Dark Times All Around But There Are Still People Out There Who Love You

I love languages. I loved learning them since I was little. Here are some quotes for the people who share the same passion as me. :)  Which one is your favourite?

❝If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.❞ -Nelson Mandela

❝One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.❞-Frank Smith

❝ Die Grenzen meiner Sprache bedeuten die Grenzen meiner Welt. ❞ The limits of my language are the limits of my world. -Ludwig Wittgenstein, German

❝Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can; there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.❞ -Sarah Caldwell

❝ Un vocabolario può contenere solo una piccola parte del patrimonio di una lingua.❞ A dictionary can embrace only a small part of the vast tapestry of a language. - Giacomo Leopardi,Italian

❝To have another language is to possess a second soul.❞ -Charlemagne

❝ یک زبان جدید یک زندگی جدید است. ❞ A new language is a new life. -Persian Proverb

❝ Wer fremde Sprachen nicht kennt, weiß nichts von seiner eigenen. ❞ Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German

❝You can never understand one language until you understand at least two.❞ -Geoffrey Willans

❝   学一门语言，就是多一个观察世界的窗户。❞ To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.  -Chinese proverb

❝Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.❞ -Rita Mae Brown

❝ Kolik jazyků znáš, tolikrát jsi člověkem.❞ As many languages you know, as many times you are a human being. -Czech proverb

❝ If you want people to understand you, speak their language. ❞ -African Proverb 

❝ Bir dil bir insan, iki dil iki insan. ❞ One who speaks only one language is one person, but one who speaks two languages is two people.  -Turkish Proverb

❝ With languages, you are at home anywhere. ❞ - Edward De Waal

❝ Kolik jazyků znáš, tolikrát jsi člověkem. ❞ As many languages you know, as many times you are a human being  -Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, Czech

❝ Learning a language is to understand other;to form connections ❞ -unknown

❝ Notitia linguarum est prima porta sapientiae ❞ Latin. Knowledge of languages is the doorway to wisdom. - Roger Bacon 

❝ Change your language and you change your thoughts. ❞ -Karl Albrecht

❝ Скільки мов ти знаєш, стільки разів ти людина. ❞ How many languages you know, hat many times you are a person. - Pavlo Tychyn, Ukranian

…and don’t forget;

There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all. -Unknown 

a list of untranslatable words ☕️

cafuné - brazilian portuguese: the act of running one’s fingers, gently but deeply, through someone else’s hair 積ん読 (tsundoku) - japanese: the act of leaving a book unread after buying it, typically piled up together with other such unread books 木漏れ日 (komorebi) - japanese: sunlight filtering through the trees mångata - swedish: the roadlike reflection of moonlight on water verklempt - yiddish: a person who is too emotional to speak liefdesverdriet - dutch: the heartache caused from an unrequited love and the mental pains one endures; the physical pain of depression fika - swedish/finnish: gathering together to talk and take a break from everyday routines, usually drinking coffee and eating pastries 幽玄 (yūgen) - japanese: an indescribable sentiment, can only be described as a painful awareness of the mysterious beauty and human suffering l'esprit de l'escalier - french: the moment one finally thinks of a witty remark, far too late, after the opportunity has passed kilig - tagalog: the feeling of butterflies in your stomach, usually when something romantic or cute takes place いるす (irusu) - japanese: pretending to be absent from home when someone is at the door habseligkeiten - german: personal belongings, small treasures and property, which define our happiness and sentiments nefelibata - portuguese: cloud walker; name given to the quixotic dreamers, they appear spacey, otherworldly, but intelligent σοφρωσύνη (sophrosyne) - greek: self-control, balance, wisdom & grace;virtue that follows the aphorisms “nothing in excess” & “know thyself" hiraeth - welsh: homesickness for a place which never even existed. Connotations of sadness, yearning, profound nostalgia and wistfulness torpe - tagalog: being too shy to pursue amorous desires waldeinsamkeit - german: the feeling of being alone in the woods litost - czech: the humiliated despair we feel when someone accidentally reminds us, trough their accomplishment, of our inadequacies dustsceawung - old english: contemplation of the fact that dust used to be other things - the walls of a city, a book, a great tree… duende - spanish: the spirit of evocation; the mysterious power a work of art has to deeply move a person gattara - italian: a woman, often old and lonely, who devotes herself to stray cats tоска - russian: a sensation of great spiritual anguish, often without any specific cause, a longing with nothing to long for, nostalgia φιλότιμο (philotimo) - greek: a complex array of virtues; expressed through acts of generosity & sacrifice w/o expecting anything in return  gezellig - dutch: abstract sensation of individual well-being that one shares with others;cozy ambience, anything pleasant, homely, friendly

idk but “stuffed animal” sounds so violent. in german it’s called “kuscheltier” which can be translated to “cuddle animal”

