Kahlil Francis Paul A.

Villanueva January 12, 2023

BA Psychology

Task: Identify 10 unique words/concepts in your language that you deem to be untranslatable to
Filipino/Tagalog.

1. Schadenfreude - enjoyment derived from the misfortune of others.

2. Sonder - the realization that each passerby has a life as complex as one's own.
3. Wanderlust - strong desire to travel.
4. Nihilism - rejection of all religious and moral principles.
5. Epiphany - a moment of sudden insight or revelation.
6. Serendipity - the occurrence of fortunate events by chance.
7. Existentialism - a philosophy emphasizing individual freedom and choice.
8. Mellifluous - having a pleasant, smooth and flowing sound.
9. Sisu - a Finnish concept of extraordinary determination and resilience in the face of adversity.
10. Ennui - a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of interest.

What is their literal meaning? Give example how they are used.

1. Schadenfreude: The word comes from German and is made up of two parts: "Schaden" meaning
damage or harm, and "Freude" meaning joy. It refers to the feeling of pleasure or satisfaction one
gets from the misfortune of others.
a. Example: "She couldn't help but feel a sense of schadenfreude when her rival's business
failed."
2. Sonder: The word is a neologism coined by John Koenig in his project The Dictionary of Obscure
Sorrows, it refers to the realization that each passerby has a life as complex as one's own.
a. Example: "As she sat on the bus, she couldn't help but think about the sonder of each
person around her, each with their own unique story and struggles."
3. Wanderlust: The word comes from German and is made up of two parts: "Wander" meaning to
wander or roam, and "Lust" meaning desire or pleasure. It refers to a strong desire to travel and
explore new places.
a. Example: "He couldn't shake his wanderlust, constantly planning his next adventure"
4. Nihilism: From the Latin word "nihil" meaning nothing, it refers to the rejection of all religious and
moral principles, often in the belief that life is without objective meaning.
a. Example: "His nihilistic worldview left him feeling apathetic and disconnected from
society."
5. Epiphany: From the Greek word "epiphaneia" meaning manifestation or striking appearance, it
refers to a moment of sudden insight or revelation.
a. Example: "It was an epiphany that changed his life forever, he realized he wanted to be a
doctor"
 6. Serendipity: The word comes from the Persian fairy tale "The Three Princes of Serendip," in which
the main characters make fortunate discoveries by accident. It refers to the occurrence of
fortunate events by chance.
a. Example: "It was serendipity that led her to find her dream job"
7. Existentialism: A philosophy emphasizing individual freedom and choice, and the inherent
meaninglessness of life, it encourages individuals to create their own meaning in life.
a. Example: "He was drawn to the existentialism of Jean-Paul Sartre, and the idea of creating
his own meaning in life."
8. Mellifluous: From the Latin word "mellifluus" meaning sweet-flowing, it refers to a pleasant,
smooth, and flowing sound.
a. Example: "The mellifluous sound of the stream provided a soothing background to his
meditation."
9. Sisu: A Finnish concept of extraordinary determination and resilience in the face of adversity, it is
often described as "a combination of bravery, determination, and the ability to persist in the face
of adversity."
a. Example: "In the face of the most difficult challenge, he showed sisu and never gave up."
10. Ennui: From the French word meaning boredom, it refers to a feeling of weariness and
dissatisfaction arising from a lack of interest or stimulation.
a. Example: "The ennui of living in the small town was starting to weigh on her, she longed
for something more exciting."

How would you translate them in Tagalog?

1. Schadenfreude - "kaligayahan sa pagkakasira ng iba"

2. Sonder - "pang-unawa na bawat taong lumalakad sa tabi mo ay may ganitong kalakihan at
kabiguan sa buhay"
3. Wanderlust - "pagnanasa na maglakbay"
4. Nihilism - "pagtatanggol sa lahat ng relihiyon at moral na prinsipyo"
5. Epiphany - "pangyayari ng biglaang pagkaunawa o paghahayag"
6. Serendipity - "pagkakataon ng maligaya o mapalad na mga pangyayari"
7. Existentialism - "filosofya na nakatuon sa indibidwal na kalayaan at pagpili"
8. Mellifluous - "may magandang, smooth at daloy na tunog"
9. Sisu - "konsepto ng labis na determinasyon at pagiging matibay sa harap ng pagsubok"
10. Ennui - "pagkakaroon ng pagod at kasiyahan sa dahil sa kakulangan ng interes"