Untranslatable wordEmotionFrench

Dépaysement

Meaning: The disorienting yet often pleasant feeling of being far from home, immersed in the unfamiliar.

Literally: Un-country-ing

Origin: French; literally 'being removed from one's country'.

More untranslatable words — Emotion

  • Retrouvailles The joy of reuniting with someone after a long time apart.
  • Mono no aware A bittersweet awareness of impermanence — the gentle sadness and appreciation that arise…
  • Natsukashii A warm, nostalgic rush triggered by something from the past — a smell, a song, a sight. N…
  • Yugen A profound, mysterious sense of the universe that is too deep for words — the feeling of…
  • Koi no yokan The intuitive feeling upon first meeting someone that you will inevitably fall in love wi…
  • Weltschmerz The weariness and sadness you feel when the world as it is falls painfully short of the w…

More French untranslatable words

  • Flâner To wander a city slowly and aimlessly, savouring it with no destination in mind — the art…
  • L'esprit de l'escalier Thinking of the perfect comeback only after the moment has passed — on your way down the…
  • Terroir The unique character that a place — its soil, climate and tradition — gives to a wine or…
  • Râler To complain and grumble with a certain national flair — a beloved French pastime.
  • Flemme A total absence of motivation to do anything — a profound, almost existential reluctance…
  • Spleen A deep, existential ennui — a heavy, formless sadness and disgust with the world and ones…

Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters

Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.

Browse all tongue twisters →

Keep exploring

Explore all untranslatable words →