Positive thinking

POSITIVE LEXICOGRAPHY: BY ALPHABET

A

Ah-un (阿吽) (Japanese): unspoken communication between close friends, literally ‘the beginning and ending of something’.

Að nenna (Icelandic): ability or willingness to persevere through tasks that are hard or boring.

Að redda (Icelandic): to save someone or fix something in a time sensitive manner.

Ahimsa (अहिंसा) (Sanskrit): non-harm, love.

Amae (甘え) (Japanese): behaviour which constitutes an implicit request for indulgence of one’s perceived needs (often used negatively to describe passivity).

Aloha (Hawaiian): hello and goodbye, with love and compassion, literally the ‘breath of presence’.

Anand (آنَنْد) (Urdu): bliss, lasting contentment.

Aroha (Māori): to feel love, concern, compassion, empathy for someone.

Apapachar (Nahuatl): to stroke the spirit, i.e., demonstrations of supportive affection.

S’apprivoiser (French) (v.): lit, ‘to tame’, but a mutual process – both sides slowly learning to trust the other and eventually accepting each other.

Arrangiarsi (Italian): the ability to ‘make do’ or ‘get by’.

Asabiyyah (عصبية) (Arabic): togetherness, community spirit.

Apramāda (अप्रमाद) (Sanskrit; appamada in Pali): moral watchfulness, awareness of the ethical implications of one’s actions.

Ananda (आनन्द) (Sanskrit): bliss.

Anātman (अनात्मन्) (Sanskrit): insubstantiality, lack of permanent self/soul.

Anitya (अनित्य)(Sanskrit): impermanence.

Ātman (आत्मन्) (Sanskrit): soul, breath or spirit.

Aware (哀れ) (Japanese): the bittersweetness of a brief, fading moment of transcendent beauty.

B

Baraka (بركة) (Arabic): a gift of spiritual energy or ‘sanctifying power’.

Bayanihan (Tagalog): co-operative endeavour; a spirit of communal unity.

Belum (Indonesian): not yet, perhaps, hopeful wish.

Betmoun (بتمون): building up good social karma.

Bodhi (बोधि) (Sanskrit): enlightenment, awakening.

Bon vivant (French): someone who enjoys and appreciates the good life.

Borrel (Dutch): informal party or revelry.

Brahman (ब्रह्मन्) (Hindi): all-powerful and pervasive power that continually creates the universe.

Brav (German): children who are pleasant, earnest, and well-behaved.

Bricolage (French): construction of something achieved by using whatever comes to hand.

Budō (武道) (Japanese): martial arts.

C

Cafune (Portuguese): tenderly running one’s fingers through a loved one’s hair.

Cariño (Spanish): care, love, affection.

Ch’án (禪) (Chinese): meditation.

Chevere (Spanish – Venezuela): cool, awesome, good.

Colo (Portuguese): area of body formed by chest and arms, used to refer to embracing/comforting someone.

Commuovere (Italian): ‘heartwarming,’ a story that has moved one to affectionate tears.

Confianza (Spanish): trust, confidence, close friendships.

Coup de foudre (French): lit, a ‘lightening bolt’, sudden and powerful love at first sight.

Cwtch (Welsh): to hug, a safe welcoming place.

D

Dadirri (Australian Aboriginal): a deep, spiritual act of reflective and respectful listening.

Se déhancher (French): to sway or wiggle one’s hips (e.g., while dancing).

Deliciate (English): luxuriating in pleasure.

Desbundar (Portuguese): shedding one’s inhibitions in having fun.

Desenrascanço (Portuguese): to artfully disentangle oneself from a troublesome situation.

Dhárma (धर्म) (Sanskrit): laws of the universe, guidelines for action.

Dhyāna (ध्यान) (Sanskrit): meditation.

Dilshaadgii (دلشادگی) (Urdu): gladness, good cheer.

Dō’ (道) (Japanese): a spiritual path or way.

Dor (Romanian): longing for a person, place, or thing that is out of reach and you love very much.

Dugnad (Norwegian): collectively pursuing/undertaking a task.

Duḥkha (दुःख) (Sanskrit): suffering or dissatisfaction.

Duša (душа) (Russian): one’s inner heart and soul.

E

Engelengeduld (Dutch): the patience of an angel.

Enraonar (Catalan): to discuss in a civilised, reasoned manner.

Erlebnis (German): living fully, experiencing life deeply and intensely in the here and now.

Eudaimonia (ευδαιμονία) (Greek): fulfilment, flourishing, infused with the grace of the divine.

S’entendre (French): to hear each other,understanding between people.

