Portuguese

  1. Saudade: A profound, melancholic longing for someone or something absent, with the knowledge that they may never return.
  2. Fado: A music genre that expresses deep feelings of loss, longing, and melancholy, often seen as the musical embodiment of saudade.
  3. Desenrascanço: The ability to artfully disentangle oneself from a difficult situation, often through creativity and resourcefulness.

Nguni Bantu

  1. Ubuntu: “I am because we are.” A philosophy that emphasizes community, connection, and mutual support, highlighting the shared bonds of humanity.
  2. Umoya: Refers to the spirit or breath of life, often associated with the interconnectedness of all things and the essential life force.
  3. Isangoma: A healer or diviner in certain Bantu cultures, representing a deep connection to ancestors and the spirit world, symbolizing wisdom and communal well-being.

Danish

  1. Hygge: The quality of coziness and conviviality that brings contentment and well-being, often through the simple pleasures of life.
  2. Lykke: The concept of happiness and well-being, central to Danish life, focusing on creating contentment through community, simplicity, and nature.
  3. Samvær: A term for spending quality time with others, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences and togetherness.

Finnish

  1. Sisu: Extraordinary endurance in the face of adversity; a combination of courage, grit, and determination in challenging situations.
  2. Kalsarikännit: The act of drinking at home in your underwear with no intention of going out, representing comfort, relaxation, and embracing solitude.
  3. Talkoot: Voluntary communal work where neighbors come together to achieve a common goal, reflecting the values of cooperation and shared effort.

Japanese

  1. Mono no aware: A deep sensitivity to the fleeting nature of life, embracing the gentle sadness that comes with the impermanence of all things.
  2. Koi No Yokan: The feeling, upon meeting someone, that you are destined to fall in love with them, distinct from “love at first sight.”
  3. Omotenashi: A form of hospitality that is rooted in anticipation and care, making guests feel deeply welcomed and respected.
  4. Kintsugi: The practice of mending broken pottery with gold, highlighting its cracks to honor its history and imperfections.
  5. Wabi-sabi: A worldview that appreciates the beauty of imperfection, transience, and the incomplete.

Hebrew

  1. Firgun: Genuine, unselfish joy in someone else’s success or happiness, without any feelings of envy.
  2. Tikkun Olam: The concept of “repairing the world,” representing a moral responsibility to improve society and the world at large.
  3. Shalom: More than just peace; it encompasses harmony, wholeness, completeness, and well-being in personal, communal, and spiritual aspects.

Swedish

  1. Lagom: A philosophy of balance and moderation—living with “just enough” and finding satisfaction in that simplicity.
  2. Fika: A cultural ritual of taking a break to enjoy coffee and pastries with others, emphasizing relaxation and social connection.
  3. Jantelagen: A cultural concept discouraging individual success in favor of collective well-being, promoting modesty and equality.

Greek

  1. Agape: A deep, selfless, and unconditional love that transcends romance, often associated with love for humanity or a higher spiritual connection.
  2. Philotimo: A complex term meaning “love of honor,” which encompasses a sense of pride, respect for others, duty, and self-sacrifice for the greater good.
  3. Meraki: To put a part of your soul, creativity, or passion into your work, typically used in the context of cooking, art, or other personal projects.

German

  1. Sehnsucht: A profound yearning for something unattainable or lost, often accompanied by a melancholic sense of beauty.
  2. Waldeinsamkeit: The peaceful feeling of being alone in the woods, finding solace and reflection in nature’s embrace.
  3. Schadenfreude: The complex emotion of taking satisfaction in another’s misfortune.
  4. Gemütlichkeit: The warmth, friendliness, and good cheer that comes from communal gatherings, similar to “hygge.”
  5. Heimat: A place of belonging and deep-rootedness, but not necessarily a physical location; it can be a space of spiritual, emotional, or social refuge.

Welsh

  1. Hiraeth: A longing for a home, time, or person that may never be returned to; a mix of nostalgia and wistfulness.
  2. Cwtch: A hug that conveys a sense of protection and comfort, often associated with a feeling of safety and warmth.
  3. Hwyl: A term representing the stirring of passion and joy in the soul, often experienced in moments of enthusiasm, good times, or strong emotion.

Spanish

  1. Reencuentro: The joy and emotion of reuniting with someone after a long separation, emphasizing the bond between people.
  2. Sobremesa: The relaxed conversation and camaraderie shared at the table after a meal, emphasizing the value of human connection over productivity.
  3. Querencia: A place where one feels safe and at home, a strong attachment to a location or feeling of rootedness in a particular environment.

Filipino

  1. Bayanihan: The spirit of communal unity and cooperation, particularly in working together toward a shared goal.
  2. Mañana Habit: A cultural inclination to delay tasks, often viewed as a mix of relaxed attitudes toward time and prioritizing human relationships over work.
  3. Pakikisama: A cultural value of smooth interpersonal relationships, emphasizing harmony, compromise, and the avoidance of confrontation.

Invented (from “Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows”)

  1. Kenopsia: The eerie, quiet feeling of being in a space that was once lively but is now abandoned.
  2. Sonder: The realization that every passerby has a life as vivid and complex as your own.
  3. Opia: The ambiguous intensity of looking someone in the eye, which can feel simultaneously invasive and vulnerable.

French

  1. Ennui: A sense of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of excitement or purpose.
  2. Dérive: A spontaneous journey where the traveler leaves their life behind to explore new experiences, letting the environment guide them.
  3. Épater: To astonish or impress others, often through unconventional behavior or art.

Korean

  1. Sarang: An enduring and heartfelt form of love, often deeper and more lasting than romantic love.
  2. Jeong: A deep emotional bond that develops over time, combining love, affection, and a sense of shared fate.
  3. Han: A complex feeling of grief, resentment, and endurance stemming from historical oppression or personal hardship, yet often intertwined with hope and resilience.

English

  1. Crepuscular: The soft, ephemeral light during dawn or dusk, capturing the beauty of transition.
  2. Ephemeral: Moments that are transient yet hold profound meaning or beauty.
  3. Sonic: The characteristic sound or atmosphere of a place, evoking an auditory connection to the environment.