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republika","denmark":"Dánsko","ecuador":"Ekvádor","finland":"Finsko","france":"Francie","germany":"Německo","hong_kong":"Hongkong","hungary":"Maďarsko","india":"Indie","italy":"Itálie","japan":"Japonsko","korea":"Korea","latvia":"","mexico":"Mexiko","morocco":"Maroko","norway":"Norsko","peru":"Peru","poland":"Polsko","puerto_rico":"Portoriko","singapore":null,"spain":"Španělsko","sweden":"Švédsko","switzerland":"Švýcarsko","taiwan":"Taiwan","thailand":"Thajsko","united_kingdom":"Spojené království","usa":null,"publish_details":{"locale":"cs-cz"}}},{"node":{"argentina":"Argentyna","armenia":"Armenia","australia":"Australia","austria":"Austria","brazil":"Brazylia","canada":"Kanada","chile":"Chile","colombia":"Kolumbia","czechia":"Republika Czeska","denmark":"Dania","ecuador":"Ekwador","finland":"Finlandia","france":"we Francji","germany":"Niemcy","hong_kong":"Hongkong","hungary":"Węgry","india":"Indie","italy":"Włochy","japan":"Japonia","korea":"Korea","latvia":"","mexico":"Meksyk","morocco":"Maroko","norway":"Norwegia","peru":"Peru","poland":"Polska","puerto_rico":"Portoryko","singapore":null,"spain":"Hiszpania","sweden":"szwedzki","switzerland":"Szwajcaria","taiwan":"Tajwan","thailand":"Tajlandia","united_kingdom":"Wielka Brytania","usa":null,"publish_details":{"locale":"pl-pl"}}},{"node":{"argentina":"Argentina","armenia":"Armenia","australia":"Australia","austria":"Austria","brazil":"Brasil","canada":"Canadá","chile":"Chile","colombia":"Colombia","czechia":"Chequia","denmark":"Dinamarca","ecuador":"Ecuador","finland":"Finlandia","france":"Francia","germany":"Alemania","hong_kong":"Hong 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Rico","singapore":"Singapore","spain":"Spain","sweden":"Sweden","switzerland":"Switzerland","taiwan":"Taiwan","thailand":"Thailand","united_kingdom":"United Kingdom","usa":"USA","publish_details":{"locale":"en-us"}}}]}},"pageContext":{"blocks":[{"feature_card":{"subtitle":"Karolina is a freelance copywriter and content writer with a passion for numbers, foreign languages, and discovering the world. Although she has a background in high-school teaching, she has found her true calling in copywriting. She has developed her expertise in writing blog articles, email marketing campaigns, and other types of copy in areas such as digital marketing, graphic design, food & beverage, education, cryptocurrency, and self-improvement.
\nShe’s also a digital nomad by design, currently living in Latin America. When she’s not writing, you can find her exploring new places, hanging out on the beach, or dancing salsa.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/karolina-assi/
","flipped":false,"join_block_below":true,"image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt5178dd417a253ad0/6290b36fcc19d7634addde66/Profile_Pic_Linkedin.jpg","title":"Profile_Pic_Linkedin.jpg"},"hidden":false}},{"cards":{"large_cards":false,"row":false,"flat":false,"title":"Articles by Karolina","join_block_below":true,"cta_as_link":true,"cards":[{"call_to_action_text":"Oldest languages in the world","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"15 of the oldest languages in the world, including 12 still spoken","url":"/blog/oldest-language-in-the-world","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt9ec04f89b259cc9f/66973fb1ac0ecbbdeaa12abb/pexels-axp-photography-500641970-18991575.jpg"},"post_content":"And if you’re reading this article, you surely have tons of questions: what’s the oldest language in the world? What was the first language ever spoken? What was the first language recorded in written form? Which ancient languages have gone extinct, and which ones have survived and are still spoken to this day?
We’ll try to answer all of these questions in this article. To write it, we embarked on a Google quest to compile our list of the 15 oldest languages in the world that are still spoken today.
What was the first language ever spoken? This question puzzles linguists because there’s no easy way to determine this. According to linguists, the oldest languages in the world date back to at least 4,600 years.
That’s a lot of years of language evolution! To answer this question, we first need to understand how language even came to be and how it evolved from drawings carved on cave walls to spoken words as we know them today.
But generally, linguists agree that the oldest languages spoken in the world were Sumerian, Akkadian, and Egyptian - at least the oldest ones with a clear written record.
The Sumerian language originated around 3100 BCE in ancient Mesopotamia and was the first language written in the cuneiform script. So, Sumerian cuneiform script is the oldest form of writing in the world, and it was used to communicate between merchants.
Akkadian is another language spoken in ancient Mesopotamia, dating back to 2500 BCE. It also used the cuneiform writing system and became the lingua franca of the region during the Akkadian Empire, pushing Sumerian out of the way and, eventually, completely replacing it.
Although Egyptian probably makes you think of the language spoken in Egypt, which is Egyptian Arabic, these are two completely different languages - sort of. They belong to the same language family - the Afro-Asiatic family - but to two different branches. Arabic is a Semitic language, while Egyptian is an entirely separate branch.
Egyptian is also the first language to develop a written form of communication - aka, the Egyptian hieroglyphs. The ancient Egyptian language evolved over millennia through several stages, including Old Egyptian, Middle Egyptian, Late Egyptian, Demotic, and finally Coptic, which is still spoken by a handful of people today as it’s still used as the liturgical language of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria.