Exaucer (French): to grant a wish.

F

Famn (Swedish): the area/space within two embracing arms.

Fanaa (فناء) (Arabic): ‘annihilation’ of the ego, leading to enlightenment and union with God.

Fargin (Yiddish): to glow with pride and happiness at the successes of others.

Farhat (فَرْحَت) (Urdu): joy, delight.

Feestvarken (Dutch): party pig, i.e., someone in whose honour a party is thrown.

Feierabend (German): festive mood at the end of a working day.

Fēng yùn (風韻) (Chinese): personal charm and graceful bearing.

Fernweh (German): the ‘call of faraway places,’ homesickness for the unknown.

Fingerspitzengefühl (German): ‘fingertip feeling,’ the ability to act with tact and sensitivity.

F/pirgun (פירגון) (Hebrew): Being happy (and saying so) for someone else’s accomplishment.

Fitra (فطرة) (Arabic): an innate purity and closeness to God.

Fjellvant (Norwegian) (adj.): Being accustomed to walk in the mountains.

Flâner (French): leisurely strolling the streets.

Forelsket (Norwegian): the act/feeling of falling in love.

Fremdschämen (German): vicarious embarrassment.

Frimousse (French): a sweet little face.

Frisson (French): a sudden feeling of thrill, combining fear and excitement.

Friluftsliv (Norwegian): living in tune with nature.

G

Ganbaru (頑張る) (Japanese): to do one’s best.

Geborgenheit (German): feeling protected and safe from harm.

Gemilut hasadim (Yiddish): loving-kindness.

Genki (元気) (Japanese): being healthy, energetic, and full of life.

Gezellig (Dutch): cosy, warm, intimate, enjoyeable.

Gemütlich (German): cosiness, homeliness.

Gigil (Tagalog): the irresistible urge to pinch someone because they are loved or cherished.

Gjensynsglede (Norwegian): (noun) The joy of meeting someone you haven’t seen in a long time.

Gökotta (Swedish): waking up early to hear the first birds sing.

Grok (English, uncommon): to understand so thoroughly that the observer becomes a part of the observed.

Guān xì (關係) (Chinese): building up good social karma.

Gula (Spanish): the desire to eat simply for the taste.

Gumusservi (Turkish): the glimmering that moonlight makes on water.

Gunnen (Dutch): to allow someone (else) to have a positive experience (usually in place of oneself).

H

Habseligkeiten (German): blessed, precious belongings (as in one’s most treasured possessions).

Hachnasat orchim (Yiddish): ‘welcoming the stranger,’ offering hospitality and respect to strangers.

Hahn (한) (Korean): sorrow, empathetic regret, patiently waiting for amelioration.

Harikoa (Māori): joyful, euphoric, delighted, exuberant, elated, thrilled, ecstatic, jubilant.

Harsha (हर्श) (Sanskrit): joy, delight or excitement associated with some external event.

Hedersmann (Norwegian) (noun): An honest man with great integrity.

Heimat (German): deep-rooted fondness towards a place to which one has a strong feeling of belonging.

Heimelich (German): cosiness, homeliness, uncanny.

Herrliche Gefühle (German): glorious feelings.

Hiraeth (Welsh): longing for one’s homeland, with nostalgia and wistfulness.

Hugfanginn (Icelandic) (adj.) = to be charmed or fascinated by someone/something.

Hyggelig (Danish/Norwegian) (adj.): enjoyable, friendly, pleasant.

 I

Ikigai (生き甲斐) (Ikigai): a ‘reason for being,’ the sense that its worthwhile to continue living.

Iktsuarpok (Inuit): anticipation one feels when waiting for someone, and  keeps checking if they’re arriving.

Ilunga (Tshiluba): being ready to forgive a first time, tolerate a second time, but never a third time.

Imandari (الإستقامة) (Arabic): ‘righteousness,’ cultivating good words and deeds.

Ishq (عشق) (Arabic): true, all-consuming love.

 J

Jaksaa (Finnish): being energised, enthused and spirited.

Janteloven (Norwegian/Danish): a set of rules which discourages individualism in communities.

Jeong/jung” (정) (Korean): deep affection, affinity or connectedness that may or may not be accompanied by romantic love.

Joie de vivre (French): zest for life, the knack of knowing how to live.

Jouissance (French): physical or intellectual pleasure, delight, or ecstasy.

Jugaad (जुगाड) (Hindi): the ability to ‘make do’ or ‘get by’.

K

Kanyininpa (Pintupi): intimate and active relationship between carer and caree.

Kào pǔ (靠譜) (Chinese): someone who is reliable, responsible, and to do things without causing problems.

