15 Words That Don’t Exist in English (But Should)
Discover 15 fascinating words from other languages that perfectly describe feelings, situations, or experiences English lacks—and why we need them in our daily lives.
🌍 CULTURAL & SOCIALLISTS
15 Unique Words Missing in English (That Capture Human Experience)
English is rich—but sometimes it just doesn’t have the words we need. There are emotions, experiences, and subtle moments in life that other languages describe perfectly in a single term—while we stumble along trying to explain them.
From Japanese to Portuguese, German to Swedish, countless words exist that capture human experience beautifully. Here are 15 words that English truly needs.
1. Schadenfreude (German)
Meaning: Pleasure at someone else’s misfortune.
Why It Matters: We feel it, we just never had a single word for it.
2. Saudade (Portuguese)
Meaning: A deep, nostalgic longing for something absent.
Why It Matters: Perfect for the ache of missing someone or something deeply.
3. Tingo (Pascuense, Easter Island)
Meaning: Borrowing things from a friend’s house one by one until nothing is left.
Why It Matters: A humorous, oddly relatable observation of human behavior.
4. Gigil (Filipino)
Meaning: The urge to squeeze something unbearably cute.
Why It Matters: That overwhelming cuteness feeling finally has a word.
5. Komorebi (Japanese)
Meaning: Sunlight filtering through leaves.
Why It Matters: Captures a fleeting natural beauty we often notice but never name.
6. Cafuné (Brazilian Portuguese)
Meaning: Running your fingers gently through someone’s hair.
Why It Matters: Expresses intimacy and care in one simple gesture.
7. Jayus (Indonesian)
Meaning: A joke so poorly told you can’t help but laugh.
Why It Matters: English lacks a playful word for this universal moment.
8. Forelsket (Norwegian)
Meaning: The euphoric feeling of falling in love.
Why It Matters: Captures the magic of early romance in a single word.
9. Mamihlapinatapai (Yaghan, Tierra del Fuego)
Meaning: A look shared between two people, each wishing the other would initiate something they both desire but are hesitant to start.
Why It Matters: Subtle, human connection captured perfectly.
10. Wabi-Sabi (Japanese)
Meaning: Finding beauty in imperfection.
Why It Matters: Celebrates impermanence and uniqueness—something English struggles to convey in one word.
11. Torschlusspanik (German)
Meaning: Fear that time is running out, often used about life milestones.
Why It Matters: That anxiety about opportunities slipping away? Now we can name it.
12. Ikigai (Japanese)
Meaning: A reason for being; what makes life worth living.
Why It Matters: Distills purpose and motivation into a single, meaningful term.
13. Sobremesa (Spanish)
Meaning: The time spent lingering at the table after a meal, talking and enjoying company.
Why It Matters: Captures the beauty of human connection and conversation.
14. Meraki (Greek)
Meaning: Doing something with soul, creativity, or love—putting yourself into your work.
Why It Matters: Conveys passion and personal touch perfectly.
15. Lagom (Swedish)
Meaning: Not too little, not too much—just right.
Why It Matters: That perfect balance we all seek, finally named.
💡 Real-Life Story
Last year, a friend from Brazil sent me a message saying, “I miss that feeling of cafuné.” I had to ask her to explain, and suddenly I realized how English lacked a single word for something so simple and universal. We started using it jokingly in our chat, and eventually, it became a term we both shared for care, comfort, and tenderness. That tiny moment shows just how much richer our lives can be when we borrow words that perfectly capture human emotions and experiences.
Final Thoughts
Language shapes how we perceive the world, and English is missing some truly beautiful, precise words that exist elsewhere. Learning these terms not only fills linguistic gaps—it opens our minds to cultural perspectives and enriches how we communicate with others.
Next time you feel a gigil, experience saudade, or notice komorebi, remember: some feelings are so universal that the world has created a word for them—even if English hasn’t caught up yet.
Which of these surprised you the most? Share your thoughts below and don’t forget to pass this along to someone who’d find it useful!
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