Sumerian, Akkadian, and Egyptian may be the oldest languages in the world, but they’re also extinct, meaning they have died out and are no longer in use today. So, another question pops up: what is the oldest living language in the world that’s still spoken to this day?
There is no clear winner of the Oldest Language in the World challenge, but there are a few solid contestants. Here are the 12 oldest languages in the world that are still spoken today.
Tamil, one of the official languages of India, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, can be traced back to 300 BCE - or even longer than that, but that’s when the first literature written in Tamil was recorded. Tamil is considered to be the longest-surviving classical language in the world.
Fun fact: Tamil is so ancient that it has its own classical literature, which includes works like the Thirukkural, a collection of couplets on ethics, politics, and love written by the poet Thiruvalluvar over 2,000 years ago.
Sanskrit, the liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, dates back to around 2000 BCE. This ancient language is often referred to as the \"language of the Gods\" due to its extensive use in sacred texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads and epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
![\"Sanskrit.\"](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blte56fba52159aca18/66974385544075edf8feb7b0/Sanskrit.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Fun fact: Sanskrit's grammar was first codified by Panini in his work Ashtadhyayi, a text from around the 4th century BCE that is still studied today.
Chinese is said to be one of the oldest written forms of language, dating back at least 6,000 years. However, the earliest written records of Old Chinese that have survived date back to 1250 BCE. The modern Chinese, spoken by over a billion people, has its roots in these ancient forms.
Fun fact: Did you know that Mandarin isn’t the only form of Chinese language spoken today? We also have Cantonese, Wu, Xiang, Putonghua, Min, Hakka, Gan, and more variations of the Chinese language. Read more articles on our Chinese language and culture blog here.
Greek is the language of great philosophers, mathematicians, and thinkers. It dates back to at least 1450 BCE and was the most widely spoken lingua franca in the Mediterranean world at that time. It was also the official language of the Byzantine Empire.
Ancient Greek evolved over centuries into Modern Greek, which is now spoken by over 13 million people and is the official language of Greece and Cyprus.
Fun fact: Did you know that the word “alphabet” comes from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet, “alpha” and “beta”?
Hebrew, a regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, was originally spoken by the Israelites. It was used regularly as a first language until after 200 CE and remained the liturgical language of Judaism and Samaritanism. In the 19th century, it was successfully revived as a spoken language, making it the only large-scale linguistic revival in history.
Fun fact: Today, Hebrew is the only surviving Canaanite language, and Aramaic is one of the two remaining Northwest Semitic languages still spoken.
Aramaic is a Northwest Semitic language that started in ancient Syria and spread to regions like Mesopotamia, the southern Levant (modern Jordan, Israel, and Palestine), Eastern Arabia, and the Sinai Peninsula. The earliest Aramaic writings date back to the 11th century BC, making it one of the oldest written languages.
Fun fact: Today, Aramaic is endangered, with its different varieties mainly spoken by older generations and groups like the Arameans, Assyrians, and some Mizrahi Jews.
Persian, also known as Farsi, is a Western Iranian language spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, with different variations. It originated in Persia (modern-day Iran) and evolved from Old Persian into Middle Persian and modern Farsi. It dates back to around 550 BCE.
Fun fact: Persian has influenced many other languages, such as Urdu and Turkish, particularly in terms of literature and poetry.
Arabic has a rich history that spans over 1,500 years. It’s a Semitic language that originated in the Arabian Peninsula. Old Arabic, the oldest known form of the language, dates back to the 4th century CE. It served as the language of the Qu’ran, Islam’s holy scripture. Now, it’s spoken by over 420 million people worldwide.
![\"Arabic.\"](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blta8935bafbbe8460c/669744c725847039b7dcd52d/Arabic.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Fun fact: Over time, Arabic diversified into various dialects, such as Classical Arabic (also known as Quranic Arabic), Modern Standard Arabic (the one you hear on the news), and regional variations like Levantine Arabic (spoken in Lebanon and Syria), Egyptian Arabic (spoken in Egypt), etc.
Armenian is an Indo-European language and the only member of its branch in the Armenian language family. Historically spoken in the Armenian highlands, it’s now the official language of Armenia. Armenian uses its own alphabet, which was introduced in 405 AD by Saint Mesrop Mashtots.
Fun fact: The Armenian alphabet was initially developed to translate the Bible, but it became widespread.
Irish is a Goidelic language of the Celtic family, native to Ireland. It was the main language until the 19th century, when English became dominant. In fact, Irish is the oldest written language in northern Europe, with Ogham inscriptions dating back to the 4th century CE.
Fun fact: Today, Irish is primarily spoken by Gaeltacht regions, where 2% of Ireland’s population lived in 2022.
Basque is the only surviving Paleo-European language in Europe. It existed before the arrival of Indo-European languages and before Europe was Romanized in the 1st century BCE. Spoken in the Basque Country, it’s classified as a language isolate (meaning it has no genetic relationship with any other language).
Fun fact: Despite being a language isolate, Basque has borrowed 40% of its vocabulary from Romance languages like Spanish, French, and Italian.
