I Will Not Do That Again in Spanish
Accept you e'er wished there were a word to more accurately describe something you lot're feeling or doing?
At that place probably is ane–it just doesn't exist in English language. There are even emotions we oasis't experienced because we don't accept language for them. Fascinating, isn't it?
Learning another language unlocks new ways to express ourselves in these words-that-don't-quite-translate. It gives us a better understanding of the earth, enriches our travel experiences, and brings greater depth to our power to process and communicate ideas.While I'thou non fluent in Castilian, I've oftentimes said that Spanglish is my favorite language because there are just some Spanish words that capture what I want to say then much better. (Lucky for me, I can interruption out into it with my husband or in-laws anytime and they don't call up I'm crazy!)
Sometimes information technology takes a whole phrase to try to translate the pregnant of these words, and other times, in that location are subtle nuances that are lost in translation. From the funny to the perfectly succinct, here are 25 Spanish words or phrases with no verbal English equivalent!
one. Verguenza Ajena / Pena Ajena
To feel embarrassed for someone even if they don't feel embarrassed themselves
These terms vary regionally just seem to deport the same connotation. If y'all've always watched a stand-up comedian bombing, y'all know the feeling this is describing. Y'all put your manus to your head to hide your face up, squeeze your fists, and make a crazy cringing face. The best we can do in English is say something is "awkward," simply I don't think that quite captures the depth of the awkwardness we sometimes feel at someone else's embarrassing moment. I love the idea of having a term specifically for those Michael Scott moments nosotros've all felt.
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two. Merendar
To accept an afternoon snack, coffee, or tea
Having distinct words in Spanish meaning "to consume + specific meal" is pretty groovy (desayunar, almorzar, and cenar), and now y'all tin add afternoon snacking to the mix! All the same, it wouldn't be Latin American Spanish without the discussion meaning something else entirely in some countries. At least in Ecuador,merendar means to accept dinner.
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3. Empalagar
To be overly sweet, in reference to food or a person
Speaking of food…you know that feeling you get in your rima oris when you scrape upwardly all the brownie concoction while waiting for the brownies to cook then proceed to make a hot fudge sundae one time they're done? (No? Merely me?) Nosotros've all had moments where we've eaten something and so sweet that our mouths feel weird and we can't possibly take some other bite. Spanish has a give-and-take for that!
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four. Sobremesa
Later on-dinner conversation, fourth dimension spent leisurely chatting around the tabular array later a meal
This ane isn't used everywhere across Latin America, merely from my anecdotal observations, I'grand pretty sure the act of enjoying a sobremesa is mutual–even if the word itself isn't used in a particular place. I've had countless chats with my Puerto Rican mother-in-police force later on breakfast and cafecito while everyone else scatters from the table. I think nosotros could all apply a irksome-paced meal and time spent with family and friends more often in our time-oriented U.s. culture.
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five. Tutear
To address someone with the informal tú form
The first time I heard this, I was watching a cheesy Colombian soap opera, and it was i of those words that I immediately understood from context and knowing how words are structured in Spanish. Plainly, we don't need a give-and-take for this in English since we don't have an breezy "you," merely I simply thought information technology was so convenient to have this succinct way of proverb that someone is addressing a person with thetú form.
Every bit a bonus, I'll throw in vosear here for countries that use the familiar formvos. (Not to exist confused with the homonym vocear, which means to shout, denote loudly, or call someone's proper name over a loudspeaker.)
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6. Estadounidense
Someone who's from the United States, a "United State-an," like saying Colombian, Puerto Rican, or Mexican
Fifty-fifty though it's a mouthful to say, I love this Spanish term for its specificity. I prefer to avert referring to myself as "American" because it implies that the The states of America is the simply "America." In English I commonly say, "I'g from the Usa," but in Spanish I can also say, "Soy estadounidense."
7. Antier
The day before yesterday // In some locations,anteayer is more mutual.
Let'due south be judicious with our syllables.
viii. Madrugar
To wake up in the early on morning, usually earlier sunrise (the "wee hours")
When you've got a 6 AM flying to catch….this give-and-take comes in handy!
9. Trasnochar
To stay up very belatedly, all dark, or have a dark out
I suppose nosotros could get close with the phrase "pulling an all-nighter," but I don't recollect there'due south a single give-and-take that captures information technology like Spanish does.
