14 Jun /16

3 Brilliant Untranslatable German Words

untranslatable German words
Three special untranslatable German words, worth the learning, recommended by our in-house German translators – EVS Translations

Learning each and any foreign language would introduce you to a myriad of new words and concepts, that do not exist in your native tongue. That is what makes learning languages one of the most mind-expanding and augmenting activities.

And in the German language there is a superior amount of ineffable words that are totally envy-worthy for any given language and worth the learning. 

Here are three special German words, which our in-house German translators recommended:

1. Weltschmerz
Weltschmerz literally translates as ‘world pain.’ A combination of the German words Welt for ‘world’ and Schmerz for ‘pain.’ Weltschmerz describes the feeling of depression and hopelessness you get by the actual state of the world. As you might have already guessed that word was invented by poets from the Romantic movement to describe the realities of the world that they perceived as threatening their right to personal freedom. And today, Weltschmerz is here to prove that gloomy poets and melancholy never go out of fashion.

2. Geborgenheit
Geborgenheit has been voted one of the most beautiful German words. The literal meaning behind it is the ‘feeling of security‘, from the adjective geborgen (secure), but actually there is much more than this, as the word expands to describe the idyllic and magical feeling of security, warmth, comfort, love, peace and trust – yes, ALL of it. That is the blissful feeling you could get when you are cuddled in a fluffy blanket by the fireplace, chatting to your loved ones and knowing that nothing can harm you in this stellar moment.

3. Torschlusspanik
Torschlusspanik is the fear that one does not have enough time to accomplish all his life goals. Like waking up one morning with the feeling that if you do not act soon, you might miss out the opportunity to ever feel content. Literally,
tor translates as ‘gate, goal;’ schluss is ‘closure’ and panik is ‘panic.’ The etymology of the word leads us back to medieval times, when the city gates had been closed at midnight to protect the citizens from criminals and wild animals. So if you miss the torschluss time, you are left behind.