Épanouissement

Meaning: The full flourishing of a person — blooming into your most complete, radiant self. More than happiness; total self-realisation.

Literally: Blossoming / flowering

Origin: French épanouir ('to open up, to blossom'); used of flowers, and of people at their best.

More French untranslatable words

Ressourcement The act of returning to one's roots or origins to find renewal — going back to a place, t…
Dépaysement The disorienting yet often pleasant feeling of being far from home, immersed in the unfam…
Flâner To wander a city slowly and aimlessly, savouring it with no destination in mind — the art…
Retrouvailles The joy of reuniting with someone after a long time apart.
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…

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

Dans ta tente ta tante t'attend. A gentle 'ta / ten / tan / t'' warm-up that sounds faster than it reads.
Seize chaises sèches sur seize arches sèches. A relentless collision of 'sei', 'sèch', and 's' — the tongue can't find traction.
Un beau ver vert dans un verre vert verra un ver vert. Ver (worm), vert (green), and verre (glass) are near-homophones — distinguishing them at…

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