I recently came across an article on the 40 most beautiful words in the Spanish language. 40 seemed like a lot, so I thought it might be fun to paraphrase the top 20 and see which you like best.
- Sempiterno – everlasting; having begun it will never end.
- Petricor – the name given to the smell produced by rain when it falls on dry earth.
- Nefelibata – a dreamer who is not able to perceive reality.
- Resiliencia – ability to adapt to an adverse situation.
- Alba – the first light of day before sunrise.
- Melancolía – deep, overwhelming and permanent sadness, due to either physical or moral causes, leaving the sufferer unable to enjoy anything.
- Acendrado – pure. Without defect.
- Ataraxia – serenity.
- Ojalá – an active wish that something might come to pass.
- Perenne – continuous, unceasing.
- Nostalgia – sad remembrance at being far from home or friends.
- Compasión – tenderness and ability to identify with someone else’s suffering.
- Bonhomía – affability, simplicity, goodness and honesty of character and behaviour.
- Ademán – movement or attitude of one’s body or part of one’s body with which they express intention or feeling.
- Efímero – ephemeral. Something that lasts for a short amount of time.
- Infinito – infinite. Does not and cannot end.
- Inconmensurable – enormous, immeasurable.
- Ósculo – respectful or affectionate kiss.
- Mondo – clean and free of extra or superfluous things.
- Superfluo – unnecessary, extra.
Which do you like best? Or maybe you have a favourite word in your language that you’d like to share?
