Abbiocco

Meaning: The heavy, irresistible drowsiness that comes after a large meal — the post-lunch stupor that demands a nap.

Literally: Drowsiness / nodding off

Origin: Italian; possibly from Arabic; that specific after-Sunday-dinner fog.

More Italian untranslatable words

Gattara A woman — often elderly — who dedicates herself to feeding and caring for stray cats in h…
Meriggiare To take a quiet midday rest in a cool, shaded spot, escaping the fierce afternoon sun.
Magari One word doing the work of 'if only', 'I wish', 'perhaps' and 'you bet' — the tone decide…
Sprezzatura The art of making something difficult look wholly effortless, hiding every trace of the w…
Dietrologia The conviction that the official account is never the real one — that some hidden motive…
Attaccabottoni The person who corners you and holds you in an endless, tedious story you cannot politely…

Colorful expressions from dozens of languages, with their word-for-word translations.

alle corde In a desperate or losing position, cornered.
mela marcia A person who is corrupt or morally bad and whose influence damages those around them.
toccare il fondo To reach the lowest point of degradation or despair; to hit rock bottom.

Keep exploring