What word is un-translatable to you?

I’m not a native Japanese speaker, but I studied it for four years in high school and there is one word my teacher mentioned that has always stuck with me. Wabi-sabi. Simply put, wabi-sabi is the acceptance, often in the context of aesthetics, of both the imperfect and the impermanent. The etymology of wabi-sabi is difficult to translate. Wabi originally described the loneliness of living in nature but over timed has changed positively to describe freshness or quietness. Sabi, too, changed from negative to positive, originally meaning “withered” but now the word illustrates a certain serenity that comes with aging. Wabi-sabi can apply to the aesthetics of human-crafted objects, such as teacups or doors, or it can serve as a viewpoint for life overall. I don’t believe the word is completely translatable because of its ties to concepts deeply intertwined with Buddhism, which is itself based upon tenants that cannot be simply translated into English. Buddhism is centered around dukkha, often translated to English as “suffering.” One may strive to realize and accept the existence of dukkha to reach Enlightenment. This concept of dukkha relates to wabi-sabi, which focuses on and embraces imperfections in everything. These imperfections can range from roughness and asymmetry to more impactful topics such as frugality. Buddhism teaches that to be truly content, one must rid themselves of all expectations and projections of the future. A person must take everything in as it comes or they will be disappointed/dissatisfied. Wabi-sabi follows the same idea. For example, rather than obsessing over imperfections, a wabi-sabi style ceramic piece may have cracks and unevenness. It is the very nature of those blemishes that make us be able to appreciate the pot, according to the tenants of wabi-sabi. Another explanation for wabi-sabi‘s translation difficulty is the understanding that it isn’t supposed to be fully achieved through words and language alone. Much like Zen Buddhism, wabi-sabi is meant to be practiced by surrounding ourselves with natural and changing objects which allow us to connect to the real world rather than remaining in a suffering state. To fully understand wabi-sabi, a student cannot sit and listen to lectures; the student must find a fascination with the most mundane of objects, rather than being fixated on hypothetical concepts. Wabi-sabi is a reminder to us that we are transient and subject to nature’s process of aging. This concept may scare us but through wabi-sabi we are able to embrace the highs and lows of aging. The final reason the word is so hard to translate into English is the contrast between wabi-sabi and Western ideals. As far back as the Greeks, many Western civilizations have focused on beauty and perfection, whether it be in tangible things like fashion and architecture or broader views of life as a whole. The modesty and simplicity laid out by wabi-sabi is the antithesis of modern commercialism. The “American Dream,” a goal long intertwined in our society, defines success in monetary terms. It’s not easy for us to realize, but focusing our desire on these material things will only set us up for ultimate dissatisfaction. Wabi-sabi advocates accepting everything for what it is. When put in the context of human relations, this will lead to happier and more connected communities. The concept of wabi-sabi is difficult to fully understand even in its native Japanese and for this reason it is nearly impossible to translate into English. Even still, it may be a beneficial way for anyone to enjoy their life and the world around them.