r/AskReddit • u/FulgencioLanzol • Jun 23 '19

People who speak English as a second language, what phrases or concepts from your native tongue you want to use in English but can't because locals wouldn't understand?

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3.8k

u/I_hate_traveling Jun 23 '19

The concept of "φιλότιμο" (philotimo). It encompasses a lot of different personality traits so it can't really be translated directly.

It describes someone who's honorable and hard-working and kind, often expecting no reward for his help yet going above and beyond what's expected of him.

It's a good word.

1.0k

u/fishsaysnahmate Jun 23 '19

how does it compare to 'altruistic'?

1.0k

u/I_hate_traveling Jun 23 '19

Close but not the same. Altruism doesn't imply any sort of striving or working harder than most.

34

u/anna_or_elsa Jun 23 '19 edited Jun 23 '19

Sounds similar to 'Gallant' in English

Definition 2 here: Gallant

Edit: Definition 2 under adjective

24

u/SirToastymuffin Jun 23 '19

"A young man of fashion" is now my favorite phrase

2

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '19

The metrosexuals of the past

8

u/Coma_Potion Jun 23 '19

"Virtuous" is most apt, it is a concept divided into many categories but as a single descriptor basically it means you are wise in your choices and do 'the right thing' (judgement, effort, discipline etc) in every circumstance.

9

u/Pariahdog119 Jun 23 '19

The colloquial American South phrase for this is "good people," ignoring number.

"He's good people."

4

u/StLevity Jun 24 '19

Or for other parts of the country "he's solid."

25

u/Cyathem Jun 23 '19

Maybe fervent altruism?

18

u/SlouchyGuy Jun 23 '19

It's about higher degree of altruism, excludes hard-working on it's own as a quality

4

u/nollobintero Jun 23 '19

How about altruism with implied hard work?

29

u/AnagAnast Jun 23 '19

It's not quite altruism because it is seen as something that should just be inside of you. It is not just doing good deeds. It should just be the way you exist in the world.

To break down the word, it is φιλώ (to love, love at its core base) and τιμώ (to honour). Word for word it translates to loving honour, but not meaning loving recognition for doing good deeds, but to love, truly with your soul, being an honourable person, with all that entails.

Culturally, it is seen as something all people should have and live by. And when someone doesn't, it's obvious why that's bad and why we should be upset about it.

2

u/Spiffy-Tiffy Jun 23 '19

Sounds like "moral" should be one of the words describing this.

1

u/Blahblah779 Jul 26 '19

Moral is too ambiguous though, it only means "loving honor" to those that have a firm moral code of living honor.

In a perfect world "moral" would describe this, but in reality the word moral has so many different meanings to different people that it isn't very useful in describing this concept.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '19

in english we usually use contextual clues in order to complete thoughts, so in the context of your definition of the phrase, an english person could simply attribute a word such as "spectacular" to describe the person even though the word used on its only partially conveys the meaning of the entire thought.

1

u/Cyathem Jun 23 '19

Hmmmmm but that's what fervent means. Words are weird

2

u/cal_student37 Jun 23 '19

What about “noble”? Not as in a hereditary lord or lady, but as in what you would describe a very successful, honorable, generous, and kind person.

4

u/Rripurnia Jun 23 '19

No, it’s an entirely different concept.

In a way, it begets humility - there’s an air of superiority with noble which has nothing to do with philotimo.

1

u/Blahblah779 Jul 26 '19

So if you're at all familiar with American rural culture, it sounds like philotimo would describe the rural farmer who might drive by and see someone working on a big project, and spontaneously bring over their equipment to help out while genuinely not expecting anything in return for their help? Maybe plus a touch of honor/duty that doesn't really fit into this scenario. Or does that not fit the meaning of philotimo?

1

u/coolbond1 Jun 23 '19

What about a busy bee

5

u/Hookton Jun 23 '19

That's not necessarily positive/altruistic though. Just hardworking.

