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Get Inspired

42 inspiring travel words (besides wanderlust).

We’ve all tried to find words to describe a travel experience, and sometimes nothing seems to quite explain it right.

I love discovering new ways to express myself, and over the years I’ve slowly collected the below list of creative travel words that are either not commonly used in English or are from another language or are words that describe travel emotions we go through much better.

Travel Words

If you’re a bit of a Pinterest addict like me you might have heard some of these alternative words for travel before, but hopefully, some are new.

After all, we could all use some other words for wanderlust!

These are just a few of my favourite words associated with travel.

As someone who writes about travel all the time, I love finding new words for travel and to describe travel experiences.

Inspiring Travel Words - Montenegro

Everyone knows wanderlust, but are there words for wanderlust in other languages, or even just another word for travel too? 

I first wrote this post back in 2015 with just 24 new travel words that I had found over the course of the year while I was living abroad in Spain .

Since then I’ve come across many more so I’ve updated it to include the new ones!

Each travel word definition has been written in my own words, with a photo of my own, and examples from my own experiences. 

I hope that you’re able to learn some new words for travel (that aren’t wanderlust but are other words for wanderlust!) and be a bit inspired by them like I have been!

The unusual travel words you need to know:

Resfeber  (n), origin – swedish.

The tangled feelings of fear and excitement before a journey begins.

This is one of the most popular words associated with travel and all over Pinterest!

We’ve all felt this. That jolt in your heart when you book your flights, or when you tell your family and friends what you’re about to do.

Now that feeling has a word you can use!

This feeling is for new travellers and old alike. I still feel it when I embark on new journeys, especially before I moved to Spain to teach English .

resfeber travel words

Fernweh (n)

Origin: german.

Farsickness. An urge to travel even stronger than wanderlust.

That feeling you get when you’ve been home too long and you ache to be out into the world again.

Sometimes you don’t know where you want to be, but you know that it’s away. Sometimes you know where, and you want to get there as quickly as possible. This is that feeling.

I’ve had a serious case of the post travel blues , and felt this to the extreme!

It’s one of my favourite words related to travel, since it really does describe how I’ve felt on so many different occasions.

fernweh travel words

Origin: French

To drift unplanned, led only by the landscape and architecture around you.

The idea that even if you drift you will end up falling into a path that is lined out for you by your surroundings. This could describe life overall, but it also describes small journeys.

When you’re wandering through a new city and you just happen to wander on a path that takes you to great discoveries.

This happened to me in Stockholm, when I went to the archipelago and saw absolutely nothing of the city, and again in Lisbon where we made no plans and just let the city show us where to go.

This is a travel word I’ve seen less often, probably because many of us love to plan our trips, tick things off a bucket list and not miss out, but sometimes if you just allow yourself to wander you’ll find the most unexpected and best things of your trip.

derive travel word - wandering led only by the landscape

Numinous (adj)

Origin: latin.

Feeling both fearful and awed by what is before you.

I don’t know why but there’s something intriguing about finding Latin words for travel. Maybe it’s because it’s not a language we really use anymore, but it forms the basis for so much of ours now.

There are quite a lot of words for travelling that are Latin based, or that we can turn into a word associated with travel.

Firstly referring to divinity, but I think it is a wonderful way to describe how you feel when you see things that are so amazing you’re not sure whether to be amazed or realise your own insignificance in the world. It’s the magical feeling when you see something truly awe-inspiring, be it the scenery before you, or just something amazing falls into place when you’re travelling.

Visiting the rice terraces of China was that moment for me.

numinous travel words

Schwellenangst (n)

Fear of crossing a threshold to embark on something new.

Ok so this German word isn’t traditionally a word related to travel but it could be used as one of those words to describe a travel experience now.

Maybe referring literally to a door, but a great way to explain that feeling you might have before deciding to set out on a new journey.

Did you make the right decision? Those questioning feelings now have a name. I thought I might have made a mistake in moving to Spain but really, it was just this feeling of fearing something new.

schwellenangst travel words

Strikhedonia (n)

Origin: greek.

The joy of being able to say “to hell with it”.

A popular Greek word associated with travel!

This is what you can do when you decide to quit everything, stop making excuses , and explore the world.

Something you say when you book your flights or you decide to do something on your journey that you wouldn’t normally do. You’re travelling, who cares right?!

Now you have a word related to travel for that awesome feeling.

strikhedonia travel words

A wandering or roaming journey.

An unpredictable idea, desire or action.

Travelling without knowing the destination, and it doesn’t matter.

I got completely lost with friends in the Alpujarras in southern Spain , and it didn’t matter one bit. This is another Latin word for travel that we should definitely bring back into our vocabulary!

vagary travel words

Sehnsucht (n)

A wistful longing and yearning in the heart for travels that have been and travels to come.

When you’re not travelling this can be an overwhelming feeling, or when you think about the travel you’ve done and you wish you could relive it all over again.

This feeling is why you need to make the most of every moment! It’s why the more you travel, the harder it gets .

This is one of those other words for wanderlust that we could use instead, although not as easy to say I admit!

sehnsucht travel words

Eleutheromania (n)

The intense desire for freedom.

This is probably one of the closest words to explaining wanderlust in different languages. People often say that travelling makes them feel free, and eleutheromania is the desire for this feeling.

We seem to find freedom in other cultures, or just in being outside the norm, and when you stop travelling, you crave it again.

I think this is what led me to make the crazy decision to move abroad for the first time at 16 !

Definitely one of my favourite other words for wanderlust and a firm favourite on Pinterest when you look for travel words.

eleutheromania travel words

Livsnjutare (n)

Origin: swedish.

Someone who loves life deeply and lives it to the extreme.

Someone I try to be. One that takes chances, takes risks, and always chooses the adventure .

This other word for travel could be used in place for wanderluster, nomad or traveller.  We could all stand to appreciate what we have and make the most of life, and so this is an inspirational travel word! 

livsnjutare travel words

Sturmfrei (adj)

The freedom of being alone and having the ability to do what you want.

Travelling solo can be especially rewarding because it’s all up to you. You can make your travel journey exactly how you want it to be. No compromises, no one else to please. Just you and the road.

You might meet amazing people when you travel , but being on your own is real freedom.

This isn’t traditionally a word associated with travel either, but instead with being in a place alone or without supervision from your parents, so like when they leave you at home for the weekend as a teenager.

But isn’t that slightly giddy feeling of being able to do whatever we want similar to how we feel when we travel? No one’s watching, so you can be who you want and let go!

sturmfrei travel words

Solivagant (adj)

Wandering alone.

The kind of traveller many of us are. Solo travel has exploded so much that it is no longer out of the ordinary.

As most solo travellers know, you’re not alone for long as you make your friends on the road . But sometimes, it’s the wandering journey you take alone that is the most rewarding.

This is a word for someone that travels a lot or someone on a solo journey.

It’s definitely a popular description amongst travel bloggers too!

solivagant travel words

Saudade (n)

Origin: portuguese.

Nostalgia and the love that remains. A desire to be near to something or someone distant.

This is a travel word for after your journey ends and you just want to be back where you were, or with the people you met on the way. It’s the feeling that’s left after it all ends.

It’s what makes you want to return to your favourite place , even if you know it might not be the same. Part of the definition of this travel word is also about looking forward positively to the future!

saudade travel words

Origin: Japanese

An awareness of the universe that triggers emotional responses too deep and mysterious for words.

That feeling when it’s dark and you look at the stars and your wonder for all the things in the world wells up inside of you.

I felt like this when I saw the northern lights in Iceland during the wintertime . It was the most amazing experience and if I had any word to describe it then this would be it!

Other words for wanderlust or travel - yūgen

Acatalepsy (n)

The idea that it is impossible to truly comprehend anything.

Acatalepsy is a word that we can associate with travel. 

Can you truly understand your travels, the things you see, and how they affect you?

Sometimes it takes time to process how travel might have changed your life, and sometimes we never truly know why we take the journeys we do and what they’ll mean for us until afterward.

We can reflect on amazing travel moments , but never fully know their impact until much later! 

acatalepsy travel words

Origin: In doubt

The realisation every person is living their own vivid life.

I stumbled across this word and fell in love with the meaning, as it’s something I sometimes think about. How each person’s life is as full of different connections, memories, and possibilities as my own.

Although research tells me Sonder may not be a real word, the concept is beautiful and I think it can be a word closely associated with travel.

When we’re travelling we realise how everyone is living their own different and vivid life, sometimes close to our own and sometimes on a completely other level!

sonder travel words

Trouvaille (n)

Something lovely found by chance.

A street, cafe, an experience stumbled upon by luck.

I love when this happens in my travels. A moment drinking coffee under a lemon tree in the south of Spain , a garden or a lake or a swimming hole discovered with no one else around.

I love finding alternative words to describe a travel experience, and this is a great one! It’s so important to appreciate the little things, especially when we come across them in an unexpected way. 

trouvaille travel words

Origin: Danish

The cosy feeling you get while you’re enjoying the good things in life with friends.

When you’re out for a meal with people you met during your travels , and you feel content and right.

That feeling that you’re right where you’re meant to be.

This isn’t traditionally associated with travel and has become much more popular in recent years as a word describing a Danish way of living.

This word is now much more popular and well known than when I first wrote this post when I was an expat ! When I first came across it in 2015 I’d never heard of it before at all!

And I love that.

To me, it sounded like a word to describe the experiences I’d had while travelling, when I’d met an amazing group of people and we were enjoying a shared meal together at the end of an awesome day of exploring.

hygge travel words

Origin: The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows – John Koenig

Awareness of how little of the world you’ll experience.

When you’re staring at the departures board and wishing you could go to all of those places at once.

It’s possible that the more you travel the harder it gets , and this is one of the reasons why. You can live abroad to try and travel more, but there’s still only so much to be seen.

This travel word is a little different in that it isn’t from another language but instead from a book.

However, it is another word that describes travel in that you’ll never reach the end of your exploration.

Travelling just makes you realise how much of the world there is still to see, and fuels your wanderlust even more!

onism travel words

Novaturient (adj)

A desire to change and alter your life.

This word for travel lovers describes the feeling that pushes you to travel.

When you know you’re not living the life you could be and there must be more out there for you.

It’s time to go and find it . I’ve never regretted travelling or moving abroad , even alone . It’s this knowledge and this feeling that makes me keep doing it!

novaturient travel words

Yoko meshi (n)

The stress of speaking a foreign language.

Literally translates to, “a meal eaten sideways”, and how I felt about speaking Spanish when I moved to Spain!

When people would tell me to “just start speaking” and it’s really not that easy.

Can you really learn a language just by moving abroad ? Maybe not, but you can try. Just be prepared for this feeling that you now have a travel word to describe!

yoko meshi travel words

Selcouth (adj)

Origin: old english.

Strange and uncommon, the way you see things when you travel.

Everything seems different and foreign, and it’s a good thing. We travel to seek out the things we don’t have at home .

This is another word that we can make into a word for travel, even though it doesn’t traditionally mean that.

It is one I could kind of see myself using to describe the odd things I’ve come across while travelling!

selcouth travel words

Eudaimonia (n)

The contented happy state.

That bursting feeling in your chest when you travel when it all feels right. The constant change in travel often puts our senses in overdrive and the highs are higher than ever. 

Learning to dive on the Great Barrier Reef was one of the best experiences of my life, and I won’t soon forget this feeling.

This Greek word is actually related to a philosophy that has been translated as meaning happiness or well-being, but I think that it’s the way we often feel when we travel, so it’s a word for travel lovers too!

eudaimonia travel words

Coddiwomple (v)

Origin: english slang.

To travel purposefully towards a vague destination.

When you have an idea of where you’re going, but it doesn’t matter how long it takes to get there.

The road doesn’t have to be a straight one. In fact, sometimes it’s better when it’s not .

I love this travel word because I can imagine an old English gentleman discussing his latest “coddiwomple”!

coddiwomple travel words

Flâneur (n)

Someone who strolls aimlessly but enjoyably, observing life and the surroundings.

This is what I love to do when I get to a new city, or through the countryside .

When we travel we seem to have fewer worries in general, allowing us to place ourselves more IN the moment.

Plus walking a city and people watching is a great way to learn about a new culture! It’s also a lovely way to spend a romantic date !

unusual travel words - flaneur

Nefelibata (n)

“Cloud-Walker”. One who lives in the clouds of their own imagination, or who does not obey the conventions of society, literature or art. An unconventional person.

Probably the way people have described me on occasion!

For those who don’t travel, or don’t know how to begin, the idea can seem fantastical and unconventional.

But these days there are so many people breaking free of “cubicle” life and working as digital nomads with the world as their office, working different travel jobs ,  saving to move abroad , or taking a year off to travel. Phil and I now work for ourselves and travel as we like (with kids!).

It may be unconventional to some, but for the rest of us, it’s life.

unusual travel words - nefelibata

Brumous (adj.)

Origin: english.

Of gray skies and winter days, filled with heavy clouds or fog.

This may be a travel word you only use if you travel to the United Kingdom, especially in Scotland (it’s not the weather though, you just need the right clothes !)

It’s well known as the land of rainy days and fog, and I’ve experienced first hand.

However, I visited the Isle of Skye , one of the beautiful places in the UK, in the wind and rain and it was no less amazing. So really, I don’t mind if I have to describe some of my travels this way.

unusual travel words - brumous

Vorfreude (n)

The joyful, intense anticipation that comes from imagining future pleasures.

When we book a new trip and in the time before we go, this is the way we often feel.

We can think about the people we’ll meet , and all the exciting things we’re going to experience.

I love watching movies about places I want to go and then imagining myself there too, which is basically this feeling!

unusual travel words - vorfruede

Commuovere (v)

Origin: italian.

Heartwarming, something that stirs and moves you.

I love finding new words that don’t translate into English. This one is a prime example of a word that is difficult to explain, but the best I can do is heartwarming, something that moves you to tears in a good way.

Maybe you’re wondering how this relates to travel… crying?!

Well, I’ve definitely shed a few tears over travel, from the good to the bad, and I’ve definitely been moved and awed by the things that I’ve seen.

unusual travel words - commuovere

Peregrinate (v)

Travel or wander around from place to place.

A pretty simple word that we could use to describe our travels and yet it seems to have fallen out of favour. “We peregrinated around the Scottish Highlands .” It works right?!

unusual travel words - peregrinate

Nemophilist (n)

Origin: english.

A haunter of woods, one who loves the forest and it’s beauty and solitude.

There’s something magical about walking through the woods, and even more so in a foreign country.

When I lived in Canada on a study abroad one of my favourite things to do was wander through the huge forests there. So much so my new friends and I once got lost for 8 hours…

unusual travel words - nemophilist

Querencia (n)

Origin: spanish.

The place where you are your most authentic self, from where strength is drawn, where you feel at home.

I’m so excited to have a Spanish word, after learning Spanish while giving in Spain.

This word comes is related to the verb querer , which is to want or desire.

It can be associated with bullfighting, as it is also the name for the area of the bullring where the bull takes its stand, but I like to think of it more as a travel word, of course.

unusual travel words - querencia

Komorebi (n)

The sunlight that filters through the leaves of trees.

If you’re on those forest walks when you’re travelling like above, then this is hopefully what you’ll see!

Another unusual word that doesn’t translate directly into an English word, but one that describes a beautiful sight.

unusual travel words - komorebi

Hireath (n)

Origin: welsh.

A homesickness for a home to which you cannot return, a home which maybe never was. The nostalgia, the yearning, the grief for the lost places of your past.

Homesickness isn’t quite the right translation for this beautiful Welsh word, it’s more than that. It’s one of my favourites though as I often reminisce about my previous travels and times in my life.

It’s strange to think back to times like our babymoon in France , and how we had no idea what was ahead of us. As much as I love our life now I sometimes wish to live those times again!

unusual travel words - hireath

Smultronställe (n)

Literally “place of wild strawberries” a special place discovered, treasured, returned to for solace and relaxation; a personal idyll free from stress or sadness.

When I went to Luleå in the north of Sweden in summer we discovered wild strawberries growing on an island in the middle of the archipelago.

That’s what I think of when I see this word because what better place to be? These are often the kind of places we discover when we travel.

unusual travel words - Smultroställe

Mångata (n)

The reflection of the moon on the water.

Something I only seem to see or see the most when I’m travelling.

It reminds me of being by the sea, of the Full Moon Party in Thailand and of the early darkness when I lived in the Gold Coast, Australia, where this photo was taken!

unusual travel words - mangata

Photophile (n)

Origin: possibly english or greek.

A person who loves photography and light.

This one is a little in dispute. It could originate from the word for organisms that love light, “photophilic”, but have been adjusted to fit with photographers too.

Or, it could come from the same origins as “hodophile” in that “phos” means light and “philos” means friends. I can’t find concrete evidence either way, but that’s the beauty of finding new words!

Photophiles carry their camera wherever they go, and many travellers now do the same.

I used to have an old point and shoot camera, and then I stuck to mostly iPhone before finally getting a “proper” camera. I’ve been testing it out in Spain at places like the Alhambra , and in Portugal around the streets of Lisbon .

But there was nothing quite like the midnight sun in Luleå last summer.

unusual travel words - photophile

Dépaysement (adj.)

Feeling that comes from not being in one’s own country. Being out of your element, a fish out of water.

Living abroad has often made me feel like this , especially in the early days.

Sometimes we can idealise moving abroad and not realise how it will affect us , but eventually, a place will feel like home, even if it’s a different concept of home than before.

unusual travel words - depaysment

Hodophile (adj.)

“Lover of roads”. One who loves to travel.

Does this travel word really need an explanation?

There’s something magical about setting out on a trip with the open road before you. My absolute favourite was driving across the Nullabor in Australia! It’s one of the longest straight roads in the world.

unusual travel words - hodophile

Cockaigne (n)

Origin: an english word with french origin.

Imaginary land of luxury and idleness; the land of plenty.

This word originates from a medieval myth, a land of plenty where society’s restrictions are defined and the harshness of life in medieval times does not exist.

Although we’re not in this time anymore, we could use this word to describe our ideal land of plenty now. One where people are not persecuted for their religion or race, one where equality reigns supreme, maybe one we will all be able to travel to one day?

unusual travel words - cockaigne

Wayfarer (n)

Someone who travels, especially on foot.

Maybe not as unusual a word as some on this list, and one that you may already know. I considered making this my blog name when I started blogging !

It’s a word that makes me think of older times when people travelled in a more whimsical way that had nothing to do with social media. You went wherever the wind took you!

unusual travel words - wayfarer

Absquatulate (v)

Origin: north american english.

To leave without saying goodbye.

Invented in the US in the 1830s as a word that sounded vaguely Latin, to make it seem older.

It means to make off with someone or something without announcing you’re going! The way many of us might feel we want to leave for our travels. No fuss, please!

unusual travel words - absquatulate-2

Have you heard of these travel words and would you use them? Do you think they explain things better than we usually can?

If you liked them, pin them!

Sonja - Migrating Miss

Sonja is from New Zealand but now lives in Scotland with her husband and two little boys, after having lived in 5 other countries along the way including the USA, Australia, Canada, and Spain. Travelling has always been her passion and she has now made it her full-time job and worked in the industry for the last 8 years. She shares her living abroad experiences and best tips to make your travel experiences the best they can be!

55 thoughts on “ 42 Inspiring Travel Words (Besides Wanderlust) ”

Amazing list! Looking to impress a number of my fellow travelers with this list now!

I swear some of them can be worked in to normal conversation! Others may be a little different but it’s so nice to have words that describe those travel feelings.

Sonja, that’s a great one!! Sharing it all over now:) love all the words and the idea of such a post:)

Thanks so much Monika! I have been sitting on all of these for a long time. They are saved all over my phone and written in personal journals, so I thought it was time to share!

I’d add: ecdemomania <3

That’s a good one I didn’t have! I’ll have to add it to the next list 🙂

I absolutely love these! I so often find myself having a hard time describing my deep seeded need to get away, always be moving, or travel solo. The long pause and struggle I have to express the answer to “why” when asked about my journeys can feel very awkwardly isolating, and not in the good way of standing alone on a mountain top or wandering an empty desert. I like to feel all alone in the world sometimes but other times, I want to be a part of something, a community, and understood. Seeing words like you have dug up to share in this post do just that. The fact that there are words in so many languages to describe exactly how I feel, means that I am not really alone, even when I have been on a road with no signs of humans for days!

Thanks Bethany! You are definitely not alone! I too loved discovering that there are words that actually describe how I feel when I can’t even really describe it myself. It means that there are other’s that have felt like this, and so much so that whole words have been created for it. I hope you find a way to explain how you feel and why you want travel and movement in your life. All the best x

Wow, I love these, thank-you!

Thanks! I’ve been collecting them for awhile, I love finding out about different words that we can use to explain our feelings, not that I would end up actually saying most of these!

Your list of words is awesome! But Germans actually don’t use “sturmfrei” in the context of traveling. It’s being said when your parents have left home for one or more nights so you can invite friends and party. 😉 it’s not a description about how we feel, it’s more a description of the situation itself. I definitely like your interpretation – hopefully it’ll become a part of travelers diaries.

Thanks Josi! It’s good to know the real meaning behind the word. I like the idea of trying to adapt it as a travel word too, so fingers crossed others see it like you too! 🙂

Thank you Sonja, This was a fun list. I doubt I will be able to work them into my vocabulary. I don’t think I can even pronounce most of them. Perhaps it would be fun to have a follow up post that included the pronunciation of each. You clearly have comfort with many languages. I envy that. Happy Trails to You, Michelle

Haha no they are not exactly everyday words! I think a few may be easier than others, but anyone actually understanding them is the problem! I love the idea that sometimes other languages can explain things better than English though, and I do find it fascinating in learning Spanish that things are not always a direct translation. The use of words can be so different! Happy travels to you too!

I loved reading these words! Thanks for finding them and creating the pin for them! What an excellent way to express our traveling emotions!

Thanks so much! You’re most welcome :). I have to admit I don’t use them a whole lot in my blog writing, but I just love them!

I love your words. Thank you.

Thanks for your comment!

This is a great list, I enjoyed it! Thanks. However, I just want to correct a minor detail. While I was reading along, I got surprised by the word “onism” as I am Danish and has never in my life heard of this word before, whereas “hygge”, the other Danish word on your list, is very commonly used. I looked up “onism” on the internet and found that it comes from The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows which is a compendium of invented words written by John Koenig. I suppose it is made as a combination between the words “monism” (Greek?) and “onanism” (English?), so there is nothing Danish about its origin (at least not that I could find) x

Thanks Ida! I tried to research everything as much as I could (hours in fact haha) and I’m not sure how I ended up with that one! I’ll take another look but I suspect I’ll find the same as you and change it! Thanks again 🙂 x

I loved reading this post and found myself relating to almost every one! ? Thought the accompanying photos were perfect too. It’s given me inspiration for a new travel/art journal …

Thanks so much! It makes me really happy to hear I’ve given someone else inspiration 🙂 🙂

Wow !! Love them.. I was actually looking for a new word which would describe my travel agency. I think I should be able to come up with something using the list of words, u’ve mentioned in this post.

That’s great I’m glad they’re able to help you! Best of luck.

Thnx a lot for giving this sort of knowledge about the words who r completely new to me. Keep posting these words along with their meaning it helps a lot.

Thanks dea… It perfectely helped me to explain my inner feelings , but some words have difficulty in pronouncing . I wrote down every word in ma notebook for future description pf my Travel Thanks alot yaar <3

Hi, I would like to know if there is a word for this feeling describes below,

‘I feel at home when I’m travelling, but when I’m actually at home, I feel weird.

I don’t think wanderlust is the word, can you please help me?

I’m sorry I’m not sure! I only know these words and the other post I did about unusual travel words. It’s possible something exists though and I’ll keep an eye out since I love finding unusual words 🙂

Was looking for travel words from Greek origin, and have found it, thanks so much. Love your page as well, maybe we see each other on the road sometime 🙂

Thanks so much! I’m glad they’re useful 🙂

So who copied who? 🙂 https://www.theintrepidguide.com/travel-words-that-describe-wanderlust-perfectly/#.WjWJFCPMwmo

Great list!

OMG!!!! Thanks for bringing this to my attention!!! I can’t believe how similar some of the wording of this is!!! 🙁 🙁 🙁 I first published this in early 2016.

Thank you for compiling such a great list! I may be incorrect, but shouldn’t ‘Vagary’ be listed as a noun rather than a verb?

It appears it’s listed as a noun now to mean something unpredictable but it came from the verb to wander!

So great to see Eleutheromania included in the list, passionate about freedom!

One of my favourites!

This is a very impressive, creative and original list. Will revisit many times. Thanks for sharing 🙂

42? How did anyone even get to this comment section? I had to scroll for 2 days just to get to leave this comment. This is really outrageous. 7 would have been plenty. We are internet users here, not book readers.

Two days well spent I’m sure 😉

When one is confined within the four corners of the home, because of the pandemic, this list is very encouraging! Thank you Sonja, many of the words here describes various emotions I have already experienced. Two more weeks of lockdown, I have time to do a project, finding my travel photos that match the words :).

Love this post! I’m feeling so much fernweh at the moment <3

Same here!!

Thank you so much for these! At this time of great challenges in the world, it is comforting to know that I can read the wonderful words you have compiled to capture all the positive feelings travel evokes. Slainte!

I couldn’t find all of these travel words anywhere else. You know, I am gonna bookmark it right away. Thanks for sharing these travel phrases. I love it. Looking forward to reading more of these informative articles 🙂

Amazing read. Needed these for getting a travel domain name. Bookmarked this post already. It’s very useful. Looking forward to reading more of these awesome travel blogs.

Ha ha what a random post! Learned so many new words from this, excited to casually *drop* them into my conversations

Haha so many! I mean, half I think I’ve never said but it’s fun to learn their meaning and find words that can describe the things we feel and think when we travel x

Wonderful article, it must have taken a lot of work to put together so many words 🙂

Thanks! I collected them over a few years and then reworded in my own words :).

Nice article. Thanks for sharing these travel phrases. Looking forward to reading more of these informative articles .

Stunning article, loved to read. will read more for sure…

Was very helpful article

I love this list of inspiring words for travel! I’m always looking for new ways to explore new places and this list has given me some great ideas.

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60 Beautiful Travel Words Every Travel Lover Should Know

Travel Words

Are you dying to perambulate? Dreaming of the day when you can coddiwomple around? Wondering what the heck those things even mean? If the latter rings true, well, we’ve got some travel words you need to add to your vocab ASAP. Because, let’s be honest , being a lover of travel is almost a language unto itself already . If you’ve got roam in your bones and run across someone else in the world who does too, you just sort of get each other. And so hearing words that capture the inherent magic of being a traveler is bound to stir something inside of you. Or, at the very least, stir you into planning your next trip .

As an added bonus, the following lexicon can serve a few other excellent purposes for the wandering soul — like making for a great tattoo, or helping you beast all of your friends in Scrabble. So, keep reading, but be forewarned… you’re going to want to pack your bags and book a flight by the time you’re finished.

Other Words for Travel

  • Pilgrimage (n.): A journey; the course of life on earth.
  • Trek (n.): A trip or movement, especially when involving difficulties or complex organization; an arduous journey.
  • Voyage (n.): An act or instance of traveling; a course or period of traveling by other than land routes.
  • Gallivant (v.): To travel, roam, or move about for pleasure.
  • Perambulate (v.): To travel over or through, especially on foot.
  • Expedition (n.): A journey or excursion undertaken for a specific purpose.
  • Excursion (n.): A usually brief pleasure trip.
  • Odyssey (n.): A long wandering or voyage usually marked by many changes of fortune .
  • Walkabout (n.): A short period of wandering bush life engaged in by an Australian aborigine as an occasional interruption of regular work — often used in the phrase go walkabout; something (such as a journey) similar to a walkabout.
  • Migrate (v.): To move from one country, place, or locality to another.
  • Globe-trotting (adj.): Traveling widely.
  • Itinerant (adj.): Traveling from place to place.
  • Sojourn (v.): To stay as a temporary resident.
  • Traverse (v.): To go or travel across or over; to move or pass along or through.
  • Circumnavigate (v.): To go completely around, especially by water .
  • Peregrinate (v.): To travel, especially on foot; to walk or travel over.
  • Peripatetic (n.): Movement or journeys hither and thither.
  • Coddiwomple (v.): To travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination.
  • Dérive (n.): A spontaneous and unplanned journey where the traveler is guided by the landscape and architecture.
  • Hitoritabi (n.): Traveling alone; solitary journey.

