Some feelings only got a name in one language, until English borrowed it

Words like Danish 'hygge' (cozy, convivial contentment) and Portuguese 'saudade' (a wistful longing for something absent) describe experiences English speakers clearly have but never bothered to name in a single word. Linguists debate whether anything is truly untranslatable, since a concept can usually be explained given enough words — but plenty of these terms end up borrowed wholesale into English rather than translated at all.

— Wikipedia contributors, Untranslatability — Lexical gaps across languages

One credited idea per card. No filler. Swipe the rest in Savvy.

Keep swiping — it's free Works right in your browser. No app store needed.

More Linguistics

All Linguistics cards →

Five ideas worth knowing, every week

The week's best cards and a puzzle, credited as always. Free, unsubscribe any time.