NOUNS der Advent - Advent der Adventskalender - advent calendar das Apfelmus - apple sauce das Band (Bänder) - ribbon das Christkind
 - Christ child die Cranberrysoße - cranberry sauce die Dekoration (Dekorationen) - decoration der/das Kamin (Kamine) - fireplace der/das Knallbonbon (Knallbonbons) - cracker der Eierlikör - eggnog das Eis - ice/ice cream der Engel - angel die Ente (Enten) - duck die Gans (Gänse) - goose das Gebäck - baked goods das Geschenk (Geschenke) - present/gift das Geschenkpapier (Geschenkpapiere) - wrapping paper/gift paper die Glocke (Glocken) - bell das Glöckchen - little bell der Glühwein - mulled wine der Handschuh (Handschuhe) - glove der Heilige Abend - Christmas Eve die heiße Schokolade - hot chocolate die Kastanie (Kastanien) - chestnut der Keks (Kekse) - cookie/biscuit die Kerze (Kerzen) - candle die Kirche (Kirchen) - church der Kranz (Kränze) - wreath das Lametta - tinsel der Lebkuchen - gingerbread das Lebkuchenherz (Lebkuchenherzen) - gingerbread heart das Lebkuchenhäuschen - gingerbread house das Lebkuchenmännchen - gingerbread man die Lichterkette (Lichterketten) - string of fairy lights die Mandel (Mandeln) - almond
 das/der Marzipan - marzipan der Mince Pie (Mince Pies) - mince pie der Mistelzweig (Mistelzweige) - piece of mistletoe die Mütze (Mützen) - beanie der Nordpol - North Pole die Nuss (Nüsse) - nut der Nussknacker - nutcracker die Pfeffernuss (Pfeffernüsse) - small round gingerbread biscuit das Plätzchen - cookie/biscuit das Popcorn - popcorn das Rentier (Rentiere) - reindeer der Schinken - ham der Schlitten - sled/sledge/sleigh der Schlittschuh (Schlittschuhe) - ice skate der Schmuck - decoration [uncountable] der Schnee - snow der Schneeball (Schneebälle) - snowball die Schneeflocke (Schneeflocken) - snowflake der Schneemann (Schneemänner) - snowman die Schokolade (Schokolade) - chocolate der Schornstein (Schornsteine) - chimney das Schweinefleisch - pork das Spielzeug (Spielzeuge) - toy die Stechpalme (Stechpalme) - holly der Stern (Sterne) - star der Stiefel - boot der Stollen - bread made with dried fruit and dusted with powdered sugar die Süßigkeit (Süßigkeiten) - candy/sweet/lolly der Tannenbaum (Tannenbäume) - fir tree/Christmas tree
 der Tannenzapfen - pine cone der Truthahn (Truthähne) - turkey der Weihnachtsbaum (Weihnachtsbäume) - Christmas tree die Weihnachtskarte (Weihnachtskarten) - Christmas card der Weihnachtskuchen - Christmas cake die Weihnachtskugel (Weihnachtskugeln) - Christmas bauble das Weihnachtslied - Christmas carol der Weihnachtsmann (Weihnachtsmänner) - Santa/Father Christmas der Weihnachtsmarkt (Weihnachtsmärkte) - Christmas market der Weihnachtspudding - Christmas pudding die Weihnachtssocke (Weihnachtssocken) - Christmas sock der Weihnachtsstern (Weihnachtssterne) - poinsettia der Weihnachtsstrumpf (Weihnachtsstrümpfe) - Christmas stocking die Weihnachtszeit - Christmas time die Winterbeere (Winterbeeren) - holly berry
 der Wunsch (Wünsche) - wish
 der Wunschzettel - wish list der Zimt - cinnamon der Zimtstern (Zimtsterne) - star shaped cinnamon biscuit with white icing die Zuckerstange (Zuckerstangen) - candy cane
 VERBS auspacken - to open/to unwrap backen - to bake basteln - to make/to do arts and crafts braten - to roast dekorieren - to decorate einen Brief an den Weihnachtsmann schreiben - to write a letter to Santa einen Schneemann bauen - to make a snowman einpacken - to wrap up eislaufen - to ice skate etwas an jemanden verschenken - to give something to someone etwas mit der Post senden - to send something in the mail etwas zu Weihnachten bekommen - to get something for Christmas feiern - to celebrate jemandem etwas schenken - to give something to someone 
Kerzen anzünden - to light candles schmücken - to decorate/to adorn schneien - to snow 
sich (+dat) etwas zu Weihnachten wünschen - to wish for something for Christmas
 verpacken - to wrap up Zeit mit seiner Familie verbringen - to spend time with one’s family zusammenkommen - to meet/to get together

