Words

Everyday, affectionate and hard-to-translate words, grouped by language and theme.

• Beautiful Japanese WordsSome Japanese words capture a feeling or a moment so specifically that English has no real equivalent. Below are some of the most evocative ones, with what they actually mean.
• English Words That Are GermanEnglish has borrowed a surprising number of words directly from German, some barely changed. Below are the most common ones, with their original German meaning.
• Funny German WordsGerman is famous for compounding words into long, oddly specific new ones — some of which land as genuinely funny once you know what they literally mean. Below are some of the best.
• German Compound WordsGerman builds new words by stringing existing ones together, sometimes producing famously long results. Below are some of the best examples, broken down piece by piece.
• Japanese Words Used in EnglishA number of Japanese words have made their way into everyday English, often with a meaning that has drifted slightly from the original. Below are the most common ones.