Decoder
Explaining a word and the culture that uses it.
![The word atrevida is written in script against blue and white tiles](https://cdn.statically.io/img/foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/atrevida-portugal-gender-decoder-joao-neves-illustration.jpg?w=800?quality=90)
An Atrevida Is Best Avoided
The Portuguese word that exposes the country’s lingering double standards on gender.
![An illustration shows a figure laying down beneath the pavement, palms facing up, underneath a Russian tan with the word prisposoblenchestvo, referring to conformism, written in Cyrillic letters.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/prisposoblenchestvo-russia-conformism-war-decoder-illustration-3-2.jpg?w=800?quality=90)
Wartime Russians Fall Back on an Ancient Survival Strategy
Conformism and acquiescence have a long tradition in a culture of chaos and repression.
![An illustration shows a reimagined Nigerian flag with planes and arrows and the word "Japa" for the country's emigrant population who have fled the country.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Nigeria-Japa-migrant-flag-exodus-Karo-Akpokiere-illustration.jpg?w=800?quality=90)
The Word That Captures Nigerians’ Feelings About the Future
“Japa” contains both the hope and the pain of wanting to leave one’s country behind for better opportunities.
![An illustration shows the Ukrainian word Svidomy in Cyrillic text with bursts of incoming fire and the Feb. 24, 2022, date to signify the start of Russia's war in Ukraine.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Svidomy-Ukraine-Decoder-VikaVita-illustration-foreign-policy-site.jpg?w=800?quality=90)
The Word That Defines What It Means to Be Ukrainian Now
Svidomy, once used to locate people on the political spectrum, has come to signify wartime unity.
![An illustration of the Thai word kuan teen](https://cdn.statically.io/img/foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/kuan-teen-decoder-Ta-Kasitipradi-illustration-3-2.jpg?w=800?quality=90)
How Thai Activists Troll the Monarchy
Protesters have adopted humor and wit to critique the country’s politics.
![Set in front of a light green backdrop, a multicolored and multi-patterned moth designed with the symbols for male and female sex on each wing rests atop the face of a human figure with layered, chin-length hair.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/bakla-philippines-tagalog-decoder-queer-ari-liloan-illustration-1.jpg?w=800?quality=90)
How ‘Bakla’ Explains the Struggle for Queer Identity in the Philippines
The Tagalog word eludes Western concepts of gender and sexuality—and offers a window into LGBTQ+ Filipinos’ quest for acceptance.
![An entitled man walks across a collage landscape to illustrate the concept of protocol in Ghana.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/protocol-ghana-Nana-Opoku-illustration-decoder.jpg?w=800?quality=90)
The Secret to Getting What You Need in Ghana
Special “protocol” treatment has become a way of life for the privileged few.
![A linoleum print illustrates the Haitian Creole word koltiz.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Decoder-Haiti-Koltiz_Alexandra_Antoine_illustration-3-2.jpg?w=800?quality=90)
Kòltiz, a Patriotic Haitian Practice of Solidarity
Haitian collaborative groups affirm that “every human is human.”
![An illustration of the French word "seum" reflected in a woman's sunglasses as her lip curls.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/france-seum-decoder-samy-halim-illustration-new.jpg?w=800?quality=90)
The Malaise Poisoning French Politics
There’s a word for the anger and disappointment French voters are feeling: “seum.”
![An illustration of French President Emmanuel Macron and the word emmerder.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/macron-emmerder-france-coronavirus-andrei-Cojocaru-illustration-AC_FP_DECODER_V2_03-1.jpg?w=800?quality=90)
Macron’s Vulgarity Is a Big Deal
What the French president’s choice of swear word reveals about his style of governance.
![Typographical illustration of the Japanese word bimyou.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/japan-bimyou-subtle-decoder-Ryu-Mieno-illustration.jpg?w=800?quality=90)
The Good, the Bad, and the Bimyou
Neither yes nor no, this idea can take you far in Japanese politics.
![Maori, one wearing European garb, paddle a canoe in an engraving from 1826.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/maori-first-people-tangata-whenua-GettyImages-90779481.jpg?w=800?quality=90)
How New Zealand Recognizes the People There First
The Maori term “tangata whenua” conveys a powerful relationship with the land.
![Illustration of Agbaya](https://cdn.statically.io/img/foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Agbayas_Nigeria-Decoder.jpg?w=800?quality=90)
Age and the Agbayas
One word perfectly captures the clash between Nigeria’s leaders and its booming young population.
![Zivil Courage Illustration of words](https://cdn.statically.io/img/foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Zivilcourage_Germany-Lessons-override-art.jpg?w=800?quality=90)
America Doesn’t Need Heroes
Why Germany’s concept of Zivilcourage is one for the Biden era.
![A shot from the March 20 episode of Tucker Carlson Tonight.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/baizuo-china-woke-liberal-tucker-carlson-fox.jpg?w=800?quality=90)
‘Baizuo’ Is a Chinese Word Conservatives Love
Whether you support Xi or Trump, sneering at progressives is a shared hobby.