Vorfreude
by Unknown
Language can be as limiting as it is endless. Statistically the English language is the most limited of them all. We do not have as many words as there are emotions. English lacks lustre when it comes to describing feelings, maybe it's the bumbling tendency towards awkward silences or maybe it's just we have evolved beyond that to a point of double think.
Here are a few I found that I just love. Emotions which English refuses to explain and which other languages refuse to translate:
Geborgenheit (German):To feel completely safe; like nothing could ever harm you. Usually connected to a particular place or person.
Koi No Yokan (Japanese):
The sense one can have upon first meeting a person that the two of you are going to fall in love. Differs from “love at first sight” as it does not imply that the feeling of love exists, only the knowledge that a future love is inevitable.
The sense one can have upon first meeting a person that the two of you are going to fall in love. Differs from “love at first sight” as it does not imply that the feeling of love exists, only the knowledge that a future love is inevitable.
Tsundoku (Japanese):Buying books and not reading them; letting books pile up on shelves or floors or nightstands.
Voorpret (Dutch):Literally “pre-fun.” The sense of enjoyment one feels before an event actually takes place.
Waldeinsamkeit (German):
The feeling of being alone in the woods.
The feeling of being alone in the woods.
Razbliuto (Russian):
The sentimental feeling you have about someone you once loved but no longer do.
The sentimental feeling you have about someone you once loved but no longer do.
Mamihlapinatapei (Yagan, the indigenous language of Tierra del Fuego):
The wordless, yet meaningful look shared by two people who both desire to initiate something but are both reluctant to start.
The wordless, yet meaningful look shared by two people who both desire to initiate something but are both reluctant to start.
Fernweh (German):A strong longing to be away, to go somewhere.
Yuanfen (Chinese):
A relationship by fate or destiny. This is a complex concept. It draws on principles of predetermination in Chinese culture, which dictate relationships, encounters and affinities, mostly among lovers and friends.
A relationship by fate or destiny. This is a complex concept. It draws on principles of predetermination in Chinese culture, which dictate relationships, encounters and affinities, mostly among lovers and friends.
Cafuné (Brazilian Portuguese):The act of tenderly running your fingers through someone's hair.
Retrouvailles (French):
The happiness of meeting again after a long time.
The happiness of meeting again after a long time.
La Douleur Exquise (French):
The heart-wrenching pain of wanting someone you can’t have.
The heart-wrenching pain of wanting someone you can’t have.
Forelsket: (Norwegian):
The euphoria you experience when you’re first falling in love.
The euphoria you experience when you’re first falling in love.
This is my untranslatable word of the moment:
For me this word sums up all the excitement I feel when I think about my future back in London combined with all the mystery surrounding the next six months. I have not got a clue what's around the next corner and there is no word for that feeling; until now. Vorfreude.
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I really enjoyed this post!!
ReplyDeleteSo interesting to see all of the different words for feelings we usually suppress as there is not an English word for it, therefore it's not a "normal" feeling to us.