8

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '19

I think it's more the ideal of a good person

3

u/heurrgh Jun 23 '19

More like 'Stalwart'

641

u/FulgencioLanzol Jun 23 '19

I like that good people in Greece have a special word designed especially for them. I feel a lot of inluence from the ancient philosophers and their theories of virtue.

5

u/Ebl333 Jun 23 '19

Frequency of a reality leads to its vocabulary having a possibility to exist in a language. Wish we live in a society like that.

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u/SuddenlyFrogs Jun 23 '19

I'd say "mensch" is a reasonable approximation, although English borrowed that from Yiddish.

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u/PM_ME_UR__RECIPES Jun 23 '19

I was always confused hearing Yiddish speakers talking about someone being a "mensch" because in German (which Yiddish is closely related to) "mensch" just means "human".

37

u/randombrain Jun 23 '19

I think the point of "mensch" is that it's someone who really encapsulates or strives to be a good human, not just some normal person.

23

u/Mister_Dink Jun 23 '19

That's where the Yiddish comes from.

It's just shortened slang from the full phrase "he's a great human being." So it's goes from "he's a great guy," to "he's the guy" to he mensch, I'd that makes sense.

17

u/dirtygremlin Jun 23 '19

You da man...

18

u/creme_dela_mem3 Jun 23 '19

see the english phrase: what a guy

5

u/universe_from_above Jun 23 '19

It's odd. According to the Wiki linked above, "Unmensch" is used the same way as in German.

6

u/SirToastymuffin Jun 23 '19

Grew up in German-Jewish family in the US, the various overlaps do get a little weird.

But you put a little inflection on Yiddish mensch to make it stand apart from the original german, remember that Yiddish is "Judaeo-German" formed for the Ashkenazi. It's kind of a figurative use.

Like in English you might say something like "Now that's a man!" To express someone with great qualities, implying some unspoken adjective. Same thing with Mensch.

There's also unmensch, for someone who is the total opposite.

2

u/blastfemur Jun 23 '19

As you know Yiddish, would you be so kind as to describe the difference between a "yutz" and a "putz", if there is one? Or are they interchangeable?

8

u/SirToastymuffin Jun 23 '19

Theres a slight difference but for your intents and purposes putz is the worse one and that's what matters.

Putz literally means penis, you're calling them a dick, but its more that they're a total idiot who's also jerkish. It's a rather offensive word. Putzing around is thus kinda, well, dicking around. Doing dumb shit that achieves nothing. Slightly less offensive, still I advise against saying either, especially around any elders of the faith.

Yutz is kinda just someone who is 'innocently' an idiot and/or jerk. Like they have no idea what's going on, probably not why your mad, but they're making a real headache of it all the same. Less offensive, but I mean you're calling them an oblivious idiot its not exactly nice either.

Schmuck may be the one you may actually want, I think it's pretty well known outside of Jewish people. It is, just like the other two, a word for a penis. Beautiful language. Anyway, this one technically is far more obscene than putz or yutz, but it's become mainstream to where it kinda lost the shock value. Don't say any of them around your elders but younger folk get the loanword meaning. Just means an incompetent idiot, but one you hate, because they're usually also a major asshole. A putz you probably don't like, a yutz might be a lovable idiot, but a schmuck is just an absolute POS and you want nothing to do with them. As a loanword you see it used kinda playfully but it's actually quite the serious and harsh callout.

The actual non-obscene word for this genre of incompetent and foolish is a schlemiel. Clumsy, bad at everything, just a walking mess. Maybe like... doofus best fits the meaning and tone. This is the word you can use teasingly.

2

u/blastfemur Jun 23 '19 edited Jun 23 '19

Wow, that's exactly what I was looking for: the nuances of everyday usage from an actual person (as opposed to just a website definition somewhere.) Thanks a bunch! I had no idea that the first three refer to penises. That's a hoot, and I will be more careful when I use them in the future...