ADJECTIVES bezaubernd - enchanting geröstet - roasted glitzernd - twinkling/sparkling glänzend - shining golden - gold/golden magisch - magical mit Schokolade gefüllt - chocolate filled silbern - silver vorweihnachtlich - pre-Christmas weihnachtlich - Christmassy winterlich - wintery zauberhaft - enchanting/delightful

language learner problems

when your friend borrows your phone and you gotta prepare yourself for the “what the heck why this in a different language”

Watching my toddler figure out how to language is fascinating. Yesterday we were stumped when he kept insisting there was a “Lego winner” behind his bookshelf - it turned out to be a little Lego trophy cup. Not knowing the word for “trophy”, he’d extrapolated a word for “thing you can win”. And then, just now, he held up his empty milk container and said, “Mummy? It’s not rubbish. It’s allowed to be a bottle.” - meaning, effectively, “I want this. Don’t throw it away.” But to an adult ear, there’s something quite lovely about “it’s allowed to be a bottle,” as if we’re acknowledging that the object is entitled to keep its title even in the absence of the original function.

hi! do you know any Norwegian phrases / words to call your significant other? :) my girlfriend loves Norwegian and I'd like to surprise her!

Hey there! c: Here’s a short list of common endearments!

As for common phrases, maybe something like:

“Jeg er glad i deg” - “I love you” (used towards friends, family, and also your significant other if your relationship is rather fresh or you’re both very young etc.)

“Jeg elsker deg” - “I love you” (only used towards your significant other if you’re in a pretty serious and long-lasting relationship - also occasionally used towards family, though I personally find this quite uncommon)

“Du er det vakreste jeg vet” - “You’re the most beautiful thing/person I know” (lit. “You’re the most beautiful I know”)

“Du er så pen/kjekk” - “You’re so pretty/handsome”

Though if there’s a specific phrase you want me to translate, shoot me another ask! c:

basketball = le basket (m) football = le foot(ball) (m) handball = le handball (m) rugby = le rugby (m) volleyball = le volley (m)

badminton = le badminton (m) tennis = le tennis (m) billiards = le billard (m) golf = le golf (m) hockey = le hockey (m) skiing = le ski (m) cycling = le cyclisme (m) gymnastics = la gymnastique (f) horse riding = l’équitation (f) swimming = la natation (f) walking = la promenade (f) jogging = le footing (m) mountaineering = l’alpinisme (m)  judo = le judo (m)

aerobics = l’aérobic (f) athletics = l’athlétisme (m) wrestling = le catch (m) shooting = le tir (m) archery = le tir à l’arc (m)

water skiing = le ski nautique (m) windsurfing  = la planche à voile (f) sailing = la voile (f) rowing = l’aviron (m) paragliding = le parapente (m) ice skating = le patin à glace (m)

the ball = le ballon (m) the goal = le but (m) the stadium = le stade (m) the match = le match (m) the result = le résultat (m)

french linking words 🌿

Ainsi – Thus, In This/That Manner

La fée transforma ses jambes en queue de poisson, et ainsi, la princesse devint une sirène. The fairy transformed her legs into a fish tale, and thus, the princess became a mermaid.

C’est Ainsi Que – It’s This Way

Elle a travaillé dur pendant dix ans. C’est ainsi qu’elle a gagné la compétition. She worked hard for 10 years. She won the competition that way.

