We hear them all the time.
Sometimes we know what they mean.
But, when we have to utter them out of our Indian mouths, we end up saying something stupid or funny.
Let’s face it, we all struggle to pronounce foreign language phrases.
But what’s the big deal?
Isn’t it enough that we can speak English (sometimes with an accent)?
Why do we need to learn to speak these “fashionable” FOREIGN LANGUAGE PHRASES?
Well, I’m not saying that it’s mandatory, but then, you can’t escape certain foreign language phrases because they have become quite common these days.
So, if you want to avoid an embarrassing look on your face every time you pronounce them wrong, better to learn to speak them like a pro, ONCE AND FOR ALL.
Before we start, you should keep this in mind that we are going to learn the native pronunciation of these phrases which might be a little different from what we usually hear.
So, don’t get confused as we are going authentic here.
ALFRESCO
Origin: Italian
Translation: In the fresh air (ताज़ा हवा में)
CARPE DIEM
Origin: Latin
Translation: Seize the day (आज को अपनी मुट्ठी में करना)
TETE-A-TETE
Origin: French
Translation: Head-to-head or face-to-face (आमने सामने)
JOIE de VIVRE
Origin: French
Translation: Joy of living (जीवन का आनंद)
CURRICULUM VITAE or CV
Origin: Latin
Translation: Course of life(जीवन की दिशा)
FAUX PAS
Origin: French
Translation: False step (गलत कदम)
BONA FIDE
Origin: Latin
Translation: With good faith (सदभावना के साथ)
BON VOYAGE
Origin: French
Translation: Good journey (अच्छी यात्रा)
QUID PRO QUO
Origin: Latin
Translation: Something for something (किसी चीज़ के बदले कुछ और)
HASTA LA VISTA
Origin: Spanish
Translation: See you later/until the (next) meeting (बाद में मिलते हैं)
So, that’s pretty good knowledge to flaunt in front of your friends.
To learn more about the usage and meaning of these foreign language phrases, read our blogs
‘Foreign Words and Phrases Used in Everyday English-1‘
‘Foreign Words and Phrases Used in Everyday English-2‘
Don’t forget to read our latest blog ‘Fire Idioms and Phrases’- PART-1 and PART- 2
To further improve your English language skills, download our English-Hindi dictionary app HinKhoj and our English learning app Namaste English