Words for Travelers

  • Nemophilist (n.): One who is fond of forests or forest scenery; a haunter of the woods.
  • Gadabout (n.): A person who flits about in social activity.
  • Flâneur (n.): A person who strolls the city in order to experience it; deliberately aimless.
  • Nefelibata (n.): One who lives in the clouds of their own imagination or dreams, or one who does not obey conventions of society, literature, or art; “cloud walker.”
  • Hodophile (n.): One who loves to travel; a traveler with a special affinity for roads.
  • Wayfarer (n.): A traveler, especially on foot.
  • Livsnjutare (n.): One who loves life deeply and lives it to the extreme.
  • Thalassophile (n.): A lover of the sea; someone who loves the sea, ocean.
  • Musafir (n.): “Traveler” in Arabic, Persian, Hindu, and Urdu.
  • Nomad (n.): An individual who roams about.
  • Solivagent (adj.): Someone who wanders or travels the world alone; a solitary adventurer.
  • Luftmensch (n.): An impractical dreamer, literally an air person; someone with their head in the clouds.

Creative Travel Words

  • Sturmfrei (adj.): The freedom of being alone and being able to do what your heart desires.
  • Resfeber (n.): The restless race of a traveler’s heart before a journey begins; a ‘travel fever’ of anxiety and anticipation.
  • Hireath (n.): A homesickness for a home to which you cannot return, a home which maybe never was; the nostalgia, the yearning, the grief for the lost places of your past.
  • Sonder (v.): The full definition, taken from The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows , is: “[Sonder is] the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries, and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.”
  • Fernweh (n.): An ache for a distant place; missing places you’ve never been before.
  • Sehnsucht (n.): A craving for adventure; an intense yearning for something far-off and indefinable.
  • Numinous (adj.): A powerful feeling of both fear and fascination, of being in awe and overwhelmed by what is before you.
  • Vagary (v.): An unpredictable instance; a wandering journey; a whimsical, wild, or unusual idea, desire, or action.
  • Saudade (n.): A nostalgic longing to be near again to something, someone, or some place that is distant, or which has been loved and then lost.
  • Trouvaille (n.): Something lovely discovered by chance; a windfall.
  • Yoko meshi (n.): The peculiar stress induced by speaking a foreign language.
  • Selcouth (adj.): Unfamiliar, rare, strange, and yet marvelous.
  • Yugen (n.): A profound, mysterious sense of the beauty of the universe that triggers a deep emotional response .
  • Novaturient (adj.): A desire to seek powerful change in one’s life; the feeling that pushes you to travel.
  • Travitude (n.): When you start to feel grumpy and sassy because you miss traveling.
  • Eudaimonia (n.): The condition of human flourishing or of living well.
  • Ukiyo (n.): Living in the moment, detached from the bothers of life; “the floating world.”
  • Strikehedonia (n.): The joy of being able to say “to hell with it.”
  • Solivagant (n.): To wander alone. Someone who is a solo adventurer who travels the world. This word comes from the Latin word solivagus , which means lonely or solitary.
  • Eleutheromania (n.): A great or incredible desire for freedom. This is a person who has an intense longing for liberty and independence.
  • Cockaigne (n.): A place of luxury or idleness. This word comes from the French word cocaigne, which means “the land of plenty.”
  • Ecophobia (n.): An abnormal fear of home surroundings.
  • Morii (n.): The desire to capture a fleeting moment.
  • Exulansis (n.): This is what you feel when you stop trying to explain or talk about an experience because the surrounding people cannot relate to it.
  • Rückkehrunruhe (n.): The feeling of returning home after a trip and finding that you keep forgetting you’ve been away. The person has to constantly remind themselves that the excursion even happened.
  • Absquatulate (n.): To flee or leave abruptly without saying goodbye.
  • Onism (n.): The awareness of how little of the world you’ll experience. The frustration of being stuck in just one body that inhabits only one place at a time.
  • Hygge (n.): The cozy feeling of relaxing with friends while having a meal or drinks. A quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a sense of contentment or well-being.

This article was originally published on Jan. 8, 2021

difficult travel words

I am Aileen

50 Unusual Travel Words with Interesting and Inspiring Meanings

by Aileen Adalid Quotes 46 comments

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Have you ever tried to explain a travel experience or feeling and you found yourself at a loss for words? (Unusual travel words) .

Well much like you, there are events and moments wherein I feel like I couldn’t fully express myself — which is probably why I’ve turned to other languages and unusual travel words to help expand my vocabulary… and yes, to satisfy that gnawing feeling.

The more I started researching and looking up these unique words, the more I fell in love with them because somehow, they could perfectly convey certain feelings and emotions where the English language just doesn’t cut it. Inspired by the success of my popular best travel quotes article, here is my top list of the most unusual words with cool and beautiful meanings!

100 Best Travel Quotes & Captions

Check out these best travel quotes that will help inspire you to travel!

Table of Contents

. Best Unusual Travel Words

Unusual Travel Words: Exulansis

1. Exulansis

The tendency to give up trying to talk about an experience because people are unable to relate to it (Noun / Origin: Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows / exu·lan·sis)

“…whether through envy or pity or simple foreignness, which allows it to drift away from the rest of your life story, until the memory itself feels out of place, almost mythical, wandering restlessly in the fog, no longer even looking for a place to land.”

FYI : In case you don’t know, the ‘Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows’ is written by John Koenig and it has become so famous that he even went on to do a TED show. Basically, the dictionary presents neologisms (up and coming words) for powerful feelings that you likely don’t have a proper term for, and indeed ‘exulansis’ is one of the beautiful unusual travel words that you must know!

Morii

The desire to capture a fleeting moment (Noun / Origin: Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows / mo·rii)

“ With every click of the shutter, you’re trying to press pause on your life. If only so you can feel a little more comfortable moving on living in a world stuck on play.”

I’m sure that we all have felt this, not only when we’re traveling but in all the meaningful moments of our lives! We all have this kind of desire given the fact that cameras together with social media will — and always — be on the rise. After all, we simply don’t want to miss a thing. We just want to capture moments before they slip through our fingers so that we can hopefully relive and relish on it later on. But then again.. it is a constant struggle of balance between ‘capturing’ and being there and savoring those moments.

Unusual Travel Words: Onism

The awareness of how little of the world you’ll experience (Noun / Origin: Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows / o·ni·sm)

“The frustration of being stuck in just one body, that inhabits only one place at a time, which is like standing in front of the departures screen at an airport, flickering over with strange city names like other people’s passwords, each representing one more thing you’ll never get to see before you die.”

ETYMOLOGY : Portmanteau of monism (the philosophical view that a variety of things can be explained in terms of a single reality) + onanism (alternative word for self-pleasure).

Raise your hand if you’ve ever encountered this thought — yep, I knew it, you’ve felt this too! This sentiment is often the reason why I like the idea of immortality… because yes, I am selfish: I would really like to see and experience EVERYTHING. But as it is, I’ll make most of my time — and you should too!

Photophile

4. Photophile

A person who loves photography (Noun / Origin: Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows / pho·to·phile)

This is an obscure word but supposedly, this came about after deriving it off from the word “photophilic” which is an organism that loves or seeks light — which is related in a way to how cameras function.

Unusual Travel Words: Sonder

The realization that each random passerby has a life as vivid and complex as your own (Noun / Origin: Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows / son·der)

“The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own — populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness.”

ETYMOLOGY : Related to the German word ‘sonder’ (special) and French ‘sonder’ (to probe). If you ask me, this is one of my favorites on all of these unusual travel words especially because I personally love people-watching when I travel abroad. It’s just simply the kind of realization you gain as you witness more of the world.

Ruckkehrunruhe

6. Rückkehrunruhe

The feeling of returning home after a trip only to find it fading rapidly from your awareness (Noun / Origin: Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows / rück·keh·run·ru·he)

This is exactly why I learned how to create a travel blog as well as build a travel vlog . Both of them help me record the fleeting memories that I’ve had for as much as I could!

Unusual Travel Words: Vemödalen

7. Vemödalen

The frustration of photographing something amazing when thousands of identical photos already exist ( Noun / Origin: Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows / ve·mö·da·len)

“The frustration of photographing something amazing when thousands of identical photos already exist — the same sunset, the same waterfall — which can turn a unique subject into something hollow and pulpy and cheap.”

ETYMOLOGY : From the Swedish word vemod which means “tender sadness, pensive melancholy” and then combined with Vemdalen, the name of a Swedish town. Swedish place names are the source of IKEA’s product names — the original metaphor for this idea was that these clichéd photos are a kind of prefabricated furniture that you happen to have built yourself.

So, I never actually felt this… because though there are tons of ‘duplicates’, I still like to make my own and say that “Ah, I shot this!” . BUT of course, I have a lot of friends — most especially the avid photographers — who go through vemodalen ! Let me know if you also have the same sentiments.

Absquatulate

8. Absquatulate

To flee or leave abruptly without saying goodbye (Noun / Origin: Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows / ve·mö·da·len)

I once reached a point where I just wanted to leave everything and go. I can still vividly recall that memory because it’s how my travel lifestyle started !

Cockaigne

9. Cockaigne

An imaginary place of extreme luxury and ease (Noun / Origin: English / cock·aigne)

This is one of the many uncommon English words and this term is derived from the Middle French phrase pais de cocaigne , which literally means “the land of plenty.”

Coddiwomple

10. Coddiwomple

To travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination (Verb / Origin: English / cod·di·wom·ple)

I gotta admit, the first time I saw this word (which was when I was around 15), I honestly thought that it meant cuddling or something of that sort. It’s just such a unique word! When I finally saw the correct definition, I was floored at how deep it was so I just had to put it up in this list of unusual travel words.

Ecophobia

11. Ecophobia

A fear or dislike of one’s home (Noun / Origin: English / e·co·pho·bia)

— and so you leave, to find where home is for you. *wink*

This word is based from Ancient Greek in whick ‘eco’ is derived from oîkos or “house”, and then of course ‘phobia’ from phóbos or “fear”.

Gadabout

12. Gadabout

A person who travels often or to many different places, especially for pleasure (Noun / Origin: English / gad·about)

Tracing back to the Middle English verb ‘gadden’ which means ‘to wander without a specific aim or purpose’. Speaking of, I’m definitely a gadabout as I find pleasure in going on adventures all over the world !

Nemophilist

13. Nemophilist

A person who is fond of forests or forest scenery (Noun / Origin: English / ne·mo·phi·list)

As far as unusual travel words go, I have added yet another term on my arsenal to describe not only my friends but myself as well!

Numinous : Unusual Travel Words

14. Numinous

Feeling both fearful and awed by what is before you. (Adjective / Origin: Latin / nu·​mi·​nous)

This word can mean a lot of things and it especially leans more towards depicting something supernatural or mysterious that is almost as if it’s by some divine power.

You can take this word the way you want it, but the way I see it, this perfectly describes several travel experiences that I have had.

I’m not exactly a spiritual person but I recognize some strong connection to nature and you bet that I felt a numinous presence in amazing places like Antarctica and Iceland . You just gotta be there to experience the emotion yourself!

Selcouth

15. Selcouth

Something unfamiliar, unusual or wondrous (Adjective / Origin: Old English / sel·couth)

This is the perfect adjective to use when defining a place you have traveled to that just feels foreign or novel — which is in itself a good thing and an inevitability.

Serendipity

16. Serendipity

The natural ability of making desirable discoveries by accident (Noun / Origin: English / ser·en·dip·i·ty)

A term in the 1750s to describe those who ‘ were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of’ . This usually happens to me in moments where I least expect it and it’s such a wonderful thing!

Wayfarer

17. Wayfarer

A person who travels on foot (Noun / Origin: English / way·far·er)

This is from the Middle English word weyfarere which is equivalent to way +‎ farer (‘to journey).

Dérive

Spontaneous journey, led only by the spirit of the landscape (Noun / Origin: French / de·ʁiv)

This is a French word that originally refers to a strategy whereing participants “drop their everyday relations and let themselves be drawn by the attractions of the terrain and the encounters they find there”.

In this list of unusual travel words, don’t you think that this perfectly describes a lot of traveling and digital nomads today?

Flaneur

19. Flâneur

A person of leisure who strolls aimlessly, observing life and society (Noun / Origin: French / flâ·neur)

The flâneur was, in some way, essential to any picture of the streets of Paris . The word carried a set of rich associations: the man of leisure, the idler, the urban explorer, the connoisseur of the street.

Depaysement

20. Dépaysement

The good or bad feeling that comes from being in a foreign country (Noun / Origin: French / de·pɛ·iz·mɑ̃)

This word could literally mean something like: ‘to be uncountried’ and it could either be due to disorientation or gladness — depends on you, and you bet that I’ll be using this word from now on!

Trouvaille

21. Trouvaille

A lucky find (Noun / Origin: French / trü·ˈvī’)

There’s something about the French language that is romantic and melodic, and this has got to be one of my favorite unusual travel words!

Unusual Travel Words:  Acatalepsy

22. Acatalepsy

The impossibility to truly comprehend anything find (Noun / Origin: Greek / acat·​a·​lep·​sy)

This is clearly an overwhelming feeling, but don’t you think that it humbles us in some way? The more I travel, the more I feel a sense of acatalepsy and though it might seem daunting at first, I think that’s just what makes our world and life itself an incredibly beautiful thing.

Novaturient

23. Novaturient

A desire for powerful change in one’s life or situation (Adjective / Origin: Latin / nO·va·’tUr·E·ent)

ETYMOLOGY : The word “nova” originates from the Latin novus meaning ‘new’.

Peregrinate

24. Peregrinate

To travel or wander around from place to place (Adjective / Origin: Latin / per·​e·​gri·​nate·​e·​gri·​nate)

The best way to plan for such an adventure? By checking out these top travel resources and planning tips!

Unusual Travel Words: Solivagant

25. Solivagant

A solitary wanderer (Noun / Origin: Latin / so·liv·a·gant)

ETYMOLOGY : Latin word of solivagus meaning wandering alone + English – ant

Eleutheromania

26. Eleutheromania

An irresistible yearning for freedom (Noun / Greek / el·u·ther·o·man·ea)

ETYMOLOGY : From Ancient Greek ἐλευθερία (eleuthería, ‘freedom’) +‎ -mania.

Hodophile

27. Hodophile

One who loves to travel (Noun / Origin: Greek / hodo·phile)

ETYMOLOGY : From Ancient Greek ὁδός (hodós) which means travel.

Meraki

Putting a part of yourself into what you’re doing (Noun / Origin: Greek / me·ra·ki)

This is a modern Greek word that’s often used to describe the instance wherein you leave a part of yourself (your soul, creativity, or love) in your work — so it’s like when you intensely love to do something or just about anything that you put something of yourself into it.

Unusual Travel Words:  Peripatetic

29. Peripatetic

A person who travels from place to place (Noun / Origin: Greek / peri·pa·tet·ic)

We can trace back the origin of this word to Aristotle and his followers. They often walked around peripatos (covered walk in the Lyceum) while Aristotle does his lectures, given that the former loves walking. As such, the Greek word peripatētikos (from peripatein, meaning “to walk up and down”) came about because of them.

Eudaimonia

30. Eudaimonia

A contented state of being happy, healthy and prosperous (Adjective / Origin: Greek / U·de·‘mOn·E·a)

Leave a comment below if you’ve felt eudaimonia while traveling!

Unusual Travel Words: Fernweh

31. Fernweh

Wanderlust; an ache for distant places or a strong desire to travel (Noun / Origin: German / feirn·veyh)

ETYMOLOGY : From the word fern (“far”) and weh (“pain”). It can be literally translated as farsickness or longing for far-off places.

Unusual Travel Words: Heimweh

32. Heimweh

A longing for home (Noun / Origin: German / heim·veyh)

As contrasted with Fernweh, this is a German word for homesickness.

Kopfkino

33. Kopfkino

The act of playing out an entire scenario in your mind (Noun / Origin: German / kopf·ki·no)

Hard translation is “head cinema” and as the definition goes, these are for those times where you start daydreaming or imagining scenarios about how a situation will unravel.

Schwellenangst

34. Schwellenangst

Fear of crossing a threshold to embark on something new (Noun / Origin: German / shwel·en·ahngst)

ETYMOLOGY : From the German words Schwelle (threshold) + Angst (anxiety).

Sehnsucht

35. Sehnsucht

An intense yearning for something far-off and indefinable (Noun / German / zEn·‘zUkt)

ETYMOLOGY : From German words sehnen (to long) and Sucht (anxiety; sickness; addiction).

The origin of the word doesn’t sound too good but as a whole it simply means that it’s an indescribable yearning for far off places and indescribable goals.

Sprachgefühl

36. Sprachgefühl

A person who has the feel for a language (Noun / Origin: German / shpräḵ-gə-ˌfᵫl)

This literally translates as ‘language feeling’ from compound nouns combining Sprache (language) and Gefühl (feeling). Basically, this does not only refer to a person who has a good understanding of foreign languages but also to a person who has intuitiveness for what is linguistically appropriate.

Sturmfrei

37. Sturmfrei

The freedom of being alone (Noun / Origin: German / shtUrm·frI)

A German word that translates literally to “storm free” — but the real meaning has nothing to do with the weather. As a slang, it means having the house or place to one’s self; but if we put a romantic twist to it then it’s about having the freedom or of having some alone time.

Unusual Travel Words: Vorfreude

38. Vorfreude

The joyful anticipation that comes from imagining future pleasures (Noun / Origin: German / FOR·frI)

ETYMOLOGY : Combination of German words vor (pre) and Freude (happiness). This is one of the rare words that I’ve come to love!

Waldeinsamkeit

39. Waldeinsamkeit

The feeling of solitude in the woods (Adjective / Origin: German / vahyd-ahyn-zahm-kahyt)

ETYMOLOGY : Combination of Wald (forest) and Einsamkeit (loneliness)

Livsnjutare

40. Livsnjutare

A person who loves life deeply and lives it to the extreme (Adjective / Origin: Swedish / lives·noo·tuhreh)

Yet another word discovery that I loved since it’s something that I want to refer to myself as!

Unusual Travel Words: Mangata

41. Mångata

The reflection of the moon on the water (Noun / Origin: Swedish / mo-an-gaa-tah)

ETYMOLOGY : Combination of Swedish words måne (moon) and‎ gata (street, road). If you ask me, this is one of the best aesthetic words!

Resfeber

42. Resfeber

The tangled feelings of fear and excitement before a journey begins (Noun / Origin: Swedish / reece·FEE·ber)

I always experience this, especially when I’m about to board a flight — and it’s not just because I have a fear of flying , but it’s simply because there are just far too many mixed emotions swirling inside me (which is a great and surreal thing!)

Smultronställe

43. Smultronställe

A special place discovered for solace and relaxation (Noun / Origin: Swedish / smUl·tron·’stel·e)

This Swedish word literally translates to “place of wild strawberries” and it’s a place where you feel most at home that’s away from any stress or sadness.

Komorebi

44. Komorebi

The sunlight that filters though the trees (Noun / Origin: Japanese / 木漏れ日 ko·mo·RE·bee)

The Japanese truly have a way of coming up with the most interesting words and this is such a poetic addition to this list of unusual travel words!

Unusual Travel Words: Natsukashii

45. Natsukashii

A happy recollection of an event or memory in the past (Adjective / Origin: Japan / 懐かしい nat·su·ka·shii)

The adjective originally described wanting to keep something close or wanting to express fondness for something. Over time, this term was used more to describe happy reminiscences, leading to the modern meaning. Take note that this is different from a nostalgic longing, but more of joyous remembrance of a past memory.

Shinrin-yoku

46. Shinrin-yoku

Forest bath; a visit to the forest to take in it’s atmosphere (Noun / Origin: Japan / 森林浴 shin·rin·yo·ku)

This is actually a form of nature therapy that is practiced in Japan ever since the 80s.

Ukiyo

“The floating world” — living in the moment, detached from the bothers of life (Noun / Origin: Japan / 浮世 ooh-ki-yo)

A hard translation of this word dates back to Japan’s Edo-period as it describes the urban lifestyle, and a famous related word is ukiyo-e or Japanese art paintings of the ‘Floating World’ or of our fleeting life and transient world.

Yoko Meshi

48. Y oko Meshi

The stress caused by speaking a foreign language (Noun / Origin: Japan / 横飯 yo·ko·me·shi)

Its hard translation is ‘boiled rice’ ( meshi ) and ‘horizontal ( yoko ) which will sort of mean as ‘a meal that’s eaten sideways’ — this metaphor actually refers to the fact that the Japanese write vertically instead of horizontally. Hence, the word yoko-meshi has a nice spin to it, doesn’t it?

Unusual Travel Words: Yugen

A profound, mysterious sense of the beauty of the universe that triggers a deep emotional response (Noun / Origin: Japan / 幽玄 yu·gen)

TRIVIA : Yugen is an important concept in the study of traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Wabi-sabi

50. Wabi-sabi

The discovery of beauty within the imperfections of life (Noun / Origin: Japan / 侘寂 wabe·sabe )

This yet another Japanese aesthetic that has a very deep meaning in which life and art are viewed as beautiful not because they are perfect and eternal but because they are imperfect and fleeting. Isn’t this truly one of the best unusual travel words with a beautiful meaning?

. Bonus Unusual Words

Unusual Travel Words: Ballagàrraidh

Ballagàrraidh

The awareness that you are not at home in the wilderneess (Noun / Origin: Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows / bal·la·ga·rye)

ETYMOLOGY : From Gaelic balla gàrraidh , “garden wall”

This is a word with a very deep meaning — so don’t let that simple definition fool you. To better understand it, I implore you to watch this video .

In fact, I gotta say that this is one of the unusual travel words that I often always feel most especially when I’m doing nature trips . Of course, there have been times when I’ve felt the opposite, but it’s more common to feel and be aware of how highly domesticated we all are. It’s not an entirely bad thing because advancement is a blessing; however, sometimes, it just makes you think how the olden times were truly far simpler and pristine. * sigh * I can’t really put it into words well, but let me know your thoughts once you get to watch the video above!

Des Vu

The awareness that this will become a memory (Noun / Origin: Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows)

ETYMOLOGY : From the French word dès vu, “seen as soon as” or “seen from this point forward”

“ Once in a while you look up, and watch as the present turns into a memory, as if some future you is already looking back on it. “

Unusual Travel Words: Hygge

A feeling of warmth and cosiness as you enjoy life’s simple pleasures (Noun / Origin: Danish / hoo·gah)

This is a well-loved word in Denmark with Norwegian origins and you can even basically call it a way of life and it’s basically all about creating a warm atmosphere with other people.

Commuovere

To stir, to touch, to move to tears (Verb / Origin: Italian / ko’mːwɔvere)

Hiraeth

A homesickness for a place which you can’t return to or never was (Noun / Origin: Welsh / HEER-eyeth)

This is a Welsh concept of longing for home — but more than just missing something, it implies the meaning of having a bittersweet memory of missing a time, era or person.

Thalassophile

Thalassophile

Someone who loves the sea (Adjective / Origin: Greek / THəˈlasəˌfīl)

From the Greek words θάλασσα / thalasso- (sea) and -phile.

Top Unusual Travel Words

I hope you enjoyed discovering these unusual travel words — as much as I had a lot of fun discovering them too!

I’m sure there are still a lot of other unique words out there that could perfectly capture an emotion that we can’t easily express with our own language; so if you have something in mind that’s not already listed here, do let me know in the comments section below!

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I really really enjoyed this ! And esp the way it was presented. I am crazy about words. Yhanks. Pardis Kavousi

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14 Awesome Travel Words You’ve Never Heard

Home » Blog » Travel » 14 Awesome Travel Words You’ve Never Heard

Traveling can make even the best storyteller speechless. Get ready for a little vocab lesson where you’ll learn some travel words that describe your wanderlusting perfectly. Guaranteed you’ll wish there was an English equivalent!

14 Awesome Travel Words You've Never Heard

Have you ever tried to explain a travel experience and been at a loss for words?

Travel does that to us – it entangles us in its beauty, makes us feel a myriad of emotions we’ve never yet felt, and leaves us speechless and yearning for more. 

Lucky for us, there are some travel words that describe these beautiful achings perfectly. The thing is, they are words with no English equivalent. 

We had lots of fun pairing some of our favorite travel photos with definitions we think fit what we were feeling. So get ready to add some foreign words to your arsenal in this little travel vocab lesson!

1. Resfeber

Definition: The nervous feeling you get before a journey.

Yes, there’s a name for those jittery butterflies that flutter through your stomach as you pack your bags .

Resfeber Awesome Travel Words

2. Eleutheromania

Definition: An intense and irresistible desire for freedom.

Let’s be real, whether your traveling to NYC , Iceland or Tokyo , who doesn’t have this feeling?

Eleutheromania Awesome Travel Words

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Definition: Feeling homesick for a place you’ve never been.

I love this word because it puts a name to a feeling I’ve never before been able to describe. 

Psst! Looking for your next travel destination ?? We’ve got you covered!

Fernweh Awesome Travel Words

4. Trouvaille

Definition: Something lovely discovered by chance.

Such a pretty word and such a beautiful idea.  I don’t know about you, but I hear a sexy French accent in my mind.

Trouvaille Awesome Travel Words

Travel Photography Tip: If you’re curious how we got these photos, we used a lot (if not all) of our 32 Easy & Creative Travel Photography Tips to make these shots happen. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, these tips will help you take incredible pictures!

Definition: The cozy feeling of relaxing with friends while having a meal or drinks.

I need this word in my life. Every day. 

Hygge Awesome Travel Words

Feeling the wanderlust yet?! I know I am! Here’s a great place to start planning a trip …

Definition: The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.

If we take the time to consider that each person in this world is living a life as important as our own, this world will be a much brighter place.

Sonder Awesome Travel Words

Definition: The awareness of how little of the world you’ll experience. 

How many lifetimes would it take to visit the every single place you’ve ever dreamed of? For me, it would take hundreds of lifetimes. I guess I’ll have to settle for just this one, and make the most of it!

Onism Awesome Travel Words

8. Livsnjutare

Definition: One who loves life deeply and lives it to the extreme.

Always strive to be this type of person. Does it matter that you can’t pronounce it? Nope, just be it.

Livsnjutare Awesome Travel Words

9. Waldeinsamkeit

Definition: The feeling of being alone in the woods.

This word brings to mind images of Hansel and Gretel wandering through the tangled paths of the Black Forest. Light streams through the thick trees, and the crisp air is scented with pine. Dreamy isn’t it? Walk alone in the woods and you might channel your inner fairy tale. 

Waldeinsamkeit Awesome Travel Words

Definition: Putting a part of yourself into what you’re doing. 

Whether you are a cook, an artist, an athlete – or hell, even an accountant – do your work with your whole heart. This word really resonated with us during the summer of 2020 while we were hard at work pouring our souls into Van Conversion Academy . 

Meraki Awesome Travel Words

11. Numinous

Definition: The powerful, personal feeling of being overwhelmed and inspired.

What stirs this emotion in you? For me, it’s the feeling I get when I hike to an extraordinary view and I can look down to where I started. Or the feeling I get when listening to music live and the lyrics ring true for me. And it’s the feeling I get when I visit a place I’ve been dreaming of, and I see the streets and buildings in person for the first time.

Numinous Awesome Travel Words

Definition: A spontaneous journey where the traveler lets the spirit of the landscape and architecture move them.

This kind of journey is my favorite. The kind where you don’t have any really solid plans. The kind where you wander into cute coffeehouses and picnic in parks. The kind where the day is yours to do with it as you’d like.

Derive Awesome Travel Words

13. Forelsket

Definition: The euphoria you experience when you are first falling in love.

I’d like to think that this word could refer to a person or a place, as both give me butterflies. Find out how traveling makes your relationships stronger . 

Forelsket Awesome Travel Words

Definition: The desire to feel things just as intensely as you did when you were younger — before expectations, before memory, before words.

One reason travel is so addicting is that you’re able to experience a place for the first time. You see colors more vividly, and see everything with a fresh set of eyes.

Yu yi Awesome Travel Words

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Travel Words

We want to hear from you!

Have you heard any of these travel words before? Which is your favorite? Do you have one to add to the list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Comments (28) on “ 14 Awesome Travel Words You’ve Never Heard ”

Hello. remarkable job. I did not expect this. This is a splendid story. Thanks!

I personally believe that all travelers must pick inspiring travel quotes in their mind. It helps to enjoy the trip. I always do the same for me. By the way, I wish you all a good holidays/travels for this 2021, if pandemics let us for sure!

The world ‘hygge’ reminded me of a dinner party I had few years ago out in my garden under the blooming wisteria with a few friends, one of whom was battling glioblastoma brain cancer. At one point he looked around at all the sites of the flowers, his friends, the candlelight and the food and was just soaking it in. He had this contented smile on his face, and I felt grateful I had created what I now know is a hygge moment.

The last word ‘Yuyi’ impressed me very much but I cant find its meaning in any language…

I’m Swedish and speak both Danish and Norwegian. "Hygge" isn’t just about spending "cosy" time with friends over a meal or drink. It’s acknowledging a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary as cosy, charming or special. It describes a feeling of cozy contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life. In Swedish we use "livsnjutare" for anyone who enjoys life in an over-indulgent way so the translation you’ve provided is close enough. 🙂 I’ve always like the word "hodophile" – someone who loves to travel.

I’m looking for Brand Name which makes Travel product like Bag and accessories and Dress as well.

Great job you did by sharing this site. Thanks for sharing this Interesting blog. Thanks for the list.. best way to share your ideas and information.

