I just told one of the writers I edit via writewithoutborders.com that she didn't need to rush her current assignment and she wrote back "Thank you for the leeway" and I thought "Leeway, that is a lovely word. I have to use it somehow. And now I am." :-)
Oh this is so beautiful, and so inspiring, what a gift, Nadia. I’ve saved it and will come back when I’m in need of a jolt! Petrichor is a wonderful word, there’s a beautiful piece of music written by Einaudi with that title that you might enjoy...
Cosmogyral is just wonderful, too! It invokes such a dreamy scene in my mind! Gossamer reminds me of my favourite Birds nests, when they use spider web as binding, it’s so magic...
Toska and Petrichor are my two favourites here, Nadia.
It's good to have a word for toska, even if that meaning cannot be fully translated into English. I relate to it, though, and the quote from Nabokov was great to see.
I love that you wrote a poem about how poetry emerged.
I wish I could explain it to you better, but probably Nabokov and that article explained it best. It is something so ingrained and collective as much as individual. Thank you for your lovely comment, Nathan!
Nadia this post is about the most beautiful thing I’ve read on Substack!!! You have all the talent, please write more poems lovely one. Favourite word here is Cosmogyral!
I loved this one. Toska was a pretty big theme in my teenage years, and I didn't even have a word for it!
The one word that comes to my mind is "Guanxi" from Chinese. It is a whole way of viewing relationships that goes very deep. In fact, it is so deep that I'd say that it is almost taboo to talk about in China. Apparently, Westerners inability to understand it has led to the ruin of many a business venture, over there...
What a beautiful word - guanxi! I can understand that phenomenon. The West is more or less individualized, while certain Asian countries like China and Japan are collective and helping each other is a duty. I grew up with this concept because I was born in a post-Soviet country, so that kind of mindset still existed. It was weird to move to North America and be exposed to a different kind of culture and mentality. I appreciate individualism and freedom, but I also respect looking out for each other, which seems to be so strong in the US in times of crises. Love that. I love the word toska too, and all the words that are so profound you can't even properly explain them, but you feel them in your soul.
You described at least part of it with the word "duty." Loyalty is something else in those cultures -- something I'm not sure other cultures really understand. And that loyalty works both ways!
May I ask when you moved to North America? I can imagine that was quite a shift.
Loyalty - absolutely! I was 8 when my family and I moved to Canada. Then I immigrated to USA 11 years ago for my husband. Even though I was young, I’m Ukrainian Russian, the culture is embedded in me even from a generational standpoint, so it was quite shocking. Actually when I was learning English in Kazakhstan, I thought I got all the basic phrases in my toolbox. But unfortunately the culture shock was so shocking I forgot everything and was mute for a while lol. Are you from the States?
I used to live in the Arizona desert, so “petrichor” brings back visceral memories. But when I read about “querencia,” it put a name to my sense that I don’t have a place like that.
Oh wow. I imagine petrichor is a welcome smell after a long period of drought. An extended absence makes us appreciate what we do not have all the more sometimes.
I love this list. I was especially struck to find “saudade,” which I know from Cesaria Evora’s music. I love her song by that name, but until now I didn’t know what the word meant. Words are like music to me, and I love the melodies and rhythms these bring.
Thank you for sharing your poetry! Most of these words, I never even knew but what beauty in all their definitions!!! Can’t wait to see which one I will go back to.
I just told one of the writers I edit via writewithoutborders.com that she didn't need to rush her current assignment and she wrote back "Thank you for the leeway" and I thought "Leeway, that is a lovely word. I have to use it somehow. And now I am." :-)
That is awesome. I like leeway too. Especially how flexible it makes life! :)
Oh this is so beautiful, and so inspiring, what a gift, Nadia. I’ve saved it and will come back when I’m in need of a jolt! Petrichor is a wonderful word, there’s a beautiful piece of music written by Einaudi with that title that you might enjoy...
Cosmogyral is just wonderful, too! It invokes such a dreamy scene in my mind! Gossamer reminds me of my favourite Birds nests, when they use spider web as binding, it’s so magic...
You’re magic, too ✨
Oh Chloe, you're magic <3. I didn't know about birds using spider webs as binding. That's a fascinating fact!
