Here are top ten words, compiled from online collections, to describe love, desire and relationships that have no real English translation, but capture feelings that we've all experienced.
Mamihlapinatapei (Yagan, an indigenous language of Tierra del Fuego): The wordless yet meaningful look shared by two people who desire to initiate something, but are both reluctant to start. Catching eyes, both of you knowing that it's gona happen, sooon.
Cafuné (Brazilian Portuguese): The act of tenderly running your fingers through someone's hair. Unreal.
Retrouvailles (French): The happiness of meeting again after a long time.
Ilunga (Bantu): A person who is willing to forgive abuse the first time; tolerate it the second time, but never a third time.
La Douleur Exquise (French): The heart-wrenching pain of wanting someone you can't have.
Koi No Yokan (Japanese): The sense upon first meeting a person that the two of you are going to fall into love.
Ya'aburnee (Arabic): "You bury me." It's a declaration of one's hope that they'll die before another person, because of how difficult it would be to live without them.
Forelsket: (Norwegian): The euphoria you experience when you're first falling in love.
Saudade (Portuguese): The feeling of longing for someone that you love and is lost.