As a Chinese person, I’ve never seen anyone using the term ‘yu yi’ like that, and further searches on google left me even more confused because ‘玉衣’ (yu yi) simply means jade burial suit and that’s about it. There isn’t really some deeper interpretation to it. The closest term I could think of would perhaps be ‘如意'(ru yi), but this term means something like ‘according to your wish’… Either way keep up the great work!

Can I use meraki for my travel package bookings company? Pl suggest another, if you have

Hi Vijay, you can use the word Meraki all you want (it’s of Greek origin). If you are looking to purchase our images, please use our contact us form and we can discuss pricing. Cheers!

a very simple words describe a very deep emotions…

Very well said!

Where is the source of the meaning of Yu Yi? I got tipped off by a comment of a Chinese person that said that this was not the meaning. So I am searching around and can’t find anything. I love this meaning. I just want to find its origins since I am putting that definition as part of a slogan (not your exact same words) thanks!

Oh my god, I’ve read soo many travel blog posts but this one just got my absolute favourite! Amazing post and I can imagine it took you forever to gather all those beautiful expressions!

Aww you’re so sweet! Your comment made our day!

How About , EUDAIMONIA The contented happy state you feel when you travel

Origin: Greek | U·de·‘mOn·E·a

Oooo, that’s a good one! Thanks for sharing!

I just love the word Livsnjutare! I don’t know how, but it gives me a feeling of peace. And i feel I can relate to it, even though I can’t pronounce it! Apart from these, I like Dérive, Trouvaille and Fernweh.

So many fun words, huh?! (We can’t pronounce many of them either! Hehe) I love how other languages have words for feelings that have no translation in English!

can one reuse these images for fun and to reach a wider audience?

We’ll encourage you to pin them on Pinterest and share the article on Social Media like Facebook and Twitter. But the images are ours and if you would like to purchase them, please email us at [email protected] and we can figure something out.

That’s very nice information. thanks.

Hey Ashish, Glad you like the travel words. Which one can you relate to most?

Did you purchase the rights to use the images for each definition above?

All photos were taken by me and designed by me as well. Thank you for your concern.

I have heard of fernweh before, but all of your other words are brand new to me. And how perfect are they? I love other languages and how sometimes they have just the perfect word. No translation would do it justice!

Aren’t they fun?! Fernweh has been one of my favorite words for some time now because it so accurately describes a pretty complex feeling. It was so fun putting together this list and I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂

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Beyond Wanderlust: 30 Words Every Traveler Should Know

By emily petsko | jun 13, 2022, 5:14 pm edt.

difficult travel words

For those who travel, wanderlust is a familiar feeling. It’s that nagging voice in your head that says, “Yes, you do need to book that flight,” even if your bank account says otherwise. Regardless of how many passport covers this word may adorn, it doesn’t begin to cover the spectrum of emotions and experiences that can be revealed through the act of travel. Here are 30 travel words from around the world to keep in your back pocket as you're exploring this summer.

From the Latin vagari , meaning “to wander,” this 16th-century word originally meant a wandering journey . Nowadays, "vagaries" refer to unpredictable or erratic situations, but that doesn’t mean the old sense of the word can’t be invoked from time to time.

2. Selcouth

An Old English word that refers to something that’s both strange and marvelous . It's a great way to sum up those seemingly indescribable moments spent in an unfamiliar land.

Who hasn’t felt a strong desire to be somewhere—anywhere—other than where you currently are? That’s fernweh , or “ farsickness ," and this German word has been described as a cousin of wanderlust, another German loan word.

4. Dépaysement

Anyone who has traveled abroad will recognize this feeling. The French word refers to the sense of disorientation that often sets in when you step outside your comfort zone, such as when you leave your home country.

Another gift from the French, this word literally translates to “drift,” but thanks to some mid-20th century French philosophers, it can also refer to a spontaneous trip , completely free of plans, in which you let your surroundings guide you.

6. Peregrinate

To peregrinate is to travel from place to place, especially on foot. Its Latin root, peregrinus (meaning “foreign”), is also where the peregrine falcon (literally “ pilgrim falcon ”) gets its name.

7. Perambulate

Similar to peregrinate, this word essentially means to travel over or through an area by foot. So instead of saying that you’ll be walking around London, you can say you’ll be perambulating the city’s streets—much more sophisticated.

8. Numinous

This English word could appropriately be used to describe the Grand Canyon or the Northern Lights. Something numinous is awe-inspiring and mysterious. It's difficult to understand from a rational perspective, which gives it a spiritual or unearthly quality.

9. Peripatetic

The young and the restless will want to incorporate this word into their lexicon. The adjective refers to those who are constantly moving from place to place—in other words, a nomadic existence. It stems from the Greek word peripatein (“to walk up and down”), which was originally associated with Aristotle and the shaded walkways near his school (or, according to legend, his habit of pacing back and forth during lectures).

10. Waldeinsamkeit

You’re alone in a forest. It’s peaceful. The sun is filtering through the trees and there’s a light breeze. That’s waldeinsamkeit . (Literally "forest solitude." And yes, Germans have all the best travel words.)

11. Shinrin-Yoku

In a similar vein, this Japanese word means “ forest bathing ,” and it's considered a form of natural medicine and stress reliever. There are now forest bathing clubs around the world, but you can try it out for yourself on your next camping trip. Take deep breaths, close your eyes, and take in the smells and sounds of the forest. Simple.

12. Solivagant

In those moments when you just want to run away from your responsibilities, you may consider becoming a solivagant : a solo wanderer .

13. Yoko Meshi

This Japanese phrase literally translates to “ a meal eaten sideways ,” which is an apt way to describe the awkwardness of speaking in a foreign language that you haven’t quite mastered, especially over dinner.

14. Resfeber

You just booked your flight. Your heart starts racing. You’re a little nervous about your journey, but mostly you just can’t wait to get going. The anticipation, anxiety, and excitement you get before a big trip is all rolled into one word— resfeber —and you can thank the Swedes for it.

15. Flâneur

Taken from the French flâner , meaning to stroll or saunter , this word describes someone who has no particular plans or place they need to be. They merely stroll around the city at a leisurely pace, taking in the sights and enjoying the day as it unfolds.

16. Gadabout

This could be construed as the traditional English equivalent of flâneur . Likely stemming from the Middle English verb gadden , meaning “to wander without a specific aim or purpose,” a gadabout is one who frequently travels from place to place for the sheer fun of it. In other words: a modern-day backpacker.

17. Hiraeth

Sometimes, no matter how amazing your vacation may be, you just want to come home to your bed and cats. This Welsh word sums up the deep yearning for home that can strike without warning. As Gillian Thomas put it in an interview with the BBC , “Home sickness is too weak. You feel hiraeth , which is a longing of the soul to come home to be safe.”

This Japanese word can be taken to mean “graceful elegance” or “subtle mystery,” but it’s much more than that. It's when the beauty of the universe is felt most profoundly, awakening an emotional response that goes beyond words.

19. Schwellenangst

Translating to “ threshold anxiety ,” this German word sums up the fears that are present before you enter somewhere new—like a theater or an intimidating cafe—and by extension going anywhere unfamiliar. The fear of crossing a threshold is normal, even among the most adventurous of travelers—but it often leads to the most unforgettable experiences.

20. Commuovere

Have you ever seen something so beautiful it made you cry? That’s commuovere in action. The Italian word describes the feeling of being moved, touched, or stirred by something you witness or experience.

This Danish word refers to a warm feeling of contentedness and coziness, as well as the acknowledgment of that feeling. Although not explicitly related to this term, author Kurt Vonnegut summed up the idea behind this concept quite nicely when he said, “I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.'"

22. Hanyauku

Here's one for those who have a beach trip coming up. Taken from Kwangali, a language spoken in Namibia, hanyauku is the act of tiptoeing across hot sand.

23. Smultronställe

difficult travel words

This Swedish word translates to something along the lines of “place of wild strawberries,” but its metaphorical meaning is something along the lines of a "happy place." Whether it’s a hidden overlook of the city or your favorite vacation spot that hasn’t been “discovered” yet, smultronställe refers to those semi-secret places you return to time and time again because they’re special and personal to you.

24. Dustsceawung

This Old English word describes what might happen when you visit a place like Pompeii or a ghost town. While reflecting on past civilizations, you realize that everything will eventually turn to dust. A cheery thought.

25. Vacilando

In some Spanish dialects, the word vacilando describes someone who travels with a vague destination in mind but has no real incentive to get there. In other words, the journey is more important than the destination. As John Steinbeck described it in his travelogue Travels With Charley : “It does not mean vacillating at all. If one is vacilando , he is going somewhere, but doesn't greatly care whether or not he gets there, although he has direction. My friend Jack Wagner has often, in Mexico, assumed this state of being. Let us say we wanted to walk in the streets of Mexico city but not at random. We would choose some article almost certain not to exist there and then diligently try to find it.”

26. Lehitkalev

Backpackers and budget travelers, this one is for you: The Hebrew word lehitkalev translates to “dog it” and means to deal with uncomfortable living or travel arrangements.

27. Komorebi

This beautiful Japanese word is a good one to save for a sunny day spent in the woods. Komorebi translates to “sunshine filtering through the leaves.” Does it get any lovelier than that?

This Balinese word refers to something that is simultaneously chaotic and joyful. It isn’t specifically a travel word, but it does seem to fit the feelings that are often awakened by travel.

29. Trouvaille

Translating to a “lucky find,” this French word can be applied to that cool cafe, flower-lined street, or quirky craft store that you stumbled upon by chance. Indeed, these are the moments that make travel worthwhile.

30. Ullassa

Just in case you needed another reason to plan that trip to Yosemite, here's one last word for nature lovers. The Sanskrit word ullassa refers to the feelings of pleasantness that come from observing natural beauty in all its glory.

A version of this story ran in 2018; it has been updated for 2022.

The Intrepid Guide

28 Beautiful Travel Words that Describe Wanderlust Perfectly

Travel words and wanderlust synonyms

Describe your travels with these unique and beautiful travel words from different languages around the world.

I love travelling and I love languages, so imagine my excitement when I came across a treasure trove of travel words and wanderlust synonyms that describe how we feel before, during, and after we travel. 

Just like a photo can’t fully capture what it feels like to stand on the edge of a fjord , neither can ‘wanderlust’ fully express how we feel when we crave our next adventure. These travel words are literary gems which have been gathered from languages around the world. From Japanese to Swedish , Latin to Greek , travel brochures of the future will be peppered with travel words like of resfeber , livsnjutare, and coddiwomple .

Wanderlust meaning

As you’ll see in the list below, every language has its own variation of how it explains and defines what wanderlust is. In English, wanderlust means to have a strong desire for or impulse to travel, wander and explore the world.

Learn a language from home

During these times it can be bittersweet to think about travelling when we have to stay at home and practice social distancing, let this list of wanderlust-filled words inspire you to a learn a language from home and prepare yourself for your next trip. Being travel fluent is the best way to enrich your travel experiences.

Without further ado, here are 28 beautiful travel words you should slip into your vocabulary. When you’re done, take and look at this collection of inspirational travel quotes . I’d love to hear which ones are your favourites in the comment section below.

1. Resfeber  (n.)

Origin: Swedish

Definition: The meaning of resfeber refers to the restless race of the traveller’s heart before the journey begins when anxiety and anticipation are tangled together.

It’s that moment just after you buy your plane tickets and excitement and fear floods in all at once, creating a mixture of emotions that make you feel anxious or physically ill.

Resfeber Tote Bag

For more inspiration, don’t miss my guide to cool gifts for language learners and the best travel accessories and travel gadgets here.

2. Sonder (v.)

Origin: Unknown

Definition: The realisation that each passerby is living a life as complex as your own.

The full definition, taken from The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows reads:

[Sonder is] the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries, and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.

I often feel this way when I pass groups of strangers, speaking a language that is completely foreign to me, and realise just how incredibly big the world is. We all have a life that is full of different connections, memories and possibilities. That’s sonder.

The internet suggests this may not be a real word, either way, the concept is beautiful.

3. Solivagant (adj.)

Origin: Latin

Definition: Wandering alone. A solitary adventurer who travels or wanders the globe.

Not all those who wander are lost, but all those who wander alone are definitely solivagants . From the Latin word solivagus , meaning lonely or solitary, solivagant describes anyone who enjoys meandering around new countries, alone, in order to take it all in.

4. Fernweh (n.)

Origin: German

Definition: This German word,means an ache to get away and travel to a distant place, a feeling  even stronger than wanderlust. If wanderlust wasn’t poetic enough for you, allow me to present fernweh , a German word that literally translates to “distance-sickness.”

While someone with wanderlust might sit at home and happily fantasise about all the places they might visit, someone with fernweh would feel a deeper sense of longing, a sort of homesickness but for foreign lands.  For me, it’s wanting to be back in Rome . Fernweh is one of most those beautiful untranslatable words I’ve ever come across.

Carry this beautiful word with you with my Fernweh T-Shirt available in men’s and ladies styles and black or white. Buy it here.

Gifts for language learners and travellers - Fernweh T-Shirt

5. Sehnsucht (n.)

Definition: A wistful longing and yearning in the heart for travels past and future.

One author translated it as the “ inconsolable longing in the human heart for we know not what .” Another compared it to “ a longing for a far-off country, but not one which we could identify.”

When you return from travelling and wish you could do it all over again and experience every moment like it was the first.

Travel-Words-Sehnsucht

6. Eleutheromania (n.)

Origin: Greek

Definition: An intense and irresistible desire for freedom.

We all want to be free, and travelling shows us how the freedom in the lives of others that is different from our own. Eleutheromania describes a person who has a strong desire and obsession for freedom.

7. Cockaigne (n.)

Origin: French , Middle French

Definition: An imaginary land of luxury and idleness.

Every destination seem like a wonderland or cockaigne before you set foot there and see it for yourself.

The term c ockaigne ” comes from the Middle French phrase pais de cocaigne, which literally means “the land of plenty.” The word was first popularised in a 13th-century French poem that is known in English as “The Land of Cockaigne.”

8. Quaquaversal (adj.)

Definition: Moving or happening in every direction instantaneously.

This perfectly describes my state when I’m in a new place and want to see and do everything at once.

9. Dérive (n)

Origin: French

Definition: A spontaneous and unplanned journey where the traveller leaves their life behind allows themselves to be guided by the landscape and architecture.

Literally translated as “drift”,  dérive is the idea that even if you drift you will end up on the right path. This could describe life in general, but it also describes small journeys. When you’re wandering through a new city and you just happen to wander on a path that takes you to great discoveries.

Travel-Words-Derive

10. Ecophobia (n.)

Origin: English

Definition: This word came into English word via Greek and means a fear or dislike of one’s home.

I don’t dislike my home, but recently I can’t stop thinking about going back to Lofoten, Norway.

11. Numinous (adj.)

Definition: A powerful feeling of both fear and fascination, of being in awe and overwhelmed by what is before you.

Originally, this word refers to having a strong religious or spiritual quality; but it can also be used to describe how you feel when you see things that are so beautiful that you realise how wonderful the world is and the small part you play in it.   Hiking Trolltunga was a numinous moment for me.

12. Schwellenangst (n.)

Definition: Fear of crossing a threshold to begin a new chapter.

From s chwelle (“threshold”) and a ngst (“anxiety”), this word explains that feeling you get before deciding to set out on a new journey. Argh! Did I make the right decision?

13. Strikhedonia (n.)

Definition: The pleasure of being able to say “to hell with it”.

Another personal favourite word on this list. Not only is it the joy I feel, but the freedom to be able to say “to hell with it” and book that next trip and embark on your next adventure.

14. Vagary (v.)

Definition: A whimsical or roaming journey.

From Latin, vagārī meaning “ to roam”, is an unpredictable idea, desire or action to travelling without knowing the destination, and not caring.

15. Livsnjutare (n)

Definition: Literally meaning, “enjoyer of life”, this describes a person who loves life deeply and lives it to the extreme.

If you’re reading this, that’s probably you!  Need more inspiration?

16. Commuovere (v.)

Origin: Italian

Definition: To stir, to touch, to move to tears.

Just like the euphoric emotions I felt whilst whale watching.

17. Sturmfrei (adj.)

Definition: The freedom of being alone and being able to do what you want.

Literally translating to “stormfree”, this describes the freedom of not being watched by others and being alone in a place where you have the freedom and ability to do what you want.

Another great German word. Travelling solo can be especially rewarding because you have complete control. No compromises, no one else to please. Just you and the big wide world.

18. Saudade (n.)

Origin: Portuguese

Definition: This Portuguese word describes the emotional state of nostalgia and longing for someone or something distant. S audade  was once described as “the love that remains” after someone is gone.

Saudade  is the recollection of feelings, experiences, places, or events that brought excitement and happiness but now triggers the senses and makes one live again.

19. Yūgen (n.)

Origin: Japanese

Definition: A profound and mysterious sense of the beauty of the universe.

An awareness of the Universe that triggers emotional responses too deep and powerful for words.

20. Acatalepsy (n.)

Definition: The impossibility of comprehending the universe.

Henry Miller said “ One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. ” Do we ever really understand the world and what we see on our  travels,  and how they mould us? Sometimes, if at all, it takes time to discover how these things change our lives.

21. Trouvaille (n.)

Definition: A chance encounter with something wonderful.

Whether it’s stumbling across a hidden back street, a quaint cafe, or connecting with a local, trouvaille describes those magical moments we experience in our journeys. 

22. Hygge (n.)

Origin: Danish

Definition: Pronounced hue-guh , hygge describes the warm feeling you get while enjoying the company of great friends and all life has to offer.

Hygge is the conscious appreciation of recognising everything you have and enjoying to the present moment.

23. Onism (n.)

Definition: The world is a big place as not everyone will get to see it. Onism describes understanding that we’ll never get to see it all. It’s the frustration of being stuck in just one body that can only inhabit one place at a time. I felt this way before going to Copenhagen !

Similar to the Swedish word ‘resfeber’, onism describes the feeling of knowing that you’ll never be able to see it all. They say that the more you travel, the harder it gets to stay in one place.

24. Novaturient (adj.)

Definition: A desire to change and alter your life.

This was exactly how I felt when I quit my job and moved to Rome . There was this strong urge that pulled me towards my dream of pursuing a life of speaking Italian and travelling. I knew I  wouldn’t be living my life if I didn’t go.

25. Yoko meshi (n.)

Definition: This untranslatable gem describes the stress of speaking a foreign language .

The Japanese word ‘meshi’ literally means ‘boiled rice’ and ‘yoko’ means ‘horizontal,’ together it means ‘a meal eaten sideways.’ The Japanese have created a beautiful way of describing the unique kind of stress you experience when speaking a foreign language. Furthermore, ‘yoko’ also references the fact that Japanese is normally written vertically, whereas most foreign languages are written horizontally. Clever, right?

Related: 69 Wonderful Japanese Expressions That Will Brighten Your Day

26. Selcouth (adj.)

Origin: Old English

Definition: When everything you see and experience is unfamiliar and strange, yet you find it marvellous anyway.

It’s that feeling you get when you travel to a foreign land and food, culture, customs, or language, is strange and different to everything you’ve experienced before, yet you love it and find it fascinating.

27. Eudaimonia (n.)

Definition: A state of being happy whilst travelling and everything feels great.

That intense excitement and appreciation when you travel and everything feels great. Seeing the Northern Lights was one of the best experiences of my life, a feeling I won’t forget.

28. Coddiwomple (v.)

Origin: English slang

Definition: To travel purposefully towards an unknown destination.

A brilliant word, coddiwomple is when you have a vague idea of your destination within a care for how long it takes to arrive. A great example is when you go hiking, you know you’ll eventually reach the summit, but every part of the trail along the way is just as beautiful.    Like the time I hiked Norway’s Trolltunga.

Travel Words Coddiwomple

If you enjoyed these words, then let wordsmiths Stephen King, Mark Twain and the Dalai Lama transport you around the world with these inspirational travel quotes or start using some of the beautiful untranslatable words from other languages.

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Over to you!

Which one of these travel words do you identify with the most? What others would you add? Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

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difficult travel words

Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. What separates her from other instructors is her ability to explain complex grammar in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner using her unique 80/20 method. Get her free guide 9 reasons you’re not fluent…YET & how to fix it! Planning a trip? Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today!

Italian Cognates & Loanwords: 17 Rules to Italianizing English Words You Already Know

124 inspirational travel quotes that’ll make you want to travel in 2022, 12 comments.

difficult travel words

Amazing list! One word I’d add is the Dutch word “gezellig” or “gezelligheid” – similarly to hygge, it describes a feeling of warmth/comfort/coziness/quaintness in certain settings or around certain people.

Thank you so much for sharing this Heba. So interesting to learn that Dutch has a similar word :)

difficult travel words

This is such a fun article! Love these words and phrases!

Glad to hear it! Thank you so much, Eric :)

difficult travel words

So many of these describe me or my feelings about seeing the world. But, if I had to pick one, the one that best describes how I choose my destinations would be “selcouth”. I so want to be a stranger in a strange land. To have my belief that there is no such thing as “normal” affirmed again and again and over again.

What a beautiful word. Thanks for sharing, Janet :)

difficult travel words

Thanks Michele what a wonderful list of inspirational words. It nearly made me cry as I realised that I suffer from acute eleutheromania! ha

Thanks Juliana :) I’m so glad you enjoyed this list. Eleutheromania? I know how you feel hehe

difficult travel words

Unique list i must say – If you want to add one more word than check this !

In Hindi language (India) traveler called as “Musafir”

thanks Niraj :)

difficult travel words

Thanks for sharing this! Really enjoyed it a lot ❤

Thanks Donah, I’m so glad you enjoyed it ;)

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Best things to do in Florence - Piazzle Michelangelo

If you don't know where you are , how do you know where you're going?   Find out how well you know Italian grammar today!

29 travel words that describe travel better than you ever thought possible

Travellers in Bolivia

We love travelling and we love words, so imagine our surprise when we came across a massive treasure trove of travel words that describe how we feel before, during and after we travel better than anything we’ve ever seen, ever. In the history of everything.

These literary gems make ‘wanderlust’ look like an overrated show pony. Which it is. Travel brochures of the future will be littered with the likes of resfeber, eudaimonia and fernweh. At least, they will if we have anything to do with it.

TAKE IT AWAY, WORDS!

1. Trouvaille (n.)

Origin: French

Something lovely discovered by chance, like stumbling on a waterfall in Costa Rica .

2. Dérive (n.)

Origin: Latin/French

Lit. “drift”; a spontaneous journey where the traveller leaves their life behind for a time to let the spirit of the landscape and architecture attract and move them.

Girl on the Quarry Trail in Peru

Dériving along the Quarry Trail. Photo by Stephen Parry.

DÉRIVE YOUR WAY AROUND SOUTH AMERICA ON A SMALL GROUP ADVENTURE NOW 

3. Numinous (adj.)

Origin: Latin

Describing an experience that makes you fearful yet fascinated, awed yet attracted; the powerful, personal feeling of being overwhelmed and inspired. For example, you may have a numinous experience at Yosemite National Park , gazing up in wonder at El Capitan, or at a towering black bear.

4. Cockaigne (n.)

Origin: French, medieval trope

An imaginary land of luxury and idleness. Think House Tyrell of Highgarden, minus the poisoning.

5. Schwellenangst (n.)

Origin: German

Fear of embarking on something new; fear of crossing a threshold. But you know what? You should totally just go with it, and cross that threshold.

A man backflips off a sand dune

Getting all Strikhedonia in Jordan. Photo by tegan & nathan.

6. Strikhedonia (n.)

Origin: Greek

The pleasure of being able to say “to hell with it”. Try it now. Head to our North America page  and shriek ‘Strikhedonia’ immediately before booking a trip.

7. Resfeber (n.)

Origin: Swedish

The restless race of the traveller’s heart before the journey begins when anxiety and anticipation are tangled together; a ‘travel fever’ that can manifest as an illness. The only cure is another grand adventure.

8. Vagary (n.)

An unpredictable instance, a wandering journey; a whimsical, wild or unusual idea, desire, or action.

ESCAPE THE VAGARIES OF LIFE ON, SAY, A SMALL GROUP ADVENTURE IN AFRICA

Girl walks through shrine in Japan.

Embracing eudaimonia in Japan. Photo by Stephen Parry.

9. Eudaimonia (n.)

Lit. “human flourishing”; a contented state of being happy, healthy and prosperous. For example, you are pretty much guaranteed to experience eudaimonia as you watch the sun rise above the ocean in Playa del Carmen .

10. Quaquaversal (adj.)

Moving or happening in every direction instantaneously. It’s a little like when you think your passport’s in your sock drawer but it’s not and your flight’s leaving in three hours.

11. Novaturient (adj.)

Desiring or seeking powerful change in one’s life, behaviour, or situation.

Young travellers in the jungle.

Happily quaquaversal in Guatemala. Photo by Nathan Landers.

12. Sehnsucht (n.)

“The inconsolable longing in the human heart for we know now what”; a yearning for a far, familiar, non-earthly land one can identify as one’s home.

13. Ecophobia (n.)

Origin: English

A fear or dislike of one’s home.

14. Eleutheromania (n.)

An intense and irresistible desire for freedom. Pretty much describes every picture of the Greek Islands  we’ve ever seen.

Trevi Fountain

Livsnjutare in Italy. Photo by The Common Wanderer

15. Livsnjutare (n.)

One who loves life deeply and lives it to the extreme.

16. Solivagant (adj.)

Wandering alone. Although we think it’s better when you’re solivagant with a small group of other solivagant types.

17. Saudade (n.)

Origin: Portuguese

A nostalgic longing to be near again to something or someone that is distant or that has been loved and then lost; “the love that remains”. For example, I have a nostalgic longing for Turkish Delight right now.

Girl at night market

Having eunoia in Vietnam. Photo by Damien Raggatt.

18. Eunoia (n.)

Beautiful thinking; a good mind. My love of Turkish Delight proves I have eunoia (or does it?).

19. Sturmfrei (adj.)

Origin: Germany

Lit. “stormfree”; the freedom of not being watched by a parent or superior; being alone at a place and having the ability to do what you want. Like eating 18 waffles in a day in Belgium .

20. Yoko meshi (n.)

Origin: Japan

The peculiar stress of speaking a foreign language (literally means ‘a meal eaten sideways’). If you’ve ever tried to order ramen in one of Tokyo’s  laneway bars, you’ll know exactly what this means.

Two people in bright clothes

Selcouth outfits in the Sacred Valley. Photo by Stephen Parry.

21. Selcouth (adj.)

Unfamiliar, rare, strange, and yet marvellous, like adding cheese to your coffee in Colombia .

22. Fernweh (n.)

An ache for distance places; the craving for travel; the opposite of homesickness. Also one of Instagram’s most popular hashtags.

23. Yūgen (n.)

An awareness of the universe that triggers emotional responses too deep and mysterious for words.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

It’s hard not to feel yūgen in a place like this. Photo by Damien Raggatt.

24. Commuovere (v.)

Origin: Italy

Only in Italy  would you find such a sensual word meaning to stir, to touch, to move to tears. Possibly while eating a giant slice of thin-crust pizza.

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25. Peregrinate (v.)

To wander from place to place. AKA travel. It’s the very definition. Think of a falcon and BE THE FALCON by embracing its love of flying immediately.

26. Nemophilist (n.)

One who is fond of forests; a haunter of the woods. Not like a spooky ghost; more like a guy with a top-knot who enjoys spending his weekends writing poetry under an old oak tree and drinking black coffee from a vintage thermos.

Girl standing on a rock

Peripatetic over a rock. photo by Phoebe Escott-Kenny.

27. Peripatetic (n.)

A person who spends his or her time wandering. There’s nothing pathetic about being peripatetic – we embrace the wanderers wholeheartedly.

GET PERIPATETIC IN THE MIDDLE EAST. EXPLORE OUR RANGE OF ADVENTURES NOW

28. Hireath (n.)

Origin: Welsh

A homesickness for a home that you can’t return to, a home that perhaps never was. Which is kind of a downer, but a good excuse to keep travelling.

29. Gadabout (n.)

A person who travels often, and for pleasure. Something we should all aspire to, right? Be professional gadabouters? Update your LinkedIn profiles now, gang.

Now you’ve got the lingo, USE IT! Impress your friends with your newfound vocabulary on a small group adventure with Intrepid .

Feeling inspired?

difficult travel words

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Other Words For Travel: 57 Creative Words That Inspire The Wanderer In You

difficult travel words

The crystal clear waters of Antigua, the rich greenery of the Cliffs of Moher , and the vibrant blues in Morocco, our words can truly paint a picture of the world’s most incredible places .

When you’re itching to travel again, check out a few other words for travel used to describe what you’re feeling and write it in your travel journal .

Here are 57 creative travel words that will inspire the wanderer in you.

Wanderlust [won-der-​lust] Noun | German A strong longing for or impulse toward wandering.

Eleutheromania [ell-uth-ero-may-nia] Noun | Greek A mania or frantic zeal for freedom.

