Undefinables

Yr

(Norwegian) A word that sounds like what it is: a very specific kind of rainfall with tiny, almost floating raindrops (or snowflakes) similar to drizzle or mist.

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.

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More Undefinables

Shěnměi píláo

Shěnměi píláo

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

Illustration by Raissa Pardini
Attaccabottoni

Attaccabottoni

(Italian) Literally “attach buttons,” this is a chatty person who latches onto you to share long, meaningless stories in endless detail about their life.

Illustration by Raissa Pardini
Chindōgu

Chindōgu

(Japanese) A prank originating in Japan, done by a person inventing seemingly ingenious everyday gadgets that seem like a perfect solution to a particular problem, though are in fact nothing more than useless gags.

Illustration by Raissa Pardini
Brabbag

Brabbag

(Manx Gaelic) The pleasurable act of warming the back of one’s legs in front of the fire.

Illustration by Raissa Pardini
Antsafa

Antsafa

(Malagasy) Inquiries about things of which one is fully cognizant beforehand.

Illustration by Shivani Parasnis
Þetta reddast

Þetta reddast

(Icelandic) An unofficial motto that loosely translates to “everything will fall into place as it should.”

Illustration by Raissa Pardini
Wantok

Wantok

(Tok Pisin) People who speak the same language as you do and thus in a way “have some claim over you.” It translates as “one talk,” and usually includes people in your family, village, clan, or larger geographic area.

Illustration by Shivani Parasnis
Dapjeongneo
Dapjeongneo

Dapjeongneo

(Korean) Telling someone what they want to hear, even though you might not actually believe it, so as to avoid causing tension or offense.

Illustration by Jess Rotter
Qualunquismo

Qualunquismo

(Italian) An attitude of apathy, indifference, or disgust toward politics.

Illustration by Shivani Parasnis
Kilig

Kilig

(Tagalog) The giddy excitement you feel when something romantic happens, either to you or someone else; the feeling of butterflies in your stomach when you catch your crush’s eye for the first time, witness a marriage proposal, or see your favorite TV show couple finally get together.

Illustration by Raissa Pardini

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Shěnměi píláo
Undefinables

Shěnměi píláo

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

Illustration by Raissa Pardini
Speaking Alien
Space

Speaking Alien

Writer and illustrator Rian Hughes considers language, space travel, and how we might say hello to aliens.

Words and illustration by Rian Hughes
The Hotel Martini
A Toast

The Hotel Martini

A drink from São Paulo’s Guilhotina.

Words by Jessica Suarez, Photography by Grant Cornett
dodie
Impressions

dodie

The singer talks dance circles and flying off jet skis.

Words by dodie, illustration by joanna neborsky
Divine Dining at Contento
Space

Divine Dining at Contento

A Harlem eatery offers sumptuous Peruvian food in a remarkably inclusive setting.

Words by Arabelle Sicardi, Film by Stebs Schinnerer
How to Find a Shelf for Everything
How To

How to Find a Shelf for Everything

Josh Itiola of Vitsœ shares the brass tacks of storage.

Words by Deidre Dyer, Illustration by Cookie Moon
Telsha Anderson
Impressions

Telsha Anderson

The owner of t.a. New York shares the European cities that shaped her.

Words by Telsha Anderson, Illustration by Hisham Akira Bharoocha
d room Jeju
Small

d room Jeju

How a design hotel on South Korea’s biggest island is revitalizing its historic port district.

words by elaine yj lee, photography by Kim S. Gon
The Midcentury Mothership
Space

The Midcentury Mothership

A romp through the wonders of the Vitra Campus.

Words by Christopher Bollen, Photography by Adrian Gaut
Attaccabottoni
Undefinables

Attaccabottoni

(Italian) Literally “attach buttons,” this is a chatty person who latches onto you to share long, meaningless stories in endless detail about their life.

Illustration by Raissa Pardini
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