Shěnměi píláo

(Chinese) Aesthetically fatigued; exposure to so much beauty that one ceases to really see it or appreciate it.

Illustration by Raissa Pardini

Universally relatable words from languages around the world — with no direct equivalents.

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Raissa Pardini Illustrator

Raissa Pardini is an Italian-born multidisciplinary designer based in Glasgow, UK. She has worked for brands like Vans, Dr. Martens, and Fred Perry.

More Undefinables

Curglaff

(Scottish) The bracing, shocking, and/or invigorating feeling of suddenly entering cold water.

Illustration by Josef Minor

Luftmensch

(Yiddish) Literally “air person,” this is someone more concerned with intellectual or creative pursuits than practical issues.

Illustration by Josef Minor

Yilugnta ይሉኝታ

(Amharic) A feeling of obligation to consider and defer to the opinion of others.

Illustration by Josef Minor

Oubaitori 桜梅桃李

(Japanese) The idea that people, like flowers, bloom in their own time and in their own individual ways.

Illustration by Josef Minor

Hiányérzet

(Hungarian) The sense that something, often undefined or unidentified, is lacking or missing.

Illustration by Josef Minor

Curcol

(Indonesian) A specific kind of droning or rant, this is when someone uses even the most neutral topic as an excuse to tell a loosely related story about their misery.