The Untranslatable Word Challenge || March 16, 2021

[ineffable_season]

Welcome to The Untranslatable Word Challenge! This challenge idea came from @Raspberry_cordelia so all credit for this idea goes to her! I'm just here to host for anyone who might be interested! 

Challenge overview: There are many words that cannot be directly translated into English. I have compiled a list of 40 “untranslatable words,” from various languages, so all you need to do is request a number (1-40) and I will give you the word from my list, the language it comes from, and the meaning of the word. This challenge will require you to capture the meaning or the action behind your assigned word in your story somehow. You can also incorporate the word itself if you like, but that’s not required. If you feel like you can’t use the 1st word given to you, you can get a 2nd word. If neither one of those words works for you, you may request a 3rd word, but you also must be prepared to trade in one of your already given words. This is to ensure everyone has a chance to participate. 

Fandoms accepted: HP and OF. But if there’s another fandom you REALLY wanted to write for, just let me know and I will tell you if I’m familiar enough with it. I just want to give everyone a fair chance. 

Things I won’t read: Anything where consent (of a sexual nature) is called into question. I just struggle there a lot. Teacher/mentor and student relationships. Adult relationships with an age gap are fine though. Tom Riddle/Voldemort, centered stories. I’m fine with him being in stories, but as a main character, I’m just not that into him. In terms of pairings, anything with Dramione. I’m sorry. I just don’t know that I will be able to judge those ones fairly. 

Ratings accepted: Any and all. If you wanna write something smutty and it fits your word, go for it.  

Length: Please no stories longer than 15,000 words. 

Rules:

• Entries must be posted on the FFT Archives.
• No pre-written entries.
• I will accept a new chapter of an already existing collection as long as it can be read as a stand alone.
• If you're writing a multi-chaptered work, you need to have the chapter that has your use of the word in the queue by the deadline. 
• Must include “prideofprewett’s Untranslatable Word Challenge,” in the story description.
• Can be combined with other challenges.
• Maximum of 2 entries per person.
• Maximum of 3 number requests. This is just for purposes of my own sanity. 

Rewards: 

• All entries will receive 1 review. 
• 3rd place will receive an award graphic and 3 reviews on any stories of your choosing.
• 2nd place will receive an award graphic, 5 reviews on any stories of your choosing, and a playlist inspired by your entry. 
• 1st place will receive an award graphic, 7 reviews on any stories of your choosing, a playlist inspired by your entry, and a link to your entry in my signature for a month.

If you happen to win and don't have enough stories posted to the archives to support the number of review prizes, I have a couple of alternative prize ideas (WJ questions, beta services, dramatically recorded podfics) that I can dish out based on your award placement.

Happy writing all! 

 Courtney

[Felpata_Lupin]

Hey, Courtney, my love!

I'm not making promises, but this challenge sounds so interesting... can I see #7 please?

[Raspberry_cordelia]

Hi Courtney!  I'm so glad (and honored, lol) you decided to host this challenge!  I can't make any promises because I'm pretty horrible with challenges, but may I please see word #24 on the list?

[grumpy cat]

13

[ineffable_season]

Yay for participants! "Maybe's" are always welcome!

Participants:

@Felpata_Blizzard #7 is Sobremesa (Spanish)-> "the moment after eating a meal when the food is gone, but the conversation still flowing at the table"

@pirate grumpy cat #13  Dor (Romanian) -> "the feeling of longing/craving/yearning for someone or something, combined with sadness"

@Raspberry_cordelia #24  Jayus (Indonesian) -> "a joke so poor and unfunny that one cannot help but laugh." 

@victoria_anne #40  Weltschmerz (German) -> "literally 'world grief,' it means a gloomy, romanticized world-weary sadness, experienced most often by privileged youth" (Hopefully this works? I think this was the closest word meaning to what you were looking for?) 

[Hawksquill]

Oooh this is intriguing.  Put me down as a maybe as well, and may I please see #9? 

[ineffable_season]

11 minutes ago, Hawksquill said:

Oooh this is intriguing.  Put me down as a maybe as well, and may I please see #9? 

You got it!

#9 is  Filotimo (also spelled Philotimo- Greek)  -> "a friend of honour, but it also implies dignity, pride, sacrifice and respect"

 

Spoiler

Participants:

Felpata_Blizzard #7 is Sobremesa (Spanish)-> "the moment after eating a meal when the food is gone, but the conversation still flowing at the table"

Hawksquill #9 is  Filotimo (also spelled Philotimo- Greek)  -> "a friend of honour, but it also implies dignity, pride, sacrifice and respect"

pirate grumpy cat  #13  Dor (Romanian) -> "the feeling of longing/craving/yearning for someone or something, combined with sadness"

Raspberry_cordelia #24  Jayus (Indonesian) -> "a joke so poor and unfunny that one cannot help but laugh." 

victoria_anne  #40  Weltschmerz (German) -> "literally 'world grief,' it means a gloomy, romanticized world-weary sadness, experienced most often by privileged youth" (Hopefully this works? I think this was the closest word meaning to what you were looking for?) 