Latin first appeared around the 7th century BCE in the region of Latium, which encompasses the city of Rome. As Rome expanded its territory, Latin spread throughout the Roman Empire, and it became the dominant language in many parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. As the Roman Empire began to decline, so did Latin, and it eventually evolved into the various Roman languages we know today, like Italian, French, Spanish, and Romanian.
Today, Latin is a “dead language,” which means that it’s no longer spoken as a native language. However, it still remains in use within the Roman Catholic Church, and many institutions and universities around the world still teach it. You may not even know it, but you’re already familiar with some Latin words like vice versa, status quo, per capita, circa, or et cetera.
![\"Latin.\"](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltf087cab137aead25/6697456b25847089fddcd535/Latin.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Fun fact: Did you know that Latin is the source of over 60% of the English vocabulary? Many English words are derived from Latin, mainly those related to science, law, and medicine.
To learn everything there is to know about the oldest languages in the world, we’d need to comb through thousands of years of linguistic evolution and trace everything back to how the first humans communicated.
Naturally, we couldn’t cover the entire history of languages and all of the languages that appeared, disappeared, survived, and died out.
We hope this article has given you a good idea about the oldest languages in the world and a good foundation to go digging deeper - if you want.
And for a good reason, because Aussies have a knack for turning everyday words into colorful expressions that can leave uninitiated scratching their heads in confusion.
\nIf that’s you, this guide will help you crack the code to Australian slang so you can communicate like a local. We’ve gathered over 130 Aussie slang terms to get you started.
\n![\"Couple](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blta888e672e60c97dd/664d6de71983ea92b8ac3c91/Australian-Flag-on-Beach.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
\n
If you’ve ever found yourself casually conversing with an Australian, you may have gotten slightly confused with words like “arvo,” “barbie,” “blue swimmer,” and “a brekkie.”
\nThe good news is, there seems to be a universal rule: when in doubt, shorten it! That’s why instead of “good afternoon,” you’ll hear “arvo, mate,” and instead of “have a good day,” you’ll hear “g’day!”
\nTo help you speak like a local, we’ve compiled a list of the most common terms in Aussie slang with their meaning and an example sentence.
\nIf you’re planning a trip to Australia or you’re interacting with Australians on a daily basis, you may find it challenging to understand what they’re saying half of the time.
\nTo help you crack the code and navigate those daily conversations, here’s a list of everyday Australian slang words you may need.
\n| Slang word/phrase | \nMeaning | \nExample sentence | \n
|---|---|---|
| Arvo | \nAfternoon | \nI'll see you this arvo. | \n
| Aussie salute | \nBrushing away flies | \nHe's doing the Aussie salute to keep the flies off. | \n
| Barbie | \nBarbecue | \nLet's have a barbie this weekend. | \n
| Bathers | \nSwimsuit | \nDon't forget your bathers if we're going to the pool. | \n
| Bikkie | \nBiscuit | \nWould you like a bikkie with your tea? | \n
| Bloody oath | \nAbsolutely true | \nDid you hear about the new job? Bloody oath! | \n
| Bludger | \nSomeone who is lazy | \nI chucked a sickie because I’m a bludger. | \n
| Bogan | \nUnsophisticated person | \nHe's a bit of a bogan, but he's alright. | \n
| Bogged | \nStuck in mud or sand | \nThe car got bogged in the sand at the beach. | \n
| Bonza | \nExcellent | \nThat's a bonza idea! | \n
| Bottle-o | \nBottle shop (liquor store) | \nI'll swing by the bottle-o on the way home. | \n
| Brah | \nBrother/friend/mate | \nHow’s it going, brah? | \n
| Brekkie | \nBreakfast | \nI'm hungry. Let's grab some brekkie. | \n
| Brekky run | \nA trip to get breakfast | \nI'm going on a brekky run. Do you want anything? | \n
| Bundy | \nBundaberg Rum | \nLet's have some Bundy and coke. | \n
| Bung | \nBroken or malfunctioning | \nThe computer's bung again. | \n
| Bush | \nRural area | \nThey live out in the bush. | \n
| Cark it | \nTo die | \nMy old car finally carked it. | \n
| Chock-a-block | \nCompletely full | \nThe parking lot was chock-a-block with cars. | \n
| Chockers | \nFull | \nThe cinema was chockers last night. | \n
| Chook | \nChicken | \nLet's roast a chook for dinner. | \n
| Chrissie | \nChristmas | \nWe're having a big lunch on Chrissie Day. | \n
| Chrissie pressie | \nChristmas present | \nDid you get any good Chrissie pressies this year? | \n
| Chuck a sickie | \nTake a day off pretending to be sick | \nI don't feel like going to work today. I might chuck a sickie. | \n
| Chuck a U-ey | \nMake a U-turn | \nI missed the turn. I'll have to chuck a U-ey. | \n
| Cobber | \nMate or friend | \nHe's my old cobber from school. | \n
| Dag | \nSilly person | \nHe's a bit of a dag, but he's fun. | \n
| Daggy | \nUnfashionable or eccentric | \nI know my outfit is a bit daggy, but it's comfortable. | \n
| Daks | \nTrousers | \nI need to buy some new daks for work. | \n
| Dead horse | \nTomato sauce | \nPass the dead horse, please. | \n