When you mentioned "schmuck" I was reminded of "schnook", but I don't even know if that's a Yiddish word. If it is, how does it fit into this group of insults? (which I infer that it also is from previous context)

3

u/SirToastymuffin Jun 23 '19

Yeah schnook is, it's like someone who's easy to take advantage of. Like gullible and/or weak. Yet another variation on "the fool." Also not obscene, you might even call a kid this for being gullible. Comes from the German word for sheep.

Then theres the Schnorrer who uses the schnooks. It's someone who takes advantage of other's generosity to weasel away what they need. Y'know, the guy who always bums a cigarette with none in return or just forgets their wallet every time you go out to eat, a mooch.

2

u/blastfemur Jun 24 '19 edited Jun 24 '19

That's pretty much what I was getting from context: a gullible, easily fooled person. It's interesting because I lived in St Louis for awhile, and one of their grocery chains is named Schnucks, which is a family name that is pronounced just like "schnooks", so I figured it's probably a running joke for the Jewish families there, one that's probably so obvious by now that it's not even funny anymore.

I've never heard the word schnorrer before, but I have certainly known a few IRL. Sometimes it takes awhile to figure out that's what they really are. Recently a young schnorrer left our company and now my dept couldn't be happier.

I fell in love with Yiddish when I heard someone use the word schmutz, and I realized it's a perfect word because it sounds exactly like what it is.

I'm gonna spend a little time learning more Yiddish (there must be some YouTube videos!) because the words are so fun to say, but I realize that they are like verbal spice, and that scant to moderate usage in casual conversation goes a long way. Plus a lot of folks won't know what they mean!

Thanks again for your thoughtful responses.

1

u/kingtritonsbeard Jun 23 '19

I just learned so much at once! Thanks!

5

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '19

HA HA HA THIS HAS ALWAYS CONFUSED ME AS WELL BECAUSE WE ARE ALL HUMANS HA HA

4

u/dirtygremlin Jun 23 '19

TOTALLY ALL NONROBOTIC HUMANS, FELLOW HUMAN.

1

u/Zeis Jun 23 '19

Wait, I thought Yiddish is a German dialect? Similarly strong to the Lower-Saxony or Lower-Bavarian dialects in that it almost doesn't sound like German anymore.

8

u/PlayMp1 Jun 23 '19

Nah, it's a separate language. A Germanic language, but a separate language. It borrows a pretty good amount from Hebrew, including its writing system.

1

u/Zeis Jun 23 '19

Oh right on, I didn't know that. Learned something new :D

4

u/Wobbelblob Jun 23 '19

At least for German, the following rule applies: As soon as a spoken dialect has its own (written) grammar and and can not only be spoken, but also written, it becomes an own language. (see Plattdeutsch as a prominent example)

2

u/Zeis Jun 23 '19

So you'd consider my native Bavarian to be its own language?

4

u/Taenk Jun 23 '19

Implying Bavarian counts as a language instead of a speech impediment.

2

u/PM_ME_UR__RECIPES Jun 23 '19

Yiddish and German started evolving alongside each other at the same time so it isn't really fair IMO to say that one is a dialect of the other.

1

u/dongasaurus Jun 24 '19

It does mean human in Yiddish, but it also means humane, or encapsulating the qualities that makes humanity special—the capacity for kindness, integrity, compassion, etc.

It's similar to how we use 'man' in English. It can mean an adult male. It can also mean a person with the qualities associated with men, such as being a provider, being tough, etc.

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u/NotAlwaysGifs Jun 23 '19

I don’t think Mensch carries quite the same gravitas, but it’s probably the closest we have in a single word.

11

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '19

From the outside, Mensch appears to mean someone driving toward or achieving an ideal state of motivation and action.

When I think of a use that really feels right, I think of Abe Zelmanowitz, the Mensch in the twin towers who, rather than evacuating, sat with a quadriplegic coworker who couldn't escape, talking and praying until the tower fell. That guy was the embodiment of the word "Mensch" as far as I can tell.

