December 11, 2013

10 Words you can't Translate into English

10. Pisan Zapra (Malay)
Translation: the time taken to eat a banana.

9. Schadenfreude (German)
Translation: Pleasure resulting from someone's else's pain or misfortune, “joy in the suffering of others.

8. Gigil (Filipino)
Translation: The Urge to squeeze or pinch something that is really cute, That shivery, teeth-gritting thrill that accompanies a strong urge to lay your hands on something (while possibly holding yourself back from doing so).

7. Bakku-shan (Japanese)
Translation: A girl who looks good from behind but not from the front. A woman who appears attractive, but only when seen from behind.

6. Pena ajena (Mexican Spanish)
Translation: Embarrassment derived from seeing someone else's humiliation. Shame experienced on behalf of another person, even though that person may not experience shame.

5. Waldeinsamkeit (German)
Translation: The feeling of being alone in the woods

4. Jayus (Indonesian)
Translation: An unfunny joke told so badly that it becomes funny. Indonesian slang for someone who tells a joke so unfunny you can't help laughing.

3. Age-otori (Japanese)
Translation: To look worse after a Haircut.

2. L'esprit de l'escalier (French)
Translation: Thinking of a witty comeback when it's too late to deliver it. Describes the predicament of thinking of the perfect retort too late.

1. Backpfeifengesicht (German)
Translation: German compound word for a 'face that should be slapped', A face badly in need of a fist.