| Deadset | \nAbsolutely true | \nAre you deadset about going to the concert? | \n
| Dero | \nShort for derelict | \nI feel a bit dero today because I’m hungover. | \n
| Dunny | \nToilet | \nWhere's the dunny in this place? | \n
| Dunny budgie | \nBlowfly | \nThere's a dunny budgie buzzing around in here. | \n
| Esky | \nPortable cooler | \nGrab some drinks from the esky before we go. | \n
| Fair dinkum | \nGenuine | \nAre you fair dinkum about moving to the Outback? | \n
| Fairy floss | \nCotton candy | \nLet's get some fairy floss at the fair. | \n
| Feral | \nWild or untamed | \nThose feral kids are always causing trouble. | \n
| Flick | \nTo dismiss or get rid of | \nI had to flick my old phone, it was broken. | \n
| Footy | \nFootball (Australian Rules) | \nAre you going to watch the footy this weekend? | \n
| Full as a goog | \nHaving, eaten too much, or very drunk | \nHe was full as a goog after the party. | \n
| G'day | \nHello | \nG'day mate, how's it going? | \n
| Garbo | \nGarbage collector | \nThe garbo comes every Tuesday to pick up the trash. | \n
| Go walkabout | \nWander off, disappear | \nHave you seen the cat? It's gone walkabout again. | \n
| Good onya | \nWell done | \nYou finished the project early? Good onya! | \n
| Goon bag | \nCheap wine in a bag | \nWe drank a whole goon bag last night. | \n
| Grog | \nAlcohol | \nLet's grab some grog for the party. | \n
| Hoon | \nReckless driver or troublemaker | \nThose hoons were speeding down the street. | \n
| Loo | \nToilet | \nI need to use the loo. | \n
| Macca's | \nMcDonald's | \nLet's grab some Macca's for dinner. | \n
| Maccas run | \nA trip to McDonald's | \nAnyone up for a late-night Maccas run? | \n
| Mates rates | \nDiscount for friends | \nHe gave me mates rates on the repair job. | \n
| Middy | \nA type of beer glass | \nI'll have a middy of beer, thanks. | \n
| Moolah | \nMoney | \nThat car cost a lot of moolah. | \n
| Paddock | \nField or meadow | \nThe cows are out in the paddock. | \n
| Pash | \nA passionate kiss | \nThey had a pash behind the school. | \n
| Pommy | \nEnglish person | \nHe's a Pommy, just moved here from England. | \n
| Ratbag | \nTroublemaker | \nHe's a bit of a ratbag, always causing trouble. | \n
| Reckon | \nThink or believe | \nDo you reckon it'll rain tomorrow? | \n
| Ridgy-didge | \nGenuine/authentic | \nHe's a ridgy-didge Aussie bloke. | \n
| Rip snorter | \nExcellent | \nThat was a rip snorter of a party! | \n
| Ripper | \nExcellent | \nThat's a ripper of a catch! | \n
| Robbo | \nRobert | \nI'm meeting Robbo for lunch. | \n
| Rock up | \nArrive | \nWhat time did you rock up to the party? | \n
| Roo | \nKangaroo | \nWatch out for roos on the road at night. | \n
| Roo bar | \nBull bar on a vehicle | \nThe kangaroo hit the roo bar and bounced off. | \n
| Roughie | \nLongshot in betting | \nI'm putting a bet on the roughie in the next race. | \n
| Sanga | \nSandwich | \nI'll make myself a sanga for lunch. | \n
| Sanger | \nSandwich | \nI'll grab a sanger for lunch. | \n
| Servo | \nGas station | \nI need to fill up at the servo. | \n
| She'll be right | \nEverything will be okay | \nI forgot to bring my umbrella, but she'll be right. | \n
| Sheila | \nWoman | \nShe's a good sheila, always fun to be around. | \n
| Sickie | \nA day off due to pretended illness | \nI'm taking a sickie tomorrow to go fishing. | \n
| Smoko | \nSmoke break | \nI'll meet you outside for a smoko. | \n
| Snag | \nSausage | \nThrow another snag on the barbie. | \n
| Sook | \nA person who complains a lot | \nStop being such a sook and get on with it. | \n
| Spit the dummy | \nHave a tantrum | \nHe spat the dummy when he lost the game. | \n
| Spunk | \nAttractive person | \nHe's a bit of a spunk, isn't he? | \n
| Strewth | \nExpression of surprise or dismay | \nStrewth, did you see the size of that spider? | \n
| Stubbie | \nShort, squat beer bottle | \nI'll grab a six-pack of stubbies for the party. | \n
| Stubby holder | \nInsulated holder for a beer can or bottle | \nGrab a stubby holder to keep your beer cold. | \n
| Swag | \nSleeping bag and bedding for camping | \nWe rolled out our swags and slept under the stars. | \n
| Thongs | \nFlip-flops | \nI'm wearing my thongs to the beach. | \n
| Tinny | \nCan of beer / a small boat | \nLet's crack open a tinny. / Let’s take the tinny out this arvo, it’s a cracker! | \n
| Togs | \nSwimsuit | \nDon't forget your togs if we're going to the beach. | \n
| Trackie daks | \nTracksuit pants | \nI'm just going to lounge around in my trackie daks. | \n
| Tradie | \nTradesperson | \nThe tradie fixed our plumbing yesterday. | \n
| Ute | \nUtility vehicle | \nHe's got all his tools in the back of his ute. | \n
| Woop Woop | \nRemote or faraway place | \nHe lives out in Woop Woop, miles from anywhere. | \n
| Yabber | \nTalk incessantly | \nHe can yabber on for hours about nothing. | \n
| Yobbo | \nUncouth or unruly person | \nThose yobbos were causing trouble at the pub. | \n
![\"Roo](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt8f1de6fefdf03878/664d6e4855b3973d36605d8c/Feeding-Kangaroos.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Australian English has a lot in common with British English. First of all, the Australian accent can be easily confused for British to the untrained ear. Secondly, some common British slang words and phrases are also present in Australian lingo.