Karma (कर्म) (Sanskrit): causality with respect to ethical behaviour.

Karuna (करुणा) (Sanskrit): empathy, compassion, identifying with the other’s suffering.

Kayf (کیف) (Urdu): merriment, revelry.

Kefi (κέφι) (Greek): joy, passion, enthusiasm, high spirits, frenzy.

Kenshō (見性) (Japanese): temporary ‘glimpse’ of awakening and enlightenment.

Koev halev (כואב הלב): (Hebrew): empathy, compassion, identifying with the other’s suffering.

Kilig (Tagalog): feeling of butterflies arising from interacting with someone one loves or finds attractive.

Kintsugi (金継ぎ) (Japanese): literally, ‘golden joinery’ (the art of repairing broken pottery using gold), metaphorically meaning to render our flaws and  fault-lines beautiful and strong.

Koi no yokan (恋の予感) (Japanese): the feeling on meeting someone that falling in love will be inevitable.

Kombinować (Polish): working out an unusual solution to a problem, acquiring skills in the process.

Komorebi (木漏れ日) (Japanese): sunlight filtering through leaves.

Konfliktfähigkeit (German): the ability to manage interpersonal conflict constructively, without becoming personally involved.

Koselig (Norwegian): cosy, warm, intimate, enjoyable.

Кохаю (кохать) (Ukranian): passionate, intimate, romantic love.

Kreng-jai (Thai): ‘deferential heart,’ the wish to not trouble someone by burdening them.

Kukelure (Norwegian) (verb): To just sit there and think about things while doing nothing at all.

Kvell (Yiddish): to feel pride and joy in someone else’s accomplishment.

 L

Lagom (Swedish): moderation, of doing anything to just the right degree.

Lakṣaṇas (लक्षण) (Sanskrit): ‘marks of conditioned existence’.

Lehizdangef (להזדנגף) (Hebrew): to stroll/promenade along Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff (street), i.e., to have carefree fun.

Lekker (Dutch): tasty (food), relaxed, comfortable, pleasurable, sexy.

Listopad (листопад) (Russian): falling leaves.

 M

Magari (Italian): maybe, hopeful wish, wistful regret, in my dreams, if only.

Maitrī (मैत्री; Sanskrit): loving-kindness.

Majime (真面目) (Japanese): someone reliable, responsible, and able to do things without causing problems.

Mantra (मन्त्र) (Sanskrit), mind tool, a word, phrase or sound focused on in meditation.

Mamihlapinatapei (Yagán): a look between people that expresses unspoken but mutual desire.

Manaakitanga (Māori): hospitality, kindness, generosity, support, respect, and care for others.

Mangata (Swedish): the glimmering that moonlight makes on water.

Mārga (मार्ग) (Sanskrit): a spiritual path or way.

Masarrat (مَسَرَّت) (Urdu): joy, delight.

Mazal tov (מזל טוב) (Hebrew): ‘good fortune’.

Mbuki-mvuki (Bantu): to shed clothes to dance uninhibited.

Me yia (με γεια) (Greek): a blessing of joy for others.

Melmastia (مېلمستیا) (Arabic): hospitality, moral obligation to offer sanctuary and respect to all visitors.

Menschlichkeit (Yiddish): being a good human being in its fullest sense.

Meraki (μεράκι) (Greek): ardour (in relation to one’s own actions and creations).

Milczeć (Polish): to refrain from speaking (without necessarily being silent).

Mitdenken (German): the ability to think for oneself.

Míng mù (瞑目) (Chinese): to ‘die without regret,’ having lived a good life.

Mono no aware (物の哀れ) (Japanese): pathos of understanding the transiency of the world and its beauty.

Muditā (मुदिता) (Sanskrit): sympathetic joy.

Muraqaba (مراقبة) (Arabic): Sufi meditation, ‘to watch over’ or ‘to take care of’.

Myötähäpeä (Finnish): vicarious embarrassment.

Mysa (Swedish): cosy, warm, intimate, enjoyable.

 N

Nachat (נחת) (Hebrew: contented pride in your progeny’s or student’s accomplishment(s).

Nachus (Yiddish): pride in someone else’s actions.

Nakama (仲間) (Japanese): deep platonic love for a friend.

Namus (Turkish): honour, chastity, decency, and virtue.

Natsukashii (懐かしい) (Japanese): sad nostalgic longing for the past, plus happiness (for fond memories).

Naz (ناز) (Urdu): assurance/pride in knowing that the other’s love is unconditional and unshakable.

