Sisu

Definition: stoic determination, grit, resilience

This is Finnish word for a concept. Interestingly, from Wikipedia:

It is generally considered not to have a literal equivalent in English.

Why I Looked It Up

I had known of a CrossFit Sisu from Minnesota or North Dakota (I can’t remember which). Someone told me it was a Finnish word for something.

Then, in Lincoln, Nebraska, I stumbled on hair salon called “SISU” (all caps), which rang a bell.

I went to their website and found this:

Sisu [no caps, now] is a Finnish term with no direct English translation. Roughly it means, “extreme perseverance and dignity in the face of adversity.”

I guess I dispute the idea of this word not having a English equivalent. It seems quite easy to define as simply “grit” or “resilience.”