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| Adapted from PHD Education Guide for 1128 English O Levels |
There are some instances that we simply cannot find a word in English to convey the exact meaning in its original language. More often than not, in the process of translation, some important elements are lost to the new translated language. I've scoured the web and found these interesting examples to share with you, so that you may better understand the paragraph above. If you wish, you can even use 1 of them in your essay!
1. Word: Mamihlapinatapei
Language: Yagan (indigenous language of Tierra del Fuego)
Meaning: “The wordless, yet meaningful look shared by two people who both desire to initiate something but are both reluctant to start.” (Altalang.com)
2. Word: Zhaghzhagh
Language: Persian
Meaning: The chattering of teeth from the cold or from rage.
3. Word: Mencolek
Language: Indonesian
Meaning: The old trick where you tap someone lightly on the opposite shoulder from behind to fool them.
4. Word: Zeg
Language: Georgian
Meaning: The day after tomorrow
5. Word: Koi No Yokan
Language: Japanese
Meaning: The sense upon first meeting a person that the two of you are going to fall in love.
6. Word: Greng-jai
Language: Thai
Meaning: That feeling you get when you don't want someone to do something for you because it would be a pain for them.
7. Word: Shemomedjamo
Language: Georgian
Meaning: You know when you’re really full, but your meal is just so delicious, you can’t stop eating it? This word means, “I accidentally ate the whole thing."
8. Word: Faamiti
Language: Samoan
Meaning: To make a squeaking sound by sucking air past the lips in order to gain the attention of a dog or child.
9. Word: Gigil
Language: Filipino
Meaning: The urge to pinch or squeeze something that is irresistibly cute.
10. Word: Ya’arburnee
Language: Arabic
Meaning: This word is the hopeful declaration that you will die before someone you love deeply, because you cannot stand to live without them.
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