It always boggles my mind a little when I hear about words that exist in other languages that don’t directly translate into English because there’s simply no English word for them.
Komorebi ~ Japanese for sunlight filtering through trees
Greng-jai ~ Thai for when you don’t want someone to go through all the trouble of doing something for you.
Hygge ~ Danish for that kind of intimate feeling you get after sitting around a fire with close friends.
Layogenic ~ Tagalog for when someone looks good from far away, but then not so good up close.
Ya’arburnee ~ Arabic for wanting to die before someone you love so you don’t have to ever live without them.
L’esprit de l’escalier ~ French for when you come up with a witty retort after you’ve already departed from the conversation.
There are so many words in the English language; I couldn’t tell you the definition for more than half of them. Out of so many words, it’s crazy how many things defy them. How many experiences we’ve all had, or feelings we all relate to, but can’t exactly describe.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve made lists for fun. That being said, I think creating a list of things I wish we had a word for has been one of my very favorites, and that’s really saying something. Here’s a handful of what I’ve got so far:
That moment when you’re in a group and/or out in public, and you and a friend mutually make eye contact because you know you’re thinking the exact same thing.
Finishing a good book (movie, tv series, whatever) and still really being in the mood to read, but the last book was so good you can’t move past it and nothing else will meet your standards. Kinda like a book hangover, but different. More quaint. Because I say so.
When you’re messaging someone, but then experience that not-quite-but-almost-regret / anticipation / anxiety as soon as you hit ‘send,’ but it’s too late to do anything about it.
The specific kind of joy you get after witnessing someone else’s joy.
The feeling of empty lonesomeness once you leave your friends after the best day ever.
Missing someone or something you want back in your life.
When someone says something that you can relate to so much, but have never been able to articulate.