10 meaningful foreign idioms that can't be translated literally
25.12.2017
14.083 Aufrufe
They say, actions speak louder than words, but some words put together can also sound quite loud. Let's not beat around the bush and take a look at this astonishing list of the most powerful foreign idioms. Their idiomatic meanings will definitely surprise you.
Swedish:
This phrase simply means that there is nothing to worry about.
French:
This idiom means to look to someone coldly and feel suspicious.
The French say that the carrots are cooked when they can do nothing to change the situation.
Russian:
This means to do something hastily or haphazardly.
Portuguese:
Of course, no one gets burnt. This saying just means they you will get into trouble if you don't communicate with people.
Polish:
That's how you can describe any easy situation or simple task.
Japanese:
That's how the Japanese describe someone who only pretends to be a nice person.
Kazakh:
The Kazakhs can thank people for serious help this way.
Dutch:
This one means to buy something very cheaply.
Croatian:
It's the Croatian counterpart of the well-known phrase "speak of the devil".
Have you ever heard any of these phrases? Which one surprised you the most? Do you think we should steal any of them? Can you speak any of the above mentioned languages?
Tell us in the comments below!
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47 Comments
matthew rosa
The Flemish Artist, Bruegel, -In The 15th Century, -Once Painted A Picture Depicting Human Beings Personificating And Enacting More Than FIFTY Dutch And Flemish Old Sayings And Proverbs, Some Of Which are Still Being Spoken, WORLD WIDE, To This Very Day!
alainsarries
Being French, I tend to notice the English (UK) idioms such as he is pulling my leg, he is on the wagon, he is a right fruit cake, pigs will fly. Also the famous Cockney rhyming slang like he is telling porkies, the trouble and strife etc..Not sure all of these are understood in the US?
Elsy O. Stromberg
The cat on a person's head is pretty strange- must be "Hello Kitty".
bina sarmah
I thought Cat in the hat.
jrgrace
Nice to see a little about how others think.
Marianne Frederick Halterman
My favorite French idiom is Honte y soit qui mal y pense. (I probably have the spelling/grammar off...it's been awhile).
mamsdenmd
much fun...
wearing the cat on his head is interesting
much like wolf in sheeps clothing....
loreilly
Never heard of any of these! Some made me smile! Very interesting!!
Kim B Ley
Interesting, l shall use some of those phrases 😊
John Mullin
I know a few French comments...
Raymond Cardona
Very interesting
Bonnie
Linda Evers
Very interesting. I had come across the French idiom 'The carrots are cooked" before but that's probably because I speak French and used it in my working life, I picked up a few French sayings.
Karl Hoppe
I really like this cultural stuff. More please.
David Brown
Thais have a phrase "Yet pet" which translates exactly as "Fxxk a Duck" and is used in exactly the same way as English use it to express surprise.
Virginia Abreu De Paula
Andre Violette, It was used by a TV entertainer called Chacrinha on his TV show. I remember he saying Estrumbica. Not Trumbica. However I know that some people guarantee he used to say trumbica. Both ways are correct in Brazilian Portuguese. Importante to say it is not popular among people in general. Only Chacrinha used to say it and some people repeat what he used to say. Not many people.
Thyamagondlu Siddagangappa Ramaiah
The Idioms and Proverbs whether it is in
English or any other languages used to speak and in practice will be worth to follow.