Mångata
Meaning: The shimmering, road-like reflection the moon casts across water.
Language: Swedish
Literally: moon-road
Category: Nature
Origin: Swedish måne ('moon') + gata ('street').
More untranslatable words — Nature
- Terroir — The unique character that a place — its soil, climate and tradition — gives to a wine or…
- Friluftsliv — The philosophy and practice of spending time outdoors — not as exercise or sport, but as…
- Uitwaaien — Going for a walk or bike ride in the wind specifically to clear your head — letting the b…
- Shinrin-yoku — Immersing yourself in the atmosphere of a forest — soaking up its calm through all your s…
- Waldeinsamkeit — The serene, faintly mystical feeling of being alone in the woods, at peace with nature.
- Meriggiare — To take a quiet midday rest in a cool, shaded spot, escaping the fierce afternoon sun.
More Swedish untranslatable words
- Resfeber — The mix of nervous excitement and anticipatory anxiety you feel before a journey — your h…
- Lagom — Not too much, not too little — perfectly moderate, appropriate, and balanced. A cultural…
- Fika — A ritual pause in the day — coffee, something sweet, good company — that is more about co…
- Orka — To have the energy or will for something. Jag orkar inte carries the whole of 'I can't fa…
- Hinna — To manage something inside the time available — not speed, but fitting the act in before…
- Vabba — To stay home from work on paid leave to look after a sick child.
From our compliments & insults
- Tête de linotte — A scatterbrain who can't hold a thought.
- Courir sur le haricot — To get badly on someone's nerves.
- Tienes menos luces que un barco pirata — You're really not the brightest.