Flemme

Meaning: A total absence of motivation to do anything — a profound, almost existential reluctance to move, act, or engage.

Language: French

Literally: laziness / torpor

Category: Everyday

Origin: French; j'ai la flemme ('I can't be bothered'); a higher-order laziness than mere tiredness.

More untranslatable words — Everyday

Ressourcement — The act of returning to one's roots or origins to find renewal — going back to a place, t…
Chōu kōng — To steal a moment of escape from a hectic schedule — finding a sliver of free time and us…
Jugaad — A creative, frugal fix — a clever improvised solution that gets things done with whatever…
Shemomechama — Eating well past fullness simply because the food is too delicious to stop.
Prozvonit — To call someone's phone and hang up after one ring, so they call you back and you save th…
Boketto — Staring off into the distance with your mind pleasantly empty, thinking of nothing at all.

Spleen — A deep, existential ennui — a heavy, formless sadness and disgust with the world and ones…
Épanouissement — The full flourishing of a person — blooming into your most complete, radiant self. More 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…

C'est une vraie chèvre — They're hopelessly stubborn and infuriating — a goat that refuses to be moved.
Casse-pieds — A massive bore or pain in the neck — someone who wears you down with their irritating way…
Espèce de patate — You dim bulb — a potato being the very picture of inert, unthinking stodginess.