🕸️💗✨
:-* <3
Absolutely love Cosmogyral
Such a fascinating, enigmatic word!
Toska and Petrichor are my two favourites here, Nadia.
It's good to have a word for toska, even if that meaning cannot be fully translated into English. I relate to it, though, and the quote from Nabokov was great to see.
I love that you wrote a poem about how poetry emerged.
I wish I could explain it to you better, but probably Nabokov and that article explained it best. It is something so ingrained and collective as much as individual. Thank you for your lovely comment, Nathan!
i truly have loved you sharing bits of your culture in your newsletters! it’s been nice to learn more about you
Thank you so much, Avery! I love exploring and learning about other cultures as well.
I always marvel that someone can write poetry in another language, what a trick.
That is a marvel! I know a few languages, but only poetry speaks to me in English.
I am the same. Trying to write poetry in French was like playing the piano with gloves on or something...
Hahah. I hear you. I wrote one in grade school. And that is the end of that.
Nadia this post is about the most beautiful thing I’ve read on Substack!!! You have all the talent, please write more poems lovely one. Favourite word here is Cosmogyral!
It's hard to believe, but thank you so much, my friend! Cosmogyral is a gorgeous, mysterious word indeed!
It’s super true my love!
I loved this one. Toska was a pretty big theme in my teenage years, and I didn't even have a word for it!
The one word that comes to my mind is "Guanxi" from Chinese. It is a whole way of viewing relationships that goes very deep. In fact, it is so deep that I'd say that it is almost taboo to talk about in China. Apparently, Westerners inability to understand it has led to the ruin of many a business venture, over there...
What a beautiful word - guanxi! I can understand that phenomenon. The West is more or less individualized, while certain Asian countries like China and Japan are collective and helping each other is a duty. I grew up with this concept because I was born in a post-Soviet country, so that kind of mindset still existed. It was weird to move to North America and be exposed to a different kind of culture and mentality. I appreciate individualism and freedom, but I also respect looking out for each other, which seems to be so strong in the US in times of crises. Love that. I love the word toska too, and all the words that are so profound you can't even properly explain them, but you feel them in your soul.
You described at least part of it with the word "duty." Loyalty is something else in those cultures -- something I'm not sure other cultures really understand. And that loyalty works both ways!
May I ask when you moved to North America? I can imagine that was quite a shift.
Loyalty - absolutely! I was 8 when my family and I moved to Canada. Then I immigrated to USA 11 years ago for my husband. Even though I was young, I’m Ukrainian Russian, the culture is embedded in me even from a generational standpoint, so it was quite shocking. Actually when I was learning English in Kazakhstan, I thought I got all the basic phrases in my toolbox. But unfortunately the culture shock was so shocking I forgot everything and was mute for a while lol. Are you from the States?
I used to live in the Arizona desert, so “petrichor” brings back visceral memories. But when I read about “querencia,” it put a name to my sense that I don’t have a place like that.
Oh wow. I imagine petrichor is a welcome smell after a long period of drought. An extended absence makes us appreciate what we do not have all the more sometimes.
I love this list. I was especially struck to find “saudade,” which I know from Cesaria Evora’s music. I love her song by that name, but until now I didn’t know what the word meant. Words are like music to me, and I love the melodies and rhythms these bring.
Yes, words hold so much beauty and power and richness. Thank you for popping by!
that's lovely. Been thinking of throwing in the occasional humour poem as I used to write those...anyway, enjoyed..
I would love to read!
Thank you for sharing. 🌌
as one who romanticizes, querencia is now a destination. a place where my heart can be found in another.
That's so beautiful. <3
Wanderlust! Whether in the mind or in the world, which is the same! Kinda.
Yasss.
In my current novel, a central character is known for using unusual words. He'll be using some of these! Thank you.
Oh that is so cool! :D
Thank you for sharing your poetry! Most of these words, I never even knew but what beauty in all their definitions!!! Can’t wait to see which one I will go back to.
Also can’t wait for more poetry from you 🙌🏾
Aww, thank you Kharissa. You're so sweet. Yes, such incredible words with rich stories.
Gorgeous list! My experience with gossamer last week: https://substack.com/@annethomas/note/c-41355009?r=6khx7&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
That's beautiful. Thank you for sharing, Anne!
Thank you!