Ten Relationship Words That Aren't Translatable Into English
Mamihlapinatapei (Yagan, an indigenous language of Tierra del Fuego):
The wordless yet meaningful look shared by two people who desire to initiate something, but are both reluctant to start.
Yuanfen (Chinese):
A relationship by fate or destiny. This is a complex concept. It draws on principles of predetermination in Chinese culture, which dictate relationships, encounters and affinities, mostly among lovers and friends.
Cafuné (Brazilian Portuguese):
The act of tenderly running your fingers through someone's hair.
Retrouvailles (French):
The happiness of meeting again after a long time.
Ilunga (Bantu):
A person who is willing to forgive abuse the first time; tolerate it the second time, but never a third time.
La Douleur Exquise (French):
The heart-wrenching pain of wanting someone you can’t have.
Koi No Yokan (Japanese):
The sense upon first meeting a person that the two of you are going to fall into love.
Ya’aburnee (Arabic):
“You bury me.” It’s a declaration of one’s hope that they’ll die before another person, because of how difficult it would be to live without them.
Forelsket:
(Norwegian): The euphoria you experience when you’re first falling in love.
Saudade (Portuguese):
The feeling of longing for someone that you love and is lost. Another linguist describes it as a "vague and constant desire for something that does not and probably cannot exist."
asdgjhgajdsfw:
(English) Of American origin, this word is used to describe something when you are unable to "can"
