There are some words from other languages that don’t have a exact English translation, for example age-otori means “person looks worse after a new haircut” in Japanese, and in Russia a person who asks too many questions is called pochemuchka.
These “untranslatable” words have been an inspiration for New-Zealand based designer Anja Iyer, who is the author of “Found in Translation”, a series of illustrations that depict some of the words that don’t have a precise English counterpart.
Anja created this series taking part to the 100 days project, a web-based exercise that encourages artists to choose their favorite activity and repeat it every day for 100 days straight.
You can keep an eye on Anja Iyer’s series on her 100 days project page.
Below you can see our favorite picks between the ones that she has already published.
To which untranslatable word you can relate the most? Tell us in the comments.
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1. Age-otori (Japanese)
2. Pochemuchka (Russian)
3. Prozvonit (Czech)
4. Bakku-shan (Japanese)
5. Schadenfreude (German)
6. Tsundoku (Japanese)
7. Gattara (Italian)
8. Fernweh (German)
9. Utepils (Norwegian)
10. Shlimazl (Yiddish)
11. Waldeinsamkeit (German)
12. Backpfeifengesicht (German)
13. Kaapshljmurslis (Latvian)
14. Iktsuarpok (Inuit)
15. Ilunga (Tshiluba)
16. Hanyauku (Rukwangali)
17. Friolero (Spanish)
18. Komorebi (Japanese)
19. Tingo (Pascuense)
20. Won (Korean)
21. Mamihlapinatapei (Yagan)
(h/t)