\nAnd thirdly - and funnily enough - both Australian and British slang often use somewhat unfiltered phrases to describe people or situations that can often be perceived as vulgar and offensive by non-Australian or non-British speakers.
\nHere are 40 Australian slang insults, that may simply be just a way of speaking. Be warned, they may make you laugh or feel offended.
\n| Slang word/phrase | \nMeaning | \nExample sentence | \n
|---|---|---|
| All over the shop | \nDisorganised, chaotic | \nHis presentation was all over the shop, he couldn't focus. | \n
| As useful as an ashtray on a motorbike | \nCompletely useless | \nThat idea is about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike. | \n
| Bonkers | \nGoing beyond what is normal or conventional, very enthusiastic | \nAfter hearing his plan, I thought he was bonkers. | \n
| Brassed off | \nFed up, annoyed | \nI'm brassed off with all this rain ruining my plans. | \n
| Cactus | \nBroken, not working properly | \nMy old computer is cactus, time for a new one. | \n
| Cheese and kisses | \nOne’s wife or girlfriend, slang for rhyming with “missus” | \nIs it boy's night only or shall we invite the cheese and kisses? | \n
| Chuck a wobbly | \nTo throw a tantrum | \nHe chucked a wobbly when he lost the game. | \n
| Chunder | \nTo vomit | \nYou look like you’re going to chunder after that rollercoaster ride! | \n
| Cocky as a rooster | \nOverconfident | \nHe's as cocky as a rooster, thinks he knows everything. | \n
| Couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery | \nVery disorganised | \nHe couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery, even if he tried. | \n
| Dodgy | \nSuspicious, unreliable | \nI don't trust that guy, he seems a bit dodgy. | \n
| Dog's breakfast | \nA mess, chaotic situation | \nThe party was a dog's breakfast, nothing went right. | \n
| Face like a dropped pie | \nUnhappy or disappointed | \nHe came back from the meeting with a face like a dropped pie. | \n
| Flat out like a lizard drinking | \nVery busy | \nI've been flat out like a lizard drinking all day. | \n
| Flat out like a lizard drinking on a rock | \nVery busy | \nI've been flat out like a lizard drinking on a rock all day. | \n
| Fruit loop | \nEccentric person | \nHe's a bit of a fruit loop, always talking to himself. | \n
| Full as a goog | \nVery drunk | \nHe was full as a goog after the party. | \n
| Full of beans | \nEnergetic, lively | \nThe kids were full of beans after the party. | \n
| Go spare | \nBecome very angry | \nIf he finds out, he'll go spare. | \n
| Gone troppo | \nBecome angrily irrational | \nLiving in isolation for so long, he's gone troppo. | \n
| Happy as Larry | \nExtremely happy | \nHe was happy as Larry when he won the lottery. | \n
| Hard yakka | \nHard work | \nIt’s hard yakka raising children! | \n
| Hit the frog and toad | \nTo begin a journey on the road | \nIt’s nearly dinnertime. Let’s hit the frog and toad! | \n
| Knackered | \nExhausted, very tired | \nAfter the long hike, I was absolutely knackered. | \n
| Mad as a cut snake | \nExtremely angry | \nHe was mad as a cut snake when he found out. | \n
| Not the brightest crayon in the box | \nNot very smart | \nLet's face it, he's not the brightest crayon in the box. | \n
| Not the full picnic | \nNot very intelligent or rational | \nHe's not the full picnic if he thinks that'll work. | \n
| Not the full quid | \nNot very intelligent or clueless | \nHe's not the full quid if he thinks that'll work. | \n
| Not the sharpest tool in the shed | \nNot very smart | \nLet's face it, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed. | \n
| Pull the other one | \nI don't believe you | \n\"I found a hundred-dollar bill on the ground.\" \"Pull the other one.\" | \n
| Spit the dummy | \nHave a tantrum | \nHe spat the dummy when he lost the game. | \n
| Spitting chips | \nExtremely angry or frustrated | \nHe was spitting chips after losing the game. | \n
| Stickybeak | \nNosy person | \nStop being such a stickybeak and mind your own business. | \n
| Stink-eye | \nA disapproving or angry look | \nShe gave him the stink-eye when he arrived late. | \n
| Sucked in | \nFooled or tricked | \nHe thought he won, but he was sucked in. | \n
| Tin arse | \nSomeone who is lucky | \nHe's got a tin arse, always winning competitions. | \n
| Two sandwiches short of a picnic | \nNot very smart | \nHe's two sandwiches short of a picnic if he believes that. | \n
| Up a gumtree | \nIn trouble or difficulty | \nSince he lost his job, he's been up a gumtree. | \n
| Wombat's picnic | \nA very unsuccessful event or outing | \nThe camping trip turned into a wombat's picnic. | \n
| Wonky | \nUnsteady or shaky | \nThe table leg is wonky, it needs fixing. | \n
\n
The Australians love to create funny slang for everything - from the avocado they eat for breakfast (the avo for brekkie) to the dollar bills. For any non-Australian, creating slang words for banknotes based on their color is something pretty bizarre.
