Thread: Interesting Word/Concepts from Languages other than English

Originally Posted by Peterlh

They are different. Schadenfreude could be me feeling good about my colleague getting sacked (or simply not getting a raise) if that means that I am then better off than him. I would hardly call that sadism.

In my language there's a common term 'vahingonilo'. Literally translated as 'happy for the accident' or 'happy for the misfortune'.

Means that you feel happy when someone fails, but only if you think he/she deserves it.
But not when you think the person in question doesn't deserve such misfortune. That would be sadism.

Then there is whole other issue what it comes when people from different cultures meet.
For example, anytime meeting someone from English speaking countries, they say 'how are you' or 'how do you do' when they meet. The only correct way to answer is 'I'm fine' or something.
But i'f you ever heard a Finn asking the same from another countryman, then answer would propably be 'WTF that is your business' etc. Upon meeting someone we only say 'hi', 'nice to meet' or 'terve' (wish you health) without expecting any answers.