The Good Soul

Episode 62 | Cool Words English Needs


Listen Later

Dive into Episode 62 of our podcast, "Cool Words English Needs," where the charming soulmate husband-and-wife duo, Patti and Manny, bring you a fun and entertaining exploration of 32 unique words from other languages that English lacks. With their signature humor and chemistry, they unpack these fascinating terms—ranging from quirky to profound—offering a delightful glimpse into cultural concepts and expressions that will leave you laughing and longing for English to catch up. Tune in for a lively, lighthearted journey through the quirks of language!

Here's the Bees Rescue Gal we discussed: https://howsyourdayhoney.com/


  1. Word: Sobremesa
    • Phonetic: soh-breh-MEH-sah
    • Origin: Spanish
    • Meaning: The time spent lingering at the table after a meal, chatting and savoring each other’s company—pure, unhurried bliss.
  2. Word: Gezellig
    • Phonetic: heh-ZELL-ik
    • Origin: Dutch
    • Meaning: A cozy, warm feeling of togetherness, like a perfect evening with friends by a fireplace.
  3. Word: Hiraeth
    • Phonetic: HEER-eyeth
    • Origin: Welsh
    • Meaning: A deep, nostalgic longing for a home or place you can’t return to, tinged with joy and sorrow.
  4. Word: Meraki
    • Phonetic: meh-RAH-kee
    • Origin: Greek
    • Meaning: Pouring your heart and soul into something you love, like cooking or art, with total devotion.
  5. Word: Ubuntu
    • Phonetic: oo-BOON-too
    • Origin: Nguni Bantu (Southern Africa)
    • Meaning: A profound sense of humanity—“I am because we are”—celebrating our shared connection.
  6. Word: Komorebi
    • Phonetic: koh-moh-REH-bee
    • Origin: Japanese
    • Meaning: The magical interplay of sunlight filtering through tree leaves, a dance of light and nature.
  7. Word: Gigil
    • Phonetic: GEE-gil
    • Origin: Tagalog (Philippines)
    • Meaning: That irresistible urge to squeeze something adorable, like a chubby baby’s cheeks!
  8. Word: Fernweh
    • Phonetic: FEHRN-vay
    • Origin: German
    • Meaning: A longing for far-off places, a wanderlust that pulls your heart to explore.

Segment 2: Quirky Words for Life’s Oddities

  1. Word: Tartle
    • Phonetic: TAR-tl
    • Origin: Scottish
    • Meaning: That awkward moment when you forget someone’s name mid-introduction—oops!
  2. Word: Pochemuchka
    • Phonetic: poh-cheh-MOOCH-kah
    • Origin: Russian
    • Meaning: A person who asks too many questions, like a curious kid who just won’t stop.
  3. Word: Tsundoku
    • Phonetic: tsoon-DOH-koo
    • Origin: Japanese
    • Meaning: Buying books and letting them pile up unread—a delightful habit for book lovers!
  4. Word: Pelinti
    • Phonetic: peh-LIN-tee
    • Origin: Buli (Ghana)
    • Meaning: Moving hot food around in your mouth to avoid burning your tongue—we’ve all been there!
  5. Word: Fika
    • Phonetic: FEE-kah
    • Origin: Swedish
    • Meaning: A cozy coffee break with friends or colleagues, a ritual of pause and pastries.
  6. Word: Nito-onna
    • Phonetic: NEE-toh-ohn-nah
    • Origin: Japanese
    • Meaning: A woman so devoted to work she neglects her appearance—quirky but relatable!
  7. Word: Backpfeifengesicht
    • Phonetic: BAK-fy-fen-geh-zikt
    • Origin: German
    • Meaning: A face that desperately needs a slap—cheeky and a little mischievous!
  8. Word: Mångata
    • Phonetic: MOHN-gah-tah
    • Origin: Swedish
    • Meaning: The shimmering, road-like reflection of the moon on water—pure poetic magic.

Segment 3: Powerful Words of Strength and Resilience

  1. Word: Sisu
    • Phonetic: SEE-soo
    • Origin: Finnish
    • Meaning: Gritty determination and courage in the face of adversity, a quiet inner strength.
  2. Word: Ikigai
    • Phonetic: ee-kee-GUY
    • Origin: Japanese
    • Meaning: Your reason for being—what gets you up in the morning, blending purpose and passion.
  3. Word: Friluftsliv
    • Phonetic: FREE-loofts-leev
    • Origin: Norwegian
    • Meaning: Living in tune with nature, a powerful embrace of the outdoors for strength and peace.
  4. Word: Kintsugi
    • Phonetic: kin-TSOO-gee
    • Origin: Japanese
    • Meaning: The art of repairing broken pottery with gold, celebrating flaws as beautiful and strong.
  5. Word: Gumusservi
    • Phonetic: goo-moo-SAIR-vee
    • Origin: Turkish
    • Meaning: Moonlight on water, a resilient glow that transforms the night with quiet power.
  6. Word: Areté
    • Phonetic: ah-reh-TAY
    • Origin: Greek
    • Meaning: Excellence and moral virtue, striving to be your best self with purpose.
  7. Word: Dépaysement
    • Phonetic: day-pay-eez-MAHN
    • Origin: French
    • Meaning: The disorienting yet strengthening feeling of being in a foreign land, growing through change.
  8. Word: Hanyauku
    • Phonetic: hahn-YOW-koo
    • Origin: Rukwangali (Namibia)
    • Meaning: Tiptoeing across hot sand, a bold, quick act of resilience in tough conditions.

Segment 4: Intriguing Words of Mystery and Wonder

  1. Word: Saudade
    • Phonetic: sow-DAH-deh
    • Origin: Portuguese
    • Meaning: A deep, melancholic longing for something absent, mysterious and bittersweet.
  2. Word: Wabi-sabi
    • Phonetic: WAH-bee-SAH-bee
    • Origin: Japanese
    • Meaning: Finding beauty in imperfection and transience, a wondrous view of life’s flaws.
  3. Word: Yūgen
    • Phonetic: YOO-gen
    • Origin: Japanese
    • Meaning: A profound, mysterious sense of the universe’s beauty, too deep to explain.
  4. Word: Hyggelig
    • Phonetic
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Good SoulBy WSIC