Are certain Greek words untranslatable?

The Greek language, one of the oldest languages in the world, has many words and phrases with no English equivalent. We provide you with a list of untranslatable Greek words, their etymology, and meaning.

Popular Untranslatable Modern Greek Words:

For example, let’s use tea as an example. If you sloppily dip a tea bug into a cup of hot water for a couple of seconds, you are definitely not making tea with meraki (and probably not even tea). On the other hand, if you carefully select the type of tea you fancy drinking, let it steep and brew, and if you pour it into a nice cup, stir it nicely and maybe add some other ingredients in it, then you prepared your tea with meraki.

The word actually derives from a Turkish word: “merak”. The Turkish term has a broader meaning and can often be used to describe concern, worry, but also curiosity.

Examples:

«Έχει μεράκι για την δουλειά του.»

Translation: “He has meraki for his job.”

Meaning: “He is passionate about his job.”

«Σου έφτιαξα αυτόν τον καφέ με μεράκι.»

Translation: “I made this coffee with meraki.”

Meaning: “I made this coffee with love.”

Φιλοξενία – Philoxenia

“Φιλοξενία” was a set of rules defined by the gods, and specifically of Zeus Xenios. It describes the attitude towards people who are not part of the household, strangers or people from a different origin. The ethical obligations of “Φιλοξενία” are: a) to be offered to anyone, whatever his or her financial, political or other position is b) to respect everyone equally c) to never raise weapons against each other (the host and the visitor). The material obligations are: a) to welcome and take care of the visitor b) to offer him/her a meal c) to offer him/her a bath and/or the opportunity to sleep d) to offer him/her goodbye wishes and gifts.

Many modern Greeks live by these rules, offering food and care to their guests. Hotel guests in Greece are often surprised to find welcoming gifts, such as food baskets, which are usually charged in hotels abroad. Although “φιλοξενία” is not followed religiously by all Greeks today, it is still something that is highly associated to the Greek culture.

Example:

«H Ελλάδα φημίζεται για την φιλοξενία της.»

Translation: “Greece is well-known for its philoxenia.”

Meaning: “Greece is well-known for its hospitality and welcoming attitude.”

Κέφι – Kefi

The verbs used along with “κέφι”, such as “χάνω” (to lose) and “χαλάω” (to ruin/mess up), imply that the normal state for humans is to be happy and have a passionate and joyful view of life. If you lose your “κέφι”, fear not; you can also find it.

This word derives from a Turkish word, “keyif”, which has a similar if not the same meaning as in Greek.  

Examples:

«Έχασα το κέφι μου.»

Translation: “I lost my kefi.”

Meaning: “I am not in a good mood anymore.”

«Δεν έχω κέφι για δουλειά σήμερα.»

Translation: “I do not have kefi to go to work today.”

Meaning: “I am not feeling like going to work today.”

«Βρήκε το κέφι του.»

Translation: “He found his kefi.”

Meaning: “He is happy again.”