Ten more untranslatable Swedish words
The Local Sweden - [email protected]
Published: 5 Mar, 2014 CET.
Updated: Wed 5 Mar 2014 15:32 CET
What's that word for when you buy two bottles of champagne, only to pour one down the sink to impress the crowds with your wealth? Oh that's right, there is no word in English for that, but in Swedish, on the other hand...
It's that time again. Every year, I've put together a list of untranslatable Swedish words. The first one, in 2012, remains one of the most read stories on The Local to this day. The second was also popular. This year, I've gone with a theme of "typically Swedish". And a word of warning: Slide number ten is a very rude word that is definitely unsuitable for children. This is not a joke. IN PICTURES: Ten more untranslateable Swedish words So a quick look at the golden "untranslatable" rule before we begin. A word is untranslatable if there is no single word equivalent in English For example, in Italy they have the word culaccino, which apparently means the mark left on a table by a cold glass. While it could be called a watermark, it is definitely not a "watermark". Nor a "stain" nor a "spillage". It's a culaccino. You get the picture? Good. Let's get into it. And remember, slide ten is not the kind of word you'd say to your mother. Stop at nine if you are faint of heart or mind. Oliver Gee
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It's that time again. Every year, I've put together a list of untranslatable Swedish words. The first one, in 2012, remains one of the most read stories on The Local to this day. The second was also popular.
This year, I've gone with a theme of "typically Swedish". And a word of warning: Slide number ten is a very rude word that is definitely unsuitable for children. This is not a joke.
IN PICTURES: Ten more untranslateable Swedish words
So a quick look at the golden "untranslatable" rule before we begin.
A word is untranslatable if there is no single word equivalent in English
For example, in Italy they have the word culaccino, which apparently means the mark left on a table by a cold glass. While it could be called a watermark, it is definitely not a "watermark". Nor a "stain" nor a "spillage". It's a culaccino.
You get the picture? Good. Let's get into it.
And remember, slide ten is not the kind of word you'd say to your mother. Stop at nine if you are faint of heart or mind.
Oliver Gee
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