There are words in other languages that cannot really be translated into English. On the other side, there are English words (and slang) that cannot be translated into other languages. Here is a sampling of such words.

Words that cannot be translated into English:

1. Cafuné (Portuguese, Brazil) – Running your fingers through a loved one’s hair.

2. Duende (Spanish) – The mysterious power of art to deeply move a person.

3. Forelsket (Norwegian) – The euphoria you feel when falling in love.

4. Gezelligheid (Dutch) – A cozy, friendly, pleasant atmosphere.

5. Hanyauku (Rukwangali, Namibia) – Walking on tiptoes across hot sand.

6. Jayus (Indonesian) – A joke so unfunny it becomes funny.

7. Kilig (Tagalog, Philippines) – The fluttery feeling of romantic excitement.

8. Komorebi (Japanese) – Sunlight filtering through trees.

9. Kummerspeck (German) – Weight gained from emotional eating; literally “grief bacon.”

10. Outwaaien (Dutch) – Walking in the wind to clear your mind.

11. Saudade (Portuguese) – Deep emotional longing for someone or something that’s absent.

12. Schadenfreude (German) – Pleasure from another’s misfortune.

13. Sobremesa (Spanish) – Time spent talking and relaxing after a meal.

14. Tingo (Pascuense, Easter Island) – Borrowing items one by one from a friend’s home until there’s nothing left.

15. Toska (Russian) – A deep, melancholic ache without clear cause.

16. Tsundoku (Japanese) – Buying books and letting them pile up unread.

English words that cannot be translated into other languages:

1. Serendipity – The occurrence of finding something wonderful or useful by happy accident. (Most languages have to explain it with a sentence.)

2. Gobbledygook – Language that’s unnecessarily complicated and difficult to understand, often on purpose.

3. Spam – Both the canned meat and unwanted digital messages — the latter meaning is uniquely English-born and doesn’t exist in the same shorthand elsewhere.

4. Whistleblower – Someone who exposes illegal or unethical activity from inside an organization.

5. Hooligan – A rowdy or violent troublemaker, especially in sports contexts.

6. Fair – Meaning “just,” “light-skinned,” “reasonable,” and “beautiful” depending on context — a nightmare for translation.

7. Gumption – A mix of courage, resourcefulness, and determination.

8. Awkward – Not just clumsy, but socially uncomfortable too.

9. Overwhelmed – To be completely overcome emotionally or mentally; some languages have “burdened” but not the same emotional nuance.

10. Gobsmacked – Utterly shocked or amazed, to the point you’re almost speechless. (It’s British, colorful, and doesn’t compress neatly into another language.)

11. Kerfuffle – A commotion, fuss, or minor chaos, usually over something trivial.

12. Faff / Faffing about – Wasting time with unproductive fiddling or dithering.

13. Skint – Completely broke, without money — but more casual and resigned than “destitute.”

14. Cheeky – Playfully rude or irreverent; could be charming or annoying, depending on tone.

15. Gutted – Bitterly disappointed, as if your insides have been scooped out.

16. Knackered – Exhausted, absolutely drained.