If you’re heading abroad this summer, a phrasebook is probably high on your list of things to take. But, even with a handy guide, you could still come across words that simply don’t exist in English. Here’s our short guide to some foreign words that defy translation.

Mamihlapinatapei

Yagan (indigenous language of Tierra del Fuego, South America)

Meaning: The wordless, but meaningful look shared by two people who want to initiate a relationship but are both reluctant to make the first move.

Jayus

Indonesian

Meaning: A joke so poorly told and so unfunny that a person can’t help but laugh at it.

Kyoikumama

Japanese

Meaning: A mother who relentlessly pushes her children toward academic achievement.

Tartle

Scottish

Meaning: The act of hesitating while introducing someone because you’ve forgotten their name.

Prozvonit

Czech

Meaning: To call a mobile phone and let it ring once so that the other person will call back, saving the first caller money.

Kamaki

Greek

Meaning: From the Greek word meaning ‘harpoon’ or ‘trident’, it’s a man who spends most of his free time trying to seduce tourists. Shirley Valentine, eat your heart out.