Fernweh [feirn-veyh] Noun | German A deep desire to get away to a foreign place . Direct translation: “distance-sickness.”

Cockaigne [ko-keyn] Noun | French An imaginary land of luxury and idleness. This term comes from the French phrase pais de cocaigne , which means “the land of plenty.”

Quaquaversal [kwah-kwuh-VUR-sal] Adjective | Latin Everything is moving or happening in every direction, wanting to do and see all the things at once in a new place.

Dérive [derry-vay] Noun |  French An unplanned journey where a traveler allows themselves to be guided by the landscape. Dérive means “drift,” so even if one drifts, they will end up on the right path.

Sonder [son-der] Verb | Unknown The realization that each person that passes through your life is living a life as complex as your own.

Heimweh [hime-vay] Noun | German A longing for home or a homesickness for foreign lands.

Hygge [hoo-ga] Noun | Danish A quality of coziness and comfortable friendliness that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.

Serendipity [ser-en-dip-ity] Noun | English The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

Resfeber [race-fay-ber] Noun | Swedish The restless race of the traveler’s heart before the journey begins when anxiety and anticipation come together. Most often just before buying plane tickets, a mix between excitement and sickness.

difficult travel words

Strikhedonia [strick-a-donia] Noun | Greek The joy of being able to say, “to hell with it”.

Musafir [myou-sa-fur] Noun | Urdu A traveler.

Vuslat [voos-lot] Noun | Turkish A reunion after being apart for some time, between oneself and one’s beloved.

Yūgen [you-gen] Noun | Japanese A profound awareness of the Universe that triggers emotional responses too deep and powerful for words.

Dépaysement [dé-pé-i-ze-man] Adjective | French The feeling of not being in one’s own country, like a fish out of water.

Gadabout [ga-du-bowt] Noun | English A person who travels often or to many different places.

Hireath [he-rith] Noun | Welsh A homesickness for a home which you cannot return, maybe one that never existed.

Sturmfrei [sh-turm-fry] Adjective | German The freedom of being alone and having the ability to do what you want.

Ecophobia [eco-phobia] Noun | English A fear or disliking of one’s home, wanting to be somewhere else.

difficult travel words

Numinous [noo-muh-nuhs] Adjective | Latin The feeling of being in awe, a combination of both fear and fascination, by what is before you. Also refers to having a strong religious or spiritual quality, but can be used to describe feeling in awe for what is before you.

Schwellenangst [Sch-vell-enn-ong-st] Noun | German Schwelle (threshold) and angst (anxiety), come together to explain the feeling of crossing a threshold to start a new chapter. The feeling before you decide to set out on a new journey, of whether or not you are making the right decision.

Vagary [vay-ga-ree] Verb | Latin A whimsical or roaming journey. In Latin, vagārī means “to roam.”

Trouvaille [troo-vy] Noun | French A chance encounter on a journey, with something wonderful or unexpected.

Saudade [sou-dod] Noun | Portugese The state of nostalgia or longing for someone or someplace far away. Described as “The love that remains” after someone is gone.

Solivagant [soh-LIH-va-ghent] Adjective | Latin Hopeless wanderer. An adventurer who travels or wanders the globe solo. The Latin word solivagus , means lonely or solitary.

Sehnsucht [zane-zoo-kt] Noun | German A wistful longing and yearning in the heart for travels past and future, or a longing for a far-off place, but not one which one can identify at the moment.

Acatalepsy [Akk-at-a-lepsy] Noun | Greek In philosophy, it is incomprehensibility or the impossibility of comprehending or conceiving a thing.

difficult travel words

Livsnjutare [livs-new-tara] Noun | Swedish A person who loves life deeply and lives it to the fullest. In Swedish, this word translates to “enjoyer of life.”

Commuovere [como-vary] Verb | Italian The ability to touch or move something to tears.

Yoko meshi [Yo-ko-meh-she] Noun | Japanese The stress of speaking a foreign language . In Japanese, “meshi” means “boiled rice” and “yoko” means “horizontal,” altogether it means “a meal eaten sideways.” “Yoko” also references the fact that Japanese is often written vertically when most languages are written horizontally.

Onism [own-ism] Noun | Danish Refers to the understanding and frustration that one will never be able to see it all, that one can only occupy one space at a time.

Flâneur [flan-air] Noun | French A person who strolls aimlessly, simply wandering to explore a new place and observe the life that is there.

Wayfarer [way-fair-er] Noun | English A traveler. Someone who lets the wind blow them wherever they are meant to go.

Hodophile [Ho-dough-phile] Adjective | Greek  Someone who loves to travel, or “lover of the road.”

Novaturient [no-va-tur-ee-ent-a] Adjective | Latin A desire to change your life.

Coddiwomple [codd-ee-womp-el] Verb | English To travel with purpose to a destination, not concerned about how long the journey takes.

Selcouth [sell-cuth] Adjective | English Finding beauty in the unfamiliar or strange. Experiencing a new culture and place that feels different, but still fascinating and beautiful.

Eudaimoni [u-day-mon-ee-a] Noun | Greek The state of happiness one experiences while traveling.

Nefelibata [Neh-fell-ee-ba-ta] Noun | Portugese “Cloud-walker,” or an unconventional person. One who lives with their head in the clouds.

Vorfreude [for-fr-oy-da] Noun | German The excited feeling before you journey off somewhere new. Joyful, intense anticipation of all the exciting things to come.

Nemophilist [nee-mo-fil-ist] Noun | English A person who loves the forest in all its beauty and solitude.

Querencia [kay-ren-see-ya] Noun | Spanish The place where you feel the most at home.

Komorebi [ko-mo-reh-be] Noun | Japanese The sunlight that filters through the leaves of the trees.

Smultronställe [smul-trons-tell-ah] Noun | Swedish A special place that’s been discovered and returned to for relaxation or solace, “place of wild strawberries.”

Thalassophile [Thal-ass-o-feel] Noun | Greek A lover of the ocean.

difficult travel words

Mångata [mon-ga-ta] Noun | Swedish The reflection of the moon on water.

Yu yi [you-yee] Noun | Mandarin The desire to see with fresh eyes and feel things just as intensely as you did when you were younger — before expectations, before memory, before words.

Photophile [fo-tow-feel] Noun | English or Greek A person who loves photography and light.

Waldeinsamkeit [Vall-d-on-zom-kite] Noun | German The feeling of being alone in the woods, in a positive, peaceful, relaxing way.

Meraki [meh-rah-kee] Adjective | Greek Doing something with soul, creativity, and love. Putting a part of yourself into what you’re doing.

Forelsket [fur-ell-skit] Adjective | Danish The euphoria you experience when you are first falling in love with a person or a place.

Peripatetic [perr-a-puh-tet-ik] Adjective | Greek Traveling from place to place, in particular working or based in various places for relatively short periods.

Sprachgefühl [sh-prock-guh-foo-l] Noun | German A person who has the ‘feel’ for a language.

Natsukashii [not-soo-ka-she] Adjective | Japanese A happy recollection of an event or memory in the past, but still missing it. Derived from the verb, natsuku , “to get used to and keep close; to become fond of.” The word used to describe wanting to keep something close, wanting to express fondness for something.

Ukiyo [oh-kee-yo] Adjective | Japanese “The floating world,” is a state of mind emphasizing living in the moment, detached from the difficulties of life.

Wabi-sabi [wah-be-sah-bee] Noun | Japanese In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi is a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. Appreciating beauty that is “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete” in nature.

Now that you’ve seen our list of other travel words that will inspire wanderlust , what did you think? Did we miss any? Leave us a comment below!

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Travel Words: 27 Special Worldly Words to Inspire Travelers

Table of contents.

Do you want to travel around the globe but also fill your journey with inspiring and insightful words along the way? Whether it’s a phrase, proverb, fairy tale, or even a religious dictum – learning foreign expressions or travel words can open up a gateway of knowledge while enriching the experience of any trip.

Why Learn New Travel Words?

Learning travel words from other cultures can be a great source of inspiration, especially for those who love to travel. Exploring different languages and learning new travel words can broaden your vocabulary and allow you to express yourself in new and exciting ways. Incorporating travel words from other cultures into your writing or speech can add depth and personality to your communication.

Plus, it’s always satisfying to connect with people from other parts of the world on a deeper level. By embracing linguistic diversity, you can open yourself up to new ideas and perspectives, making you a more creative and culturally aware individual.

Here is our list of 27 travel words to elevate your trips and enhance your life experiences:

Abditory (Latin)

Abditory Travel Words

Abditory refers to a secret hiding place, often used for storing valuable or treasured items. The idea of having your own abditory can be quite inspiring, as it gives you a sense of privacy and security. Imagine creating your own hidden nook, filled with special mementos and memories from your travels. It’s a wonderful way to keep your experiences close to your heart.

Datsuzoku (Japanese)

Datsuzoku Travel Words

This fascinating Japanese word captures a concept that’s highly valued in their culture. It means to break away from the norm, the established order, and pursue something that brings you joy. It’s about exploring new paths and seeking out experiences that fill your heart with excitement. For travelers, Datsuzoku can be incredibly inspiring and a reminder to let go of expectations and embrace the unknown.

Fernweh (German)

Fernweh Travel Words

Are you feeling homesick for a place you have never been to? Maybe what you’re experiencing is Fernweh – a German word that translates to “wanderlust” or a strong desire to travel and explore new places. It’s that longing feeling you get when you see a photo of a beautiful landscape or hear someone talk about their travels. Fernweh is more than just an urge to wander, it’s a passion that drives you to experience all the beauty and wonder that the world has to offer.

Gemütlichkeit (German)

Gemütlichkeit Travel Words

The German word is all about creating a cozy and comfortable atmosphere, often involving things like warm blankets, good food, and great company. It’s a feeling of relaxed contentment, of feeling at home while away from home. And isn’t that what travel is all about? Finding inspiration in new places, connecting with new people, and experiencing different cultures–all while feeling a sense of comfort and familiarity. Embrace the spirit of gemütlichkeit on your next adventure and see where it takes you.

Haneul (Korean)

Haneul Travel Words

“Haneul” is a Korean word for “sky” or “heaven.” It is often used in Korean culture as a symbol of inspiration and hope. The vast and limitless nature of the sky inspires many to dream big and reach for the stars. In Korean literature and poetry, the word “Haneul” is often used to depict a sense of freedom and a connection to the divine.

Hanyauku (Namibian)

Hanyauku Travel Words

When it comes to travel, inspiration can come from the most unexpected sources. One such source is the word Hanyauku, which has a fascinating meaning when it comes to hot sand. In the Himba language of Namibia, Hanyauku refers to the art of walking on hot sand without showing any signs of discomfort. It’s an ancient practice that has been passed down through generations and is still used today. This incredible skill is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the human body and serves as a source of inspiration for those looking to push their physical limits.

Hiraeth (Welsh)

Hiraeth Travel Words

While difficult to translate directly, hiraeth is often described as a longing or nostalgia for a place or time that may never have existed. It’s a complex emotion that speaks to our deepest desires to connect with the world around us and find meaning in our journeys. Whether you’re exploring new destinations or reminiscing on past adventures, hiraeth is the word that encapsulates all the beauty and mystery of travel in one succinct term.

Hygge (Danish)

Hygge Travel Words

Pronounced “hoo-gah”, it’s a term that describes the feeling of cozy contentment and warmth, often associated with a peaceful moment spent with loved ones. Although it’s difficult to translate directly into English, understanding what hygge means can inspire travel and a deeper appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. From curling up with a good book on a rainy day to sharing a meal with friends by candlelight, hygge encourages us to find comfort in the present moment and savor the joys of life.

Jayus (Indonesian)

Jayus Travel Words

This unusual word comes from Indonesian culture and refers to a joke that is so unfunny that everyone breaks out laughing. However, it’s often used to describe something that’s funny in an absurd way, which can inspire creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.

Kilig (Filipino)

Kilig Travel Words

“Kilig” is a Filipino term that describes the feeling of butterflies in your stomach, the thrill of excitement, or the happiness of being in love. It’s the natural high that one experiences when they feel inspired and touched by something or someone. Whether you’re traveling solo, with your partner, or with friends, kilig is a feeling that can positively impact your journey and give you those unforgettable moments.

Koi No Yokan (Japanese)

Koi No Yokan Travel Words

The Japanese term is often used to describe the feeling of knowing that you will soon fall in love with someone. However, it’s a phrase that goes beyond romantic love. It’s all about the feeling of intuition, the sense of knowing that something is about to happen. Koi No Yokan can apply to any situation, whether it’s a new job opportunity or a chance meeting with a stranger. The beauty of this concept lies in the anticipation and the mystery of what comes next. It’s a reminder that life is full of surprises, and we should embrace them with open arms.

Komorebi (Japanese)

Komorebi Travel Words

Have you ever strolled through a forest on a sunny day and noticed the way the sun’s rays filter through the leaves, creating a mesmerizing pattern on the ground? That dappled effect has a name: Komorebi. In Japanese, komorebi refers to the interplay between light and foliage and is often used to describe experiencing nature in a spiritual way.

La Dolce Vita (Italian)

La dolce vita Travel Words

If you’re planning a trip to Italy, you may have heard the phrase “La dolce vita” being thrown around. In essence, la dolce vita captures the idea of “the sweet life” – a lifestyle of leisure and pleasure. This phrase has become emblematic of Italian culture and the allure of travel to Italy.

Lebenskünstler (German)

Lebenskünstler Travel Words

In German, it loosely translates to “life artist,” someone who lives their life to the fullest and finds inspiration in the everyday. As a traveler, I have met many Lebenskünstlers along the way. They are the ones who embrace the unknown, take risks, and see beauty in the simplest things. They inspire me to live in the moment and approach life with a sense of curiosity and creativity.

Mamihlapinatapai (Yaghan)

Mamihlapinatapai Travel Words

Hailing from the Yaghan language of Tierra del Fuego, this word is often cited as one of the most difficult concepts to translate into English. It refers to a meaningful, reflective, yet fleeting look between two people who both desire something but are hesitant to initiate it. While the literal definition may seem abstract, the concept can apply to all sorts of travel-related experiences: connecting with locals, exploring hidden corners of a new city, or simply taking a risk on an adventure.

Meraki (Greek)

Meraki Travel Words

Meraki is a beautiful Greek word that is often used to describe the intense passion and creativity that goes into creating something. It can be applied to anything, from cooking a delicious meal to painting a piece of art. This word is truly inspiring and can be used to encourage creativity and exploration in all aspects of life.

Pura Vida (Spanish, Costa Rican)

Pura vida Travel Words

Translated literally, Pura Vida means “pure life.” However, it’s so much more than that. It’s a philosophy, a way of living, an attitude toward life. Pura Vida is all about enjoying the journey, taking things as they come, and appreciating the little things. It’s an inspiration to live life to the fullest, with a sense of gratitude and joy.

Resfeber (Swedish)

Resfeber Travel Words

A Swedish word that describes the mix of emotions you feel when embarking on a journey, whether it’s adventure, anxiety, curiosity, or excitement. Essentially, it’s the feeling of butterflies in your stomach and a racing heart as you’re about to board a plane, train, or even a car for a road trip. Resfeber is a reminder that travel is not just about the destination, but the journey that takes you there, and it’s something that can provide inspiration to embrace the unknown and accept that the adventure of travel comes with a mix of emotions.

Saudade (Portuguese)

Saudade Travel Words

It’s a Portuguese word that doesn’t have a literal translation in English, but experienced travelers know what it means. It’s a feeling of nostalgia and longing for a place or person that’s currently far away. Even if you’ve never heard the word before, there’s a good chance you’ve felt saudade during your travels. It’s a bittersweet emotion that can inspire us to keep exploring the world, to stay connected with the people we meet, and cherish the memories we create.

Sisu (Finnish)

Sisu Travel Words

Sisu is an untranslatable Finnish word that describes a particular mindset. It conveys the idea of inner strength, tenacity, resilience, and perseverance in the face of adversity. It is a quality that Finns hold dear and derive inspiration from when facing tough challenges. Sisu can be found in the way they approach work, sports, relationships, and life in general.

Smultronställe (Swedish)

Smultronställe Travel Words

Smultronställe translates to “wild strawberry patch,” but it holds a deeper meaning for Swedes. It refers to a special place in nature that is known only to a few, a spot where one can escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and find inner peace. Smultronställe can inspire anyone to explore and uncover their own version of hidden havens around the world, whether it’s a deserted beach or a hiking trail. Don’t let the limits of technology stunt your travel dreams; let “smultronställe” be your guide to finding the next adventure that awaits.

Sobremesa (Spanish)

Sobremesa Travel Words

This phrase encapsulates the cultural tradition of post-meal conversation and relaxation. Sobremesa translates directly to “over table” and refers to the time spent lingering over food and drink while enjoying the company of friends and family. This concept is so important in Spanish culture that it has become a cornerstone of their way of life.

Tsundoku (Japanese)

Tsundoku Travel Words

Tsundoku refers to the habit of acquiring too many books, but not having enough time to read them all. It’s a word that many of us can relate to, especially those who love to travel and seek inspiration through literature. Despite being a seemingly innocuous word, Tsundoku perfectly captures that feeling of excitement when we discover a new book we simply can’t resist, even if we still have a pile of unread books at home.

Ubuntu (Zulu)

Ubuntu Travel Words

This mystical, ancient word is a cornerstone of the country’s cultural identity and is held in high esteem by all who live here. At its core, ubuntu represents compassion, connection, and a sense of community spirit. It’s an idea that inspires people to look out for each other, and to recognize that every individual is an integral part of something much larger.

Vacilando (Spanish)

Vacilando Travel Words

The Spanish term, often associated with writer John Steinbeck, encompasses the idea of wandering with a sense of purpose. It’s about exploring a place, whether new or familiar, with open eyes and an open mind. It’s about embracing uncertainty, taking detours, and discovering unexpected treasures. Vacilando invites us to be present in the moment and to let go of preconceived notions.

Wabi-sabi (Japanese)

Wabi-sabi Travel Words

Originating from Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi is an idea that embraces the beauty of imperfection, simplicity, and nature. It celebrates the flaws and unique characteristics of objects and living things, rather than striving for perfection and uniformity. By traveling to Japan and experiencing the wabi-sabi lifestyle firsthand, you may find a new source of inspiration that encourages you to find beauty in the ordinary and appreciate the impermanence of life.

Schwellenangst (German)

Schwellenangst Travel Words

This a German term that refers to the fear of crossing a threshold- a perfect word to describe that overwhelming feeling of apprehension before taking a leap of faith into something new. For those who love to travel, Schwellenangst can be a common experience, particularly when visiting foreign countries with different customs, languages, and cultures. But through facing our fears, we often find the most inspiring experiences and create unforgettable memories.

Worldwide Travel Words

Learning words from other cultures is a great way to bring new perspectives to our work and inspire creativity. By reading about different cultural concepts, we can gain new ideas for approaching familiar problems or finding innovative solutions. It’s also important that we remember the context in which these travel words are used, as their real meanings may differ from those of the language they originated in.

If done respectfully, learning and understanding travel words from various cultures can become a beautiful form of collaboration that can unite us all in our quest for knowledge and self-improvement. As always, we must strive to honor each culture’s unique perspective and traditions without causing offense. To ensure respect and understanding of different cultures within our conversations, the best place to start than by looking at each other’s language.

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Travel Word FAQs

How can i learn new travel words.

Reading about different cultures is a great way to expand your understanding and knowledge of their language and customs. You can also look for language-learning resources online, such as apps or podcasts, to help you get started on learning the basics of a new language. Additionally, if you’re traveling, you could try practicing the language of the country you’re visiting with a local.

Are there any tips for remembering travel words?

One way to help remember new vocabulary is to write down or create flashcards of important terms and concepts so that you can easily refer back to them. Additionally, listening to native speakers of the language is an effective way to learn pronunciation and get a feel for the language. Finally, incorporating travel words into daily conversations or activities is another great way to remember them.

Are there any other ways I can use travel words?

Travel words can be used in many different ways! You could incorporate them into your conversations with friends or co-workers, use them in writing, or even create art inspired by different cultural concepts. They can also be used to help you understand and appreciate the cultures of other countries while traveling. Finally, learning new travel words is a great way to challenge yourself and continually expand your global knowledge base.

Should I worry about cultural appropriation when using travel words?

It is important to be mindful and respectful of different cultures, traditions, and languages when using travel words. Research the deeper meanings behind the words you learn, as some have multiple interpretations or connotations depending on the context. Finally, it is always important to ask for permission before using any words from another culture in order to avoid any potential cultural appropriation or offense.

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Booking a Holiday

Travelling to your destination, arriving at your destination, places to visit, describing places, asking for help.

Whether you are going on a short holiday for a few days or planning to travel around various countries for a few months, having a basic understanding of the vocabulary and phrases you might need to use for communication is quite important.

English is a widely spoken language in the majority of countries that welcome tourism, so it would be beneficial to familiarise yourself with some useful phrases before departing.

In addition, if you could find out how to say some basic phrases in the country’s native language, I’m sure the local people there would appreciate your efforts!

Basic phrases in English that you should translate and try to use in the native language of your destination:

booking-vocabulary

Book:  as opposed to the noun (reading material), this verb means to arrange and confirm a place on a flight, a room in a hotel or a ticket for an event in the future.

Depart:  to go away or leave, especially on a journey.

Arrive:  to reach a place, especially at the end of a journey.

Reservation:  an arrangement in which something like a seat on a plane or a table in a restaurant is kept for you.

Destination:  the place where someone is going, or something is being sent or taken.

Complimentary:  if tickets books or any other items are complimentary, it means they are given free, especially by a business.

All-Inclusive:  Including everyone or everything. In holiday terms, this would refer to a hotel deal where the price usually includes accommodation, meals and drinks (any extra activities or facilities would be charged separately).

Travel Agency:  a company or shop that makes travel arrangements for people.

Ticket:  a small piece of paper or card given to someone, usually to show that they have paid for an event, journey or activity.

Brochure:  a type of small magazine that contains pictures and information about a product or a company.

Leaflet:  a small piece of paper that gives you information or advertises something.

Last Minute Deals:  these are promotions that are advertised at the latest possible time for those who are more spontaneous!

Promotion:  publicising a product to increase sales or public awareness.

Package Deal:  an offer or agreement involving a number of related items or the acceptance of one being dependent on acceptance of another.

Half-Board:  if you request ‘half-board’ at a hotel, breakfast and dinner would be included in the hotel price (as part of the package).

Full-Board:  if you request ‘full-board’ at a hotel, that would include all three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) in the price of your accommodation.

Self-Catering:  if you stay in self-catering accommodation, you would be in a place where you are provided with the facilities to prepare and cook your own meals.

Accommodation:  a room or building in which someone may live or stay. Different types of accommodation include apartments, hotels, guesthouses and backpacking hostels.

Vacation:  the American term for ‘holiday’.

Camping:  the activity of spending a holiday (vacation) living in a tent or campervan.

Backpacking:  to travel or hike carrying one’s belongings in a backpack.

Transfer:  the act of moving someone or something from one place to another.

Budget Holiday:  (adjective) meaning inexpensive. Planning a trip using a minimal amount of money. (Budget – noun) Having a limited amount of money for expenditure:

  • ‘We have to keep within the household budget).

Travel Documents:  all the necessary documents you would need to take with you on a holiday i.e. passport or ID card, driving license, flight/bus/ train tickets, visa confirmation etc.

Outbound:  travelling away from a particular place, usually the first half of a journey.

Inbound:  travelling towards a particular place, especially when returning to the original point of departure.

Two-way, Return Ticket (UK), Round Trip (US):  a ticket that allows someone to travel to a place and back again.

One-way, Single Ticket:  a ticket that allows a passenger to travel only to his/her destination, without returning.

Transport:  (verb  trans-PORT ) to take or carry goods or people from one place to another. (noun  TRANS-port ) A system or means of conveying people or goods from place to place by means of a vehicle, aircraft or ship.

Splash out:  a phrasal verb (mainly used in British English) meaning to spend money freely

Sample Conversation about Booking a Holiday: Travel Agent = TA, Customer = C

TA:  Good afternoon madam, how can I help you today? C:  Good afternoon, I would like to book a trip to Italy for 2 people and a 6 year old child please.

TA:  Is there anywhere in particular you would like to go? C:  I can’t decide between Venice or Rome, whichever is cheaper as we’re on a budget this year!

TA:  Okay, and when would you like to go? C:  We have two weeks of holiday between 18 th June and 2 nd July, and we’d like to go for at least 10 days during that period.

TA:  No problem, I’ll just check to see which destination would be cheaper…. We have a special promotion on at the moment, if you book a package deal to Venice, you get free transfer to and from your hotel to the airport, plus one free meal each day. Would you be interested in that? C:  Yes, that sounds great!

TA:  And would you like full-board or half-board ? C:  Well, seeing as we will get one free meal each anyway, I think self-catering would be better. I’ll have a little bit of extra money to splash out in a nice restaurant somewhere!

TA:  Okay, that’s fine. We have a hotel that offers self-catering facilities and is right in the centre of Rome. They also have special facilities for children such as meal deals, extra beds, a play area in the lobby and a crèche. C:  Perfect! I won’t need to spend too much money on transport and our son will surely have fun too!

TA:  Exactly. Your outbound flight will be on the 19 th June, departing from London Gatwick Airport at 11:30am , and your return flight will be on the 30 th June at 10:30pm. That gives you 11 and a half days in Rome, does that suit you? C:  Yes, that’s excellent, and we’ll still have a couple of days to recover before going back to work! How much will that be?

TA:  Well, the promotion is £200 per adult, and your child can go for free because he is under 8 years old. That includes the return flights , accommodation for 11 nights, airport transfer and a complimentary meal each per day. Shall we go ahead and book it ? C:  Wow, that is a fabulous deal! Yes please.

TA:  Okay. How would you like to pay? C: Credit card please. Here you go.

TA:  Thank you. Could I also see your passports please? C:  Sure, here you go.

TA:  Thank you. Here are your tickets and everything else you’ll need to know about your package holiday. Remember to keep all your travel documents safe throughout the whole trip. C:  Thank you so much for your help!

TA:  You’re welcome. Enjoy the rest of your day and please contact us if you have any queries before you set off on your holiday !

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NEXT: Packing Vocabulary

pack, prepare, gather, collect, make ready, get ready, put in order

Suitcase:  a case with a handle and hinged lid, used for carrying clothes and other personal possessions.

Backpack (US), Rucksack (UK):  a bag with shoulder straps that allow it to be carried on one’s back.

Currency:  a system of money in general use in a particular country.

Appropriate Clothing:  suitable or fitting for a particular purpose, person or occasion.

Seasonal:  relating to a particular season of the year (Autumn, Winter, Spring or Summer).

Swimwear, Bikini:   clothing worn for swimming (bikinis are specifically for women).

Fanny Pack (US), Bum Bag (UK):  a small bag used to safely store small valuable items when on holiday. This is usually worn around the waist and can be concealed under one’s clothing.

Sample Conversation about Packing:

A: Sarah, I’ve managed to book the flights and the train tickets for our vacation to Switzerland! B: Wow, that’s so exciting! So, are we leaving next month on the date we wanted?

A: No, we’re leaving next week! The travel agency gave us a great package deal and we’ve saved a lot of money, but it meant changing the dates to go earlier. We don’t have to work anyway, so I thought it would be nice! B: Oh, I see! Okay, that means we’ll have to start packing very soon. What will the weather be like?

A: Well, it’ll be spring but we’re going for 3 weeks, so I would say it’s safer to take clothing for hot and cold weather. We’ll probably go skiing too, so let’s pack our snow gear . B: Sure. I’m going to pack a few bikinis too, just in case we find a small beach!

A: It might be easier to take our backpacks , as we can fit more into them. B: I agree, they’re a lot bigger than the suitcases . Have you got all our travel documents together?

A: I just need to print off the flight confirmation details and the train tickets . B: Great. I’ll get some dollars exchanged to Swiss franc for the first few days. A: Okay, so you’re in charge of getting the currency sorted and I’ll keep all the travel documents together.  Now, let’s start packing!

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NEXT: Traveling to your destination

destination, objective, goal, journey's end, stopping place, terminus, target, landing place

Check-In:  the act of reporting one’s presence and registering, typically at an airport or hotel.

Departure Gate:  gate where passengers embark.

Airport Terminal:   this is a building at an airport, where passengers transfer between ground transportation and the facilities that allow them to board or disembark from an aircraft.

Departure Lounge:  a seating area in an airport where passengers wait to board an aircraft or vehicle.

Duty-Free:  Items available for purchase that are free of duty or tax charges in a particular country, generally sold at airports.

Ferry:  a boat or ship for conveying passengers or goods, especially over a relatively short distance and as a regular service.

Take Off:  (of an aircraft or bird) becoming airborne.

Board:  to get on or into (a ship, aircraft or other vehicle).

Passport Check, Security Checkpoint:  a barrier or manned entrance typically at a border of a country where travellers are subject to security checks.

