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    Family Travel Advice > Lost In Translation: Common Phrases From Around The World

    Lost In Translation: Common Phrases From Around The World

    • By Marley
    • July 23, 2020
    • Reading Time: 2 minutes
    • Please note that the article may contain affiliate links. Bébé Voyage may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
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    Studying English and foreign languages growing up, I have always been fascinated by how people from around the globe say the same things in very different ways. I especially love how some languages manage to have a perfect single word to describe an entire sentence. As travel is slowly restarting, I thought it would be fun to put together a little list of words and phrases from around the world to learn before your next journey.

     

    Hello

    Bok – Croatian

    I ay – Huaorani, Ecuador

    Samba – Lega, Congo

     

    Getting around

    Fara a puttanu – hitchhike – Icelandic

    Mengoonceng – to have a free ride usually on a friend’s bike – Indonesian

    Arrear – to drive on – Spanish

     

    Bon Appetit

    Pakupaku – to eat in big mouthfuls or take quick bites – Japanese

    Parmaklamak – to eat with one’s fingers – Turkish

    Giomlaireachd – the habit of dropping in at meal times – Scottish Gaelic

     

    Bless you

    Gesundheit – health to you – German

    Velona – alive – Malagasy, Madagascar

    Biseh – thank you – Mende, Sierre Leone

     

    Braving the Weather

    Serein – Fine rain falling from a cloudless sky – French

    Efterarsfarver – Autumn Colours – Danish

    ‘inapoiri – moonless night – Cook Island Maori

     

    Wandering

    Jimbulwila – to walk in an unknown place, where there is no clear path – Luvale Zambia

    Kodhola – to leave marks in the sand when walking – Oshindonga, Namibia

    Sakgasakgile – to wander about like a homeless orphan – Setswana, Botswana

     

    Wanderlust

    Echarse el pollo – to get out of town – Chilean

    Amenonéhne – to sing while walking about – Cheyenne, USA

    Nochshlepper – a fellow traveller – Yiddish

     

    Waste time

    To beat about the bush – To waste time, avoid doing a certain thing – English

    Menare il can per l’aia – To lead the dog around the yard – Italian

    Å gå som kitten rundt den Varma grøten – to walk like a cat around hot porridge – Norwegian

     

    In the end, I find languages are very similar to traveling. Learning a new one or just a few simple words can help change the way we see the world. So if you know of any fun, cool lost in translation words or phrases from around the world, leave us a comment so we can learn from each other! 

    If you are interested in learning more phrases, check out Google Translate. You may just be amazed how other cultures say the same thing!

     

    You may also like these articles from the Bébé Voyage blog:

    Ha Cheong Kai, Prawn Paste Chicken From Singapore: Delicious Recipes From Around The World!

    Children’s Books That Inspire Exploration and Spark Imagination

    Traveling To Places With High Levels Of Poverty: How To Teach Our Kids About Economic Privilege

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    Marley

    Marley

    Marley (They/Them/Their) is the Editor-in-Chief for Bébé Voyage. Marley is an avid traveler, food lover and parent to one kiddo. They hold a BA in English Literature and a Diploma in Freelance and Feature Writing with the London School of Journalism. You can find out more about Marley at www.mconte.com
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    About Author

    Marley

    Marley (They/Them/Their) is the Editor-in-Chief for Bébé Voyage. Marley is an avid traveler, food lover and parent to one kiddo. They hold a BA in English Literature and a Diploma in Freelance and Feature Writing with the London School of Journalism. You can find out more about Marley at www.mconte.com

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