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a dictionary
that goes beyond
translation

Discover our community-powered dictionary that explores languages from around the world through the eyes of native speakers.

How it works Explore

language + context

Not everything is said with just a translation. Created by linguists, Untranslatable is a dictionary that uses crowdsourcing and sociolinguistic principles to gain a better understanding of language.

used only by teenagers

has no literal translation

used in specific region

has a funny literal translation

has several meanings

mostly used ironically

used very infrequently

reference to a famous tv commercial

not to be used in front of grandma

In a Nutshell

what makes us unique

Untranslatable is an online dictionary that allows you to add words and phrases in any language or dialect. Here is what makes us unique.

context

Find out not just what something means, but who uses it, where, and how often, along with an example and translation.

verification

Each entry includes a link to an example, is seen by a moderator and can be verified by other users.

inclusivity

We love informal language, regional dialects, minority languages and other forms of language that are often overlooked.

For example

informal link

Tagalog , Filipino Philippines

astig

Expression used often by 90s to present day babies

adj. • Loose translation for "cool". Pun of the word "tigas", meaning "hard".

"Astig ng suot mo!"

"Your clothes are cool!"

jetsuper

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a growing collection

From local slang to national idioms - find entries from all over the world.

People: 1173+
Countries: 99*
Languages: 102*
Minority Languages: 16*

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Untranslatable - About

Digital documentation for
local dialects new slang your community informal language minority languages

By allowing entries in all languages and dialects, we hope to help preserve and promote linguistic diversity, especially for linguistic varieties that are otherwise often underdocumented or overlooked.

Is it only for words without translation?

Not at all! The name of this project refers not to the translatability of the words, but rather the additional context you are able to provide. Stuff that doesn't strictly fall under translation, but still helps provide context about how, where and how often words are used.