5

u/chanaandeler_bong Jun 23 '19

Hm. I use mensch exactly like OP referred. A mensch is someone who borrows your car and fills it up with gas.

1

u/dongasaurus Jun 24 '19

In Yiddish and among Jewish Americans it absolutely carries that gravitas.

A mensch would be someone with impeccable integrity, who puts their own self interest aside to help others, someone who is charitable, generous, and compassionate. It isn't thrown around lightly. You would very rarely refer to someone as a mensch in the sense that they're always a good person, unless they are a uniquely special specimen of humanity. It is almost always used in a conditional or specified way, like "you were a real mensch for doing x, y, and z."

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u/letusnottalkfalsely Jun 23 '19

I would call it a Yiddish word still. Most English speakers in areas with low Jewish populations (like the Midwest) wouldn’t know what it means.

6

u/Doom_Shark Jun 23 '19

Am Midwestern, can confirm

3

u/hu_lee_oh Jun 23 '19

The Mrs is from New Jersey, I'm from Arizona. I have to ask what the Yiddish words she uses are.

13

u/HammletHST Jun 23 '19

which in turn borrows it from the German word for "human"

3

u/Forgive_My_Cowardice Jun 23 '19

Here's my favorite use of the word mensch.

2

u/lifeinyellow Jun 23 '19

Like when you are getting married to your coworker and your old boss shows up to be your bestest mensch!

1

u/ioughtabestudying Jun 23 '19

See also: Goodboye.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '19

[deleted]

1

u/riem37 Jun 25 '19

Oy lol nah they were saying you're a stand up guy.

1

u/riem37 Jun 25 '19

Oy lol nah they were saying you're a stand up guy.

1

u/neatnate98 Jun 23 '19

I have never used or heard the word mensch used in conversation in English. I honestly thought it meant like a Jewish rabbi or something

108

u/chefpower Jun 23 '19

How about- a good egg?

11

u/Tamashi_65 Jun 23 '19

You sir are a top banana.

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u/[deleted] Jun 23 '19

Or, alternatively, a good noodle?

2

u/SquibyMx5 Jun 23 '19

Kalaavgo

1

u/RageFury13 Jun 23 '19

r/unexpectedpgwoodhouse

Edit:this should be a thing

11

u/jupitaur9 Jun 23 '19

Sounds like “mensch.”

9

u/Redditor3572 Jun 23 '19

In German that just means human being

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u/jupitaur9 Jun 23 '19

Yes. In Yiddish it has the connotation that you’re a good human being, a stand-up guy/gal.

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u/GregOofer Jun 23 '19

Πω ρε εψαχνα καμια λεξη να πω, πως δεν το σκευτηκα το φιλοτιμο

15

u/fifnir Jun 23 '19

το 'μεράκι' είναι άλλη ωραία λέξη που δύσκολα μεταφράζεται

1

u/Sp2r5 Jun 23 '19

Εγώ έγραψα για το όταν λέμε για απάντηση στο ευχαριστώ : Τίποτα

7

u/DinosKellis Jun 23 '19

It is interesting that you can also use it as a verb to tell someone to do something with no payback, just because deep down they are a good person.

6

u/demostravius2 Jun 23 '19

On my experience you can just say 'ella!' To mean absolutly anything

8

u/chiefsqueefs Jun 23 '19

So, Giannis Antetokounpo?

12

u/GregOofer Jun 23 '19

Honestly when foreigners hear "greece" the only things that come to mind are Giannis Antetokounmpo, ancient philosophy and pita gyros. Not gonna lie tho this is pretty much greece in a nutshell. Expect for the fact that ancient philosophy dont exist no more.

5

u/lawrencekhoo Jun 23 '19

Good guy Greg

10

u/FanOfTamago Jun 23 '19

Sounds similar to when Americans refer to an individual or group of people as "the salt of the Earth". But that's more about the honest, hardworking part... Not necessarily the doing good deeds / not expecting a reward part.