\nAfter all, who would think that in Australia, a lobster isn’t only the big red crab you eat in a fancy restaurant but also a $20 note? Here are some common Aussie slang terms for each banknote.
\n| Banknote | \nColor | \nSlang | \n
|---|---|---|
| $5 note | \nPink | \n\n
| \n
| $10 note | \nBlue | \n\n
| \n
| $20 note | \nRed | \n\n
| \n
| $50 note | \nYellow | \n\n
| \n
| $100 note | \nGreen | \n\n
| \n
\n
As in any other country, the slang varies from region to region. Although Australia’s regional variations aren’t as pronounced as the regional variants of British slang across the UK, there are still some words and expressions that vary depending on which part of Australia you’re in.
\n![\"Man](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltb06f2ad84643ab15/664d6e128a6629fa4eb14888/Farmers.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Australia is divided into 7 main regions:
\nIn each region, the slang expressions change slightly. Here are some examples:
\n\n
So, you’re keen to speak like a true Aussie. No worries, brah! First off, Aussie slang can be a bit like learning a new language (even if you’re a native English speaker), but don’t chuck a wobbly if you don’t get it right away.
\nThe fastest way to learn is to listen to how locals use different slang words in conversation and try to suss out the meaning from context. For example, if someone mentions grabbing a “tinny” on a scorching hot day, you’ll know right away they aren’t talking about a can of tune but a cold beer.
\nAnother trick to learning how to speak Aussie slang faster is to pick up on common usage patterns. For instance, Aussies love shortening words whenever they can. Brekkie for breakfast, barbie for barbecue, arvo for afternoon - you get the idea.
\nThe most important thing, however, is to always be culturally sensitive and respectful when using Aussie slang. It’s all good to use it, but remember that some words might have different meanings or connotations in different contexts. So, make sure to ask if you don’t understand something or aren’t sure when to use a particular slang word. Better safe than sorry!
\n\n
You’ve surely heard that unmistakable Australian accent somewhere before. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Crocodile Dundee, have chuckled along with Kath & Kim, or found yourself tapping your foot to Men at Work’s tunes, Aussie slang has found a way to sneak into your consciousness.
\nHere are some famous people you may not have known were Australian:
\nThese iconic characters and personalities have made Aussie lingo as famous as Vegemite on toast, spreading it across popular films, TV shows, and programs.
\nHere’s Margot Robbie teaching you some Australian slang words:
\nAnd here’s Chris Hemsworth talking about using his natural Australian accent in Ghostbusters:
\n\n
Although this article won’t make you speak like a true Aussie in the matter of however many minutes you spent reading it, it should give you a pretty good idea of Australian lingo and phrases. From arvo and barbie to brekkie and tinny, we’ve covered it all (we tried to)!
\nBut remember, mastering Aussie slang isn’t just about sounding like a local. It’s also about mastering the laid-back, easygoing Aussie spirit. So, go ahead and have fun with it! After all, Aussie slang is full of funny and quirky expressions that are sure to put a smile on your face.
\nAnd if you’d like to explore other English slang, check out our article on British slang or the one on the differences between British English and American English
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"British slang","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"131 top British slang words, expressions & meanings to learn","url":"/blog/british-slang-lingo-words-meanings","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt9084d67d6e72bf02/65f183b96119722e96644c74/young-adults-traveling-london.jpg"},"post_content":"Here’s the answer to that question that might have been bothering you for a while: although the characters were speaking English, they were likely speaking a different version of it.
\nYou see, the British English you likely know from famous movie stars like Hugh Grant and Jude Law is the standard British accent commonly spoken in London and southeast England. But it’s not the only British accent or dialect there is.
\nIn this article, we’ll go over the regional dialects of British English and British slang terms you might want to know.
\n![\"Two](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blte8f4bb6e7107b588/65f189b59b2cda056b93c92e/tourists-in-london.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
\n
The roots of British slang can be traced back through centuries, influenced by historical events and cultural interactions.
\nDuring the Middle Ages, British English absorbed words from Norman French, while the expansion of the British Empire in the 16th and 17th centuries introduced vocabulary from colonies and trading partners. Industrialization and urbanization in the 19th and 20th centuries contributed to slang development, as cities like London and Manchester became melting pots of diverse cultures.
\nToday, technology and popular culture play a significant role, with the internet and social media accelerating the spread of slang terms.
\n\n
Pretty much every English speaker can identify the charming, heavy British English accent. Yet not many people outside of the United Kingdom know that there are actually almost 40 different accents across the UK.
\nYou may have heard of a few, like Cockney, Scottish, or Welsh, but what about Geordie, Scouse, or Brummie? Spoiler alert: Brummie is spoken by Tom Shady in Peaky Blinders.
\nAside from the accent, regional variations of British English also include different slang words used in different regions of the UK. Here are some of the UK’s regional dialects with their most common slang words and phrases.
\nThe standard British accent everyone knows is the Queen’s English, BBC English, or Received Pronunciation (RP). RP is a term coined by phonetician Daniel Jones. Back in the 1900s, RP was the accent taught to upper and middle-class boarding school boys in southern England.