Overweight:  baggage weighing in excess of the allowed amount.

Destination:  the place to which someone or something is going or being sent.

Window Seat:  a seat positioned next to a window on a large vehicle or aircraft.

Aisle Seat :  a seat positioned beside the walkway on a large vehicle or aircraft.

Sample Conversation about Checking-in at the Airport: Airport Attendant = AA, Passenger = P

AA: Next please! P: Hi. Good Afternoon.

AA: Good Afternoon sir. May I see your passport please? P: Yes, here you go.

AA: Thank you. Please place your luggage on the belt. P: (Places suitcase on the conveyor belt)

AA: I’m afraid this suitcase is 7kg overweight . You are allowed a maximum of 30kg and this suitcase weighs 37kg. You will need to remove some items or pay an additional fee for the extra weight. P: Oh no! I see. Okay, I’m happy to pay the fee.

AA: Is this your bag sir? P: Yes, of course it is.

AA: Did you pack it yourself? P: Yes.

AA: Were you given anything by someone else to take on the flight? P: No, definitely not.

AA: Do you have any of the following items in your luggage ? (points to images of dangerous objects) P: No, I’m certain.

AA: Okay, that’ll be 56 euros for the overweight case please. P: Okay, here is the right amount in cash. Also, could I please have a window seat ?

AA: I’ll just see if there is one available…. Okay, you’ll be seated in 25A. Here is your passport and boarding pass , please keep all your documents safe. Enjoy your flight. P: Thank you very much.

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travel, holiday, vacation, go abroad, take a trip, take a train, take a boat, take a plane, go walking

Landing:  an instance of coming or bringing something to land, either from the air or from water.

Customs:  the place at a seaport, airport or frontier where officials check incoming goods, travellers or luggage.

Baggage Collection Point, Baggage Reclaim, Baggage Claim Area:  an area where arriving passengers claim checked-in baggage after disembarking from an airline flight.

Nothing to Declare:  exiting the airport at a gate where you state that you do not have any goods where duty is payable or that need checking whether entry into the country is permitted.

Credit Card:  a small plastic card provided by a bank or company which gives you access to money that you will need to pay back within an agreed time limit.

Debit Card:  a small plastic card provided by your bank which gives you access to money that you already have in your bank account.

Porter:  a member of staff in a hotel who assists guests with carrying their luggage.

Alarm:  something to help you wake up at an appropriate time, this could be a sound notification on your smartphone or a telephone call from staff if you are staying in a hotel.

Room Service:  requesting food, drinks or other services to be delivered to your hotel room.

Sample Conversation about Checking-in at the Hotel: Hotel Receptionist = HR, Guest = G, Porter = P

P: Good morning Sir, welcome to The Royal Pavilion Hotel. May I take your bags please? G: Oh, that’s very kind of you! Thank you. I am quite tired after that journey.

P: Please follow me this way to the check-in desk. HR: Good morning Sir, do you have a reservation ?

G: Yes, I booked online. HR: Which name was it booked in?

G: Mr. Graham Watts HR: Yes, I have it here. Could I see the credit card you paid with please?

G: Yes, here you go. HR: Thank you. Would you like an alarm call to wake you up?

G: Yes please. If you could call me around 11am, that’d be great. I would like to rest for a few hours before my meeting. HR: No problem. The complimentary breakfast is served until 11:30 and you can call for room service at anytime.

G: I will most probably do that! Thanks. HR: Your room is number 237 on the third floor and here’s the key. Our porter will help you with your bags and show you to your room.

G: That’s wonderful, thank you. Is there a Wi-Fi connection available in my room? HR: Yes, you’ll find the password in you room beside the TV. We hope you enjoy your stay with us. P: Okay Mr. Watts, if you please come this way, I’ll show you to your room…

activities, cooking, food, lobster, chef

  • Kitesurfing 
  • Rock Climbing 
  • Windsurfing 
  • Wakeboarding 
  • Paddleboarding 
  • Sunbathing 
  • Sightseeing 
  • Amusement Park
  • Art Gallery
  • Miniature Golf, Crazy Golf
  • Animal Sanctuary
  • National Park
  • Invigorating
  • Enervating 
  • Fascinating 
  • Old-Fashioned 
  • Picturesque 
  • Over-Priced
  • Cosmopolitan 
  • Metropolitan 
  • Neopolitan 

NEXT: Asking for help

assist, support, serve, question, help, advise, nurse, search

Catching someone’s attention:

  • Excuse me, could I ask you a quick question please?
  • Excuse me, sorry to bother you but could you help me please?
  • Hello sir/miss, …
  • Sorry sir/miss, …
  • Excuse me, do you speak English?

Asking for information:

  • You wouldn’t happen to know where … is, would you?
  • I’m trying to find the …
  • I need to get to the …
  • How can I get to the …?
  • Do you know where the … is?
  • Where is the nearest …?
  • I’m a little lost, where is the …?

If you miss a flight, bus, transfer, train:

  • It seems I have missed my … could you please book me onto the next available one?
  • I’ve missed my … is there any way of getting a refund?
  • I’ve missed my … could you please give me information about the next one?
  • Could you please help me to rearrange my …?

When you’re feeling unwell:

  • Excuse me, is there a first aid room here?
  • I feel really unwell, is there someone who can help me?
  • I’m suffering from … do you have medical staff here?
  • Do you have a first aid kit I could use please?
  • I’ve injured my … could you please help me?

If there is something wrong with your luggage:

  • My suitcase has not arrived yet, where can I get it from?
  • My luggage is missing, could you help me please?
  • My rucksack has been damaged, what can I do about this?
  • I cannot find my suitcase, where can I check please?

Asking someone to translate:

  • Could you tell me what it says on that sign please?
  • Could you translate this message for me please?
  • Could you please ask this person to …?

Prepositions and giving directions:

  • (Turn) Right
  • (Turn) Left
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Advanced travel vocabulary

Boost your English with advanced travel vocabulary

I’m guessing you love travelling just as much as I do and you probably like chatting about your experiences too. In this lesson, you’ll learn advanced travel vocabulary so that you can make your travel stories more interesting and descriptive . Lesson comes with downloadable notes and sketchnote.

difficult travel words

Lesson by Kerin.

21 words and expressions to talk about travel

How to use this lesson.

In the conversation below you are going to come across words that often go together. We call these ‘ collocations ‘. Here’s how to get the most out of this lesson:

  • Catch the gist: read the conversation between friends, Andy and Claire
  • Re-read the conversation, paying close attention to the highlighted words and expressions (underlined)
  • Can you work out the meaning from the context?
  • Check your understanding using the sketchnote below and download the lesson notes . Read carefully.
  • Activate! Choose the words and expressions you want to learn. Either write single sentences to show how you would use them or write your own dialogue or travel story. Share your work in the comments at the end of this post👇

The best way for you to truly learn and remember new vocabulary is to use it! Make it meaningful for you. By doing the activate activity above, you are putting the new vocabulary into active practise. This means the next time you talk about travel, you’ll be more likely to be able to use these expressions!

Advanced travel vocabulary: a conversation between friends:

Andy: So? You’re just back , right? 

Claire: Yep! …Oh my God, it was amazing!

Andy: Come on then! Tell us all about it. How did this all come about?

Claire: Well, you know me, I often get itchy feet and I have a strong thirst for adventure ,  so when Jen suggested a trekking trip in Bosnia and Montenegro, I was all in !

Andy: Oh! That’s where you went?! That must have been incredible.

Claire: Yeah! I’d been wanting to do something like this for ages, but my partner isn’t really into this kind of holiday. He prefers a more chilled trip, something that includes seeing the sights with a bit of culture dropped in … yeah, he definitely prefers something with lots of chilling, good restaurants and time to recharge the batteries . I, on the other hand, would much rather go on an adventure trip with lots of new stuff to try out. Here was my chance to do it! 

Andy: Oh! I wish you’d told me. I would have tagged along !

Claire: Next time!

Andy: Did you organise it all yourself?

Claire: No, we booked the actual trip itself through an agency who specialise in adventure holidays. Highly recommend them. I’d never usually book a holiday through an agency, but honestly, if we’d done it ourselves we’d have missed out on the best parts of the experience. 

Andy: Yes, I get that. Good for you. 

Claire: Our guide took us right off the beaten path and it was truly an amazing experience to find out about all the history, the stories and culture from that area. I mean look at this view!

Andy: That is stunning!

Claire: That’s what I mean … we’d never have found that on our own. 

Andy: And did the package include flights?

advanced travel vocabulary (1)

Claire: No, we had to sort out getting there alone, which in the end was easier, because I was coming from London, whereas my friend was coming from Berlin. Getting there was a breeze . I used a low-cost airline with a stopover in Paris, which gave me time to catch up with Natalie. 

Andy: Oh brilliant! How is she doing?

Claire: Really well. She is loving Paris. I wanted to stop over there on the way back too, but it was cheaper to go another way. In fact, coming back was awful. What an arduous journey ! 

Andy: Oh jeez, what happened?

Claire: Basically my flight was cancelled, I have no idea why! They put me on standby …  I was in the airport for 19 hours before I got a seat. 

Andy: 19 hours?!

Claire: 19! And even then it wasn’t direct to London. I had to go via Frankfurt, which meant another 4 hours waiting in another airport. 

Andy: That sucks! I’ve been hearing a lot of similar horror stories you know!

Claire: Me too. Anyway, despite that, the trip was brilliant. It really was.  What about you? You’re heading off in September right? 

Andy: Well ……

Sketchnote: advanced travel vocabulary

Advanced travel vocabulary Sketchnote

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Activate your English!

Don’t forget to share how you would use these new words and expressions: write single sentences or write your own dialogue or travel story. Share your work in the comments👇

Please let us know if you enjoyed this lesson! If you like this style, be sure to check out 12 Advanced English Colloquial Expressions and How to talk about fashion in advanced English !

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2 thoughts on “Boost your English with advanced travel vocabulary”

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I always had a thirst for adventure, but I’m not ready to move to another country yet. After 4 years of maternity leave I get itchy feet and could not wait to start my own single journey for a week. The last trip we’ve been together we get itchy feet and now I sort out one trip per month. During our family’s trip what I love more is to go off the beaten track. When we visit Greece we try to book flats off the beaten track to avoid expensive places and services. Our route to Bulgaria was an arduous journey this summer, but we enjoyed a lot the return to our home, it was a breeze.

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Excellent work Aurelia! I love the way you have used the new vocabulary. 👍

Watch out for your past tenses> Here you need the past simple > After 4 years of maternity leave I GOT itchy feet …. And here > The last trip WE DID together we GOT itchy feet and now I sort out one trip per month. This is because you are talking about a specific time in the past that has finished. 👍

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Tale of 2 Backpackers

Unusual & Creative Travel Words that you must know in 2019

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Creative travel words

Last Updated on: Oct 10, 2023  

About this blog: This contains 38 unique and creative travel words that you can use in your travel vocabulary. Use them in your travel captions or use them for naming your blog . 

Oh, yes! We love to travel. And we love to get amazed at new experiences. We love to look over in awe at the jaw-dropping scenery before us. At times, words fail. The feeling, the emotions that we encounter after scaling a summit, or after having a scuba diving experience cannot often be described with words. I am sure all of us have these moments when we fall short of words. But there are some beautiful and creative travel words that describe these various feelings very well. Some of these words might not have English equivalents.

As a traveller and writer, I often keep looking for words to describe my feelings. The more I look into these words, the more I fall in love with them. These words have such powerful emotions and feelings! So we decided to share some of our favourite unusual and creative travel words with you.

UNUSUAL AND CREATIVE TRAVEL WORDS

Peregrinate (v.).

Origin: Latin

Definition: To travel or wander around from place to place

travel words with beautiful meanings-peregrinate

The feeling we have whenever we are visiting any new place. We love to wander around and discover the hidden and not so hidden gems. And Darjeeling happens to be one of our favourite places to wander around. What’s yours?

Nemophilist (n.)

Origin: English

Definition: One who is fond of the forest

travel words with beautiful meanings-nemophilist

Serendipity (n.)

Definition: The fact of finding interesting or valuable by chance

travel words with beautiful meaning-serendipity

Trouvaille (n.)

Origin: French

Definition: Something lovely discovered by chance

travel word with beautiful meaning - trouvaille - blog name ideas

These two words are so close to our hearts. That we would be together was destiny, but our meeting was definitely serendipity! We had been travelling together for a long time, but it was only after our Amarnath Yatra , that we truly realized what travel means to us and what we actually want of our life.

Eudaimonia (n.)

Origin: Greek

Definition: The contented happy state when you travel

unusual-travel-words-eudaimonia

Eleutheromania (n.)

Definition: The intense desire for freedom

unusual-travel-words-eleutheromania

These two Greek words so wonderfully summarize our feeling when we travel. Travelling makes us contented and happy.

Sonder (n.)

Origin: Unknown

Definition: The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own

unusual-travel-words-sonder

Resfeber (n.)

Origin: Swedish

Definition: The tangled feelings of fear and excitement before a journey

unusual-travel-words-resfeber - blog name ideas

This always happens before a journey. There is a perpetual state of excitement as well as nervousness before I start any journey. And I enjoy both the state.

Before our trip to Uzbekistan, I had a bad case of travel anxiety after I read about Airbnb scams. It was only after I found out methods to detect Airbnb scam , I caught a break.

Fernweh (n.)

Origin: German

Definition: An urge to travel even stronger than wanderlust ; farsickness

unusual-travel-words-fernweh-domain-name-ideas

Dérive (n.)

Definition: To drift unplanned, only led by the landscape and architect around you.

unusual-travel-words-dérive

Have you done this? Have you travelled without any fixed plan? Often it is the unexpectedness of a journey that makes it even better. When we went to Majuli , we did not know where we would visit next. It was an impromptu decision to next visit Meghalaya . And this time we decided to give Shillong and Cherrapunji a miss and visit the offbeat places in Meghalaya . It was surely a memorable trip!

Solivagant (adj.)

Definition: Wandering alone. A solitary adventurer who travels and wanders the globe.

unusual-travel-words-solivagant

Strikhedonia (n.)

Definition: The joy of being able to say “to hell with it”

unusual-travel-words-strikhedonia

The feeling we had when we visited Ladakh !

Numinous (n.)

Definition: The powerful, personal feeling of being overwhelmed and inspired

unusual-travel-words-numinous

I had this feeling when I trekked the Rupin Pass summit . It was an overwhelming experience to stand there and look at the Kinner-Kailash range before me.

Forelsket (n.)

Origin: Norwegian

Definition: The euphoria you experience when you are first falling in love

unusual-travel-words-forelsket

This is such a beautiful and creative travel word. The first time we fell in love with each other, it was confusing. But the tangled emotion that I was feeling at that time was probably known as “forelsket”! And I think it is the same feeling when we fall in love with each other after completing every trek or doing something that we never thought we would do.

Hireath (n.)

Origin: Welsh

Definition: A homesickness for a home which you cannot return, a home which maybe never was.

unusual-travel-words-hireath

Sehnsucht (n.)

Definition: A wistful longing and yearning in the heart for travels that have been and travels to come.

unusual-travel-words-sehnsucht

Livsnjutare (n.)

Definition: Someone who loves life deeply and enjoys life

unusual-travel-words-livsnjutare

Sturmfrei (n.)

Definition: The freedom of being alone and having the ability to do whatever you want.

unusual-travel-words-sturmfrei

Sometimes, being alone is the best thing that we can gift ourselves.

Coddiwomple (v.)

Definition: To travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination

unusual-travel-words-coddiwomple

Nefelibata (n.)

Origin: Portugese

Definition: One who lives in the cloud of their own imagination; an unconventional person

unusual-travel-words-nefelibata

This word so describes me. I love to live in my own imagination.

Hodophile (adj.)

Definition: A lover of roads. One who loves to travel.

unusual-travel-words-hodophile

Schwellenangst (n.)

Definition: Fear of crossing a threshold to embark on something new.

unusual-travel-words-schwellenangst

Don’t we all have the fear while starting anything new? It might be a new job, or a new life at a different city, or even changing our lifestyle. I was always very complacent with my life with a high paying job. But there was a void somewhere. Even after I knew that I have to take the leap, the fear hold me back. The fear of uncertainty was keeping me back from doing what I loved.

Today, I have crossed that threshold. And let me tell you the joy that it brings is totally worth all the difficulties and problems and hard work that went. What is the fear that is holding you back?

Vagary (v.)

Definition: A wandering or roaming journey

unusual-travel-words-vagary

Saudade (n.)

Definition: A nostalgic longing to be near something or someone who is distant.

unusual-travel-words-saudade

Origin: Danish

Definition: The cosy feeling you get when you are enjoying the good things in life with friends

unusual-travel-words-hygge

Commuovere (v.)

Origin: Italian

Definition: To stir, to touch, to move to tears

unusual-travel-words-commuovere

The feeling we had after completing the Chadar Frozen River Trek .

Origin: Japanese

Definition: A profound and mysterious sense of the beauty of the universe

creative travel words-yūgen

Definition: Awareness of how little of the world you will experience

Travel words with beautiful meaning-onism

These two words sum it all. The universe, the world is so mysteriously beautiful. We can feel and experience only a part of this beauty!

Petrichor (n.)

Definition: The smell of earth after rain

travel words with beautiful meaning -petrichor-domain-name-ideas

Flâuner (n.)

Definition: A person of leisure, deliberately aimless, simply wandering the streets, soaking in the city

travel words with beautiful meaning-flâuner

Whenever we visit any city, we love to walk around. It is the best way to discover the charm of a city. We loved to roam around Yangon and explore the city on foot discovering its gems, hidden or otherwise!

Sometimes Kolkata , our hometown does this to us. We simply wander around, soaking in the little delights, wandering around the lanes and bye lanes and falling in love over and over again with the city. And so does Delhi !

Jijivisha (n.)

Origin: Sanskrit

Definition: The strong eternal desire to live and continue living

creative-travel-words-jijivisha

Rasasvada (n.)

Definition: The taste of bliss in the absence of all thoughts

creative-travel-words-rasasvada

Exactly what we felt after seeing the Everest and Kanchenjunga ranges in front of us from the Phalut. The Sandakphu-Phalut Trek is a great experience.

Smultronställe(n.)

Definition: Lit. “ Place of wild strawberries ”; a special place discovered, treasured, returned to for solace and relaxation; a personal idyll free from stress and sadness.

creative-travel-words-smultronställe

Darjeeling and Sikkim is our “place of wild strawberries”. What is yours?

Querencia (adj.)

Origin: Spanish

Definition: A place where one feels safe, A place where one feels at home

creative-travel-words-querencia

Musafir (n.)

Origin: Urdu

Definition: Traveller

creative-travel-words-musafir

Vuslat (n.)

Origin: Turkish

Definition: A union or reunion after being apart for a long time with one’s beloved

This is one of my favourite creative travel words.

creative-travel-words-vuslat

Thalassophile (n.)

Definition: A lover of ocean

creative-travel-words-thalassophile

Waldeinsamkeit (n.)

Definition: The feeling of being alone in the woods

creative-travel-words-waldeinsamkeit

So did you find your travel inspiration from these beautiful and unusual travel words? What is your favourite? Let us know in comments.

Pin this post for a later dose of inspiration!

unusual travel words with beautiful meanings

Agni Amrita

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26 comments.

Amazing list! This should keep me busy for a while. I would like to add French noun Flânerie – Aimless strolling or sauntering without a set plan or defined destination; walking at a leisurely pace, simply observing as you’re being taken along. Sometimes I write about similar topics. Here is an example post I wrote in case you or any of your readers find it interesting. Our content complements each other nicely, perhaps we can collab in some way in the future. Keep up the good work. Can’t wait to see something new from you! Cheers!

Thank you so much for the comment and another beautiful word. You blog is amazing too. Maybe we can connect over for a collab in some way. Looking forward.

Excellent post..very informative!!

Always admire your writting skills and this time thanks for introducing new words in my dictionary. Great way to increase ones vocabulary with pictures origin and all.

Thank you Pallavi. So glad that you liked the post.

Thanks for enhancing my vocabulary.. none them was familiar to me so far.

Thank you Sapna! I did not know a few before writing this.

Wow that made for an interesting read. Adding them to my dictionary right away!

Thanks so much.

Woow so many beautiful, unique travel words i am unaware off. Love it

Thank you Gurjeet!

Such words , very useful must say. I love to read and learn new things. These will definitely help me to increase my vocab.

Thank you Pamela!

That is a very unique topic for a blog. Though I would want to identify myself with all the term, but I find myself closest to be a Nemophilist and Trouvaille. I also identify with Resfeber. No matter how much I have travelled, I still get a little nervous (and excited) before a foreign trip.

Thanks Abhinav. I can understand that nervous and excited feeling before a foreign trip!

Thanks for sharing this, great to know these word and their meaning. And yes I can say now I am Nemophilist. 🙂

Thank you Sundeep!

I am not just inspired but so well educated too now. Y next travel will now be so well-informed.

Thank you Sanjay!

This post was such a treat! I love travel and I love words, and it was nice to recognise a few that I knew, and learn new ones that I didn’t!

Thank you so much! So glad that you liked the post.

These are indeed words that provide full expression to the meaning of travel. Thanks for adding to my vocabulary. this is indeed the serendipity of reading travel blogs.

Thank you Sandy and Vyjay!

Brilliant post, some of these descriptive words I read for the first time. Bookmarked for future reference. Thanks for Sharing.

Thank you Anahita. Glad that you liked the post.

If you love to travel and excited to know different places in world then pack your bag and travel to India. India the birth place of yoga. Good for peace your mind and relaxing body.

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Travel Vocabulary in English with Travel Stories

Apr 27, 2016 | Advanced Vocabulary

difficult travel words

I know you love to travel as much as do. So today I want to share some of my favorite advanced travel vocabulary in English so you can tell your own travel stories more easily. 

I have 3 different travel stories for you today. In each, I’ve highlighted useful vocabulary and groups of words that often go together or collocations.

Here’s what I want you to do:

  • Read the stories.
  • Note the highlighted vocabulary and groups of words – can you identify the meaning from the context? (If you need help, you can use the definitions I’ve provided to help you.)
  • Write your own travel story using some of the new vocabulary and expressions. You can write about a past travel experience, a business trip, a future vacation or any other travel opportunity. Then share your story in the comments.

The goal is for you to use the same keywords in your own sentences.

This is the best way for you to truly learn and remember new vocabulary. And this means the next time you talk or write about travel, you’ll have all these words available to you in your mind!

Advanced Travel Vocabulary in English with Real-Life Stories

Sharon’s travel story: a staycation on a tight budget.

When I was younger, I had a real  sense of adventure . I loved backpacking, camping in the woods, sleeping in tents and spending the evening next to the campfire. As a child, I remember trying to build a fire  from scratch  by rubbing two sticks together. I think my entire family laughed while I worked at it for an hour. Unfortunately, I never succeeded.

But I do have such good memories of camping and hiking with my family. Every summer my parents would  pack up  the kids and the dog into the car, pack all our  outdoor gear  on the roof of the car and fill coolers full of food.

My mom would pack all the usual stuff:  trail mix , fruit, marshmallows to  roast over the fire , stuff to make sandwiches, etc. We’d take a road trip to the mountains in Colorado, find our spot to  set up camp  and pitch our tents near the river. I loved listening to the sound of the river at night!

I haven’t camped for years! Neither David nor I can take that much time off of work. It makes me a little sad that Sophie, our daughter, won’t have those same memories.

But last year we did do something a little fun, a little different: we had a  staycation . The two of us could only get 4 days off of work and we were  on a tight budget . We hadn’t enjoyed everything the city has to offer for ages so we decided to just pretend to be on vacation here at home. We visited the museums, went to the theater, we even took a day trip to the coast a few hours away for a day of sun, sand, and surf.

We have some wonderful photos (and memories) of our picnic dinner watching the sunset on the beach.

sense of adventure

The desire to explore and to take advantage of adventurous opportunities.

outdoor gear

Generally used to describe items or equipment needed for outdoor recreation: tents, skis, bicycles, snowboards, etc.

set up camp

To prepare and position everything in a campsite.

from scratch

To make (or create) from the beginning with the basic ingredients.

A snack mix with a combination with dried fruit, grains, and/or nuts.

The combination of stay-at-home and vacation. A vacation where you stay at home and enjoy local sites.

pack up (the kids/the car)

To prepare one’s belongings; to gather one’s things together and prepare to depart. With “the kids” this refers to prepare the kids and their belongings for departure.

roast over the fire

To cook over the fire.

on a (tight) budget

To be on a budget means to not have a lot of extra money. A “tight” budget means very little extra money.

Lara’s Travel Story: Anything All-Inclusive

Ugh! I hate planning vacations. I mean, I do love traveling but I don’t want to think about it. All those little details – I  can’t be bothered !

I prefer those  all-inclusive  kinds of vacations for a  little R&R . You know, those places where  all you do is show up  and that’s it.

You have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Activities, the beach, the pools, dancing. Sure, they usually cost a little more but if I don’t have to plan everything then it’s worth it. The only thing is you have to be careful of those  hidden extras ! I’ve definitely been surprised by the final bill a few times.

My fiancé and I are talking about an all-inclusive cruise for our honeymoon. It sounds amazing but I’ve never been on a ship for that long.

can't be bothered

Don’t want to waste time doing something.

all you do is show up

Show up = to arrive for an appointment or gathering. “All you have to do is …” means that there is nothing else expected of you.

An exaggerated way to say, “a lot of.”

all-inclusive

(Almost) all activities and food are included in the total cost.

hidden extras

Expenses that are not included (or unexpected) in the final cost.

The services or perks that a hotel provides with the reserved room.

a little R&R

A little r est and r elaxation.

island-hopping

To visit one island after another.

To pack too much.

Jean-Luc’s Travel Story: Exotic Adventure

I’m always dreaming of my next  far-off, exotic destination . I’ll go anywhere as long as it’s adventurous.

Last year I  chartered a boat  with a friend to sail around the Greek Islands. In the afternoons, we’d  pull into ports , dive into the water, enjoy dinner on the beach and then  head back  to the boat for the night. On really warm nights we actually sleep right on the deck  under the stars .

What’s next? I don’t know. Maybe Colombia, Peru, or Chile? I’ve never been to South America and I love the idea of spending time in the Andes Mountains. Hiking in the  middle of nowhere , you know what I mean?

Those kinds of places give you such a better  perspective on life . It’s easy to forget we’re all just a tiny piece of this earth.

Or maybe Thailand? That’s another of my  bucket list  destinations.

far-off destination

A destination remote (in time or space).

To return to a place.

perspective on life

A particular attitude toward or belief about something; a point of view.

charter a boat

The reservation of a plane, boat, or bus for private use.

under the stars

To be outside with no covering.

bucket list

The achievements or experiences a person hopes to have or accomplish in their life.

pull into port

The place where a vehicle or driver stops into. In this case, a boat stops in a port.

middle of nowhere

A remote place far from any city, town, or village.

Now I’d love to hear your travel story!

Practice and build your vocabulary by sharing your own travel story in the comments below!

Using the vocabulary from the stories above, describe your favorite travel experience or tell me about a trip you’d like to take in the future.

Don’t forget to read and comment on stories from other Confident English readers. You might learn something new or have an interesting question to ask.

Happy travels!

~ Annemarie

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#300: How to Talk About Achievements in English | Plus Your Good News

Talking about your achievements demonstrates your value to your employer or interviewer. Sharing your good news and milestones with loved ones allows them to celebrate your successes with you. Here’s how to do all of that in English.

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guest

Thank you for this lesson ,Annemarie ,

Very useful to me and as complete as possible

harsha

There is a typo. The last line should be a bucket list for not of.

Annemarie

Good eyes, Harsha, and thank you. We’ve corrected the sentence.

neetha

Dear Annemarie, Am new to this site and blog .AM very thank ful to you for sharing all these good phrases and vocabularies which helped a lot . looking forward for great lessons .Your videos are so good which helped me alot to get the correct pronunciation and also i have seen you are reading all the comments and giving a positive feedback which is so appreciated am looking forward for your comment. I have read and seen lot of english leaning sites but they usually wont reply to the comments . thanks Neetha

I’m very happy to hear you’re enjoying the Speak Confident English website and the lessons we have here. We definitely work hard to create lessons that will truly help you advance your English skills. And yes, my team and I definitely read all the comments and respond. 🙂

Andrea del Pino

Hi Annamarie,

Thanks so much for this lesson. I have an advanced student and new vocabulary is always helpful.

I live in Chile, so if you need any tips or recommendations, plesase let me know, I would be happy to help you out if you are still planning to visit South America,

Awesome! I’m so glad this lesson was helpful to use with your student. And I’d LOVE to visit Chile one day. I’ll definitely ask you for recommendations if I get the opportunity. 🙂

Ammy

Wow, Your have shared here such an amazing and best post which is useful for all of us. I like it and wanna say that your travel story is really fantastic and know I want to bookbus for visiting NY after reading your post.

Hi Ammy, thanks so much. I’m glad to know enjoyed and felt inspired by the lesson.

