Untranslatable wordNatureFrench

Terroir

Meaning: The unique character that a place — its soil, climate and tradition — gives to a wine or food.

Literally: Soil / land

Origin: French; the soul of a region in a glass or plate.

More untranslatable words — Nature

  • 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.
  • Gökotta Rising at first light for no reason but to go outside and hear the birds sing.

More French untranslatable words

  • Râler To complain and grumble with a certain national flair — a beloved French pastime.
  • Flemme A total absence of motivation to do anything — a profound, almost existential reluctance…
  • 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…
  • 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…

Explore another collection: False Friends

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

  • Pain Actually means 'bread'. The hurting kind of pain is la douleur.
  • Coin Actually means 'corner'. A coin you spend is une pièce.
  • Chance Actually means 'luck'. Bonne chance! = Good luck! For chance (probability), say une possi…

Browse all false friends →

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