Nirvāna (निर्वाण) (Sanskrit): ‘ultimate’ happiness, total liberation from suffering.

Njuta (Swedish): profound appreciation.

Nunchi (눈치) (Korean): ‘eye-measure,’ the ability to ‘read’ emotions and situations and to respond skilfully.

O

Onsra (Boro): ‘to love for the last time,’ the feeling that love won’t last.

Oogstrelend (Dutch): caressing the eye, i.e., attractive or appealing.

On (恩) (Japanese): a feeling of moral indebtedness, relating to a favour or blessing given by others.

Orenda (Huron): the power of the human will to change the world in the face of powerful forces.

Orka (Swedish): being energised, enthused and spirited.

Osher (אושר) (Hebrew): joy, contented happiness.

Otsukaresama (お疲れ様) (Japanese): gratitude or appreciation for others’ hard work.

 P

Parea (Παρέα) (Greek): informal party, revelry.

Pena ajena (Spanish): vicarious embarrassment.

Peiskos (Norwegian): sitting in front of a crackling fireplace enjoying the warmth.

Philotimo (φιλότιμο) (Greek): ‘friend-honour,’ respecting and honouring friends.

Pihentagyú (Hungarian): ‘with a relaxed brain,’ being quick-witted and sharp.

Piliriqatigiinniq (Inuit): togetherness, community spirit.

Pittiarniq (Inuit): loving-kindness.

Pius (Latin): conscientious, upright, faithful, patriotic/dutiful, respectful, righteous.

Prajña (प्रज्ञ) (Sanskrit): wisdom and experiential insight.

Prostor (простор) (Russian): spaciousness and freedom.

Q

Querencia (Spanish): a place where one feels secure, from which one draws strength.

Queesting (Dutch): to allow a lover access to one’s bed for chitchat.

 R

Radarpar (Norwegian) (noun): Two people that work very well together.

Ramé (Balinese): something at once chaotic and joyful.

Razljubít (разлюбить) (Russian): no longer loving someone.

Retrouvailles (French): to get together; sometimes used for the joy people feel after meeting loved ones again after a long time apart.

Rojong (Indonesian): collectively pursuing/undertaking a task.

S

Sabi (侘寂) (Japanese): aged beauty.

Sabsung (Thai): being revitalised through something that livens up one’s life.

Sahar (سهر) (Arabic): informal party, revelry.

Samar (سمر) (Arabic): to sit together in conversation at sunset/ in the evening.

Samprajanya (संप्रज़न्ऩा) (Sanskrit; sampajañña in Pali): clear comprehension; mindfulness imbued with a sense of spiritual progress.

Santosha (संतोष) (Sanskrit): contentment arising from personal interaction.

Saper vivere (Italian): the ability to handle people and situations with charm, diplomacy and verve.

Sarang (사랑) (Korean): lifelong love, the wish to be with someone until death.

Sarshaarii (سرشاری) (Urdu): bliss, lasting contentment.

Smṛti (स्मृति) (Sanskrit; sati in Pali): mindfulness of the present moment.

Satori (悟り) (Japanese): enduring awakening and enlightenment.

Saudade (Portuguese): melancholic longing, nostalgia, dreaming wistfulness.

Sazaadat (سعادت) (Urdu): prosperity, felicity.

Schnappsidee (German): An ingenious / daft / ridiculous plan thought up while drunk (generally used in a negative / pejorative sense).

Sehnsucht (German): life longings, intense desire for alternative paths and states.

Seijaku (静寂) (Japanese): serenity in the midst of activity or chaos

Shaadmaanii (شادْمانی) (Urdu): delight, pleasure.

Shemomedjamo (Georgian): eating past the point of satiety due to sheer enjoyment.

Shinrin-yoku (森林浴) (Japanese): ‘bathing’ in the forest (literally and/or metaphorically).

Siga siga (Σιγά σιγά) (Greek): Slowly, slowly (being unhurried).

Simcha (שמחה) (Hebrew): bliss, contentment.

Simpatía (Spanish): accord and harmony within relationships and/or society.

Sisu (Finnish): extraordinary determination in the face of adversity.

Sitzfleisch (German): ‘sit meat,’ ability or willingness to persevere through tasks that are hard or boring.

Sobremesa (Spanish): when the food has finished but the conversation is still flowing.

Sólarfrí (Icelandic) (noun): sun holiday, i.e., when workers are granted unexpected time off to enjoy a particularly sunny/warm day.

Sprezzatura (Italian): nonchalance, art and effort are concealed beneath a studied carelessness.

Suaimhneas croi (Gaelic): happiness on finishing a task.

