Sisu

Meaning: An extraordinary inner determination — stoic courage, grit, and resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity. More than willpower; a survival instinct.

Language: Finnish

Literally: guts / inner fire

Category: Emotion

Origin: Finnish; considered a core national trait, forged by Finland's harsh winters and history.

More untranslatable words — Emotion

• Hiraeth — A homesickness for a home you can't return to, or perhaps never had — a grief for lost pl…
• Duende — A mysterious quality in art or performance that moves you to your core — a dark, soulful,…
• Querencia — A place where you feel safe, grounded, and most fully yourself — a sanctuary from which y…
• Hüzün — A collective, spiritual melancholy felt by a whole city — the sadness of Istanbul's faded…
• 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…

← Back to Untranslatable Words

Loading the full interactive collection…