Tips & Tricks
Untranslatable: 20 English Words with No German Equivalent
Some English words simply cannot be translated into German. Words like "awkward", "serendipity", and "cringe" have no direct equivalent. In this interactive article, you will learn the most important untranslatable English words, understand their cultural background, and practice them in numerous exercises.
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Untranslatable English Words
The English language has many words that simply cannot be directly translated into German. This is often due to cultural differences or nuances that require multiple words in German to express.
In this article, we introduce you to the most important untranslatable English words and show you how to use them correctly. With interactive exercises, you can test your knowledge right away.
Includes interactive exercises and final test. Duration: approx. 20 minutes.
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Grammar: Using Untranslatable Words Correctly
Rule
Untranslatable English words belong to different parts of speech. To use them correctly, you need to know whether a word is an adjective (awkward, overwhelming), a noun (serendipity, privacy), or a verb (to cringe). Many of these words can also change word class: 'cringe' is both a verb (to cringe) and an adjective (cringy/cringe). Pay special attention to word order and collocations.
Examples
"The silence in the meeting was really awkward."
Correct: 'Awkward' as an adjective after 'was' describes the uncomfortable silence.
"I found the hotel by pure serendipity."
Correct: 'Serendipity' as a noun after the preposition 'by'. Means: a fortunate accident.
"She cringed when she saw her old photos."
Correct: 'To cringe' as a verb in the simple past. Means: to physically or emotionally recoil from embarrassment.
"The work was very overwhelming for him."
Correct: 'Overwhelming' as an adjective. Describes something that is too much at once.
Tips
- •Always learn untranslatable words in the context of full sentences, not as isolated words.
- •Many of these words have typical collocations: 'awkward silence', 'overwhelming majority', 'sheer serendipity'.
- •When in doubt: Describe the word in German with 2-3 words rather than forcing an incorrect one-to-one translation.
Cultural Note
Did you know? The word 'serendipity' was voted the most beautiful English word in a 2004 British survey. It was coined in 1754 by Horace Walpole, inspired by a Persian fairy tale about the 'Three Princes of Serendip', who kept accidentally discovering valuable things. Meanwhile, German has its own untranslatable gems: Schadenfreude, Wanderlust, Zeitgeist, and Kindergarten were borrowed directly into English.
Exercise 1: The Right Untranslatable Word
There was an ______ silence after he told the joke and nobody laughed.
Exercise 2: Is This Translation Correct?
'Awkward' means exactly the same as the German word 'peinlich' (embarrassing).
The Most Important Untranslatable Words
8 English Words You Cannot Translate
The following words are among the most well-known untranslatable English words. Each one has a nuance of meaning that no single German word can fully capture.
1. Awkward -- More than just 'peinlich'. It describes an uncomfortable situation, clumsiness, or social tension. "The first date was really awkward."
2. Serendipity -- The happy accident of finding something wonderful without looking for it. "Meeting her was pure serendipity."
3. Cringe -- The internal recoil from secondhand embarrassment. "His speech made everyone cringe."
4. Overwhelmed -- Emotionally overcome, overloaded, flooded -- all at once. "She was overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers."
5. Deadline -- The final date with built-in urgency. "We need to meet the deadline."
6. Fair -- Just, decent, sportsmanlike -- all in one word. "That's not fair!"
7. Privacy -- Much more than 'Privatsphäre'. A concept deeply rooted in Anglo-Saxon culture about personal space. "I value my privacy."
8. Accountability -- The obligation to take responsibility and be answerable. "There is no accountability in this company."
Vocabulary: Untranslatable Words
12 words
awkward
adjUncomfortable, embarrassing, clumsy -- describes a situation or person that makes you feel uneasy (no single German word captures it)
There was an awkward pause in the conversation.
serendipity
nounA happy accident of finding something valuable or delightful when you weren't looking for it
It was pure serendipity that I found this café.
cringe
To physically or emotionally recoil from embarrassment; also used as an adjective: extremely embarrassing
I cringed when I saw my old Facebook posts.
overwhelmed
adjEmotionally overcome and overloaded at the same time -- can be positive (with joy) or negative (with stress)
She felt overwhelmed by all the birthday messages.
deadline
nounThe final date for completing a task, carrying a built-in sense of urgency that 'Frist' doesn't convey
The deadline for the project is tomorrow.
fair
adjJust, decent, and sportsmanlike in one word -- covers aspects that are spread across multiple German words
That's not fair -- she got a head start!
privacy
nounThe right to personal space, solitude, and protection of personal data -- broader than 'Privatsphäre'
In many countries, privacy is considered a fundamental right.
accountability
nounThe obligation to take responsibility for one's actions and be answerable for the results
We need more accountability in government.
wholesome
adjHeartwarming, healthy, and morally good all at once -- describes content or people that give you a good feeling
That video of the dog greeting its owner is so wholesome.
random
adjBy chance and arbitrary, but also: strange, unexpected, unrelated (in youth slang)
A random stranger helped me carry my bags.
bittersweet
adjSimultaneously beautiful and sad -- a feeling combining joy and pain without either dominating
Graduation is always a bittersweet moment.
to get away with something
To do something wrong and escape punishment or consequences
He cheated on the test and got away with it.
Game: Word Scramble
Matching: Word to Best Description
Click on a word on the left and then on the matching translation on the right.
Why Do Translations Fail?
Why Direct Translations Don't Work
When you try to translate untranslatable English words into German, you encounter several problems:
Breadth of meaning: Many English words cover a broader range of meaning than their German counterparts. 'Awkward' can mean 'peinlich', 'unbeholfen', 'ungeschickt', or 'unangenehm' -- in English, all of that is one word with a unique emotional coloring.
Cultural roots: Words like 'privacy' or 'accountability' are deeply rooted in Anglo-Saxon culture. The concept of 'privacy' goes far beyond 'Privatsphäre' and encompasses a fundamental right that holds a special place in the English-speaking world.
Emotional nuance: 'Cringe' is not just 'peinlich'. It describes a physical reaction to secondhand embarrassment -- you literally recoil. This very specific mix of emotion and physical sensation has no single German word.
The best advice: Don't try to translate these words. Use them directly in English or paraphrase them with several German words. In everyday German, many of these words are increasingly used as loanwords anyway.
Exercise 3: Which Word Fits?
"It was a(n) ___ moment when nobody knew what to say." -- Which English word fits best here?
Sentence Builder: Untranslatable Words in Sentences
Translation: Die Situation war wirklich unangenehm.
Translation: Describe Instead of Translate
German
Die Stille im Aufzug war wirklich unangenehm und peinlich zugleich.
Final Quiz: Test Your Knowledge
Which of these words describes the happy accident of discovering something wonderful?
More Lessons
English Proofreading for Academic Texts: What You Need to Know
Academic Writing in English: The Complete Guide for German Students
English Proofreading: 10 Tricks for Error-Free Texts
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