The English language is a fascinating amalgamation of influences from multiple cultures and languages. Over the centuries, English has borrowed words from other languages, some of which have become a part of daily conversations. In this post, we’ll explore 10 words from other languages that have been adopted into modern English.
Ki-kapu
This Hawaiian word means ‘forbidden’ and is used in English to describe something that is not allowed.
Quid Pro Quo
This Latin phrase translates to ‘something for something’ and is used to describe a situation in which someone does something for someone else in exchange for a favor.
Schadenfreude
This German word means ‘pleasure derived from the misfortune of others’ and is used in English to describe a feeling of joy at someone else’s misfortune.
Wabi-Sabi
This Japanese phrase means ‘the beauty of imperfection’ and is used in English to describe the appreciation of things that are imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.
Kismet
This Turkish word means ‘fate’ and is used in English to describe something that was destined to happen.
Baksheesh
This Persian word means ‘tip’ or ‘gift’ and is used in English to describe a small gift given as a sign of appreciation.
Ketchup
This Chinese word is derived from the phrase ‘ke-tsiap’ which means ‘brine of fish’ and is used in English to describe a sauce made from tomatoes and spices.
Delicatessen
This German word means ‘delicacy’ and is used in English to describe a store that sells prepared food.
Guru
This Sanskrit word means ‘teacher’ and is used in English to describe someone who is an expert in a particular field.
Quarantine
This Italian word means ‘forty days’ and is used in English to describe a period of isolation to prevent the spread of disease.
It is amazing to think about how English has been shaped by words from other languages over time. These words bring an interesting flavor to conversations and give us insight into other cultures. Next time you come across a unique word in English, take a moment to wonder where it originated.