\nIt later became more widely spread until it became “Standard English” in the late 19th century and became, and still is, associated with people of high social standing. It’s also the easiest of all regional dialects to understand, which is why it’s used by news stations and heard in movies like Pride and Prejudice or Downtown Abbey.
\nThe Queen’s English is spoken in London and Southern England. Here are some of the most common slang words and phrases used by people from those regions.
\n\n
| Slang word/phrase | \nMeaning | \nExample sentence | \n
|---|---|---|
| Bloke | \nA man or guy | \nI saw that bloke you were talking to yesterday. | \n
| Bloody | \nIntensifier or expletive, used for emphasis | \nIt's been a bloody awful day. | \n
| Chap | \nA man or guy, often slightly formal | \nHe's a fine chap, isn't he? | \n
| Cheers | \nThank you or goodbye | \nCheers for lending me your book. | \n
| Chuffed | \nPleased or delighted | \nShe was chuffed to receive an award for her work. | \n
| Gutted | \nExtremely disappointed or upset | \nI was gutted when I found out I didn't get the job. | \n
| Knackered | \nExtremely tired or exhausted | \nI've been working all day, I'm absolutely knackered. | \n
| Lad | \nA young man or boy, often affectionate | \nHe's a good lad, always willing to help out. | \n
| Mate | \nFriend or companion | \nHey mate, how's it going? | \n
| Quid | \nSlang for pounds sterling | \nIt cost me twenty quid. | \n
\n
Cockney is a very characteristic accent spoken in the East End of London, which originated from the working class Londoners.
\nThe term \"Cockney\" historically referred specifically to someone born within earshot of the ringing of the Bow Bells at the church of St Mary-le-Bow in the Cheapside district of London. Over time, Cockney has come to represent a broader cultural and linguistic identity associated with this area.
\nCockney slang often involves replacing a word with a rhyming phrase, where the rhyming part (the second word) is typically dropped in usage, leaving just the first word as the slang term.
\nYes, it’s… well, confusing. But back in the day, this rhyming slang served as a form of coded language among working-class communities, allowing them to communicate discreetly in public spaces or among outsiders.
\nHere are some of the most common Cockney slang words and phrases.
\n| Slang word/phrase | \nMeaning | \nExample sentence | \n
|---|---|---|
| Adam and Eve | \nBelieve | \nWould you Adam and Eve it, he won the race! | \n
| Apples and pears | \nStairs | \nMind the apples and pears as you go up. | \n
| Barnet Fair | \nHair | \nHe's always fussing over his Barnet Fair. | \n
| Butcher's hook | \nLook | \nTake a butcher's hook at this view. | \n
| Dog and bone | \nPhone | \nI'll give you a ring on the dog and bone. | \n
| Frog and toad | \nRoad | \nI'll meet you at the end of the frog and toad. | \n
| Plates of meat | \nFeet | \nMy plates of meat are killing me after that walk. | \n
| Ruby Murray | \nCurry | \nFancy a Ruby Murray tonight?\" | \n
| Trouble and strife | \nWife | \nThe trouble and strife wants me home early. | \n
\n
If you’ve ever been to Newcastle upon Tyne, you probably had great trouble understanding people. No wonder! Geordie, the regional dialect spoken in Newcastle and the Tyneside region, is one of the hardest British dialects to understand.
\nGeordie is filled with unique words, phrases, and pronunciations that might leave you scratching your head in confusion, even if you're a native English speaker. For instance, you might hear someone saying \"gan doon\" instead of \"go down\" or \"howay\" instead of \"come on.\"
\nBut it's not just the words themselves that can be tricky. It's also the accent and pronunciation. Geordies often drop consonants or change vowel sounds in ways that can throw off even the most seasoned English speaker.
\nHere are some of the most common Geordie slang words and phrases.
\n| Slang word/phrase | \nMeaning | \nExample sentence | \n
|---|---|---|
| Belta | \nGreat, fantastic | \nThat concert last night was absolutely belta! | \n
| Canny | \nGood, nice | \nThat's a canny little pub over there.\" | \n
| Divvent | \nDon't | \nDivvent be daft, just get on with it. | \n
| Gan doon | \nGo down, go downstairs | \nI'm gonna gan doon to the shops, want owt? | \n
| Hinny | \nTerm of endearment for a woman, like \"dear\" | \nAlright hinny, how's it gan? | \n
| Howay | \nCome on, hurry up | \nHoway man, we're gonna be late!\" | \n
| Hoy | \nThrow | \nHoy us that pen, will ya? | \n
| Radgie | \nAggressive person | \nWatch out for him, he's a bit of a radgie. | \n
| Wor lass | \nMy girlfriend | \nWor lass is away visiting her mam this weekend. | \n
\n
If you’ve ever been to Liverpool, you know that its dialect is one of the heaviest and most distinctive British English accents. If you haven’t been to Liverpool, you may still be familiar with the Scouse accent thanks to the Beatles.
\nScouse can be hard to understand even for native speakers, as its roots lie in various influences, including Irish, Welsh, and Lancashire dialects. Scouse speakers often speak extremely fast, blending words together and dropping consonants, which can make it challenging to decipher for those unfamiliar with it.
\nHere are some of the most common Scouse slang words and phrases.
