17 Eye-Opening Foreign Travel Words That Describe Wanderlust

Do you ever feel like you need a new word to describe your travel experience? Something that really captures the feeling of being in a new place, seeing amazing things and living life on the go? Well, you’re in luck. Because foreign languages have all sorts of great words for describing travel. Here are 17 of our favorites that help describe feelings you experience on the road in a way English just can’t.

These thought-provoking foreign words each explain a concept that isn’t as simply or easily expressed in English.

Bon voyage!

Travel Words From Foreign Languages

1. Flânerie

Definition: Aimless strolling or sauntering without a set plan or defined destination; walking at a leisurely pace, simply observing as you’re being taken along. 

Part of Speech: Noun

Origin: French

2. Fernweh

Definition: A longing or craving for distant, far-off places; “homesick” for places you’ve never been to. Literally: farsickness. 

Part of Speech: Noun

Origin: German

3. Alpas

 Definition: To become free or untied; to break loose.

Part of Speech: Verb

Origin: Tagalog

4. Novaturient

Definition: Desiring to alter your life; a feeling that pushes you to want to travel. 

Part of Speech: Adjective

Origin: Latin

5. Metanoia

Definition: The journey of transforming your mind, heart, self, or way of life.

Part of Speech: Noun

Origin: Greek

6. Yugen

Definition: A deep, profound awareness of the universe; an unfathomable realization that triggers an emotional response.

Part of Speech: Noun

Origin: Japanese

7. Peripatetic

Definition: A person who spends his time walking or traveling from place to place.

Part of Speech: Noun

Origin: Greek

8. Saudade

Definition: A deep, nostalgic, melancholic yearning for something or someone absent; accompanied by the realization that what you’re longing for will never be experienced again.

Part of Speech: Noun 

Origin: Portuguese

9. Lebenskünstler

Definition: A “life artist” who is able to deal with any arising problems in a very artful, almost magical manner. Literally: someone who has mastered Lebenskunst (the art of life).

Part of Speech: Noun

Origin: German

10. Hygge

Definition: A quality of coziness and comfort accompanied by feelings of well-being, relaxation, contentment and presence; often likened to the feeling of drinking a warm cup of cocoa on a snowy day.

Parts of Speech: Noun, adjective

Origin: Danish

11. Resfeber

Definition: The restless feeling before starting out on a journey; a mix of anxiety, excitement and anticipation.

Part of Speech: Noun

Origin: Swedish

12. Shinrin-yoku

Definition: The practice of going into the woods seeking out a mentally soothing experience; taking in the forest atmosphere with your senses. Literally: “forest bathing.” 

Part of Speech: Noun

Origin: Japanese

13. Nefelibata

Definition: Someone who doesn’t conform to the conventions of society, literature, or art; an unconventional, unorthodox person who lives in the clouds of their own imagination or dreams. Literally: “cloud walker.”

Part of Speech: Noun

Origin: Portuguese

14. Toska

Definition: A vague sense of unease, sadness, melancholy, nostalgia or yearning; a type of spiritual anguish.

Part of Speech: Noun

Origin: Russian

15. Dérive

Definition: Drifting; a spontaneous, unplanned journey in which the traveler relinquishes control and is guided solely by the landscape and architecture.

Part of Speech: Noun

Origin: French

16. Rasāsvāda

Definition: The sensation of bliss in the absence of all thought.

Part of Speech: Noun

Origin: Sanskrit

17. Trouvaille

Definition: A chance encounter with something wonderful; a valuable discovery; a lucky find.

Part of Speech: Noun

Origin: French

A Final Word

We hope you’ve enjoyed this brief foray into the strange, wonderful world of foreign travel words. What’s your favorite? Leave us a comment below! And don’t forget to share with your friends – they may find some of these words useful on their next trip abroad (or even just in their day-to-day lives).