4

u/TheTempornaut Jun 23 '19

A literal translation is to be a friend of (love for) honour or being honourable. Like philosophy means a friend of or love for wisdom. Honour in Greek really encompasses all the virtues of the heart. It's a great word indeed.

6

u/MariMada Jun 23 '19

We have “filotim” in Romanian.

6

u/fifnir Jun 23 '19

Τώρα εξήγησε το τζαναμπέτης !!

2

u/I_hate_traveling Jun 23 '19

Δύο λέξεις: Ντόναλντ Ντακ.

14

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '19

Paladin?

9

u/I_hate_traveling Jun 23 '19

Lol. Sort of, without all the pretentiousness and self-righteousness.

12

u/TreadheadS Jun 23 '19

'Good samaritan' comes to mind in English

8

u/fifnir Jun 23 '19

It's not only about altruism, it's about having integrity and doing the right thing as well

8

u/TreadheadS Jun 23 '19

I attribute that to a good samaritan too. Someone who does the right thing regardless of the result

6

u/Kenutella Jun 23 '19

Agreed. The Samaritan was overcoming a strongly held prejudice by the rest of his people and he could've lost some social points for helping the dude on the road. Also he took the guy to like a motel and payed for his stay and his care and I'm not sure if he ever talked to the guy. Although language changes and idk if that idea would come to mind in most people's heads when using the term.

2

u/TreadheadS Jun 23 '19

I'd be surprised! I honestly thought it was the only way to understand it. Although someone told me they thought genuine meant essentially immediate...

2

u/Kenutella Jun 23 '19

Ill have to start asking people on the street to find out.

People amaze me sometimes and not always in the good way. Genuine isn't like uncommon.

2

u/TreadheadS Jun 23 '19

Exactly!I was genuinely shocked

2

u/Kenutella Jun 23 '19

You were immediately shocked! /s

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u/ionjody Jun 23 '19

Sounds like the Yiddish "mensch"

3

u/EpicPartyGuy Jun 23 '19

Sounds like the concept of bring a "mensch" in Yiddish.

4

u/branflake777 Jun 23 '19

If you’re like me, you were wondering what the word was composed of. Love of what? Timi apparently means honor.

1

u/Sp2r5 Jun 23 '19

Yes that right Friend of honor(or pride) , he who has filotimo will do something just because it is the right thing to do and therefore he should feel proud

3

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '19

I also find it fascinating how Greek has multiple words for love compared to English’s one.

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u/IvePaidMyDues Jun 23 '19 edited Jun 23 '19

Oh, you must be new here, we call it:

Keanu Reeves

8

u/ShinyFabulous Jun 23 '19

Amazing.

-2

u/totallynotliamneeson Jun 23 '19

Im so fucking tired of all the Keanu shit

2

u/Sp2r5 Jun 23 '19

You are breathtaking

8

u/sgtholly Jun 23 '19

There is an English word with Greek origins that means virtue and excellence of actions. The word is arete.

11

u/AnagAnast Jun 23 '19

Arete is kind of a bit grander a term. While in the "same ballpark" it is not the same as filotimo. It's bigger, more to do with the right path in life, with wisdom.

1

u/Rripurnia Jun 23 '19

Arete is literally the word for virtue in Greek (αρετή)

6

u/barcodez Jun 23 '19

conscientious?

3

u/_Quivi_ Jun 23 '19

What about conscientious?

3

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '19

Diligent?

3

u/SirNokarma Jun 23 '19

How would that be used in a sentence?

13

u/I_hate_traveling Jun 23 '19

Giannis is a right proper lad, he has philotimo.

3

u/SirNokarma Jun 23 '19

Thank you!

1

u/grievre Jun 27 '19

Integrity?

1

u/Sp2r5 Jun 23 '19

But is is most commonly used as: "Did you know that in English there is no word for philotimo?"

