Rain drummed softly against the windows of the library as I wandered between the shelves, seeking refuge in words. One particular book stopped me—a dictionary of untranslatable words. A single word leaped off the page, striking me with its bittersweet resonance: Saudade—a Portuguese term that conveys a deep longing for something or someone absent, a feeling I had never been able to name before.

This realization sparked something in me: each culture treasures certain feelings and moments so unique that their language carves a special word to honor them. Some feelings exist beyond translation, understood fully only within the culture that names them. Reading this dictionary of untranslatable words fascinated me. At 23, I had lived through many experiences that felt impossible to articulate, but these words helped illuminate them. One could argue that many sensations, emotions, and thoughts remain unexpressed simply because the necessary words are missing. Some theories even suggest that the words in our mental toolbox shape how we think about life. Words might form the glass dome under which we interact, reflect, and exist. Different cultures, with their distinct worldviews, have decided to honor certain experiences that others have left unspoken.

Allow me to share some of my favorite untranslatable words:

• Eudaemonia (Greek): Flourishing; a state of being that involves living in accordance with one’s true self and fulfilling one’s potential. More than happiness, it’s living in alignment with your soul’s calling.
• Serendipity (English): The occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. I first encountered this word in one such moment—a chance meeting with a stranger who later became a lifelong friend.
• Gestalt (German): An organized whole perceived as more than the sum of its parts.
• Contingency (English): A future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty.
• Ubuntu (Nguni Bantu): “I am because we are.” This philosophy emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity, reflecting the community-driven values of many African cultures. Compare this to more individualistic societies, and it becomes clear: language is not just a reflection of thought, but a window into cultural identity.
• Komorebi (Japanese): The interplay of light and leaves when sunlight filters through the trees.
• Yūgen (Japanese): A profound, mysterious sense of the beauty of the universe and the sorrowful beauty of human suffering.
• Ikigai (Japanese): A reason for being; the sense of purpose and fulfillment in life. For me, Ikigai has guided many of my decisions. It’s not just about purpose but about the small, daily joys that together give life meaning. When in doubt, I often find my Ikigai in the simplest tasks—whether it’s a conversation with a friend or getting lost in painting.
• Dépaysement (French): The unsettling feeling of being away from your country of origin, like a stranger in a foreign land.

Saudade lingered with me long after I closed the book. It’s more than a word; it’s a gateway to a feeling—one that speaks to the heartache of absence, yet celebrates the depth of having loved enough to miss.

The Power of Naming

What happens when we give a name to certain experiences? By acknowledging and valuing their existence, we give these feelings form. Language, then, becomes more than a tool for communication—it becomes an instrument of emotional and psychological transformation, capable of shaping our internal landscape.

Naming an experience is like casting a spell. It’s an act of recognition that brings the intangible into the realm of the tangible. When we name something, we not only validate its existence but also bring it into our conscious awareness. This simple act can alter how we relate to that experience. It’s like turning on a light in a dark room—what was once obscured is now illuminated.

Imagine a world where every nuance of human experience had a specific word. How would this change how we interact with our emotions and with each other? If we had a word for every fleeting thought or subtle feeling, could we experience life with more depth and clarity?

The Power of Reframing

I recently experienced the power of reframing through coaching. During one of my sessions, I told my coach my goal was to become more resilient. He paused and asked, “Why resilience? Doesn’t resilience imply surviving adversity? What if you aimed for powerfulness instead—actively pursuing your goals rather than merely enduring hardship?” This subtle shift in language reframed my entire mindset.

By replacing just one word, my coach helped me shift from a passive stance—one of endurance—to an active, empowered one. This is the transformative power of language: it can reshape our perceptions, one word at a time. Language doesn’t just reflect our reality—it shapes it.

Language as the Architect of Reality

If words are the glass dome under which we live, they also serve as the scaffolding for our thoughts. The words we use shape our perceptions, influence our actions, and ultimately construct the reality we experience. This idea resonates with the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, which suggests that language limits and structures our thought processes. Could we be missing out on entire dimensions of experience simply because our language doesn’t allow us to conceive of them? If language shapes our reality, then what lies just beyond the edges of our vocabulary?

In this light, words are not merely descriptors but builders of reality. They have the power to elevate or confine us, to empower or constrain us. By consciously expanding our vocabulary and embracing new words, we can broaden how we think and navigate the world.

For instance, adopting the mindset of Ikigai can help us find meaning in our daily routines. Similarly, embracing the philosophy of Ubuntu can cultivate a deeper sense of community and connectedness.

Looking to the Future

As the world evolves, so too does our language. Perhaps in the future, we will create new words to describe emotions and experiences we don’t yet fully understand. What new horizons will we discover as our language continues to grow? What will future generations name, that we have yet to even imagine?

Language is more than communication—it’s the key to unlocking new dimensions of human experience. As we continue to explore the nuances of language, we open ourselves to deeper understandings of both the world and ourselves.