Frequently Asked Questions


Where can I see entries?

You can find all entries on the explore page


How can I create a entry?

In order to create a entry, you have to create an account first. You can do so here

After you've created an account, you will see the a button appear in your navigation.


Is it only for words that don't have any translation?

Not at all! The name is inspired by the reaction you get from people when you ask them to translate or explain something from their native languages.

"It's kind of like this, but not really. It doesn't really have an exact translation."

In fact, translatability is a lot more complex than most people realize.

Because something as simple as "I am" can translate to "yo soy" or "yo estoy" depending on the permanency of the situation.

A simple phrase like "the grass is green" will translate to "the grass is blue" in Japanese, where green is considered a shade of blue.

Everything can be translated to a certain extent, but some things require a little bit more explanation, and it is that extra bit of context and explanation we would like to share here on Untranslatable.


Can entries of the same meaning be linked to each other?

They can, by adding a synonym to your entry. This way, users can search synonyms and find similar expressions or words from around the world. You can further narrow it down by country or language.

We also have a list of a standard synonyms people can use and browse through.


When will my entry be public?

Your entry will be shown publicly as soon as it has been reviewed by one of our moderators.


How is this website made?

This website is built with Ruby on Rails.


How is this project funded?

This website is built with Ruby on Rails.


How can I give feedback?

If you have an idea you'd like to share or other feedback, you can fill out the feedback form