4 perfect words that have no English equivalent : NPR

Who does not take pleasure in “soubhiyé” on occasion?

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Who does not take pleasure in “soubhiyé” on occasion?

blackred/Getty Photographs

Generally they describe an attribute. Or a second. Or perhaps only a vibe.

These are the phrases from different languages that do not have a direct equal in English, and but carry a lot that means.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary set out lately to assemble a few of these phrases on Twitter, and was flooded with responses from folks providing their very own.

Every little thing from “jugaad” in India (a versatile strategy to problem-solving that makes use of restricted assets) to “tsujigiri” in Japan (making an attempt out your newly-acquired sword by decapitating a random passerby) was put ahead.

So we requested 4 folks to inform us extra about their favourite non-English phrases, and the way they personally attempt to translate them.

Débrouillard

Submitted by Julie Cafley — Ottawa, Canada

Débrouillard, for those who actually translate it, means someone who removes the fog. The closest factor in English could be the thought of someone who’s resourceful, who’s inventive, figures a means by way of the fog or by way of the confusion and simply will get to outcomes, is environment friendly. It is a high quality that I really like in folks, and it is one thing that I am at all times making an attempt to say in English. And admittedly, the phrase does not exist.

Estrenar

Submitted by Rafa Martínez-Avial — San Francisco, California

Estrenar is a Spanish phrase that … might imply to interrupt one thing in, however it does not should be one thing you put on. So it might be a brand new automobile, a brand new pair of footwear, or perhaps a new accomplice that you just’re bringing to a celebration or a social gathering with you for the primary time. Normally although, there is not a common translation, which is humorous as a result of I really feel like often I’ve this downside in the wrong way the place English has so many phrases that generally it is simply very arduous to discover a Spanish phrase that conveys the identical nuance or the identical connotations that an English phrase.

Haa shagóon

Submitted by Kyle Wark (Tlingit names are X’ulteen and L’aakaw Éesh) — Anchorage, Alaska.

It means our ancestors. However as a result of the Tlingit imagine in reincarnation, it is also our descendants — the ancestors who will come again to us. But it surely additionally means much more than that, too. It means the historical past of our ancestors codified in locations, tales, songs, names, artwork, customs, etcetera that information our lives. The idea of haa shagóon can be associated to haa kusteeyix, which suggests our lifestyle or our tradition.

Soubhiyé

Submitted by Stephanie Thompson — San Diego, California.

In Lebanese Arabic … soubhiyé refers to that time period within the morning when nobody else is awake however you, and you may both have some quiet time to your self earlier than the family is awake, or you may invite a good friend or neighbor to hitch you for espresso and tea and you’ve got some catch-up time collectively earlier than the day get began. My mom typically used to have a soubhiyé by herself or with one among my aunts or mates. And now that I’m a mother of two myself and I do not sleep in anymore, I actually worth that point when you may simply collect your ideas and have that second to your self.