 

[Ineke]

Okay this is hella interesting and while im not sure my muse is gon be nice, i'll be a maybe :3 can i get a random one?

[sibilant]

I’m a maybe! Can I see #23?

[Chelts-rhj]

Could I see #27 please?

[ineffable_season]

@InekesWinterArchive #2  Odnoliub (Russian) -> "someone who has only one love in his or her life, or someone who is capable of loving only one at a time" (I hope your muse is kind to you, but if not, you can always ask for another/trade in if this one doesn't work for you )

@sibilant #23  Cafuné (Portuguese) -> "the act of running your fingers through someone’s hair in a loving way" 

@ChillyChelts #27  Lieko (Finnish) -> "a trunk of tree that has submerged to the bottom of a lake"

 

Numbers taken/participants:

Spoiler

InekesWinterArchive #2  Odnoliub (Russian) -> "someone who has only one love in his or her life, or someone who is capable of loving only one at a time"

Felpata_Blizzard #7 is Sobremesa (Spanish)-> "the moment after eating a meal when the food is gone, but the conversation still flowing at the table"

Hawksquill #9 is  Filotimo (also spelled Philotimo- Greek)  -> "a friend of honour, but it also implies dignity, pride, sacrifice and respect"

pirate grumpy cat  #13  Dor (Romanian) -> "the feeling of longing/craving/yearning for someone or something, combined with sadness"

sibilant #23  Cafuné (Portuguese) -> "the act of running your fingers through someone’s hair in a loving way" 

Raspberry_cordelia #24  Jayus (Indonesian) -> "a joke so poor and unfunny that one cannot help but laugh." 

ChillyChelts #27  Lieko (Finnish) -> "a trunk of tree that has submerged to the bottom of a lake"

victoria_anne  #40  Weltschmerz (German) -> "literally 'world grief,' it means a gloomy, romanticized world-weary sadness, experienced most often by privileged youth" (Hopefully this works? I think this was the closest word meaning to what you were looking for?) 

 

[Raspberry_cordelia]

Just popping by again to say that I love your word list!  All of these words have been top-tier so far :)

[GotNoJamsss]

Can I get #22?

[Hawksquill]

Hmm not sure if that's doing anything for me.  Can I try 38?

[Chelts-rhj]

I love it!

[ineffable_season]

15 hours ago, RogueMidwinter said:

Can I get #22?

#22 is  Goya (Urdu) -> "the transporting suspension of disbelief that can occur in good storytelling"

14 hours ago, Hawksquill said:

Hmm not sure if that's doing anything for me.  Can I try 38?

Sure! I'll have you down for both for the moment, but just tell me if you want to get rid of your first one. 

#38 is  Tsundoku (Japanese) – "the act of leaving a book unread after buying it, typically piling it up together with other such unread books."

13 hours ago, ChillyChelts said:

I love it!

Awesome! That one you picked felt fun & random, so I had to include it on my list hah! 

Participants/numbers taken:

Spoiler

InekesWinterArchive #2  Odnoliub (Russian) -> "someone who has only one love in his or her life, or someone who is capable of loving only one at a time"

Felpata_Blizzard #7 is Sobremesa (Spanish)-> "the moment after eating a meal when the food is gone, but the conversation still flowing at the table"

Hawksquill #9 is  Filotimo (also spelled Philotimo- Greek)  -> "a friend of honour, but it also implies dignity, pride, sacrifice and respect"

pirate grumpy cat  #13  Dor (Romanian) -> "the feeling of longing/craving/yearning for someone or something, combined with sadness"

RogueMidwinter #22  Goya (Urdu) – "the transporting suspension of disbelief that can occur in good storytelling"

sibilant #23  Cafuné (Portuguese) -> "the act of running your fingers through someone’s hair in a loving way" 

Raspberry_cordelia #24  Jayus (Indonesian) -> "a joke so poor and unfunny that one cannot help but laugh." 

ChillyChelts #27  Lieko (Finnish) -> "a trunk of tree that has submerged to the bottom of a lake"

Hawksquill #38 is  Tsundoku (Japanese) – "the act of leaving a book unread after buying it, typically piling it up together with other such unread books."

victoria_anne  #40  Weltschmerz (German) -> "literally 'world grief,' it means a gloomy, romanticized world-weary sadness, experienced most often by privileged youth" (Hopefully this works? I think this was the closest word meaning to what you were looking for?) 

 

[abhorsen.]

can i see #17, please?

[ineffable_season]

19 hours ago, ice fairy abhorsen. said:

can i see #17, please?

