Being bilingual, I’ve always found it interesting how many times I’ve found myself trying to tell a story in English, knowing there’s an even better Tagalog word that perfectly conveys what I’m trying to say.
Think of how this idea spans across every language that exists; the idea that there are millions of words we aren’t aware of that contain precise meanings to encapsulate all the experiences, feelings and beauties life has to offer.
Taken from Ella Frances Sanders’ book, “Lost In Translation,” I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite beautiful words and their meanings, whether in English or not (mostly not):
- Samar (Arabic n.) – staying up late long after the sun has gone down and having an enjoyable time with friends
- Meraki (Greek adj.) – pouring yourself wholeheartedly into something, such as cooking, and doing so with soul, creativity and love
- Kilig (Tagalog n.) – the feeling of butterflies in your stomach, usually when something romantic or cute takes place
- Komorebi (Japanese n.) – the sunlight that filters through the leaves of trees
- Jayus (Indonesian n.) – a joke so terrible and so unfunny you cannot help but laugh
- Tiám (Farsi n.) – the twinkle in your eye when you first meet someone
Here are some more from TravelMelodies.com:
- Rakuyou (Japanese n.) – golden fallen or shredded leaves
- Heliophilia (English n.) – a desire to stay in the sun
- Metanoia (Greek n.) – the journey of changing one’s mind, heart, self or way of life
- Dès vu (French n.) – the awareness that this will become a memory
- Saudade (Portuguese n.) – the love that remains even after someone is gone
- Yūgen (Japanese n.) – a profound and mysterious sense of the beauty and awareness of the universe that triggers a deep emotional response
- Ukiyo (Japanese n.) – living in the moment, detached from the bothers of life
- Ikigai (Japanese n.) – “a reason for being;” a reason to get up in the morning
- Gigil (Tagalog n.) – the overwhelming urge to squeeze or pinch something that’s irresistibly cute
- Mudita (Sanskrit n.) – taking delight in the happiness, success and well-being of others
These are only 16 of the infinite words that are able to describe all the lovely things we experience in this lifetime. Here’s to discovering many more and being able to relate to their (hopefully happy) meanings :)