In what seems to have been an overlong winter, with some stunning days, but mainly lots of rain and an absence of colour, backed up by social media’s pining, I got to wondering if any language has a single word that means ‘longing for summer/spring’. I was sure the Japanese would, failing that the Norwegians – they are the usual go-to languages for wonderful single word descriptions. Surprisingly, I could find no such word in any language. It seems odd, as it is a feeling we all have, particularly in monochrome winters like this. Personally, I love the winter with its verdant greens, bare architecture and openness, but even I have this longing occasionally. I was disappointed – no word exists! So I have made one up - Sommersuche. I’m sure it’ll catch on and be in common usage in a few years’ time.
My search for the word did throw up these gems though – words from particular languages that express succinctly what it takes other languages a whole sentence to do:
Tsundoku (Japanese): Leaving a book unread after buying it.
Bakku-shan (Japanese): A beautiful girl— as long as she’s being looked at from behind.
Age-otori (Japanese): To look worse after a haircut.
Trepverter (Yiddish): A witty comeback you think of only when it’s too late to use.
Fernweh (German): Feeling homesick for a place you have never been to.
Tingo (Pascuense): To gradually steal all the possessions out of a neighbour’s house by borrowing and not returning.
Mangata (Swedish): The glimmering, road-like reflection that the moon creates on the water.
Gökotta (Swedish): To wake up early in the morning with the purpose of going outside to hear the first birds sing.
Tartle (Scottish): The act of hesitating while introducing someone because you’ve forgotten their name.
PS Mozart did, un-famously, write ‘Longing for Spring’ (or ‘Komm, Lieber Mai’, at least), but what was this girl thinking of, miming to it in a boat in the middle of summer? Decent enough oarswoman though.
In her defence, I’m not sure it is the best song ever. I mean, the chronology seems all wrong, though winter does sound bleak! I think I feel sorry for Lotte too!
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