Yuánfèn
Meaning: The invisible thread of fate that brings people together — the destined connection between two people, whether as friends, lovers, or strangers who meet once and change each other forever.
Language: Chinese
Literally: fate / predestined affinity
Category: Social
Origin: Mandarin 缘分; yuán ('fate/origin') + fèn ('portion/share').
More untranslatable words — Social
- Cafuné — The tender act of running your fingers through someone's hair — an intimate gesture of lo…
- Backpfeifengesicht — A face that is just begging to be slapped — someone so smug you can't help the urge.
- Tartle — That panicky pause when you go to introduce someone and realize you've forgotten their na…
- Tutear — To switch to the informal tú with someone — a small, deliberate act of closing social dis…
- Sprezzatura — The art of making something difficult look wholly effortless, hiding every trace of the w…
- Dietrologia — The conviction that the official account is never the real one — that some hidden motive…
More Chinese untranslatable words
- Chōu kōng — To steal a moment of escape from a hectic schedule — finding a sliver of free time and us…
From our compliments & insults
- Dickkopf — A pig-headed, unyielding person — their skull is so thick no new idea can penetrate it.
- 空気が読めない (kūki ga yomenai) — Completely oblivious to the unspoken social mood — the person who kills the atmosphere wi…
- 눈치가 없다 (nunchi ga eopda) — Hopelessly socially oblivious — can't pick up on emotional cues, awkward silences, or uns…