Sumud (صمود) (Arabic): steadfastness, a determined struggle to persist.

Sukha (सुख) (Sanskrit): stable and lasting happiness (not dependent upon conditions).

Sunao (素直) (Japanese): meek, docile and submissive (in a positive, deferential way).

Sūnyatā (शून्यता) (Sanskrit): emptiness (phenomena come into being dependent upon conditions).

Suwaad (سُواد) (Urdu): pleasure.

Szimpatikus (Hungarian): a decent human being.

T

Ta’ârof (تعارف) (Farsi): politeness, social intelligence (e.g., in relation to receiving/offering hospitality/gifts).

Talanoa (Fijian Hindi): the way apparently purposeless idle talk functions as a ‘social adhesive’.

Talko (Swedish): collectively pursuing/undertaking a task.

Talkoot (Finnish): collectively pursuing/undertaking a task.

Tao (道) (Chinese): all-powerful and pervasive power, path or way.

Tarab (طرب) (Arabic): musically-induced ecstasy or enchantment.

Tarbiya (Arabic): on-going moral/ethical and spiritual development.

Tathāgatagarbha (गर्भतथागत) (Sanskrit): Buddha nature.

Tazkiah (تزكية) (Arabic): purification of the self, purity and submission to Allah.

Thróisma (θρόισμα) (Greek): sound of wind rustling through trees.

Tîeow (เที่ยว) (Thai): to roam around in a carefree way.

Tilfreds (Danish): contentment, at peace.

Tithadesh (תתחדש) (Hebrew): salutation given to someone who has acquired a nice new possession or change in circumstances.

Tjotjog (Javanese): ‘to fit’, accord and harmony within relationships and/or society.

Toska (тоска) (Russian): longing for one’s homeland, with nostalgia and wistfulness.

Trpti (Sanskrit): satisfaction of sensual pleasures.

Trygghet (Swedish): security, safety, confidence, certainty, trust.

Tuko pamoja (Swahili): community togetherness, ‘we are together’.

Tyvsmake (Norwegian) (verb): to taste or eat small pieces of the food when you think nobody is watching, especially when cooking.

Tzedaka (Yiddish): generosity, required righteous giving.

 U

Ubuntu (Nguni Bantu): being kind to others on account of one’s common humanity.

Uitwaaien (Dutch): walking in the wind for fun or exercise.

Ukiyo (浮世) (Japanese): ‘floating world,’ living within transcient moments of fleeting beauty.

Ullassa (उल्लास) (Sanskrit): feelings of pleasantness associated with natural beauty.

Utepils (Norwegian): drinking beer outside on a hot day.

 V

Vacilando (Spanish): wandering without concern for the destination; also an unsteady gait.

Víðsýni (Icelandic) (adj.): a panoramic view, or, open-mindedness.

Vivencias (Spanish): living fully, experiencing life deeply and intensely in the here and now.

Volta (βόλτα) (Greek): Leisurely strolling the streets.

Vorfreude (German: intense, joyful anticipation derived from imagining future pleasures.

W

Wabi (侘) (Japanese): imperfect beauty.

Wabi-sabi (侘寂) (Japanese): imperfect and aged beauty, ‘dark, desolate sublimity’.

Whakakoakoa (Māori): to cheer up.

Waldeinsamkeit (German): mysterious feeling of solitude when alone in the woods.

Wandlerlust (German): desire/prediliction for travel and adventure.

Wú wéi (無為) (Chinese): to ‘do nothing,’ acting in accordance with the Tao, being natural and effortless.

 X

Xenia (ξενία) (Greek): importance of offering hospitality and respect to strangers.

Xìng fú (幸福) (Chinese): stable and lasting happiness (not dependent upon conditions).

Xīn kǔ (辛苦) (Chinese): appreciation and recognition for others and their efforts.

Xurramii (خرمی) (Urdu): merriment, revelry.

Xushii (خُوشی) (Urdu): felicity, prosperity.

 Y

Ya’burnee (يقبرني) (Arabic): lifelone love, ‘you bury me,’ i.e., one would rather die than lose the other.

Yin yang (陰陽) (Chinese): holistic duality, dialectical (co-dependent) opposites.

Yuán bèi (圓備) (Chinese): a sense of complete and perfect accomplishment.

Yuán fèn (緣分) (Chinese): a ‘binding force’ that impels a relationship ordained by destiny.

Yūgen (幽玄) (Japanese): cloudy impenetrability, unknowability, mystery.

Yutta-hey (Cherokee): ‘it is a good day to die,’ leaving life at its zenith, departing in glory.

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