Spanish Words That May Not Have Direct English Translation
Spanish to English Translation
It can get really frustrating, say, if you are a translator and you come face to face with a situation where there are just some words that do not have a direct English translation. They cannot be translated because either they do not have a direct translation or that they are new words which may not be included, yet, in the vocabulary of the language or the translator memory of a translation system.
Sometimes this inordinate disappointment may turn worse as time and resources are eaten up, scouring through possible answers to this plethora of words that don’t have direct equivalent for English translation.
Some of these words were coined from other Spanish translators who may have grappled with them for some time, and have given up their search for finding translations. It may have been a futile attempt to try translating them. However, given how universal and evolving our languages are, specifically Spanish, in no time, people and linguists may finally come across or discover some really fascinating and interesting English translation for these words.
Friolero – Defined as someone who is extremely sensitive to cold or cold temperature and weather.
Sobremesa – This is most common for Spanish culture where, after lunch or dinner, people mingle and converse with other people who shared the meal. This word is defined as that time spent after the meal. Sometimes, it is referred to as siesta.
Tocayo – When a person shares the same name, most cultures will just shrug it off. However, the Spanish term for another person who shares the same name as you do is called a tocayo, often referring to the person as a tocayo and not by his real name anymore.
Botellón – A drinking session, or a gathering, usually in an open-air setting, in which young people, mostly teenagers and young adults meet in a public place or a street and drink alcohol. Usually, it is a cheap alternative to drinking in pubs or clubs because the “party-goers” get to buy their own alcohol from stores. In the literal sense, bottellón means a big bottle.
Pena Ajena – The English language has this translation for this word, but not quite—vicarious. It means a shameful or embarrassing experience that is shared on behalf of a different person.
Duende – In literature and folklore, this is a mythical creature that is almost similar to a dwarf, a goblin or a gnome, but not quite every bit of these three.
Amigovio/a – A person regarded as a friend but with, purportedly, a specific use or benefit; this word is a combination of the words, amigo/a and novio/a. sometimes, this word is used to mean something to the effect of a “friend with the rights to rub against.
Atolondrar – The act of being bewildered or amazed; something that is so overwhelmingly unusual as to render you scatter-brained. For instance, if you are bombarded by a lot of queries from your manager and colleagues and clients about a project you are currently working on that you send an empty email because of the overwhelming emotions you felt from being too overly harassed.
Embalagarse – This is referred to as the tingling sensation your tongue has from consuming too many candies or sugar. It is similar to the feeling you get when you want to have tea to go with that sickly sweet sugar cookies.
Estrenar – This is a term used to denote something which is put on or worn for the first time.
There are other Spanish words that can not be directly translated into English, here are 23 more.
If you know any other Spanish words that do not have a direct English translation, please let us know in the comments below as we might be able to help you find a translation for some of them.
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