Being bilingual is both a blessing and a curse. Having a brain that can jump from one language to another is absolutely magical, but sometimes that jump seems just a little too tough to make. It's like we are there, right by the edge, wanting to take the leap, but can't really see where we would land. We know exactly the place we're looking for, yet that specific landing spot is not clear enough.
That's the metaphorical feeling we get when we know what we want to say, yet the right word is nowhere to be found. But there's another feeling that is even worse, and that's when we know the precise word that expresses perfectly what's on our mind, but it's not in the right language.
Once again, we are observing linguistic diversity at its finest. Linguistics' main field is the study of the uses, disuses and transformations that languages can present. Each language assigns a word for every single object, feeling, idea, etc. Nonetheless, sometimes that one perfect unit of language translates into a mouthful.
Here are some examples of words in Spanish that don't exist in English.
Antier
The literal translation would be the day before yesterday. Antier is a very common word used by Spanish speakers but the term in English, not so much. Maybe because it involves way too many words. Let's compare:
Fui al cine antier.
I went to the movies the day before yesterday.
Yep, too many words.
Asoleado
This term is used to describe a state, affecting us both mentally and physically. If we break down the word we can sort of translate it as someone who has been under the sun for a long time. There's this feeling of total exhaustion, as if the sun has drained all the energy from our bodies. We may also be irritable, a little disoriented, and even dizzy. Headaches are very likely to occur. Now, even when being indoors, if a strenuous activity causes these symptoms, the concept still applies.
Consuegro
When we get married we are now linked to another family. We have our in-laws and our spouse gets theirs, but what can they call each other? The dad of our significant other is our father-in-law; our dad is our significant other's father-in-law; but what's the relation between the two gentlemen? They are Consuegros! The relation between mothers-in-law: consuegras! And this term extends to direct family members. Concuña and concuño refer to siblings.
Embracilar
The use of this word is limited to babies, especially newborns who are constantly craving human contact. Embracilar happens if a baby cries and only stops when someone has them in their arms. This solution is provided so much and so often that the infant reaches a point where, unless someone is holding them, they will continue crying nonstop. El bebé está embracilado.
Estrenar
Continuing with not-so-literal translations that don't even convey the full meaning of the word, we have estrenar. The most fitting interpretation would be to wear something for the first time. See? So many extra words! And the term in Spanish even extends beyond clothing. For example, when a movie premieres, it's an "estreno".
Querer/Te Quiero
There are three words that most people are afraid to say, and those are "I love you". When is the right moment to say them in a relationship? Is that strong word really what we are feeling? Wouldn't it be awesome if there were an intermediate way to express the sentiment? Luckily, Spanish does have it. Te quiero. It's more than a simple "I like you" but not quite up there with "I love you".
The closest translation that we can come up with would be: I care about you. Again, we are using a lot more characters to try and express a feeling, and even then, all those words don't exactly portray the emotion.
Quincena
This usually refers to payday, which comes around every fifteen days, more often than not the 15th and 30th day of each month. The word that could somehow come close would be fortnight, but even that conveys a period of two weeks, and that doesn't quite add up to fifteen days. And has nothing to do with money. Maybe because paychecks come either each week or each month in most countries, there is not much need of a word for it.
Resolana
It can happen during a cloudy day, when the sun is not really supposed to be shining bright but we can still feel it burning our skin, even if we stand in the shade. The effect it has on the skin is different as well. When we lie under the sun at the beach, we are looking for a nice, even tan. If what we really want is to stay away from the sun, and we hide under a beach umbrella, the resolana is still going to get us. There is no word, term, or concept in English, at all, that can come even close to this effect.
Sobremesa
Usually, in the US, as soon as the meal is over the waiter will bring the check and the evening either ends or is moved somewhere else. When it comes to Latin American cultures, more than any others, there can be hours and hours of conversation before we call it a night.
Sobremesa is literally the talk that takes place at the dinner table after the meal is over. Isn't that a mouthful?! It looks like we have found a winner. One single word that translates into 55 characters! Wouldn't it be perfect if there were one word in English to explain why we stayed up so late?
In the endless richness of the Spanish language, it's kind of expected to find these unicorns. If we add synonyms, slang, and other local words still not added to the official vocabulary into the mix, the list can simply go on and on.
*All images: Pixabay