Which of these Castilian words without an English equivalent is your favorite? #latinamerica #ttot Click To Tweet
ten. Desvelado / a
To be exhausted because yous were upward all dark or couldn't sleep
After you lot trasnochó, y'all'd bedesvelado for sure. I'g pretty sure this likewise describes the feeling you have after a restless night of slumber–a combination of headache + can't concentrate + all y'all tin think about is taking a nap merely you have to work. The worst.
11. Estrenar
To use or wear for the first time
At present that I know this exists, I feel like I need a word for it.
12. Tener ganas de
To experience like, to be in the mood for
Gana means "want or inclination," so this phrase literally translates, "to have desires of." Just while it ways "to feel like," I think that doesn't quite capture the nuances.
At that place are other phrases withganas de in them, like this song I heard in Republic of cuba, "Me Muero de Ganas." Which basically means "I'm dying of desire [for you]."
thirteen. Posibilitar
To make possible
Isn'tposibilitar just more fun sounding to say?
14. Amigovio
Something between amigo and novio
I suppose "friends with benefits" is the translation, but amigovio just such a convenient (and completely logical) give-and-take that sums it up.
xv. Chanclazo
As when your mom yells, "Te voy a dar united nations chanclazo." I'm going to smack your behind with this chancla. See also: cocotazo, used in the aforementioned context–getting hit in the head with the duke.
I think all of the impressions my husband and his brothers accept washed of their mom (in love, of course!) over the years have fabricated this sink into my subconscious, and although I've never experienced the wrath of la chancla, I feel its power. I'm pretty certain this one is universal beyond Latin America (there were a couple well-placed chanclareferences in the moving-picture showCoco).
16. Enmadrarse
To become overly fastened to 1's mother
17. Consuegros
Your son or daughter'southward parents-in-law
This word is super useful because it'southward such a succinct way of referring to in-police relationships. My family and my husband'southward family know each other, but there'southward not really a word for that relationship in English.
18. Casa Ajena
The house of a person that yous're non close with so you have to be careful and non touch anything, a firm where you can't really "make yourself at home."
A phrase I didn't know I needed until I heard it described! It'due south that bad-mannered being at a party, wondering where the bathroom is, and not existence certain whether the stiff living room couch is actually for people to sit on.
19. Tocayo / a
Someone who shares the same first name as you, a "name twin"
In English language usually nosotros merely say, "Hey that's my proper name, also!" How fun is it to have a Spanish discussion to use when you run across your name doppelgänger?
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twenty. Tuerto
Blind in one center, 1-eyed person
I mean, this might not come up that ofttimes, but how user-friendly is information technology to take a give-and-take for it when it does?
21. Friolento / a
Very sensitive to cold or ever cold
This would perfectly describe my sweet gram, who always took a sweater wherever she went.
22. Enguayabado
Literally: "guava-ed," which isn't anything, this is slang in Colombia for hungover
This is one of those moments when I'd really like to know the origin of a word.
23. Enchilar
To season with chili
Getting direct to the signal with one word–and so efficient. In some countries, information technology can also mean to badger or pester someone (which is kind of how I feel near chili peppers). It's agreeable to recollect most siblings yelling at each other, "Stop chili-ing me!"
24. Me cae bien.
I like y'all (in a friendly, non-romantic fashion), he seems nice.
Technically we take a translation that captures the essence of what this means, just it's one of those interesting, doesn't-translate-literally phrases that's funny to think most. Literally, it means "You lot fall well on me." Just it'southward how yous would refer to a teacher y'all like or someone you just met and got along with–instead of the discussiongustar.
25. Dominguero & Dominguear
Dominguero: Sunday as an adjective, but also an insult to mean a bad/inexperienced driver ("Dominicus driver"). Similarly, dominguear ("to Sunday") can mean to do something at a relaxed pace or to take a arctic, fun Lord's day.
All these Sunday words! Even if these aren't used across all of Latin America, and even ifdominguearis slang that isn't listed in the dictionary, they are just so perfect that I had to include them.
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Which of these is your favorite? What untranslatable Spanish words would you add together to the list?
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Source: https://roamingtheamericas.com/spanish-words-no-english-translation/
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