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Unusual Words With Beautiful Meanings
Eudaimonia
Noun: Greek [U-day-mo-nay-a]
You know that happy, peaceful feeling when you’re away on holiday, travelling the world?
There’s a word for that.
‘Eudaimonia’ is a Greek word which describes the contented state you feel when you travel. Your horizons have been opened and you feel tranquil.
Sonder
Noun: English [Saun-der]
When you’re sitting on the bus or in a waiting room, people-watching, you might very well have experienced ‘sonder.’
This is when you have a realisation that the random people around you are also living vivid and complex lives.
Everyone around you has thoughts and feelings, memories and experiences, likes and dislikes, and relationships that are not instantly obvious to you. ‘Sonder’ is when this realisation actually hits you.
Querencia
Adjective: Spanish [Kwi-ren-cha]
This word describes a place where you feel safe and at home.
So, wherever it is, whether it’s snuggled up in your duvet or hanging out a friend’s house, if you feel safe and at home there, you can use the word ‘querencia’ to describe it.
Retrouvailles
Noun: French [Reh-true-vay]
Maybe you’ve been away on a business trip. Or perhaps you’ve moved away from home and you’re visiting your parents again after several months. You probably have had a strong sense of joy and relief when you’ve seen your loved ones again.
‘Retrouvailles’ describes that feeling of happiness you experience when you are reunited with someone you are close with after a considerable time apart.
Mudita
Noun: Sanskrit [Moo-dee-ta]
Have you ever felt happiness purely because someone else is happy? When your friends and family get married, win a competition, or announce they’re expecting a baby, you’ve probably felt this way.
Coming from the ancient language of Sanskrit comes ‘mudita’, which means taking delight in the happiness of other people.
Meraki
Verb: Greek [May-ra-kee]
Great works of art or timeless, emotional pieces of music are imbued with the passion or love of the individual who created them.
The Greek word ‘meraki’ describes the action of leaving a piece of yourself in your work. You carry out the piece of work with soul and creativity, and it is reflected when people stand back to appreciate the work.
Ubuntu
Noun: Nguni, Southern Africa [Oo-boon-too]
The final word on our compilation of most beautiful words is ‘ubuntu.
This is the belief that your actions toward others, showing kindness and compassion, is what defines you.
Hygge
Noun: Danish [Hou-geh]
Cosy blankets. Warming candles. Relaxing with friends. All your worries melting away. These are all considered ‘hygge’.
‘Hygge’ is when you take pleasure from and are able to appreciate gentle and soothing things. It’s being surrounded by things that make you feel cosy and comfortable, which then engender feelings of contentment.
excerpt from:globalLanguages
Eudaimonia
Noun: Greek [U-day-mo-nay-a]
You know that happy, peaceful feeling when you’re away on holiday, travelling the world?
There’s a word for that.
‘Eudaimonia’ is a Greek word which describes the contented state you feel when you travel. Your horizons have been opened and you feel tranquil.
Sonder
Noun: English [Saun-der]
When you’re sitting on the bus or in a waiting room, people-watching, you might very well have experienced ‘sonder.’
This is when you have a realisation that the random people around you are also living vivid and complex lives.
Everyone around you has thoughts and feelings, memories and experiences, likes and dislikes, and relationships that are not instantly obvious to you. ‘Sonder’ is when this realisation actually hits you.
Querencia
Adjective: Spanish [Kwi-ren-cha]
This word describes a place where you feel safe and at home.
So, wherever it is, whether it’s snuggled up in your duvet or hanging out a friend’s house, if you feel safe and at home there, you can use the word ‘querencia’ to describe it.
Retrouvailles
Noun: French [Reh-true-vay]
Maybe you’ve been away on a business trip. Or perhaps you’ve moved away from home and you’re visiting your parents again after several months. You probably have had a strong sense of joy and relief when you’ve seen your loved ones again.
‘Retrouvailles’ describes that feeling of happiness you experience when you are reunited with someone you are close with after a considerable time apart.
Mudita
Noun: Sanskrit [Moo-dee-ta]
Have you ever felt happiness purely because someone else is happy? When your friends and family get married, win a competition, or announce they’re expecting a baby, you’ve probably felt this way.
Coming from the ancient language of Sanskrit comes ‘mudita’, which means taking delight in the happiness of other people.
Meraki
Verb: Greek [May-ra-kee]
Great works of art or timeless, emotional pieces of music are imbued with the passion or love of the individual who created them.
The Greek word ‘meraki’ describes the action of leaving a piece of yourself in your work. You carry out the piece of work with soul and creativity, and it is reflected when people stand back to appreciate the work.
Ubuntu
Noun: Nguni, Southern Africa [Oo-boon-too]
The final word on our compilation of most beautiful words is ‘ubuntu.
This is the belief that your actions toward others, showing kindness and compassion, is what defines you.
Hygge
Noun: Danish [Hou-geh]
Cosy blankets. Warming candles. Relaxing with friends. All your worries melting away. These are all considered ‘hygge’.
‘Hygge’ is when you take pleasure from and are able to appreciate gentle and soothing things. It’s being surrounded by things that make you feel cosy and comfortable, which then engender feelings of contentment.
excerpt from:globalLanguages