#17 is  Arbejdsglæde (Danish) -> "literally work happiness, the feeling of happiness provoked by a satisfying job"

 

Participants/numbers taken:

Spoiler

InekesWinterArchive #2  Odnoliub (Russian) -> "someone who has only one love in his or her life, or someone who is capable of loving only one at a time"

Felpata_Blizzard #7 Sobremesa (Spanish)-> "the moment after eating a meal when the food is gone, but the conversation still flowing at the table"

Hawksquill #9 is  Filotimo (also spelled Philotimo- Greek)  -> "a friend of honour, but it also implies dignity, pride, sacrifice and respect"

pirate grumpy cat  #13  Dor (Romanian) -> "the feeling of longing/craving/yearning for someone or something, combined with sadness"

ice fairy abhorsen #17 is  Arbejdsglæde (Danish) -> "literally work happiness, the feeling of happiness provoked by a satisfying job"

RogueMidwinter #22  Goya (Urdu) – "the transporting suspension of disbelief that can occur in good storytelling"

sibilant #23  Cafuné (Portuguese) -> "the act of running your fingers through someone’s hair in a loving way" 

Raspberry_cordelia #24  Jayus (Indonesian) -> "a joke so poor and unfunny that one cannot help but laugh." 

ChillyChelts #27  Lieko (Finnish) -> "a trunk of tree that has submerged to the bottom of a lake"

Hawksquill #38 Tsundoku (Japanese) – "the act of leaving a book unread after buying it, typically piling it up together with other such unread books."

victoria_anne  #40  Weltschmerz (German) -> "literally 'world grief,' it means a gloomy, romanticized world-weary sadness, experienced most often by privileged youth" (Hopefully this works? I think this was the closest word meaning to what you were looking for?) 

 

[Darling_take_off_the_mask]

Omg yesssss... 11 please!

[ineffable_season]

4 hours ago, RonsFairyGodmother said:

Omg yesssss... 11 please!

# 11 is  Ilunga  (Tshiluba)-> "a person who is ready to forgive any abuse for the first time, to tolerate it a second time, but never a third time"

 

Participants/numbers taken:

Spoiler

InekesWinterArchive #2  Odnoliub (Russian) -> "someone who has only one love in his or her life, or someone who is capable of loving only one at a time"

Felpata_Blizzard #7 Sobremesa (Spanish)-> "the moment after eating a meal when the food is gone, but the conversation still flowing at the table"

Hawksquill #9 is  Filotimo (also spelled Philotimo- Greek)  -> "a friend of honour, but it also implies dignity, pride, sacrifice and respect"

RonsFairyGodmother #11 Ilunga  (Tshiluba-)-> "a person who is ready to forgive any abuse for the first time, to tolerate it a second time, but never a third time"

pirate grumpy cat  #13  Dor (Romanian) -> "the feeling of longing/craving/yearning for someone or something, combined with sadness"

ice fairy abhorsen #17 is  Arbejdsglæde (Danish) -> "literally work happiness, the feeling of happiness provoked by a satisfying job"

RogueMidwinter #22  Goya (Urdu) – "the transporting suspension of disbelief that can occur in good storytelling"

sibilant #23  Cafuné (Portuguese) -> "the act of running your fingers through someone’s hair in a loving way" 

Raspberry_cordelia #24  Jayus (Indonesian) -> "a joke so poor and unfunny that one cannot help but laugh." 

ChillyChelts #27  Lieko (Finnish) -> "a trunk of tree that has submerged to the bottom of a lake"

Hawksquill #38 Tsundoku (Japanese) – "the act of leaving a book unread after buying it, typically piling it up together with other such unread books."

victoria_anne  #40  Weltschmerz (German) -> "literally 'world grief,' it means a gloomy, romanticized world-weary sadness, experienced most often by privileged youth" (Hopefully this works? I think this was the closest word meaning to what you were looking for?) 

 

[Darling_take_off_the_mask]

15 hours ago, prideofsnowfairies said:

# 11 is  Ilunga  (Tshiluba)-> "a person who is ready to forgive any abuse for the first time, to tolerate it a second time, but never a third time"

Angsty!  Can I try again with #35?

[ineffable_season]

32 minutes ago, RonsFairyGodmother said:

Angsty!  Can I try again with #35?

Sure! #35 is  Gezellig (Dutch) -> "a cozy feeling one has in the presence of friends."

[Ineke]

6 hours ago, prideofsnowfairies said:

Sure! #35 is  Gezellig (Dutch) -> "a cozy feeling one has in the presence of friends."

It doesn't mean just that! It can also be used to like describe how a room looks (which can also be cozy). It can also be used to like comment on something a person is going to do with friends or be used in a sarcastic af way or like to describe a fun talk you had with friends. Its v much used in all kinds of different ways and hmu if u need help with i.

[ineffable_season]

13 minutes ago, InekesWinterArchive said:

It doesn't mean just that! It can also be used to like describe how a room looks (which can also be cozy). It can also be used to like comment on something a person is going to do with friends or be used in a sarcastic af way or like to describe a fun talk you had with friends. Its v much used in all kinds of different ways and hmu if u need help with i.

Thanks for the additional info! I got the Dutch words from my Dutch speaking friend, however, she indicated that being from Belgium, she likely doesn't use the words in the same way.  @RonsFairyGodmother please be aware of additional meanings and feel free to use this word however you like. 

[Darling_take_off_the_mask]

Third time's a charm. Can I trade in my #11 and try #4 instead?