There are loads of useful words that in my opinion require an English translation and should be introduced to the language. Good thing that we're writers here, so we can add them ourselves. I encourage people who are familiar with languages other than English to add suggestions of their own to this discussion. I shall start with some observations I have from Dutch and Limburgish.
In Dutch we have a word called "jarig", which refers to the state of having one's birthday. One can not only be "jarig" but also feel "jarig", with the associated emotion of the latter being an indicator of one's perspective towards aging. The younger you are the more being "jarig" is a positive, and the older you are the less likely you will experience it as such. "Birthdayish" could be a translation.
A classic "untranslatable" Dutch word is "gezellig", which can refer to both a cozy location as well as amicable company. Good conversations with friends are considered "gezellig" just as well as a warm seat by the fire on a cold night. The word refers to the general atmosphere of these matters, being synonymous with a warm, pleasant, cozy and enjoyable feeling, which English so far lacks a unified word for.
Then there are simple ease-of-use words like eergisteren (the day before yesterday) and overmorgen (the day after tomorrow). So much easier to just use one word instead of three.
Finally in Limburgish we have the greatest word of all: "Enne." This word can be used as an introduction, an encouragement to continue a story and as a genuine inquiry. If someone says so and so did such and such, you can just ask "Enne?" and they'll continue their story. It's so immensely versatile and cuts through needless chit-chat. You see an acquaintance in passing? Just say enne (raising your chin in acknowledgement) and receive an "Ouch enne?" in return. Boom, you're done. If you wish to make a conversation out of it, you may. If not, the brief exchange of "enne's" is sufficient. Clean and efficient.
In Dutch we have a word called "jarig", which refers to the state of having one's birthday. One can not only be "jarig" but also feel "jarig", with the associated emotion of the latter being an indicator of one's perspective towards aging. The younger you are the more being "jarig" is a positive, and the older you are the less likely you will experience it as such. "Birthdayish" could be a translation.
A classic "untranslatable" Dutch word is "gezellig", which can refer to both a cozy location as well as amicable company. Good conversations with friends are considered "gezellig" just as well as a warm seat by the fire on a cold night. The word refers to the general atmosphere of these matters, being synonymous with a warm, pleasant, cozy and enjoyable feeling, which English so far lacks a unified word for.
Then there are simple ease-of-use words like eergisteren (the day before yesterday) and overmorgen (the day after tomorrow). So much easier to just use one word instead of three.
Finally in Limburgish we have the greatest word of all: "Enne." This word can be used as an introduction, an encouragement to continue a story and as a genuine inquiry. If someone says so and so did such and such, you can just ask "Enne?" and they'll continue their story. It's so immensely versatile and cuts through needless chit-chat. You see an acquaintance in passing? Just say enne (raising your chin in acknowledgement) and receive an "Ouch enne?" in return. Boom, you're done. If you wish to make a conversation out of it, you may. If not, the brief exchange of "enne's" is sufficient. Clean and efficient.
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