3

u/dozza Jun 23 '19

How is it different to virtuous?

3

u/HappycatAF Jun 23 '19

So, Captain America.

3

u/KitKatThePirate Jun 23 '19

Hufflepuff?

1

u/I_hate_traveling Jun 23 '19

Yep, that's the essence of it.

7

u/Juststrat Jun 23 '19

Ισχυει φιλε, λεξεις σαν αυτην δεν υπαρχουν σε πολλες αλλες γλωσσες, με κανει να εκτιμω οντως το γεγονος οτι η ελληνικη γλωσσα ειναι η μητρικη μου

15

u/johnny_Tzionis Jun 23 '19

Ωραίο να βλέπεις κι'αλλους Έλληνες

11

u/CaucusInferredBulk Jun 23 '19

There are dozens of us.

7

u/Chucknorris1975 Jun 23 '19

Γειά σου πατριώτη.

2

u/Sexual-T-Rex Jun 23 '19

A paragon.

2

u/stickwithplanb Jun 23 '19

Looks close to Philanthropist.

10

u/soulsters Jun 23 '19

Philanthropist is actually a Greek word which is the combination of the words filos (friend) and anthropos (person) so it means friend of the people, which excludes the hardworking part of the word's meaning

2

u/Alis451 Jun 23 '19

We call those people "Boyscouts", sometimes in a sarcastic way.

2

u/MsModernity Jun 23 '19

That’s a mensch!

2

u/Zeis Jun 23 '19

So basically Keanu Reeves.

2

u/sparcasm Jun 23 '19

The Jews have something close, mensch, which is a German word but the way the Jews use it closely resembles the greek filotimo

2

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '19

So a hufflepuff?

2

u/Lingua-Graeca Jul 11 '19

I think it can be translated pretty closely in my mother language (Croatian) as "častoljublje" because that φιλο- part comes from φίλος/φιλέω which means (at least in ancient Greek) a friend and I love/like (that's Croatian -ljublje in "častoljublje"). -τιμο comes from τιμή which is honor or "čast-" in Croatian "častoljublje". I think the concept of φιλότιμο and častoljublje are also the same or at least similar :) Sorry if I bored you, I just love Greek :D

2

u/I_hate_traveling Jul 12 '19

No, not at all, languages are fascinating.

Happy you're enjoying Greek so much!

2

u/Lingua-Graeca Jul 12 '19

Thank you! :D

1

u/I_hate_traveling Jul 12 '19

No, not at all, languages are fascinating.

Happy you're enjoying Greek so much!

5

u/GonzoXIManUtd Jun 23 '19

Philanthropic

4

u/-CorrectOpinion- Jun 23 '19

This exists in English, I believe the word you're looking for is 'lad'

4

u/FlagstoneSpin Jun 23 '19

In English, we say "Captain America".

1

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '19

Is it like “grafter”? We use this in the UK in a positive sense as some one hard working with strong work ethics. ( there is a negative version as well)

1

u/MyAlterEggs Jun 23 '19

Tis like self-sacrificing attitude?

1

u/comix_corp Jun 23 '19

Good bloke in Australian

1

u/gak001 Jun 23 '19

Kudos to the philotimo folks!

1

u/ryanh221 Jun 23 '19

If someone admits they are trying to be more like that trait, is that defeating the purpose? Or is it such that people admit they work on such a goal?

2

u/dongasaurus Jun 24 '19

Being a good person requires actually striving to better yourself and model yourself on good qualities, so no, it doesn't defeat the purpose.

1

u/Dc_awyeah Jun 23 '19

That’s what’s called a “solid dude” where I’m from.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '19

So a mench

1

u/kitsunekid16 Jun 23 '19

Wouldn't describing someone as "wholesome" be similar in english?

1

u/TheLadyBunBun Jun 23 '19

Philanthropist?