Alors – Then, So, Hence

Jean Noël ne pouvait pas supporter le bruit dans le club, alors il est sorti. JN couldn’t bear the noise in the club, so he went out.

Alors Que – While, Whereas, When

Alors que Sophie aime le jazz, Marie déteste ça. Whereas Sophie loves jazz, Mary hates it.

Aussitôt Que –As Soon As

Aussitôt que la chatte s’est endormie, les souris se sont montrées.

As soon as the cat fell asleep, the mice showed themselves.

D’autant Plus – All The More

Il partageait sa passion de la danse. Elle l’aimait d’autant plus. He shared her passion for dance. She loved him all the more.

D’autant Plus Que – Even More So Since

Je suis vraiment déçue. D’autant plus que je lui avais dit de venir chez nous. I am really disappointed. Even more so since I told him to come to our house.

Bien Que – Even Though (*Followed By The Subjunctive)

Elle l’a fait, bien qu’elle n’en ait pas eu envie. she did it even though she didn’t feel like it.

Si Bien Que – Hence

Ils parlaient à demi-voix si bien qu’elle ne pouvait pas les entendre. They spoke softly, hence she couldn’t hear them.

Cependant – Nevertheless, Meanwhile, However

Je ne suis pas de son avis. Cependant je le suivrai. I don’t share his opinion. Nevertheless I will follow it.

Dès – Since, From

Dès ce moment, il a refusé de parler d’elle. From that moment, he refused to talk about her.

Dès Que – As Soon As

Je te téléphonerai dès qu’elle arrivera. I’ll call you as soon as she gets here.

En Tant Que – As (A)

En tant qu’ingénieur, elle est très précise. As an Engineer, she is very precise.

Lorsque – When

Ils ont cueilli les cerises lorsqu’elles étaient mûres. They picked the cherries when they were ripe.

Malgré – Despite

Malgré son effort, cela n’a pas suffi. Despite her efforts, it wasn’t enough.

Même Si – Even If

Il ira même si elle n’y va pas. He’ll go even if she doesn’t.

À Moins Que – Unless (*Followed By The Subjunctive)

Vous ne pourrez pas voir la directrice à moins que vous ayez un rendez-vous. You will not be able to see the director unless you have an appointment.

Néanmoins – However, Nevertheless, Nonetheless

Elle avait peu d’argent néanmoins elle lui a tout donné. She had little money, but she gave all to him nonetheless.

Pendant Que – While, As

Marc étudie la chimie pendant qu’il écoute la radio. Marc studies chemistry while he is listening to the radio.

Pour Que – So That (*Followed By The Subjunctive)

Il a couru pour qu’elle ne l’attende pas trop longtemps. He ran so that she wouldn’t wait for him too long.

Pourtant – Although, Still, Nevertheless

La femme a plus de quarante ans, mais c’est pourtant une beauté. The woman is over forty, but she is nevertheless a beauty.

Puisque – Since, Because, As, Seeing That, For That Reason

Puisque sa maman ne voulait pas jouer au Monopoly, le petit garçon est sorti jouer dehors. Since his mother didn’t want to play Monopoly, the boy went to play outside.

Quand Même – Even Though, All The Same, Nevertheless

Ce n’est pas lui qui chantait le mieux, mais il a gagné la compétition quand même. He wasn’t the best singer, but he won the contest all the same.

Quant À – As For

Quant à lui, il préfère ne pas discuter de ce sujet dangereux. As for him, he’d rather not talk about this dangerous topic.

Quoique – Though, Although (*Followed By The Subjunctive)

Quoiqu’elle ne sourie pas beaucoup, en réalité elle est très contente. Although she doesn’t smile much, in fact she is really happy.

Quoi Que – Whatever, No Matter What (*Followed By The Subjunctive)

Quoi qu’il dise, elle ne le croit pas. Whatever he might say, she won’t believe him.

Sinon – Except, If Not, Otherwise, Except That, Unless

Ne sors pas sans manteau, sinon tu vas attrapper froid. Don’t go out without a jacket, otherwise you’ll catch a cold.

Tandis Que – Whereas, While

Il préfère aller à la plage pour les vacances, tandis qu’elle préfère aller à la montagne. He likes to go to the beach for vacations, whereas she prefers the mountains.

you will accomplish things. you will do good, change the world, brighten somebody’s day, be the happiest memory, the only person someone can think about, a radiant force of nature. you will.