Untranslatable wordEmotionFilipino

Kilig

Meaning: The butterflies-and-shivers feeling of romantic excitement — the giddiness triggered by a crush's attention, a flirty text, or a swoony movie scene.

Literally: Giddy excitement

Origin: Tagalog; a physical-emotional flutter distinct from love itself.

More untranslatable words — Emotion

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  • Avos' A blind, hopeful trust that things will somehow work out on their own — leaving the outco…
  • Vergüenza ajena The squirming embarrassment felt on behalf of another person, who may be entirely untroub…
  • Koselig Warmth, intimacy and ease at once — a room, a meal or an evening can be koselig, and so c…
  • Nadryv An uncontrolled outpouring of buried feeling, often strained past anything the person tru…
  • Saudade A deep, nostalgic yearning for someone or something absent — tinged with the bittersweet…

More Filipino untranslatable words

  • Gigil The overwhelming urge to squeeze or pinch something unbearably cute.

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