Davide

Dear Annemarie I’ve been to Iceland two years ago and I had a wonderful vacation! As Sharon, I had a real sense of adventure so I convinced my best friend to come with me, we packed up our backpacks and then we departed. We chartered a car and we traveled all over the country for 11 days. We saw amazing landscapes, waterfalls, geyser, volcanos, glaciers, and we did whale watching. We had nothing but our backpack, our tent and a burning desire to explore. Iceland is a great place. I look forward to come back there and have one more …  Read more »

Sounds like an amazing opportunity and adventure, Davide! Thanks for sharing. I’ve always wanted to visit Iceland. I really liked your use of “a burning desire to explore.” What a great expression!

Valentina

Hi Annamarie, my last trip was in the city of Madrid. A wonderful city. At the time I was always without money because of I was unemployed but in the same time I craved traveling. So my sense of adventure took me to packed up my stuff buying an airline one-way ticket for Madrid. After few days in Madrid I found a job just in the week ends. I didn’t waste my time because there’s no time like present and every day I walked through the parks , visited museums and, I always looked around the city, the square, I …  Read more »

Jane

Hello Annemarie I’m from Thailand. I just learned your lesson. It was very useful. I have to say that I really like your blog, especially this topic because I love traveling. So today I have my travel story to share with you. Last month, I went to Phuket, which is an island in Thailand. I’ve already been there two or three times actually but I couldn’t get enough of it. Somebody even calls me an “island queen” and yes I truly am. I got a chance to do some diving and island hopping with one-meter-high waves. And of course, I …  Read more »

Mohamed Islam Grade 8

Dear Annemarie , I love these adventaures and I love going and having a trips with my friends and my family,Ande mountains I love pack packing that is my adore and I did it before with my family in sinai we climbed the mountains of sinia I loved it because the sunset seen was wonderful and we took exactly 6 hours with the tour guide and we had a rest so I wish to make a trip like me in sinia with your family or you friends Egypt is wondeful Thank you

Rana Ali

Dear Annemarie , I really enjoyed reading Sharon’s Travel Story” A Staycation on a Tight Budget ” , it has little details which helped me in imagining the story , I felt every line in the story and how enjoyable was the trip . In addition I’ve learned many expressions like : – sense of adventure – outdoor gear – set up camp – from scratch – trail mix – stay cation – pack up – roast over the fire – on a tight budget Waiting for more ….. 🙂

Hello Rana,

Thank you for your comments. I’m so glad to know that you enjoyed this lesson and found some useful vocabulary. I hope you have the opportunity to use that vocabulary soon.

Renad Mohamed

Hi Ms Annemarie! I loved this story about travel it have lots of adventures, i also loved your interesting language, and i`ve learned more vocabulary from you. I wish you more success on your project.

Hello Renad,

Thank you. I’m happy you enjoyed this lesson and I hope you’ll have the opportunity to use the vocabulary you learned. Learning + immediately practicing is the best way to improve your vocabulary knowledge.

Arwa grade 8

Dear Annemarie thanks for this beautiful stories , it’s very useful and i have loved them so much. the most beautiful one is the “Jean-Luc’s Travel Story: Exotic Adventure” it’s really simple , understandable, meaningful and exciting . the most expression i had loved it in this story is “under the stars”. i hope you can do more than this , by the way you can make this stories like in an audio track or on a cd , it will be more helpful and skillful to the students who are get bored from reading stories. great job hope to …  Read more »

Hello Arwa,

Thank you for your comments and suggestions. I’m glad you enjoyed the lesson and learned some useful vocabulary.

ahmed adnan

Hi Annemarie , I really enjoyed getting to read your story about jean ,also i liked your language so much it was so helpful , although i love reading adventurous stories. I wish you every success on your projects, I will continue following and sharing them on social networks. yours, ahmed

Thank you for the kind comments, Ahmed. I’m glad you enjoyed the lesson.

Bishoy Sameh Gr8

Dear Ms Annemarie, I’ve read your story “Lara’s Travel Story: Anything All-Inclusive”. And I learned so much new vocabulary expressions such as; – can’t be bothered -all you do is show up -a ton of -all-inclusive -hidden extras -amenities -a little R&R -island-hopping -over pack I liked the idea of it, it is creative and simple. And I’m waiting for another one, and looking forward to reading your next stories. Every good story you get here in this website and upload it gives you a push froward to reach your goal, so I advice you to complete uploading stories alike …  Read more »

Thank for sharing your thoughts, Bishoy. I appreciate them and I’m glad you learned so much useful vocabulary.

abdallah mohamed gr8

Dear Annemarie My name is Abdullah, i am a student in the 8th grade. I am from Egypt. It’s the first time to read stories with this exciting an I would be so glade to read more for your stories. At first, my teacher in the school told us to read it as a homework and Summarizes, but now I would to read more from you. best wishes , abdullah

Hello Abdullah,

Wonderful. I’m glad this lesson was interesting for you and I hope you’ll continue to find useful lessons on this website.

Ahmed Abbady

Hi , I like this type of stories , I’ve learned new vocabulary and new phrases . This type of stories make me excited to continue reading and choosing another one.

Hello Ahmed,

I’m so glad you enjoyed this lesson and that it makes you want to continue reading. Thank you.

Antar Hassan

I’m really very thankful to you because travel stories helped me so much in teaching my students new vocabulary about journeys . Hope to find more and more in future lessons

Hello Antar,

Thank you for the comment. I’m very happy to know this has been helpful to you in your classroom and with your students.

Sakuta

Hi Annemarie , Thanks a lot for sharing this post on travel stories. Actually my English not well but I can understand at all, I really like that it help me improve my English as well. Thanks again 🙂

Thanks for your comment, Sakuta. I’m happy that you enjoyed this lesson and have learned some new vocabulary!

Hari Krishna

Hi Annemarie, First of all, thank you very much for sharing this post on travel stories. I have been following your weekly posts since a couple of weeks, I like this post a lot, it is always exciting listening and talking of travel stories. Sharon’s staycation story resonates well with me as I like going out with family even if it is not such a significant or a popular place to go visit. The feel of going out together and experience the joy of spending time with family outside is worth experiencing and treasure the memories. Unfortunately, we couldn’t go …  Read more »

Hello Hari,

Thank you so much for your comments. I’m thrilled to have you following my Confident English lessons.

Very impressive vocabulary with your sentence, “Sharon’s staycation story resonates well with me…” Nicely said.

This was very well written and you did a great job using vocabulary from the lesson.

Alami

Hey AnneMarie to be honest the traveling now is the most important thing in my life, I sounds good when i travel abroad and discouvir a new places, traditions, cultures, countries. I love that !! when I’m thinking of my next trip I be happy for searching for a cheap fly and think in all little details (hotels, food , bus from airoprot to the city centre then to hotel, mesuems, things to do in that city) so for the me the word of cant be bothered doesnt exist in this kind of things. and i dont like all inclusive …  Read more »

Hello Alami,

Thank you for sharing about your travel preferences. Your love of travel is like many of us here. 🙂 As you described, I think planning a vacation can be fun, almost as fun as the vacation.

Do you have a favorite country or place that you like to visit? Best, Annemarie

Abu Omar Mahmoud

Mahmoud on May 06.05.2016 Hi Annmarie As this is my first challenge I hope that you like it and that it’s good. On Last May and during a party I won a two hotel full board nights pouch for two in Aqaba_Jordan. Me and my wife were very existed and started to plan for when,how and what kind of activities we can do in Aqaba while staying there, off course budget wise it was affordable due to the pouch, First of all we picked the right weekend to do so, and then I rented a car. Meanwhile, using the net …  Read more »

Hello Mahmoud,

Welcome and thank you for sharing your story!

How wonderful to win an all-inclusive two-day trip to Aqaba! It sounds wonderful. And Petra! I have always wanted to visit Petra! And was this the first time you or your wife scuba dived? How was it?

A few small corrections: “… I won a [full-board two-night hotel stay …]” “My wife and [I] were very [excited] …”

It sounds like the perfect two-day quick trip to get away! Thanks again for sharing. ~ annemarie

Alexandra

Hello Annemarie! Fortunately, I have some free time to accomplish the task and to tell about my vacations. A new trip always means that I will open something new. I always have a sense of adventure when taking some journey, so I always look forward to my holidays and therefore to travelling. It doesn’t matter what kind of holidays I’m going to take, the main thing is what emotions I will have. It may be a camping where I can spend wonderful time roasting meat over the fire, singing campfire songs, eating some trail mix and chatting with my friends …  Read more »

Hello Alexandra – I loved this! You used so many of the key words and expressions! Fantastic work. And I really like the expression: “… if I’m squeezed like a lemon …” I assume that means to feel really stressed, is that correct? What a perfect description for feeling stressed and needing a break! One question, when you say “the main thing is what emotions I will have” do you mean emotions or experiences? When I see emotions, I think of happy, sad, angry, frustrated, joyful, etc. If that is what you mean, that is okay but I wanted to …  Read more »

Alexandra

Thanks a lot for your comments, Annemarie! I appreciate them greatly!!! Frankly speaking I’ve thought that the expression “to be squeezed like a lemon” (that really means “to be very tired and stressed” as you have said) really exists in English, because I leart it at university, but now I doubt… Do native speakers use it in their speech? As for the phrase “the main thing is what emotions I will have”, I’ve meant here that I always get some positive emotions after having travelled, because travelling enriches me, gives the opportunity to meet new people, to get to know …  Read more »

Hello Alexandra,

You are so welcome.

As for “to be squeezed like a lemon” it is possible that it is an idiomatic expression. Idioms can be regional, so it is possible that it is used in another country or a specific region. For me it was new, but I understood what you meant. It was easy to understand from the context. I’ll have to do some research to see if I can find where they use it. 🙂

Best, Annemarie

Thank you, Annemarie!

Yulia

Hello Annemarie! I miss our challenge and such short stories :)) I will tell you about my nearest travel just in a few days – from Saint-Petersburg to Helsinki by bus. If my budget not so tight, I would prefer the train because it is faster and more comfortable, but I am going to spend two nights in a bus… awesome! It is a business trip just for one day and I will have a lot of free time in the city. So, I hope weather will be well and I have pleasure of the walking and sitting near the …  Read more »

Hello Yulia, I miss our daily challenges too!! It makes me excited for the June challenge. And how fun to go to Helsinki for work! It sounds like you have some good plans for your free time there – the idea of coffee and a sandwich by the sea sounds perfect. A few things: “If my budget [wasn’t] so tight …” — we need to have a verb. ” …spend two nights [on] a bus.” Prepositions are so tricky. We can say “in a car” or “in a truck” but for larger vehicles we say “on a bus,” “on a …  Read more »

Hello Annemarie! I missed your reply on my travel story. Thank you very much for your comments and correction of my text. As you already know, my trip was success and also I had extra practice in English. And weather was really amazing! The local people jocked that we have a chance to get very unusual gift from Helsinki – a sunburn!

A sunburn in Helsinki! That is the first time I’ve ever heard about that! 🙂

I’m so glad it was a successful trip, Yulia. It really made me happy to hear about your experience! ~ annemarie

Olga

Everybody loves traveling and I’m not an exception! There is no point in choosing the best way of traveling, all of them are good to get new impressions, to relax and to reload your mind. As a rule it’s me who arranges family vacation from scratch. The choice of vacation depends on a budjet, on a season and its length. Especially I love short holidays for 3-4 days because they are so dynamic, full of events; it’s really a great short break in a busy life. We usually stay at small private hotels without many amenities but with picturesque views …  Read more »

This sounds like the perfect long weekend, Olga! Especially now that spring is starting, I’m dreaming of an easy 3-4 day trip on the countryside. Do you enjoy the planning for vacations or is it stressful for you?

Perfect use of: from scratch, without many amenities, not any hidden extras.

A few changes for articles: “…it’s me who arranges [the] family vacation” “…on [the] season and its length.” “… [a] friendly atmosphere.”

I hope you get to go on a vacation like this soon! 🙂 ~ Annemarie

Rafif Daoud

Hello, I am Rafif Last summer I travelled to Turkey with my family ; my husband and my four daughters, my father and mother, my sisters and brother and their own families . We were 21 persons which means different ages, different needs and expectations about vactions, and I can’t be bothered by all those details. For that I have chosen All_inclusive kind of vactions. Our choice settled on Kartepe (green park ) for a littlr R&R. They also offer breakfast, dinner and afternoon snack time and a lot of amenities like Turkish bath, ( sauna and Jacuzzi), paint ball …  Read more »

Hello Rafif – great travel story! And wow, 21 people! I can imagine that packing was a problem and I love that you watched a Mr. Bean video to help. Great use of: I [couldn’t] be bothered, I [chose an] all-inclusive kind of vacation, all we [had to do was] show up, hidden extras and several more. Two corrections: There were 21 of us (instead of We were 21 persons). The final bill was acceptable [,it wasn’t that much] or [, it wasn’t that big.] I really enjoyed this and you did a great job using some of the more …  Read more »

Thank you Anne marie for your comment and the correction

Maria

I love traveling, I do believe that traveling gives you a better perspective on life, it changes you. When you come back home you are a bit different! You have tons of new ideas, stories to tell! I think it is a good way to reboot all your system and we all need a little R and R after all! I remember when a child we would go to the seaside like every year. Our parents would pack up a car and all our belongings and our trip would begin. You know Ukraine is the biggest country in Europe, so …  Read more »

Tatyana

Excellent!!!! You described your memories in that way I felt I was there!!! It’s wonderful that you love traveling and can go anywhere easily without a doubt! I think you are really interesting person to have among friends!

Thank you so much! You are adorable!:) It is always fun to travel with a great company!:)

What wonderful details, Maria! I can imagine getting up early and into the car to start a 10-hour road trip! And I love your 3 must-haves (don’t forget the ‘s’ on ‘haves’ since it’s 3). Like you, I love the idea of the seaside, the sunset, and grilling over the fire! Great use of: sense of adventure, perspective on life, a little R&R, tons of, on a tight budget and several more! A couple things: I remember when [I was] a child or I remember [as] a child, stroll [on] the beach Thanks so much for sharing this! I enjoyed …  Read more »

Thank you! I do have a quick question (this is your phrase, I know:)): stroll on – is it always with “on”? Or it depends? Could you help me with this one, please? I like this word and want to use it correctly! Thank you!

Great question. Actually, it isn’t the verb (stroll) that is important. It is the noun that follows: on the beach. We can use any verb with this: jog on the beach, run on the beach, stroll on the beach, etc. Other examples: along the river, around the city. So you could say: stroll along the river, stroll around the city.

Frankly speaking, I love travelling a lot. I love spending my free time or vacation with my family and my friends! By the way, I can have a great vacation even if I’m on a tight budget. The alternative variant is to have a staycation. My city is so amazing and beautiful! There are a lot of places of interest here. I also like to go out of the city, to go to the country, for example. Love that feeling when you pack up the kids, friends, dogs into the car, pack all outdoor gear. And It goes without saying …  Read more »

And here we go – well marinated meat is a must-have thing!;)

We have something in common- we both love shashlik))

Tatyana, you’ve done such a great job creating your own story and sharing your memories! Great use of: on a tight budget, staycation, pack up the kids, outdoor gear, all-inclusive. I was quite impressed with your use of prepositions and articles. There are just a couple missing: [the] outdoor gear, [an] all-inclusive. Really impressive! And I agree with you completely, with some inspiration and desire, any vacation can be magical! Thank you so much for sharing your story! ~ Annemarie

Tanja Kuzmanoska

Dear Rachel, I am Tanja Kuzmanoska from Macedonia. I follow your posts and videos, but I resonate with this post the most, it came just in time. I love traveling, I have traveled places and been on interesting vacations. Recently I started a blog on traveling , the first post I wrote was in Macedonian, but few days ago I translated it in English. It is written in a different style, rather a blend of travel guide and prosaic, emotional text. I would love if you read it and give me a feedback. I send you the link below. Thank …  Read more »

Thank you for your comment. How exciting that you have started a blog on traveling! I’d be happy to read it.

I do have a quick question – I wasn’t sure who Rachel was?

Thanks again for the comment. I’ll be sure to email you with any feedback on your English travel story! ~ Annemarie

Hi again Annemarie, I am so sorry I have mistaken your name for Rachel, I hope you will forgive me! Regards, Tanja

🙂 Hi Tanja, No problem. It happens. I just wasn’t sure who you meant. I’ll look forward to reading your blog later today! ~ Annemarie

Dear Tanja,

I really enjoyed getting to read your story about your hometown or where your ancestors are from. You have a gift with words. I could really get a feeling for the area. How interesting that there are only two families there now!!

Thank you for sharing your site. I hope you will continue to write! ~ Annemarie

Tanja Kuzmanoska

Dear Annemarie

Thank you so much for your time to read my story, your comments mean a lot to me. I am happy that you enjoyed reading it, and I appreciate your support very much. I will certainly continue to share my stories in words and photos and you are welcome to visit my site 🙂

I wish you every success on your projects, I will continue following and sharing them on social networks!

Many thanks and all the best, Tanja

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Travelling With English: A Effective Guide to Common English Travel Words

  • LLS English
  • September 20, 2023

Learning English Will Improve Your Job Prospects & Communication Skills

Essential Travel Vocabulary

You Can Start Learning & Make Progress With Your English Today

Common English Travel Words – Greetings and Courtesies

Approx 20% of The World's Population Speaks English & You Can Too

Common English Travel Words – Directions and Navigation

English Learning Can Open Up New Business & Personal Opportunities

Common English Travel Words – Accommodation

English Learning Can Open Up New Business & Personal Opportunities

Common English Travel Words – Transportation

Make Progress With Your English Today Easily & Correctly A1 to C2

Travelling With English – Ordering Food and Drinks

Travelling with english – shopping and souvenirs.

Approx 20% of The World's Population Speaks English & You Can Too

Travelling With English – Emergencies and Safety

English Should Be Is Easy to Learn & Not A Mystery For Students To Solve

Travelling With English – Cultural Tips and Etiquette

Make Progress With Your English Today Easily & Correctly A1 to C2

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40 Basic Vocabulary Words and Common Phrases for Travel in English

Travel in English

Embarking on a journey to a foreign country can be both exciting and a bit daunting, especially when language barriers come into play. But fear not, we’ve got you covered! This page is dedicated to all the globetrotters out there who are keen on enhancing their English language skills specifically for travel.

We’ve curated a list of 40 essential English words and phrases that will prove to be your best companions on your travels.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first overseas trip, mastering these words and phrases will not only boost your confidence but also enrich your travel experiences. So, let’s dive in and start preparing for your next adventure with our comprehensive travel vocabulary guide. Happy learning and safe travels!

40 essential English words and phrases for travel

  • Passport – “Don’t forget to bring your passport to the airport.”
  • Luggage – “Please make sure your luggage is not left unattended.”
  • Reservation – “I have a reservation under the name Smith.”
  • Itinerary – “Our itinerary includes stops in Rome, Paris, and London.”
  • Destination – “Our final destination is Sydney.”
  • Accommodation – “I’ve booked accommodation for three nights in the city center.”
  • Sightseeing – “We’re going sightseeing in the old town tomorrow.”
  • Currency – “What’s the local currency in Japan?”
  • Boarding Pass – “Please have your boarding pass and identification ready.”
  • Departure – “Our departure time is 6:00 PM.”
  • Arrival – “Our estimated arrival time is 8:00 PM.”
  • Customs – “You’ll need to declare any items at customs.”
  • Visa – “Do I need a visa to travel to the United States?”
  • Tourist – “As a tourist, I love exploring new places.”
  • Landmark – “The Eiffel Tower is a famous landmark in Paris.”
  • Guidebook – “I bought a guidebook to learn more about the city’s history.”
  • Souvenir – “I bought a souvenir from each city we visited.”
  • Jet Lag – “I’m feeling a bit of jet lag after the long flight.”
  • Travel Agency – “The travel agency arranged all of our accommodations.”
  • Backpack – “I prefer to travel with a backpack instead of a suitcase.”
  • Could you help me, please? – When you need assistance.
  • How much does this cost? – When you want to know the price of something.
  • Where is the nearest…? – When you’re looking for something specific, like a bathroom or a subway station.
  • I would like to book… – When you want to make a reservation.
  • Do you speak English? – When you need to find someone who speaks English.
  • I’m lost. Can you help me? – When you need directions.
  • Can I have the menu, please? – When you’re at a restaurant and want to see the menu.
  • I’m allergic to… – When you need to inform someone of your allergies.
  • Can I have the bill, please? – When you’re ready to pay at a restaurant.
  • What time does it open/close? – When you want to know the operating hours of a place.
  • Can I have a ticket to…, please? – When you’re buying a ticket.
  • Where can I catch the bus/train? – When you need to find the bus or train station.
  • Is it far from here? – When you want to know the distance to a place.
  • Can you recommend a good…? – When you’re looking for recommendations.
  • Do you accept credit cards? – When you want to know if you can pay with a credit card.
  • What’s the Wi-Fi password? – When you need to connect to the internet.
  • I’d like to go to… – When you’re telling a taxi driver your destination.
  • Is there a pharmacy nearby? – When you need to find a pharmacy.
  • Can I try this on? – When you’re shopping for clothes and want to try something on.
  • Could you take a picture of us, please? – When you want someone to take a photo of you and your group.

Wrapping Up Our English Travel Vocabulary Journey

And there you have it! We’ve journeyed through 40 essential English words and phrases that will help make your travels smoother and more enjoyable. Remember, language is a powerful tool that can open doors to understanding new cultures, making new friends, and creating unforgettable experiences.

Don’t worry if you can’t memorize all the words and phrases at once. The beauty of language learning is that it’s a continuous process. Keep practicing, and soon these words will become second nature to you.

But why stop at 40? If you’re eager to expand your travel vocabulary even further, we have an exciting offer for you. Follow us on Instagram and send us a direct message to get your hands on our comprehensive eBook (write “Travel eBook”), which features 200 essential English words and phrases for travel, plus 2 special bonuses!

We hope this guide will be a valuable resource for your travel adventures. Whether you’re exploring bustling cities, tranquil countryside, or exotic beaches, these phrases will help you navigate your way with confidence.

Thank you for joining us on this linguistic journey. We wish you all the best in your English learning and your future travels. Remember, every journey begins with a single step, or in this case, a single word. Happy travels and happy learning!

>> Learn more English vocabulary

difficult travel words

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150+ Most Beautiful Words in the World

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Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links to the products we earnestly love and recommend, meaning at no extra cost to you, we might make a teeny-weeny commission if you click on the link and decide to buy something. The money will be used to sustain this little cozy blog we call our virtual home.

Are you a logophile (a lover of words) ? Do you hoard words? Are you a word nerd? Do you believe in epeolatry (the worship of words) ? Then you’re in the right place. This list of unusual and beautiful words with deep meanings will not only enrich your vocabulary but also allow you to perceive the world differently.

Words are powerful. They have a way of transforming people and their lives. Words inspire, stir, challenge, move, touch, and intrigue us.

Words are beautiful. What makes a word beautiful and pretty? Well, a fine blend of sound and meaning makes a word beautiful. The pleasantness of the word’s sound is called eutony . So aesthetically pleasing words are not only pretty sounding words but have a beautiful meaning as well.

Did you know there’s a word that has no one meaning? It’s Eglaf . It can be used in place of any other word and describes many things.

I’ve compiled a list of unusual words with beautiful meanings that stir my mind and soul. Apart from my favorite beautiful English words , the list has foreign words with beautiful meaning s that I learned during my years of travels to different countries. Most of them are simply untranslatable into English but perfectly translate hard-to-be-expressed-in-words emotions.

✈️ 100 Unique and Creative Travel Words with Beautiful Meanings

Want to add mellifluous, invigorating, heartfelt, and the most beautiful words in the world to your vocabulary? Arm yourself with these unique words in different languages and thank me later 🙂 Let’s get going with these prettiest words !

Beautiful Words in Different Languages with Beautiful Meanings

#1 mellifluous (adj.).

Pronunciation: muh-li-floo-uhs Origin: Latin Definition: A sound that’s pleasing and sweet to hear

#2 Apricity (n.)

Pronunciation: a-PRIS-i-tee Origin: Latin Definition: The warmth of the sun in winter

#3 Rakuyou (n.)

Pronunciation: ra-ku-yo Origin: Japanese (落葉 ) Definition: Golden fallen or shedded leaves

🍂 Now that we are talking about our favorite season (Autumn), how can we not talk about the beautiful East Coast Fall Destinations ? Nothing is more autumnal than going for a stroll with crisp golden fallen or shredded leaves beneath your feet!

#4 Retrouvailles (n.)

Pronunciation: ruh-troov-eye Origin: French Definition: The happiness of meeting again after a long time

retrouvailles beautiful words in french words

#5 Hitoritabi (n.)

Origin: Japanese Definition: Traveling alone, solitary journey

#6 Luftmensch (n.)

Pronunciation: LOOFT-mensh Origin: Yiddish Definition: An impractical dreamer, literally an air person, someone with her head in the clouds

#7 Raconteur (n.)

Pronunciation: ra-kawn-tuh Origin: French Definition: A talented storyteller who’s able to spin amusing tales from everyday tales; A person who tells anecdotes skillfully and amusingly

#8 Sirimiri (n.)

Pronunciation: si-ri-mi-ri Origin: Spanish Definition: A light rain; A fine drizzle; Stronger than mist but less than a shower

sirimiri beautiful words in spanish words

#9 Rimjhim (n.)

Pronunciation: rim-jhim Origin: Sanskrit Definition: The pitter-patter of a drizzle

#10 Petrichor (n.)

Pronunciation: PET-ri-kuhr Origin: Greek Definition: The mild and pleasant smell or scent of earth associated with the first rain after a dry spell

✨ 14 Beautiful Norwegian Words We Need in English Now!

#11 Morii (n.)

Origin: The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows Definition: The desire to capture a fleeting moment

✈️ Travel Quotes to Inspire Wanderlust

#12 Fernweh (n.)

Pronunciation: FEIRN-veyh Origin: German Definition: An ache for distant places; A strong desire to travel to far-off places; Being homesick for a place you’ve never been; A longing for unseen places even stronger than wanderlust

✨ Beautiful Swedish Words

#13 Resfeber (n.)

Pronunciation: RACE-fay-ber Origin: Swedish Definition: The restless race of the traveler’s heart before the journey begins, when anxiety and anticipation are tangled together; A travel fever that can manifest as an illness

#14 Nefelibata (n.)

Pronunciation: ne-fe-lE-‘ba-ta Origin: Portuguese Definition: Translates to “cloud-walker”; Colloquially “daydreamer”; One who lives in the clouds of their imagination or dreams; One who does not obey the conventions of society, literature, or art.

nefelibata beautiful words in portuguese words

#15 Smultronställe (n.)

Pronunciation: “smUl-tron-‘stel-e Origin: Swedish Definition: Literally “place of wild strawberries” a special place discovered, treasured, and returned to for solace and relaxation; A personal idyll free from stress or sadness.

#16 Dustsceawung (n.)

Pronunciation: ‘dUst-shA-a-wung (DOOST-shay-ah-wung) Origin: Old English Definition: Literally “contemplation of the dust”; Reflection on former civilizations and people, and on the knowledge that all things will turn to dust

#17 Heliophilia (n.)

Pronunciation: hE-lE-O-‘fil-E-a Origin: Greek Definition: Desire to stay in the sun; Love of sunlight

#18 Nakakapagpabagabag (adj.)

Pronunciation: na-ka-ka-PAG-pa-ba-ga-bag Origin: Tagalog (Filipino) Definition: Worrisome

PS: It’s hard to pronounce for native speakers too so don’t worry if you can’t 🙂 Such a variety of pretty words in other languages.

#19 Brontide (n.)

Pronunciation: bron-tahyd Origin: Greek Definition: The low rumble of distant thunder

#20 Aesthete (n.)

Pronunciation: “es-THEt (ess-THEET) Origin: Greek Definition: Someone who cultivates an unusually high sensitivity to beauty, as in art or nature

aesthete beautiful words in greek words

#21 Sophrosyne (n.)

Pronunciation: sō-fros′i-nē (suh-FROS-uh-nee) Origin: Greek Definition: Soundness of mind, characterized by moderation, self-control, and prudence

#22 Elysian (adj.)

Pronunciation: uh-li-zee-uhn Origin: Greek Definition: Beautiful or creative; Divinely inspired; Peaceful and perfect

#23 Mångata (n.)

Pronunciation: moon-gah-ta Origin: Swedish Definition: The glimmering roadlike reflection of the moon on the water

#24 Koi no yokan (n.)

Pronunciation: koy-noh-yo-kin Origin: Japanese Definition: Translates to “premonition of love”; The extraordinary sense one has upon first meeting someone that they will one day fall in love

#25 Abditory (n.)

Origin: Latin Definition: A place into which you can disappear; A hiding place

abditory pretty words with meanings beautiful words

#26 Flawsome (adj.)

