Foreign Words And Phrases Now Used In English

A loanword is a word adopted from a foreign language with little or no modification. And the English language is so full of such words — we use them in our everyday life without even noticing. Most of them are anglicized, but some have stuck to the original. And using the latter ones in your speech is like peppering your dish — a bit of bettering is always appropriate. They will make you sound totally smart. What about indulging your inner narcissist with a dose of such words?

1. A PRIORI — Latin — based on deduction rather than experience (literally ‘from what is before’).
2. MAGNUM OPUS — Latin — the most important work of an artist, writer, etc. (literally ‘great work’).
3. CARTE BLANCHE — French — complete freedom to act as one wishes, unlimited authority.
4. AL DENTE — Italian — (of food) cooked so as to be still firm when bitten.
5. SIESTA — Spanish — an afternoon nap or rest.
6. JOIE DE VIVRE — French — keen or buoyant enjoyment of life.
7. DOLCE FAR NIENTE — Italian — pleasant relaxation in carefree idleness. (yes, exactly the one phrase that has amazed Julia Roberts so much in Eat Pray Love)
8. PERSONA NON GRATA — Latin — a person who is not welcome somewhere.
9. DEJA VU — French — the sense of having experienced the present situation before (literally ‘already seen’).
10. DOLCE VITA — Italian — a life of pleasure and luxury (literally ‘sweet life’).
11. VOILA! — French — there it is, see here, ta-da.
12. DOPPELGANGER — German — an apparition or double of a living person.
13. FEMME FATALE — French — a seductive woman (literally ‘disastrous woman’).
14. MENAGE A TROIS — French — an arrangement in which a married couple and their lover have a mutual relationship (literally ‘household of three’).
15. DE NADA — Spanish — no problem, you’re welcome.
16. STATUS QUO — Latin — the existing state of affairs.
17. TETE-A-TETE — French — a private conversation.
18. VOX POPULI — Latin — public opinion (literally ‘the voice of the people’).
19. FIASCO — Italian — disaster.
20. BON VOYAGE — French — have a nice trip.

Share with us some of your favorites and most used loanwords.