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More Than Words Podcast

Susie Dent's Foreign Words of The Week - The 'Untranslatables'

Oct 4, 2022
Countdown star Susie Dent shares her top 'Untranslatables' - words that can't be translated into English. From Swedish, she introduces a word for the friend that is always late despite saying they'll be on time. Explore untranslatable words from different countries, including German, Danish, and Dutch.
04:09

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Fika is a Swedish word that represents the tradition of meeting friends, having coffee, and engaging in casual conversations.
  • Schnappside is a German term that refers to the phenomenon of having an idea under the influence of alcohol, only to realize its absurdity later on.

Deep dives

Untranslatable Swedish Word: Fika

Fika, a Swedish word, encompasses the act of meeting up with friends or colleagues, enjoying a cup of coffee along with a delicious cake, and engaging in casual conversations. It is deeply ingrained in Swedish culture, akin to the British tradition of going to the pub. In fact, some Swedish companies have mandatory fika breaks.

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