Pronunciation: flaw-suhm Origin: coined by the supermodel, Tyra Banks in their show ANTM (America’s Next Top Model) Definition: an individual who embraces their quirks and flaws and knows they are awesome regardless

#27 Datsuzoku (n.)

Pronunciation: thatza-zoku Origin: Japanese Definition: An escape from your everyday routine

#28 Rame (adj.)

Pronunciation: raim Origin: Balinese Definition: Something that’s both chaotic and joyful at the same time

rame beautiful words in balinese words

#29 Vacilando (v.)

Origin: Spanish Definition: To wander or travel with the knowledge that the journey is more important than the destination

#30 Lehitkalev (v.)

Origin: Hebrew Definition: Literally “to dog it”; To put up with a lower standard of uncomfortable conditions of living or travel

#31 Komorebi (n.)

Pronunciation: KOH-MOH-REHB-i Origin: Japanese Definition: The effect of sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees; The interplay of the aesthetics between the light and the leaves when sunlight shines through trees

#32 Metanoia (n.)

Pronunciation: meh-tah-NOY-ah Origin: Greek Definition: The journey of changing one’s mind, heart, self, or way of life; Spiritual conversation

#33 Peregrinate (v.)

Pronunciation: PAIR-uh-gruh-nayt Origin: Latin Definition: To travel or wander from place to place

#34 Perambulate (v.)

Pronunciation: puh-ram-byoo-leit Origin: Latin Definition: to walk or travel through or around a place or area, especially for pleasure and in a leisurely way

#35 Peripatetic (n.)

Pronunciation: peh-ruh-puh-teh-tuhk Origin: Greek Definition: One who walks about; A nomad; An itinerant

#36 Shinrin-yoku (n.)

Pronunciation: shindin-yoku Origin: Japanese Definition: To go deep into the woods for its restorative benefits; The Japanese way of forest bathing as nature therapy for peace of mind, restful sleep, and physical health

#37 Shinrabansho (n.)

Pronunciation: shi-nra-banshoo Origin: Japanese Definition: Translates to “All nature”; everything that exists in the universe

#38 Flâneur (n.)

Pronunciation: flah-neur Origin: French Definition: Someone who saunters or ambles around aimlessly but enjoyably observing life and his surroundings

#39 Gadabout (n.)

Pronunciation: gad-uh-bout Origin: Middle English Definition: A person who travels often or to many different places, especially for pleasure

gadabout beautiful words in middle english words

#40 Hiraeth (n.)

Pronunciation: heer-eye-th Origin: Welsh Definition: A homesickness for a home to which you cannot return, a home which maybe never was; The nostalgia, the yearning, the grief for the lost places of your past

#41 Toska (n.)

Pronunciation: tuh-skah Origin: Russian Definition: The ache of the soul; Longing with nothing to long for

#42 Dépaysement (n.)

Pronunciation: depeizmɑ̃ Origin: French Definition: Change of scene, disorientation, culture shock; Feeling that comes from being away from your own home country, in a foreign land, surrounded by strangers; The sense of being a fish out of water

#43 Dès vu (n.)

Origin: French Definition: Translates to ” seen as soon as”; The awareness that this will become a memory

# 44 Rasāsvāda (n.)

Pronunciation: ra-sas-vah-da Origin: Sanskrit Definition: Translates to appreciating the taste and flavor of juice; Perception of pleasure; The taste of bliss in the absence of all thoughts

#45 Cynefin (n.)

Pronunciation: ku-nev-in Origin: Welsh Definition: Translates to “habitat”; A place or the time when we instinctively belong or feel most connected; The artist Kyffin Williams described it as a relationship: the place of your birth and of your upbringing, the environment in which you live and to which you are naturally acclimatized

#46 Safarnama (n.)

Pronunciation: su-fur-nama Origin: Persian Definition: Travelogue; An account of the travels

safarnama beautiful words in persian words

✨ We have a Safarnama . Do you?

#47 Saudade (n.)

Pronunciation: ‘sau-“da-dE Origin: Portuguese Definition: “the love that remains” even after someone is gone; a nostalgic or melancholic longing to be near again to something or someone distant, or that has been loved and then lost

#48 Yūgen (n.) Pronunciation: yoo-gehn Origin: Japanese Definition: A profound and mysterious sense of the beauty and awareness of the universe that triggers a deep emotional response

#49 Wabi-Sabi (n.)

Pronunciation: wah-bee-sah-bee Origin: Japanese Definition: A Japanese concept and art of imperfect beauty; The discovery of beauty within the imperfections of life and art; the acceptance of the cycle of life and death

wabi sabi beautiful words in japanese words

#50 Ukiyo (n.)

Pronunciation: u-key-yo Origin: Japanese Definition: Literally translates to “the floating world”; Living in the moment, detached from the bothers of life

ukiyo beautiful words in japanese words

#51 Ikigai (n.)

Pronunciation: ee-kee-guy Origin: Japanese Definition: A Japanese concept translates to “a reason for being”; a reason to get up in the morning’, to enjoy the meaning of life – passion, purpose, something one lives for

ikigai beautiful words in japanese words

#52 Apprivoise (adj.)

Pronunciation: ap-privoise Origin: French Definition: Translates to “to tame”; To form a bond with one another; to become known to each other through small moments

We are halfway through these best words. Are you also loving these beautiful foreign words?

#53 Wu wei (n.)

Pronunciation: woo-wey Origin: Chinese Definition: A Chinese concept and art of conscious non-action; literally translates to “inexertion”, “inaction”, “effortless action”, or “action without action”; To embrace the flow instead of an effort to achieve a result; A deliberate and principled decision to do nothing for a reason

we weil beautiful words in chinese words

#54 Còsagach (n.)

Pronunciation: coze-a-goch Origin: Scottish Gaelic Definition: Scottish hygge; A feeling of being snug, sheltered, and warm, inspired by fluffy rugs, cozy fires, outdoor hot tubs, and wood-burning stoves; Finding comfort in life’s simple pleasures

#55 Lagom (adv.)

Pronunciation: la-gum Origin: Swedish Definition: Translates to “in moderation”, “in balance”, “perfectly simple”, “just enough”, and “suitable”; The Swedish concept of having just the right amount; not too much, not too little, just right

#56 Gigil (n.)

Pronunciation: GHEE-gheel Origin: Filipino Definition: The overwhelming urge to squeeze or pinch something irresistibly cute and adorable

gigil beauutiful words in filipino words

#57 Ataraxia (n.)

Pronunciation: at-uh-rak-see-uh Origin: Greek Definition: A state of freedom from emotional disturbance and anxiety; Tranquility or untroubled mind

✈️ Here’s a list of amazing places to visit around the world for a traveler (Musafir) in you!

#58 Musafir (n.)

Pronunciation: musa-fir Origin: Arabic Definition: Traveler

#59 Wayfarer (n.)

Pronunciation: wey-fair-er Origin: English Definition: Someone who travels, especially on foot

#60 Absquatulate (v.)

Pronunciation: ab-skwoch-uh-leyt Origin: North American English Definition: To leave without saying goodbye; Leave abruptly

absquatulate beautiful words in english

✈️👪 40 Inspiring Quotes about Family Travel

#61 Wanderlust (n.)

Pronunciation: won-der-luhst Origin: German Definition: A strong, innate desire to travel and explore the world

🍻☀️ Fancy a beer outside? What’s better than enjoying one under the Midnight Sun in the Finnish Lapland ?

#62 Utepils (n.)

Pronunciation: OOH-ta-pilz Origin: Norwegian Definition: Translates to “outdoors lager”; To sit outside enjoying a beer on a sunny day

#63 Ballagàrraidh (n.)

Pronunciation: bal-la-ga-rye Origin: coined by The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows inspired by the Scottish Gaelic word – balla gàrraidh Definition: Literally translates to the “garden wall”; The awareness that you are not at home in the wilderness

#64 Acatalepsy (n.)

Pronunciation: ey-kat-l-ep-see Origin: Greek Definition: The impossibility of comprehending the universe; The incomprehensibility of things; The belief that human knowledge can never have true certainty

#65 Waldeinsamkeit (n.)

Pronunciation: VALD-eye-n-zam-kite Origin: German Definition: Forest solitude; The feeling of being alone in the woods

#66 Cockaigne (n.)

Pronunciation: kaw-KAYN Origin: French Definition: Translates to “the land of plenty”; An imaginary or a fabled land of luxury and idleness

#67 Sonder (v.)

Pronunciation: sohn-dehrr Origin: coined by John Koeing of The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows inspired by the German and French word – sonder Definition: The realization that each passerby has a life as vivid and complex as your own

#68 Boketto (v.)

Pronunciation: bo-ke-tto Origin: Japanese Definition: The act of gazing vacantly into the distance without a thought

#69 Sprachgefühl (n.)

Pronunciation: SHPRAHKH-guh-fuel Origin: German Definition: The character and spirit of a language; An intuitive sense of the rule and rhythm of language

#70 Solivagant (n.)

Pronunciation: “sO-li-‘vA-gant Origin: Latin Definition: A solitary wanderer; someone who wanders alone

#71 Sehnsucht (n.)

Pronunciation: zEn-‘zUkt Origin: German Definition: A wistful longing or indescribable yearning in the heart for we know not what

#72 Serendipity (n.)

Pronunciation: seh-ruhn-DI-puh-tee Origin: English Definition: To find something good without looking for it; To discover something beautiful by chance or accidentally

#73 Mudita (n.)

Pronunciation: Muw-DIY-Taa Origin: Sanskrit Definition: Translates to “pure joy”; Sympathetic, vicarious joy; Taking delight in the happiness, success, and well-being of others

#74 Tsundoku (n.)

Pronunciation: tsoon-DOH-koo Origin: Japanese Definition: The art of buying books and leaving them unread, often piled together with other unread books; Book hoarding

#75 Voorpret (n.)

Pronunciation: VOR – pret  Origin: Dutch Definition: Pre-fun; The sense of enjoyment felt before a party or event takes place; joy or pleasure ahead and in anticipation of the actual fun event

#76 Meraki (v.)

Pronunciation: may-rah-kee Origin: Greek Definition: To do something with soul, creativity, or love; to leave a piece and essence of yourself in your work

#77 Hanyauku (v.)

Pronunciation: ha-ahn-yoh-kuu Origin: Kwangali (Namibia) Definition: To walk on tiptoes across hot sand

#78 Jazba (n.)

Pronunciation: jaẕ-bā Origin: Arabic Definition: Strong desire or passion or emotion or sentiment

#79 Drapetomania (n.)

Pronunciation: drap-et-O-mAn-E-a Origin: Greek Definition: An overwhelming urge to run away

#80 Querencia (n.)

Pronunciation: kweeuh-ruhn-see-uh  Origin: Spanish Definition: A place where you are your most authentic self; A place from which your strength of character is drawn, where you feel safe, where you feel at home

querencia beautiful words in spanish words

#81 Quaquaversal (adj.)

Pronunciation: kwey-kwuh-VUR-suh l Origin: Latin Definition: Moving or happening in every direction instantaneously toward a center

#82 Heimweh (n.)

Pronunciation: heim·veyh Origin: German Definition: Homesickness; Longing for home; Nostalgia

#83 Heimat (n.)

Pronunciation: hai-mat Origin: German Definition: A place that you can call home; A sense of belongingness, acceptance, safety, and connection to the homeland.

#84 Dérive (n.)

Pronunciation: dih-rih-vee Origin: French Definition: Translates to “drift”; A spontaneous and unplanned journey where the traveler leaves their life behind for a time to let the spirit of landscape and architecture attract and move them

🏝️ Does this ever happen to you? I felt that drift when I visited the Vis Island in Croatia .

#85 Photophile (n.)

Pronunciation: pho-to-phile Origin: English Definition: Derived from the biological term “photophilic” for an organism that thrives in full light, it means a person who loves photography and light

#86 Ecophobia (n.)

Pronunciation: ih-ko-foh-bee-uh Origin: English Definition: A fear or dislike of one’s home

#87 Numinous (adj.)

Pronunciation: ‘nU-mi-nus Origin: Latin Definition: Translates to “divinity”; Describes an experience (mostly spiritual) that makes you fearful yet fascinated, awed yet attracted – the powerful, personal feeling of being overwhelmed and inspired

#88 Schwellenangst (n.)

Pronunciation: ‘shwel-en-ahngst Origin: German Definition: Fear of crossing a threshold to begin a new chapter; Fear of new things

#89 Strikhedonia (n.)

Pronunciation: “strik-he-‘dOn-E-a Origin: Greek Definition: The pleasure of being able to say “to hell with it”

#90 Vagary (n.)

Pronunciation: vuh-gair-ee, vey-guh-ree Origin: Latin Definition: An unpredictable instance, a wandering journey; A whimsical, wild, unusual idea, desire, or action

#91 Livsnjutare (n.)

Pronunciation: lives-noo-tuhreh Origin: Swedish Definition: Literally meaning, “enjoyer of life”, This describes someone who loves life deeply and lives it to the extreme

#92 Commuovere (v.)

Pronunciation: com-muò-ve-re Origin: Italian Definition: To stir, to touch, to move to tears; To be moved in a heartwarming way, usually relating to a story that moved you to tears

commuovere beautiful words in italian words

#93 Abendrot (n.)

Pronunctaion: A-bend-rot   Origin: German Definition: Translates to “evening red”; The color of the sky while the sun is setting

#94 Serein (n.)

Pronunciation: suh-RAN Origin: French Definition: The fine, light rain that falls from a clear sky in the twilight hours after sunset or in the early hours of the night; Evening serenity

🌇 Sunset Quotes and Sunset Captions for Instagram

#95 Erlebnisse (n.)

Pronunciation: Ar-‘lEb-nis-e (ayr-LEEB-nis-eh) Origin: German Definition: The experiences, positive or negative, that we feel most deeply, and through which we truly live; Not mere experiences, but EXPERIENCES

#96 Astrophile (n.)

Pronunciation: as-trophile Origin: English Definition: A person who loves stars

🌃 Are you Astrophile? Then, you must take this epic stargazing road trip in Colorado!

#97 Psithurism (n.)

Pronunciation: sith-your-ism Origin: English Definition: The sound of the leaves rustling as the wind blows through the trees

#98 Trouvaille (n.)

Pronunciation: trU-‘vI Origin: French Definition: A chance encounter with something wonderful

#99 Hygge (n.)

Pronunciation: hue-guh Origin: Danish Definition: The warm feeling you get while enjoying the company of great friends and all life has to offer

🧣 Discover and experience the Danish concept of Hygge in Copenhagen ! Hey, and also take a look at the beautiful Danish words !

#100 Onism (n.)

Origin: Danish Definition: The awareness of how little of the world you’ll experience; The frustration of being stuck in just one body that inhabits only one place at a time

#101 Rückkehrunruhe (n.)

Pronuciation: rück·keh·run·ru·he, Rukeerenruhee The feeling of returning home after an immersive trip only to find it fading rapidly from your awareness The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows defines – the feeling of returning home after an immersive trip only to find it fading rapidly from your awareness—to the extent you have to keep reminding yourself that it happened at all, even though it felt so vivid just days ago—which makes you wish you could smoothly cross-dissolve back into everyday life, or just hold the shutter open indefinitely and let one scene become superimposed on the next, so all your days would run together and you’d never have to call  cut .

#102 Vemödalen (n.)

Pronunciation: ve·mö·da·len Origin: Swedish Definition: The fear that everything has already been done The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows defines – The frustration of photographing something amazing when thousands of identical photos already exist—the same sunset, same waterfall, same curve of a hip, same closeup of an eye—which can turn a unique subject into something hollow and pulpy and cheap, like a mass-produced piece of furniture you happen to have assembled yourself.

#103 Kopfkino (n.)

Pronunciation: kopf·ki·no Origin: German Definition: Literally translates to “head cinema”; It’s the act of playing out an entire scenario in your mind

#104 Quaintrelle (n.)

Pronunciation: quAn-‘trel Origin: Middle English Definition: A woman who emphasizes a life of passion expressed through personal style, leisurely pastimes, charm, and cultivation of life’s pleasures

#105 Pulchritudinous (adj.)

Pronunciation: pul-kruh-TOO-di-nuhs Origin: English Definition: Beyond beautiful; A person of breathtaking, heartbreaking beauty

#106 Yoko Meshi (n.)

Pronunciation: yoh–koh mesh-ee Origin: Japanese Definition: Translates to “a meal eaten sideways”; It’s a beautiful and untranslatable word that describes the stress of speaking a foreign language.

#107 Selcouth (adj.)

Pronunciation: sel′ko̅o̅th′ Origin: Old English Definition: Unfamiliar, rare, and strange, yet marvelous and wondrous; The way we feel the sense of wonder and amazement when we see and experience something new and unusual whilst traveling

🏞️ The selcouth beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park left us awestruck!

#108 Monachopsis ( n. )

Pronunciation: mona-chop-sis, MON-a-Cop-sis Origin: Greek Definition: The subtle but persistent feeling of being out of place, not fitting in

#109 Eudaimonia (n.)

Pronunciation: U-de-‘mOn-E Origin: Greek Definition: Literally translates to “human flourishing;” A contented state of being happy, healthy, and prosperous; The way we feel while traveling

#110 Natsukashii (adj.)

Pronunciation: nats-ka-‘shE, nahtzkah-SHEE Origin: Japanese ( 懐かしい ) Definition: Feeling nostalgic; Bringing back happy memories of the past

#111 Coddiwomple (v.)

Pronunciation: KAHD-ee-wahm-puhl Origin: English slang Definition: To travel purposefully toward an unknown or vague destination

#112 Novaturient (adj.)

Pronunciation: nuh-vuh-nyoo-tree-uhnt Origin: Latin Definition: Desiring or seeking powerful change in one’s life, behavior, or a certain situation

novaturient beautiful words in latin

#113 Eleutheromania (n.) Pronunciation: el-U-“ther-O-‘mAn-E-a Origin: Greek Definition: An intense and irresistible desire for freedom

#114 Eunoia (n.)

Pronunciation: yoo-noy-iea Origin: Greek Definition: Beautiful thinking; A well mind

Out of the beautiful words in English , Did you know Eunoia is the shortest English word containing all five main vowel graphemes ?

#115 Sturmfrei (adj.)

Pronuciation: stirm-fra Origin: Germany Definition: Literally translates to “storm-free”; the freedom of being alone and being able to do what your heart desires

sturmfrei beautiful words in german words

#116 Nemophilist (n.)

Pronunciation: ne-‘mo-fe-list Origin: Greek Definition: One who loves the beauty and solitude of forest; a haunter of the woods

🏞️ Do you identify yourself as a Nemophilist? You must then plan a trip to one of the best national parks in the world .

# 117 Halcyon (adj.)

Pronunciation: hal-see-uhn Origin: Greek Definition: A period in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful

#118 Thalassophile (n.)

Pronunciation: thal-uh-suh-fīl Origin: Greek Definition: A lover of the sea or ocean

🌊 You aren’t a thalassophile if you haven’t visited Greece, Croatia , and Sri Lanka 🙂

#119 Fika (n.)

Pronunciation: fee-ka Origin: Swedish Definition: Almost like a ritual in Swedish culture, it’s sharing a cup of coffee (or tea) and cake with friends or colleagues

#120 Ogooglebar (adj.)

Origin: Swedish Definition: Ungoogleable, someone or something that doesn’t show up in Google search results

#121 Gluggaveður (n.)

Pronunciation: glook-ah-vay-ther Origin: Icelandic Definition: Literally translates to “window-weather,” the type of weather that is best appreciated indoors

#122 Arbejdsglæde (n.)

Pronunciation: ah-bites-gleh-the Origin: Danish Definition: Translates to “happiness at work,” when your work is a source of joy and happiness

arbejdsglaede beautiful words in danish words

#123 Vorfreude (n.)

Pronunciation: vor-freude Origin: German Definition: The joyful, intense anticipation that comes from imagining future pleasure s

#124 Brumous (adj.)

Pronunciation: bru·mous Origin: Literary English Definition: Of gray skies and winter days, filled with heavy clouds or fog

❄️🧤 Craving the cozy feel of a brumous day (no pun intended)? Head to one of the best winter destinations in the USA . Is Europe in mind? No problem. We even have a list of the best winter destinations in Europe for you.

#125 Hodophile (adj.)

Pronunciation: how-doh-phile Origin: Greek Definition: The one who loves to travel; A traveler with a special affinity for roads

🛣️ The Ultimate List of Road Quotes for Road Trippers

#126 Ubuntu (n.)

Pronunciation: oo-buhn-too Origin: Nguni, South African Definition: Translates to “humanity”; It’s the belief that we all are defined by our compassion and humanity towards others

#127 Nunchi (n.)

Pronunciation: noon-chee Origin: Korean Definition: Translates to “eye-measure”; It’s a subtle art and ability to listen and gauge others’ moods and react appropriately

nunchi beautiful words in korean words

#128 Arcane (adj.)

Pronunciation: aa-kein Origin: Latin Definition: Secret, Mysterious, Understood by few

#129 Kaulayaw (n.)

Pronunciation: kauli-haw Origin: Filipino or Tagalog Definition: Intimate or close companion or friend

#130 Kos (n.)

Pronunciation: coosh Origin: Norwegian Definition: Danish hygge; coziness; all things warm and cozy; it can simply mean enjoying a cup of coffee with a freshly baked cinnamon bun, having a good time with family and friends, reading a good book, snuggling in a blanket while it’s snowing outside, or anything that makes you feel purely happy.

❄️🧣☕ Goes without saying, Norway is the best place to discover and experience the Norwegian Hygge.

#131 Ebullience (n.)

Pronunciation: uh·buh·lee·uhns Origin: Latin Definition: The quality of being bubbly, enthusiastic, and exuberant

#132 Goya (n.)

Pronunciation: go-yaa Origin: Persian Definition: As if; A momentary suspension of disbelief that occurs when fantasy is so realistic that it temporarily becomes reality, usually associated with a story very well told; a story that feels like reality

#133 Camhanaich (n.)

Pronunciation: kav’-an-ach Origin: Scots-Gaelic Definition: Early morning twilight; the half-light of dawn or dusk

camhanaich beautiful words in scots gaelic words

🌅 The Best Sunrise Quotes and Sunrise Captions for Instagram

#134 Kawaakari (n.)

Pronunciation: ka-wa-a-ka-rE Origin: Japanese Definition: The glow of a river or stream in darkness or dusk, the gleaming surface of a shadowed river

#135 Mysa (n.)

Pronunciation: MEE-sah Origin: Swedish, Icelandic Definition: The feeling of comfort and protection; a time dedicated to coziness

#136 Ineffable (adj.)

Pronunciation: uh-NEH-fuh-bl Origin: Late Middle English Definition: Incapable of being expressed in words

#137 Nefarious (adj.)

Pronunciation: nuh-FEUH-ree-uhs Origin: Latin Definition: Wicked, Despicable, Villainous, Evil, Sinful

#138 Somnambulist (n.)

Pronunciation: som-nam-byuh-list Origin: French Definition: A sleepwalker; a person who walks around while they are asleep

#139 Akrasia (n.)

Pronunciation: uh-KRAY-zhuh Origin: Greek Definition: Lack of self-control or the state of acting against one’s better judgment

#140 Zephyr (n.)

Pronunciation: ZEH-fuh Origin: Old English Definition: A breeze from the west; a gentle breeze

#141 Hanan (n.)

Pronunciation: hana-n Origin: Arabic Definition: Compassion and Kindness

#142 Szerelem (n.)

Pronunciation: sze -re -lem Origin: Hungarian Definition: Romantic love

#143 Revontulet (n.)

Pronunciation:  Re-von-tu-let Origin: Finnish Definition: Literally translates to Fox Fires; Aurora Borealis; Northern Lights

#144 Yötön yö (n.)

Pronunciation: Yoton-yo Origin: Finnish Definition: Nightless night; Midnight Sun

The summer in Finland is magical. The sun doesn’t go down at all in the northern region of Finland. It’s when you can see the magical Yötön yö.

#145 Elvágyódás (n.)

Pronunciation: El-vagyo-dash Origin: Hungarian Definition: The desire to get away from where you currently are; Aching for what is far away

#146 Sonrisa (n.)

Pronunciation: Sohn-ree-sah Origin: Spanish Definition: Smile

#147 Weltschmerz (n.)

Pronunciation: velt-shmerts Origin: German Definition: Literally translates to translates to “world-weariness” or “world pain”; It’s a melancholic feeling that comes from the realization that the material world can’t ever comfort the emotional and mental desires

#148 Sadiq (n.)

Pronunciation: Saa-duhk Origin: Arabic Definition: Friend; Companion; True; Faithful; Veracious; Sincere; Honest; Loyal

#149 Forelsket (adj.)

Pronunciation: for-el-skit Origin: Danish Definition: Being madly in love – an ineffable euphoria experienced when one’s enamored with someone

#150 Ruhaniyat (n.)

Pronunciation: Ruu-haa-niyat Origin: Arabic Definition: Soulfulness; Spiritualism

#151 Sarang (n.)

Pronunciation: sa-rang Origin: Korean Definition: Love

#152 Ya’aburnee (n.)

Pronunciation: sa-rang Origin: Arabic Definition: Literally translates to – you bury me! But hold up, it’s not as morbid as it sounds! In the context of deep affection or love, saying “Ya’aburnee” is an emotional way to express that you hope to pass away before the person you love because life would be unendurable without them. Yeah, it’s kinda like saying, “I can’t live without you,” but in a more poetic, goosebump-inducing way.

#153 Epiphany (n.)

Pronunciation: uh-pi-fuh-nee Origin: Greek Definition: A sudden realization or insight, like finally understanding why a certain place has been on your bucket list for so long.

#154 Eloquence (n.)

Pronunciation: eh-luh-kwns Origin: Latin Definition: The art of expressive or persuasive speech, the verbal grace that makes a travel story not just heard, but felt.

#155 Felicity (n.)

Pronunciation: fuh-li-suh-tee Origin: Latin Definition: Intense happiness or apt expression, akin to stumbling upon a secret local spot that turns out to be a personal paradise.

#156 Nemesis (n.)

Pronunciation: neh-muh-suhs Origin: Greek Definition: An opponent or rival one can’t overcome, like that elusive destination you’ve always wanted to visit but just can’t seem to get to.

#157 Penumbra (n.)

Pronunciation: peh-nuhm-bruh Origin: Latin Definition: The partial shadow in an eclipse or the gray area between light and darkness, kind of like a dawn or dusk adventure in an unfamiliar city.

#158 Panacea (n.)

Pronunciation: pa-nuh-see-uh Origin: Greek Definition: A universal remedy or cure-all, the aspirin for every ache or the perfect travel hack for every globe-trotter’s woe.

#159 Quintessential (n.)

Pronunciation: kwin-tuh-sen-shl Origin: Latin Definition: The most perfect or typical example of something, like finding that idyllic beach or charming café that embodies the very spirit of a place you’re visiting.

#160 Opalescence (adj.)

Pronunciation: ow-puh-leh-sns Origin: Latin Definition: A shimmering play of colors, much like an opal. It’s that magical quality you see when the setting sun dances on the ocean’s surface during your dream getaway.

#161 Dushi (adj.)

Pronunciation: doo-shee Origin: The specific origin of “Dushi” is not clearly defined, but it’s likely influenced by Iberian languages (Spanish and Portuguese) due to their historical presence in the region. The word reflects the multicultural and linguistic blending that characterizes Papiamento and the cultural history of the Caribbean. Definition: In Papiamento, a language spoken in the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire, the word “Dushi” carries a meaning akin to sweet, nice, or good. It is often used affectionately to describe something or someone pleasant, enjoyable, or dear, such as tasty food, a beautiful place, or a loved person.

Papiamento is a Creole language that has evolved from a mixture of African, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and Native American languages.

#162 Kutitap (n.)

Pronunciation: ku·tí·tap Origin: Filipino or Tagalog Definition: Often used to describe the twinkling or sparkling light, similar to the glimmering of stars or the soft flicker of a small light. It conveys a sense of light, sparkle, and brightness.

#163 Şafak (n.)

Pronunciation: sha-fahk Origin: Turkish Definition: The light during dawn or just before the sun rises, marking the start of a new day.

#164 Licnobio (adj.)

Pronunciation: leek-noh-bee-oh Origin: Spanish Definition: This term is used to describe individuals who are active or work during the night hours and rest during the day, similar to nocturnal habits.

#165 Estro (n.)

Pronunciation: es-troh Origin: Portuguese Definition: The creative impulse or inspiration that drives poets and artists in their work.

#166 Ibtida (adj.)

Pronunciation: ib-ti-da Origin: Arabic Definition: Beginning, starting, initiation, or origin

#167 Duende (n.)

Pronunciation: dwen-day Origin: Spanish Definition: It can mean different things. In folklore, it’s like a small, cheeky spirit or fairy or goblin. But in music and dance, like flamenco, it’s about deep feelings and true expression. It’s about feeling really moved, almost like magic.

#168 Seijaku (n.)

