reason for. This is more than just the feeling of being blue.
You can feel as if you are missing something or longing for something without even knowing what you are missing or longing for. This is typically experienced as having a calm front but a heavy weight behind it.
Toska is generally not experienced because of one event, so you cannot translate it directly into one word in English. Toska describes an emotional state that is more than just sad; it captures the feeling of being weighed down on the inside.
4. Iktsuarpok (Inuit)
The term “iktsuarpok” expresses the mental state of excitement and impatience associated with waiting for someone to arrive at a location.
When you are anticipating a meeting, you have a need to constantly check to see if the person you’re waiting for has arrived.
In English, we do not have a single word that conveys the sense of anticipation one feels on seeing someone arriving as they walk into view.
The word “iktsuarpok” conveys that the time spent waiting is often full of emotion, regardless of how short the actual waiting time might be.
5. Fernweh (German)
“Fernweh” is the yearning for places that you’ve never experienced before. It is different than missing home.
It is to have a desire to experience what is unknown to you, so this longing is often associated with an imaginative curiosity about those places. It can produce a feeling of restlessness.
In American English, this could be defined as a desire to travel, but it isn’t completely accurate. The concept of fernweh captures both an emotional connection and a desire to explore new cultures.
6. Gigil (Filipino)
“Gigil” is a word that describes a very physical expression of strong affection, usually toward something cute, and it is an exciting and happy feeling.
Those two feelings can be very strong when a person sees an animal or a young child. This does not mean that the person is acting aggressively.
This refers to the strong connection that exists between two people and how their feelings can result in either physical contact or the feeling that they want to hug that person.
There is no equivalent word for this in the English language, but “gigil” embodies the physical manifestations of positive experiences.
7. Wabi-Sabi (Japanese)
Wabi-sabi celebrates simplicity and embracing flaws as part of life. Rather than being an emotion, wabi-sabi also creates a sense of peace and acceptance.
Wabi-sabi refers to the many ways that you can appreciate things such as age and incompleteness. In many ways, wabi-sabi is easier to describe in English using sentences because it represents both the concept and the emotion.
Wabi-sabi embodies a very different perspective on existence and change.
8. Mamihlapinatapai (Yaghan)
The word “mamihlapinatapai” describes the wordless moment of two people sharing a desire and waiting for one another to move on it.
It’s often connected to uncertainty or tacit agreement. It can feel both intense and quiet all at once, but in English, there is a long explanation as to what this means.
It is a very unique example of interaction that is at the heart of non-verbal communication.
9. L’esprit de l’escalier (French)
The term describes when you think of an ideal comeback to a conversation after it is done (i.e., too late).
It may frustrate or cause retrospective thought because timing plays such an important role in communicating/expressing yourself.
There is no simple English word(s) to define this experience, so this phrase captures what this type of thought process is like.
10. Hiraeth (Welsh)
Hiraeth represents the emotion of loss. It is when you feel that you have simultaneously longed for a particular place, time, or feeling to return to.
Although this emotion is similar to 眷眷之心, it is considerably deeper. Hiraeth provides insight into how human beings stay connected with something that has been lost or no longer exists in this world.
In the English language, multiple words can describe this feeling; however, when someone uses the word “hiraeth,” they demonstrate how much they value their past through their memories and experiences.
Born and raised in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ever since I was a little girl, my imagination knew no bounds. I remember vividly how I’d scribble down short stories, each page bursting with adventures and characters conjured up from the whimsy of my mind. These stories weren’t just for me; they were my way of connecting with my friends, offering them a slice of my fantasy world during our playtimes. The joy and excitement on their faces as we dived into my fictional realms motivated me to keep writing. This early passion for storytelling naturally evolved into my pursuit of writing, turning a childhood hobby into a fulfilling career.