It's often said that French is the language of love, it's mellifluous, lilting cadence expressing the deepest emotions in a way few other languages can. But why limit yourself to a single lexicon?
There's a whole world of lovely languages out there.
We scoured the languages of the world and picked some of the most touching phrases.
1. Mamihlapinatapei (Yagan, an indigenous language of Tierra del Fuego)
The wordless yet meaningful look shared by two people who desire to initiate something, but are both reluctant to start. Catching eyes, both of you knowing that it's going to happen, sooon.
That sweet anxiety of the first few tentative moves to show the object of your desire that you want something to happen, and the joy when you realise they're into you too.
Now, all it will take is a few more Jager-Bombs for the both of you to pluck up the courage to clumsily undulate against each other on the dance floor.
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2. Yuanfen (Chinese)
A relationship by fate or destiny. This is a complex concept. It draws on principles of predetermination in Chinese culture, which dictate relationships, encounters and affinities, mostly among lovers and friends.
You and your crush are meant for each other, you just feel it.
You can see it in the way he looks at you, the way he smiles at you from across the bar, the way he says, 'Can I bum a smoke off ya?'.
Your love is written in the stars.
3. Cafuné (Brazilian Portuguese)
The act of tenderly running your fingers through someone's hair.
You look at her lovingly and gently run your hand through her silky, flaxen locks, she turns and looks up and you, and quietly says, 'Get away outta that, you'll make it as greasy!'
There's few things more relaxing than having your hair played with, just make sure that A) you actually know the person who's mane you're manhandling, B) you have a can of dry shampoo to undo the work of your filthy, meat-hooks, you animal.
4. Retrouvailles (French)
The happiness of meeting again after a long time.
You wait at the airport gates, she's been away on her J1 all summer long, your heart hammers with anticipation. Then, suddenly there she is: groggy from the flight, tanned, and sporting a faintly infected lip-ring. You feel the joy welling in your chest and your stride over to her, take her in your arms, and recoil slightly from her breath.
Well, it was a 12-hour flight, what did you expect?
5. Ilunga (Bantu)
'A person who is willing to forgive abuse the first time; tolerate it the second time, but never a third time.'
He's 40 minutes late for your first date, ok, everyone makes mistakes. He cancels on you at the last second so he can go out with 'de lads', out of order but you'll let it slide. Your friend shows you his still-active Tinder profile and the deluge of creepy messages he's been bombarding her with, kick that git to the curb.
As hopelessly romantic as you are, there's no reason to be a pushover – there's nothing wrong with valuing yourself and making sure you're treated with respect.
6. La Douleur Exquise (French)
The heart-wrenching pain of wanting someone you can't have.
You Stare forlornly across the canteen, there she is; 'Yer wan from economics'. You've never spoken to her, but you know from your prolonged creeping sessions that she has a boy friend.
You yearn for her, but that git, Brian Whatever-his-last-name-is has her in his thrall, with his stupid hair and face. Brian, what a git.
7. Koi No Yokan (Japanese)
The sense upon first meeting a person that the two of you are going to fall into love.
You gaze at your tinder, listlessly swiping left, there's not much of a selection tonight. Sweaty gym pic after sweaty gym pic, sorry fellahs, bulging veins and a ruddy complexion do nothing for the ladies.
Suddenly, there he is, Tom (23), your heart flutters, you can tell just by looking at him that he's the one for you. You read his bio, an Anchorman quote! That's how you know he has a sense of humour.
You swipe right, it's a match. He messages you, 'Hi ;)'.
Now you know, he's the one for you.
8. Ya'aburnee (Arabic)
'You bury me', declaration of one's hope that they'll die before another person, because of how difficult it would be to live without them.
You have an intense and all consuming relationship, going as far as to even go Facebook official with each other. You don't know if you could live without him, he's everything to you. Your friends tentatively say that maybe you're getting a tad obsessed, but they're just jealous. He hasn't checked his WhatsApp in 30 minutes, is he okay?
You'd better send another message, it will be your fifth in 15 minutes, but that's fine.
9. Forelsket: (Norwegian)
The euphoria you experience when you're first falling in love.
The two of you were pegged as the class' power couple, you got together on the first night out and things have been going from strength to strength ever since. You've never felt like this before, a giddy and exciting feeling.
You know this is going to last, it's only a three-year degree... sure what are the chances that it'll end in that time?
10. Saudade (Portuguese)
The feeling of longing for someone that you love and is lost.
He left you. You had something special and now it's gone. The feeling gnaws at your very core. What you had is gone forever. What happened?
Just like that, 2 months of happy memories, over.
Maybe you shouldn't have gotten his name tattooed across your wrist....