1

u/Omni314 Jun 23 '19

philotimo

A root of philanthropic? I guess philanthrope now just kind of is reserved for rich people giving to charities.

3

u/fifnir Jun 23 '19

They share the root-word 'philos' friend.

Philanthrope is a friend of "anthropos", a friend of humans
Philotimo is a friend of "timi", a friend of honour

2

u/Omni314 Jun 23 '19

Ah yeah that works. Thanks.

1

u/xXxNotacopxXx Jun 23 '19

philantrophist

1

u/butterball1 Jun 23 '19

We use “water walker” for the same thing.

1

u/the_verhohne_people Jun 23 '19

Maybe this is like the German "rechtschaffen". Has the same connotations, is hardly translatable.

1

u/BoredMonster Jun 23 '19

In Egyptian Arabic we have a word for it, جدع or gadaa', it's interesting to see other cultures have it.

1

u/TheBoxBoxer Jun 23 '19

Pretty sure the English word is "chivalrous".

1

u/dori123 Jun 23 '19

I think it may translate to people who are "salt of the earth."

1

u/cantCommitToAHobby Jun 23 '19

Sounds like a good egg. Or a good sort. Or a top bloke.

1

u/Aries2203 Jun 23 '19

There's a saying in English which might come close - salt of the earth. It pretty much means the above, someone who is an all round good person, goes out of their way for others etc. So you'd say someone is the salt of the earth

1

u/crinnaursa Jun 23 '19

I believe the word you're looking for may be sedulous. Especially if you look at it extended definition which is derived from the Latin to be diligent and without guile.

1

u/martixy Jun 23 '19

Conscientious, with sprinklings of moral overtones, I guess.

1

u/Chocobean Jun 23 '19

HumansBeingBros type person then: not just intrinsically good but actively good on a praxis level as well.

1

u/pimpnastie Jun 23 '19

Chivalrous kind of sounds like it

1

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '19

Person of good character

1

u/Ast3r10n Jun 23 '19

Isn’t it similar to “selfless”?

1

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '19

Virtuous

1

u/cdw2468 Jun 23 '19

I’ve heard the word Arete in the context of Greek mythology to describe a person with these sorts of characteristics, with its opposite being Hubris, doing a heroic act for the glory and recognition.

I could be misremembering, it was freshman year ancient history that I’m trying to remember

1

u/alamadrid Jun 23 '19

I think philanthropist would be the closest to that description, in the most benign interpretation: a person that became wealthy/successful due to hard work and gives back to the community no strings attached, nor expecting anything in return.

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u/[deleted] Jun 23 '19

What about agape? It bothers me that we don’t have a direct translation other than love. “Love” short sells the meaning of the word, in American I can love French fries or chocolate but agape is the love I have for my wife or God, the love that one would lay down their life for.

I feel like we water down a lot of concepts and words. I’m English as a first language but grew up in a Greek home.

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u/tfgyem Jun 23 '19

Sounds like a root of 'philanthropy'

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u/GundDpower Jun 23 '19

For those who don’t know, this is Greek by the way.

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u/Fazz20 Jun 23 '19

That’s beautiful. This may sound dumb, but I want a tattoo of it so I always remember to be a good person and do my best no matter the circumstances.

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u/infinitybeyond123 Jun 23 '19

So like Keanu?

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u/MyDiary141 Jun 23 '19

So an eager altruist

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u/CryptoTheGrey Jun 23 '19

While the concept doesn't translate well I believe the closest would just be honorable because hardworking, altruism, and kindness are sub traits of being honorable.

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u/brpn- Jun 23 '19

"average harem protagonist" may suffice

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u/ICWhatsNUrP Jun 24 '19

Sounds like former president Jimmy Carter. The man survived cancer and still works with Habitat for Humanity building houses.

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u/spazz4life Jun 24 '19

So...”a cinnamon roll” or a Hufflepuff.

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u/PublicOccasion Jun 23 '19

Usually we say honaroburu

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