![]() What may look like an insignificant comment, for example, could escalate to a world conflict if it weren't for their translation skills. So the next time a tourist asks you where the train station is, feel some compassion for him when you respond “Oh, just take a left at the fork in the road”.Īnd if you want to learn more global lingo, try “stumbling upon” these (but don’t hurt yourself):įound in Translation: Get inside the mind of a translator and learn how their work affects so much of our daily lives. This way you’ll know whether to pack your tennis shoes or skis. The Finnish word “hankikanto,” for example, will alert you to the most firm frozen snow to walk on. Yikes.Īnd if you have weekend plans to take a trip across a cold frozen area, and I am sure you do, in Finland you can get a precise weather forecast and plan accordingly. Like what in the world could this Turkish phrase mean to an English speaker: “denize girse kurutur” (he gets dry if he enters the sea)? Apparently, it means someone who fails at everything he does. This phenomenon can make learning a new language fun, but extremely frustrating all at the same time. Let’s take a look at some funny French idioms. Like the phrase "to walk on eggshells" (to be careful not to offend someone) has a close cousin in French-"marcher sur des œufs.”īut not everything we say in one language translates perfectly into another language. I’ve come across a lot of vulgar and offensive expressions, but I’ve tried to keep this article clean. This sentence means something like “putting yourself in God’s hands,” except that this time, God has left you to chance.It’s really neat when you discover words and phrases you thought unique to your language end up in other cultures. This expression just goes to show that we can all see what we want to, if we’re stubborn enough. There’s nothing more objective than time - unless you’re in Fort-de-France and it’s 5 a.m., I’m in Geneva and my watch says 10 a.m., and in Moscow… okay, maybe it’s more relative than I thought. Meaning: To judge a situation based on your own subjective criteria Literally: Everyone sees noon at his door. You didn’t know that ducks had three legs? Well, now you do. Literally: It doesn’t break three legs to a duck Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard. What could more frustrating than putting your heart and soul into winning the affections of the object of your desire, only to go completely unnoticed? After such a heartbreaking letdown, who can blame you for likening your romantic efforts to “pissing in a violin”? I’m not sure that violinists sanction this expression, though. To do so, for any reason, is probably an overreaction. No matter how much you hate your grandma, don’t ever push her into the bushes. Literally: One shouldn’t push grandma in the nettles! Il (ne) faut pas pousser mémé dans les orties ! The expression was coined by Molière, the iconic 17th century playwright whose works elevated the French language. Your French friends are in for a treat Funny French words. ![]() The meaning of this expression is close to the previous one, but this time its origin is very clear. Next time you travel to a French speaking country, learn a few of the funny things to say in French below. This pretty confusing sentence is the short form of this no less confusing sentence: “ Nous vous aimons à ce point de telle façon que celle qui de nous deux vous aime déjà mieux que l’autre vous aime encore mieux” (We love you that much that the one of us who loves you the best loves you even better than the other one who loves you even better). On n’est pas sorti de l’auberge !Įquivalent expression: We’re not out of the woods yetĪuberge (hostel) used to be a euphemism for “jail,” which would explain why it’s so difficult to escape. Pretty paradoxical, when you consider that there’s nothing more complicated than saying hello - especially in France! Do you say Salut or Bonjour? Is it a handshake or a bise? And if it’s a bise, how many of them - one, two, three or four? Do you start with the right, or with the left side? You’re not out of the woods yet… 2. This expression is used for anything that is very easy and comes naturally. Illustrations by Kati Szilagyi French Expressions To Keep In Your Back Pocket 1. Whether you’re trying to impress the locals or simply pepper your speech with some cute French expressions, here are a few phrases you’ll have plenty of chances to use in real life. There’s the French you learn in a textbook, and then there’s the French you learn from your new work friends after a couple drinks.
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