Pronunciation: se-ja-ku Origin: Japanese Definition: The word embodies the concept of tranquility and peace. It is most commonly associated with the peacefulness one feels while walking in a serene, open space, like a Japanese garden, reflecting a state of energized calm or stillness

#169 Duša (n.)

Pronunciation: doo-sha Origin: Slavic Definition: Meaning soul or spirit, It is used to refer to an individual’s essence or inner being, and can also be a term of endearment similar to “darling” or “dear”​. The word conveys deep emotional and spiritual connotations, reflecting the cultural significance of the concept of the soul in Slavic traditions.

#170 Conte (n.)

Pronunciation: kont Origin: French Definition: Refers to a tale or short story, especially one that involves adventure. It comes from a tradition of oral storytelling and is often dedicated to a single theme.

I’m sure with so many new words added to your vocabulary, it’d be a cinch to describe your emotions, your life, or just you.

Over to you now. Which one of these words do you identify with the most? Would you like to add your favorite word to the list? Share with us in the comments section below.

Thanks for reading. I sincerely hope you enjoyed this post. If yes, would you please share it with the world?

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Anjali Chawla

7 thoughts on “150+ Most Beautiful Words in the World”

Please Find one word that have a meaning of wanting for meet someone in person

Being a fernweh hiraeth, it’s shocking how some of your words describe me perfectly. Like luftmensch, kopfkino and nunchi ( just to name a few ). My favourite word is sarang.

these are really good, thank you. I was trying to generate company idea names.

(#132 گویا-Goya ) is not urdu it’s persian! it’s from old persian 🤝

Thanks for the heads up, Vida. Fixed it.

There is a Hebrew word: Levater: Pronounced Li-vuh-ter Literally means to “give up”, but is used mostly when someone is willing to forego the last cookie in a jar, or the last seat on a bus for someone else. They “give up” the last seat and stand for the duration of that ride or they’re willing to forego that last cookie so that someone else can have the last one instead.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful Hebrew word ‘Levater’!The willingness to put others before oneself, as encapsulated in ‘Levater’, truly reflects a universal sentiment of kindness and empathy. I appreciate your contribution and will consider including it in future updates of the post!

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Howlanders Blog

Howlanders Blog

The best adventures in the wilderness lived and told by other travelers

Icelandic words: the most useful vocabulary for your trip

Icelandic signals pointing different locations

This post is also available in: Español

  • 1 Origin of the Icelandic language
  • 2 Courtesy Icelandic words
  • 3 Words from nature
  • 4 Useful Icelandic words at restaurants
  • 5.1 Related posts:

Icelandic is not a simple language, it won’t take you long to figure that out. The good news is that in Iceland they speak English perfectly. Anyway, we think it is very interesting for you to know some Icelandic words that will help you on your trip to understand directions. Besides, I’m sure the Icelanders will like if you try to learn their language.

Origin of the Icelandic language

One of the curiosities of Iceland is related to its language, and is that Icelandic is the most preserved language on the planet. It is a Scandinavian language that has been spoken in the country since 874 when the first settlers, the Vikings, arrived. It is truly a source of pride for Icelanders to be able to read sagas from the 13th century, a privilege!

Courtesy Icelandic words

Education comes first, so we couldn’t start this lesson any other way, so we are going to teach you the polite Icelandic words that you will use the most on your trip and that Icelanders will love to hear, pay attention!

Words from nature

Traveling to Iceland and not enjoying its nature is almost impossible because Islandia is nature , incredible landscapes and pure air. Many words in Iceland are formed from the union of two others, so if you see a complex word that includes any of the ones below, you can get an idea of what you will visit .

Now you know that if you tour the Golden Circle and visit Gullfoss you will see a waterfall, if you take the Thingvellir National Park Tour you will see fields and if you decide to relax at Myvatn, you will see a lake.

Useful Icelandic words at restaurants

If there is one thing we are sure of, it is that you will eat, and we will prepare you to read the menu in Icelandic , the experience is a complete one! We recommend that you also test your pronunciation, it can be fun!

Icelandic words to locate

This is an important lesson because if you don’t understand the directions you might not get to your destination on time. Don’t worry! You can always check the information in English, but these words in Icelandic will be very useful if you see any signs or indications.

Let’s set a day and time to do a test of Icelandic words to see if you have studied enough. Just kidding! Icelandic is complicated , very complicated, and we will not be so cruel to demand that you know the words, just that you have them at hand to use them, although we are sure that if you really use them, you will end up learning some, don’t you think so?

Related posts:

<b>Best places to kayak in Iceland: take the experience to the fullest</b>

Journalist, nomad and adventurer. Paula would never say no to a camping trip and is an expert in setting up a tent in less than 10 seconds.

Besides that, she loves to dance and maybe that's why she loves Latin America so much. One of her best trips was to Argentina, but she has many more destinations behind her, which she talks about in this blog.

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  • English Vocabulary
  • Difficult Words

200+ Difficult Words in English Vocabulary

The English language is enriched with more than a million words. There are numerous difficult words in English vocabulary. Learning an approximate count of 3000 words is enough for an individual to actively participate in an everyday English conversation. A rich vocabulary eases the trouble of expression, and it helps individuals improve their communication skills. The following article on difficult words in English will help you to build a wide and varied vocabulary.

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letters ‘A’ to ‘Z’

Difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘a’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘b’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘c’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘d’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘e’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘f’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘g’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘h’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘i’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘j’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘k’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘l’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘m’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘n’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘o’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘p’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘q’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘r’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘s’.

  • Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘T

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘U’

  • Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘V’
  • Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘W’
  • Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘X’
  • Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘Y’
  • Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘Z’

How Can We Learn Tough English Words?

Frequently asked questions on difficult words.

Are you thinking of a solution to enrich your English vocabulary? Practising difficult English words and using them frequently will help you. Use the comprehensive list of words given below to learn more hard words and improve your vocabulary.

List of Difficult Words in English:

The following list of words will help you improve your reading comprehension, language knowledge, communication skills, and expression of ideas to others. Always keep in mind that everything is hard until it’s made easy.

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘T’

Difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘v’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘w’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘x’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘y’, difficult words in english vocabulary starting with the letter ‘z’.

Have you heard the term ‘Semantics’ before? Semantics is the study of meanings. English is not our mother tongue, so it requires effort to learn. There are numerous difficult words in the English language. It is hard to acquire knowledge and apply it in day to day conversations. But by practising semantics, even the most difficult words in English can be learnt quickly. Mastering the English language will not be a Himalayan task if you are ready to learn new vocabulary on a regular basis. Start practising on simpler words and gradually step into difficult vocabulary words. Prepare a list of complex words with meaning and try to learn at least five new words from the list regularly to improve your wisdom in the English language.

List 20 hard words in English.

Labyrinth Nirvana Nomenclature Pandemonium Patriarchy Pseudonym Malapropism Omniscient Rejuvenate Sagacious Serendipity Solace Tangible Tenet Unbiased Unilateral Utopian Valediction Overwhelm Whimsical Xenophobia

List 10 difficult words starting with the letter ‘I’.

Iconoclast Idiosyncrasy Idle Imbibe Imperative Impetus Incarnate Indigenous Inevitable Insane

What is semantics?

Semantics is the study of meanings.

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Puzzles & Games | Word Game: March 11, 2024

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Puzzles & Games

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TODAY’S WORD — CAMIONS (CAMIONS: KAM-ee-uns: Buses.)

Average mark 14 words

Time limit 30 minutes

Can you find 19 or more words in CAMIONS? The list will be published tomorrow.

SATURDAY’S WORD — HUSBANDRY hand handy hard hardy husband unary urban sand sandy shad shady shandy shard shrub shun snub sundry surah surd band bandy bard barn bash brad bran brand brandy brash bray brush bund burn bursa bury bush bushy busy absurd ashy nary darn dash daub drab dray drub rash ruby rush yard yarn yuan

To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!

RULES OF THE GAME:

1. Words must be of four or more letters.

2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.

3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.

4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at [email protected].

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More in Puzzles & Games

Word Game: March 13, 2024

Puzzles & Games | Word Game: March 13, 2024

Bridge: March 13, 2024

Puzzles & Games | Bridge: March 13, 2024

Word Game: March 12, 2024

Puzzles & Games | Word Game: March 12, 2024

Bridge: March 12, 2024

Puzzles & Games | Bridge: March 12, 2024

Screen Rant

Today's wordle hints & answer - march 13, 2024 (puzzle #998).

March 13’s Wordle answer should not be too hard to solve if players use some relevant hints or strategic starting words in the beginning.

March 13’s Wordle answer isn’t the hardest to solve as the word is used quite often in daily conversation. The answer contains two vowels that should be pretty easy to identify; however, finding their correct spots could be slightly difficult. Your main strategy should involve using words with multiple vowels in your first two attempts; otherwise, you could lose your daily streak.

If you would like an additional challenge, you can also use Wordle ’s hard mode to solve today’s answer. This mode is also the perfect mode for identifying the two vowels, as you will not be able to reuse confirmed letters in other spots . This should help you narrow down the correct positions of two vowels quickly. But if you are on your last few attempts and don’t want to take a risk, you can use some of our suggested words.

10 Wordle Strategies To Keep Your Streak Alive

Best starting words for today’s wordle answer, three starting words to help you solve wordle.

If you haven’t attempted today’s Wordle yet, it might help to use three of our starting words so that you can have a slight advantage in the beginning. The three suggested words share vowels, consonants, or the same letters so that you get a fair idea of the answer. These words are classified into three categories, each with a different difficulty. Here are three starting words you can use to solve March 13’s Wordle answer:

You can use your best starting words and combos for most Wordle answers, but the three starting words below have a better chance of solving today’s Wordle answer:

Challenging Start Word For Today's Wordle

  • Shares no consonants with today's answer.
  • Shares one vowel with today's answer.
  • One letter is in the correct position for today's answer.

Medium Start Word For Today's Wordle

  • Shares one consonant with today's answer.
  • Shares two vowels with today's answer.
  • Three letters are in the correct position for today's answer.

Easy Start Word For Today's Wordle

  • Four letters are in the correct position for today's answer.

If you need some tips to solve most Wordle questions, check out this video by BuzzFeedPlayer player on YouTube.

Save Your Wordle Streak: Hints For Today's Wordle Answer

March 13 #998.

If you used the challenging starting word and still need help, you can use some hints that are relevant to the answer. These clues do not spoil the answer but will point you in the right direction . You may have seen similar hints in other games, and it should be enough for you to solve today’s Wordle answer:

5 Letter Words Wordle Hasn't Used Yet (Updated Daily)

Today's wordle answer.

If you used the easy starting words, you should be able to find the correct positions of four letters . While this should be enough to solve the answer, if you are on your last attempt and don’t want to take a risk, you can use the actual answer so that you can continue your daily streak.

March 13’s Wordle answer is LOCAL .

Other Games Like Wordle

If you still crave more games similar to Wordle, we have three options that you can explore. These games don’t take too much of your time and are the perfect game to play after Wordle. They offer something unique but should be easy to understand and play during short breaks.

Video Credit: BuzzFeedPlayer/YouTube

Middle East latest: 150 tonnes of UK aid enters Gaza; drone strike kills 'significant' Hamas operative

Around 150 tonnes of UK aid, including more than 13,000 blankets and 840 family-sized tents, entered the besieged territory on Wednesday, the Foreign Office says, as countries embark on a major humanitarian push to get supplies to starving Palestinians.

Wednesday 13 March 2024 23:30, UK

  • Israel-Hamas war

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  • 150 tonnes of UK aid arrives in Gaza - and field hospital to follow
  • Drone strike in Lebanon kills 'significant' Hamas operative, Israel says
  • Palestinian boy, 13, with firework 'shot dead by Israeli police'
  • Israel using starvation as a weapon of war, EU official says
  • Dominic Waghorn: Failures of Israel and international community mean more innocents will starve to death

That's all for this evening - we'll be back with regular updates and analysis tomorrow.

Earlier today, the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said an Israeli strike hit a food distribution centre in Rafah, killing a staff member and four others, while injuring 22 more.

Now Israel claims its airstrike in southern Gaza killed a Hamas commander, Mohammad Abu Hasna.

Israel said he provided intelligence to Hamas on Israeli troops' positions and was "involved in taking control of humanitarian aid and distributing it to Hamas".

The Hamas-run Gaza health authority said five people were killed, Mohammad Abdel-Halim Abu Hasna among them, but there was no immediate confirmation from Hamas that he was a member of the group.

In Washington, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said he had not yet received details of the incident but said Israel must protect the safety of humanitarian workers.

"You're in a war zone. You have a terrorist group that is firing from hospitals, from schools from apartment buildings, but the Israeli military, the Israeli government, have a responsibility and an obligation to do everything possible to ensure that the humanitarians can do their jobs," said Mr Blinken.

The Israeli military says it plans to move 1.4 million displaced Palestinians sheltering in Rafah to "humanitarian islands" in the centre of the territory.

Despite alarm from international allies, Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to launch an offensive in Rafah, saying four Hamas battalions were located there.

Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said civilians would be moved to the designated areas in coordination with international actors.

"We need to make sure that 1.4 million people or at least a significant amount of the 1.4 million will move. Where? To humanitarian islands that we will create with the international community," Mr Hagari told reporters.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said last month the organisation would not support any "forced displacement" of civilians from Rafah.

Mr Hagari said the "islands" would provide temporary housing, food, water and other necessities.

He did not say when Rafah's evacuation would occur, nor when the Rafah offensive would begin.

The timing would need to be coordinated with neighboring Egypt, he said.

The EU has called on Israel to open additional crossings to allow for more aid to reach Gaza.

"While supporting the Cyprus maritime corridor, we call on Israel to open additional crossings so more aid can reach Gaza, including the north, and to ease overall customs restrictions," EU commissioner for crisis management Janez Lenarcic said.

Meanwhile, the US secretary of state Antony Blinken said America wanted to see aid "flooding the zone".

It was working to coordinate a multinational effort to set up a maritime aid corridor into Gaza, he said.

Joe Biden last week announced plans for the US military to build a dock on Gaza's Mediterranean coast that will enable the distribution of up to two million meals a day.

"I want to emphasize it is a complement to, not a substitute for, other ways of getting humanitarian assistance into Gaza, and in particular overland routes remain the most critical way to get assistance in and then to people who need it," said Mr Blinken.

The US held secret talks with Iran to end Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, the Financial Times reports .

US and Iranian officials told the newspaper that indirect negotiations took place in Oman in January, where the US pressed Iran to use its influence over the Houthi movement.

Omani officials shuttled between representatives so they did not speak directly.

A second round of talks was scheduled last month, but the US became tied up in negotiations between Hamas and Israel, the FT reported US officials as saying.

Photographers on the ground in Gaza have captured images of families waiting for food aid in Rafah.

Children ate on the floor in the rubble of a building.

The photos come as aid agencies warn of the risk of famine in the territory, with World Health Organisation officials confirming children have begun to die of starvation.

South Africa's foreign minister says any of its citizens who fight in the Israeli armed forces or alongside them in Gaza will be arrested when they return home.

Naledi Pando also encouraged people to protest outside the embassies of what she called the "five primary supporters" of Israel's military actions.

She did not name them but may have been referring to the US and the UK, among others.

In December, the foreign ministry said it was concerned some of its citizens and residents had joined the IDF's military operation.

The ministry warned they could face prosecution if they hadn't been granted permission under South Africa's arms control laws.

Those with dual South African-Israeli citizenship could be stripped of their South African citizenship, the foreign ministry said.

South Africa has been a vocal critic of Israeli policy even before the war, comparing its treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank with the oppression of non-whites in apartheid-era South Africa.

Israel denies South Africa's charge that it has enforced a form of apartheid on Palestinians.

The delivery of around 150 tonnes of UK aid to Gaza is "little more than a sticking plaster on a gaping wound," a charity has said.

ActionAid UK said "such a small delivery of aid will do practically nothing to avert the absolute humanitarian crisis facing millions of Palestinians" and called for an immediate ceasefire.

Earlier the Foreign Office announced a full field hospital had been sent from Manchester and would arrive later this week (see 14.13 post).

“Although we welcome the UK's delivery of aid into Gaza, particularly a much-needed maternity ward, it's clear that this announcement is little more than a sticking plaster on a gaping wound," Julia Rosell Jackson, senior humanitarian advocacy adviser on women's rights at the charity said.

"The delivery of over 3,000 period products to women and girls will provide small relief, but nearly 700,000 women and girls are unable to access sanitary pads, and many are resorting to using tent scraps as an unsafe and unhygienic alternative.

"When women are giving birth to stillborn babies as they are so severely malnourished amid an acute hunger crisis in northern Gaza and a total collapse of the healthcare system, such a small delivery of aid will do practically nothing to avert the absolute humanitarian crisis facing millions of Palestinians.

"A quarter of Gaza's population is at risk of famine so it's extremely disappointing to see that none of the aid mentioned involves food to stave off looming famine.

"With children dying of malnutrition, the foreign secretary's call for a pause will do nothing to deliver aid at the scale needed. As aid workers, we cannot provide effective relief whilst bombs rain down. It's time for these horrors to end - we need an immediate ceasefire now."

The father of an Israeli soldier killed during the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October has called for a hostage deal to ensure his son's body is returned home.

Itay Chen, 19, was serving as a soldier when Hamas carried out its surprise attack, sparking the now five-month war in Gaza.

The dual US citizen was believed to have been held hostage, but the military confirmed his death yesterday.

"We know that they were in some sort of a battle and we lost contact with him, or the army lost contact with him, after a few hours," Itay's father, Ruby Chen, said.

"The analysis after a couple of days was that he was kidnapped by Hamas. And he is still, as we speak, in Gaza.

"Even though we were given intelligence that provides an understanding that Itay is not alive, we still need a hostage deal, because that's the basic human requirement that I think any viewer can relate to, is that we want a funeral site."

Mr Chen said it "meant a lot to us" to have Joe Biden call the family and offer his condolences.

More than 130 Israeli hostages are still being held in Gaza, though some have been declared dead in absentia by the Israeli authorities.

Mr Chen appealed to Hamas to return his son, saying: "As a father, as a parent, you want to have your son back and be able to mourn for him.

"And I call to Hamas again - are you humans? Or do you wish to continue to cause suffering, just for the case of suffering?"

At least one staff member of the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA has been killed and another 22 injured in an Israeli strike on a food distribution centre in the city of Rafah in Gaza, the agency has said.

"Today’s attack on one of the very few remaining UNRWA distribution centres in the Gaza Strip comes as food supplies are running out, hunger is widespread and, in some areas, turning into famine," the head of the organisation said.

"Every day, we share the coordinates of all our facilities across the Gaza Strip with parties to the conflict. The Israeli army received the coordinates including of this facility yesterday."

At least 165 UNRWA team members have been killed since the Israel-Hamas war began, the agency said.

Mr Lazzarini added: "The United Nations, its personnel, premises and assets must be protected at all times.

"Since this war began, attacks against UN facilities, convoys and personnel have become commonplace in blatant disregard to international humanitarian law. I am calling once again for an independent inquiry into these violations and the need for accountability."

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difficult travel words

Data shows Gen Zers are finally ready to spend more–but it’s getting harder to sell them anything

difficult travel words

After a few recent years of tightened budgets , Gen Z is finally showing some signs of increased spending. Great news for brands, right? Maybe. Shoppers in this rising generation are now ready to splurge on their favorite products, but it comes at a price. Gen Z’s bar for what they’ll buy has gotten a lot higher, and it’s going to take more than one-off sales tactics and digital offers to win them over.

Over the last five to 10 years, convenience was a primary purchase motivator among shoppers. Every year, we survey a sample of 2,005 US consumers to get a sense of buying habits. According to this year’s Consumer Culture Report, it’s getting harder and harder to persuade today’s shoppers, and even more difficult to identify which channels are breaking through to them. We’re all dealing with content overload. And Gen Z can now be pickier purchasers. The result? Brands need to consistently message across every channel. They need to create a storytelling journey across TikTok, email, streaming networks, in-store, and more. They need to be everywhere that their buyers are, and the messages used across these channels need to be channel-specific, but also tell a cohesive, authentic narrative. 

In a world inundated with choices and overflowing with information , brand recognition, and a unified, multi-channel messaging strategy are re-emerging as the linchpins of successful marketing. The full findings from the report not only underline this important shift for brands looking to win over Gen Z, they also bring forward several new, specific trends in what today’s shoppers are looking for. 

Peer pressure is everything

Perhaps the most intriguing revelation is that for most consumers, word of mouth remains the primary driver of purchasing decisions. It encompasses recommendations from friends and family, but for those under 55, it also extends to user-generated content across social media. Online customer reviews and testimonials come in a close second, while celebrity endorsements wield far less influence. 

In-store shopping is back in full force

Consistency in messaging across every channel is paramount in optimizing the consumer shopping experience. Surprisingly, nearly 50% of Gen Z now prefers in-store browsing, signaling a departure from the convenience-focused online shopping habits of previous years. It’s a shift towards a more hands-on, personal connection with their favorite brands. According to the report findings, the top three ways brands could consider enticing younger shoppers to shop in-store are with exclusive in-store deals (46%), exclusive in-store products (40%), and aesthetics/store setup as an experience or destination (39%).

Spending more on health, wellness, and travel

While electronics and technology ranked as the highest splurge category in the study across all ages except for the 35-to-44 demographic, health and wellness was also ahead of the pack, and travel and excursions is gaining significant momentum. However, without persuasive messaging across all channels in these two growing categories, it’s clear from the findings that marketers may miss the opportunity to convert potential customers.

The report reveals that consumers often overestimate their planned spending, underscoring the importance of clear brand messaging. They want to invest in themselves, so it makes sense they are spending generously in categories like health and wellness. But for brands to convert consumer spending desires to actual purchases, it all falls to how they message the value proposition of that trip or experience on personal well-being. This is a key area for travel and experience brands, as well as brands in other categories, to explore in their messaging this year and beyond. 

Other notable findings from the 2024 Consumer Culture Report include a preference for micro-influencers over macro-influencers and celebrities among younger consumers and a tendency for consumers aged 15-44 to splurge rather than save in their top categories. 

It’s evident that the modern consumer is seeking a seamless, consistent brand experience that transcends channels. In this era of information overload, the power of word-of-mouth and unified messaging cannot be overstated. Brands that embrace this multi-channel brand experience will thrive in the ever-evolving world of consumer culture.

Dara A. Busch is the co-CEO of 5WPR .

More must-read commentary published by  Fortune :

  • Here’s  how the U.S., Europe, and China are faring  in the post-pandemic race for economic growth
  • Global trade is at a critical juncture–and we can’t take it for granted,  WTO meeting chair  warns
  • The U.S. housing market is headed into  a pivotal spring season  as home sellers wait for their sweet spot, according to Opendoor
  • The anti-DEI movement has gone  from fringe to mainstream . Here’s what that means for corporate America

The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of  Fortune .

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I'm an NYU student who commutes from New York to Florida every weekend for my internship. I've spent nearly $10,000 on travel.

  • I'm an NYU student who landed a dream internship in Florida.
  • Every weekend, I super commute from New York to Florida to work my internship all weekend. 
  • I'm making a lot of money but I'm spending nearly $10,000 on travel during my super commute. 

Insider Today

In high school, I ran my own travel agency. From that experience, I developed an appreciation for customer service and luxury hotel brands. When I enrolled at New York University last year, I decided to pursue an internship in the hospitality industry as a freshman.

However, given the relative scarcity of internships at luxury hotel companies in New York City, I broadened my search to opportunities nationwide. I got three interviews in three cities: Scottsdale, Arizona ; Las Vegas; and Naples, Florida — all during midterm season.

Undertaking these interviews was a massive gamble, requiring me to invest over $1,500 in plane tickets and fly to and from each city on the same day. But, I knew I had to bet on myself.

I received two offers: one from The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, and another from a corporate office in Las Vegas for a different hotel chain. Having admired The Ritz-Carlton my entire life, choosing the former option was a pretty easy decision.

However, navigating the logistical challenges of super commuting —coordinating flights, securing accommodations, and managing my full-time studies — has been anything but easy.

My schedule has been the most difficult part

I am incredibly fortunate to have a manager who has accommodated my unique schedule, allowing me to work exclusively on weekends. This arrangement makes my super-commute between New York and Florida feasible — albeit invariably tight.

My classes run from Monday through Friday — starting at 11 a.m. on Monday and ending at 12:15 p.m. on Friday. After class, I head to the airport, boarding either the subway or a train. Travel time often doubles as study time — whether in-flight or waiting at the gate . I typically take an Uber or a shuttle to my hotel after landing.

Generally, the total travel time from my dorm to my hotel ranges from five to eight hours, door-to-door, depending on the airport and hotel locations. However, flight delays, such as one that resulted in my arriving at 1 a.m., can extend this timeline significantly.

Thankfully, the Ritz-Carlton provides highly competitive compensation — particularly due to the extensive hours required.

After finishing on Sunday, I head straight from the property to the airport to catch my 9 p.m. flight, arriving in New York around midnight. I then take a train or subway back to NYU, ultimately returning to my dorm between 2 and 3 a.m. on Monday.

This may not be feasible for everyone

I will acknowledge that achieving this particular feat was largely made possible by a unique set of circumstances. First, residing in New York City offers access to almost unlimited flights , ensuring flexibility in timing and competitive pricing. I have five airports within a train ride's distance to choose from.

On the accommodations front, being a Marriott associate has granted me significant discounts at Marriott hotels, keeping me profitable even amid Naples' sky-high winter prices. This benefit — combined with a supportive manager who has been very accommodating of my schedule — offers a level of flexibility that would have been unattainable under any other circumstances.

Plus, money certainly is certainly an issue. I use almost all of my pay to afford this travel. In all, I've spent just under $10,000 on hotels, flights, and cars. That means I will not have much money left over when this internship is over.

Even though it's difficult, I don't regret it

The transformative experiences and incredible lessons I'm learning at The Ritz-Carlton are preparing me for the future, instilling in me the values of diligence, adaptability, and a deep focus on customer satisfaction.

Despite the challenges of traveling thousands of miles monthly, the rewards have been immeasurable. Plus, the connections I have made, both within the company and in the broader community — many of whom come from backgrounds different from mine — have significantly broadened my perspective. I have encountered dozens of fascinating individuals simply by sitting next to them on a flight.

I'm often asked how I juggle my role at The Ritz-Carlton, coursework, and various other projects without feeling overwhelmed. My answer is simple: I don't see all of this as work but as the pursuit of my passions. Each task I embark on is driven by sincere interest and ambition, making every day an opportunity for discovery, learning, and personal growth.

Watch: This couple takes a more practical approach to the "quit your job to travel" ethos

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  • Main content

Trump hosts hard-line Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán at Mar-a-Lago

politics political politician

Former President Donald Trump on Friday met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at Mar-a-Lago, drawing a swift rebuke from President Joe Biden on the campaign trail.

In a readout of the meeting, the Trump campaign said that the two “met today at Mar-a-Lago to discuss a wide range of issues affecting Hungary and the United States, including the paramount importance of strong and secure borders to protect the sovereignty of each nation.” The campaign also shared photos of the meeting.

Orbán, who has sought to turn his country into an “illiberal state” while resisting the expansion of NATO and additional aid to Ukraine, has faced criticism for efforts at undermining democracy in Hungary by weakening the judiciary and stifling independent media. He has also forged close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin .

Biden was sharply critical of Trump's meeting with Orbán during remarks at a campaign reception in Pennsylvania where he hammered home his message that the November election is about freedom and democracy.

“You know who he’s meeting with today and — down in Mar-a-Lago? Orbán of Hungary, who stated flatly he doesn’t think democracy works,” Biden said.

“I see a future where we defend democracy, not diminish it,” he added.

Orbán, who has been prime minister since 2010, posted videos on his Instagram account Friday where he appeared with Trump and former first lady Melania Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

A day earlier, Orbán visited the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington, for an event that was closed to the press. In a post to X after his appearance there, he wrote: “Supporting families, fighting illegal migration and standing up for the sovereignty of our nations. This is the common ground for cooperation between the conservative forces of Europe and the U.S.”

Skeptical of sending weapons to Ukraine, vehemently anti-immigrant and hostile to what he calls “woke” culture and LGBTQ rights, Orbán is a darling of many pro-Trump Republicans who see his government as a model of Christian nationalism.

Orbán “is exactly the kind of strong leader Trump has an affinity for,” Karen Donfried, who served as assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs in the Biden administration and is now a senior fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, told NBC News.

It is highly unusual, she noted, for a visiting head of state to travel to the U.S. and meet with a political opponent of the president without also meeting top officials at the White House.

With a possible Trump victory in November, Donfried said Orbán is keen “to strengthen a relationship that already is quite good.”

Trump last month posted a clip on his Truth Social platform that featured Orbán praising him during the Hungarian leader's “State of the Nation” address and detailing a desire for Trump to return to the White House. In 2022, Trump endorsed Orbán months before  he was re-elected to a fourth term .

Zoë Richards is the evening politics reporter for NBC News.

Dan De Luce is a reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit. 

COMMENTS

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