\n| Slang word/phrase | \nMeaning | \nExample sentence | \n
|---|---|---|
| Bevvy | \nAlcoholic drink | \nFancy going for a few bevies tonight? | \n
| Blag | \nTo deceive or trick | \nHe managed to blag his way into the club. | \n
| Boss | \nExcellent, great | \nThat film was boss, wasn't it? | \n
| Boss tha | \nYou're the best | \nThanks for helping out, you're boss tha. | \n
| Our kid | \nYounger sibling or close friend | \nMe and our kid are going to the match. | \n
| Scran | \nFood, especially a meal | \nI'm starving, let's get some scran. | \n
| Sound | \nGood, okay | \nEverything's sound, don't worry. | \n
\n
Have you ever heard of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch? Yes, it’s one of the longest words in English, with 58 letters, and it’s the name of a small town in Wales.
\nIt's quite the tongue-twister, isn't it? It should give you a pretty good idea of the Welsh dialect, which is full of consonant clusters like \"ll\" and \"pwll.\" Some Welsh words, such as cwtch and \"llongyfarchiadau\" (congratulations), look like they were written by your cat when it fell asleep on your keyboard.
\nLuckily for us, nowadays, the inhabitants of Wales speak Welsh English, which is a combination of the old Welsh language and Standard English rather than old Welsh.
\nHere are some of the most common Welsh slang words and phrases.
\n| Slang word/phrase | \nMeaning | \nExample sentence | \n
|---|---|---|
| Bladdered | \nDrunk | \nHe was absolutely bladdered at the party last night. | \n
| Butty | \nFriend or mate | \nAlright, butty, fancy a pint?\" | \n
| Chopsy | \nTalkative or argumentative | \nDon't get chopsy with me! | \n
| Cwtch | \nA cuddle or hug | \nLet's have a cwtch to warm up. | \n
| Lush | \nDelicious or attractive | \nThis cake is lush; you should try it. | \n
| Minging | \nDisgusting or unattractive | \nThat fish smells minging! | \n
| Mun/Munud | \nMoment | \nWait a mun, I'll be right back. | \n
| Tamping | \nAngry or furious | \nShe was tamping when she found out. | \n
| Tidy | \nGood, nice, or satisfactory | \nThat meal was tidy, wasn't it? | \n
| Ych-a-fi | \nExpression of disgust | \nYch-a-fi, that food tastes terrible! | \n
\n
If you’ve ever spoken with a Scottish person, you may have struggled to understand what they were saying. That’s because Scottish English is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, accents to understand, even for all other English native speakers.
\nScottish English, or the Scots dialect, has 5 main varieties:
\nHere are some of the most common Scots slang words and phrases.
\n| Slang word/phrase | \nMeaning | \nExample sentence | \n
|---|---|---|
| Bairn | \nChild | \nThe bairn is asleep now. | \n
| Blether | \nChat or gossip | \nWe had a good blether over a cup of tea. | \n
| Bonnie | \nPretty or beautiful | \n\"She's a bonnie lass. | \n
| Dreich | \nGloomy or bleak weather | \nIt's dreich outside today. | \n
| Glaikit | \nStupid or foolish | \nHe looked positively glaikit after hearing the news. | \n
| Greetin' | \nCrying or weeping | \nShe's been greetin' since she heard the news. | \n
| Haud yer wheesht | \nBe quiet or shut up | \nHaud yer wheesht and let me think. | \n
| Ken | \nKnow | \nA ken whit yer sayin'. | \n
| Tattie-bogle | \nScarecrow | \nThe tattie-bogle in the field was quite frightening. | \n
| Wee | \nSmall or little | \nI'll just have a wee bit of cake. | \n
\n
While Glaswegian is part of the various Scots dialects, it deserves a section of its own because of how particular it is.
\nGlaswegian is the dialect spoken in Glasgow, which originated from a blend of influences, including Scots Gaelic, Old English, and immigrant languages like Irish and Yiddish.
\nIt’s characteristic due to its rapid speech patterns, frequent consonant dropping, unique vocabulary, intonation, and rich use of slang and colloquialisms. So, don’t worry if you can’t understand a Glaswegian person! You’re certainly not alone.
\nHere are some of the most common Glaswegian slang words and phrases.
\n| Slang word/phrase | \nMeaning | \nExample sentence | \n
|---|---|---|
| Boak | \nTo vomit | \nThe smell of that fish makes me want to boak. | \n
| Boggin' | \nDirty or filthy | \nYou need to clean your room; it's boggin'. | \n
| Cludgie | \nToilet | \nI'll be back in a minute, just going to the cludgie. | \n
| Gie it laldy | \nTo give it your all, to do something with enthusiasm | \nWhen he starts singing, he really gies it laldy. | \n
| Hoachin' | \nCrowded or full of people | \nThe pub was hoachin' last night; couldn't move! | \n
| Messages | \nGroceries or shopping | \nI need to nip to the shops for some messages. | \n
| Nae bother | \nNo problem or you're welcome | \nThanks for helping out, nae bother. | \n
| Roaster | \nA silly or annoying person | \nStop being such a roaster and behave yourself! | \n
| Scooby | \nClue or idea | \nI haven't got a scooby what you're on about. | \n
\n
Now that you can tell apart the different regional dialects in the UK, let’s get down to business. What are the most commonly used words and phrases in British slang?
\nHere are 20+ expressions used in British jargon you should know to finally understand what all these characters in British TV shows are actually saying so you can understand and speak like a true Brit.
\n![\"Two](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt6c7b81c0ebb0e97c/65f18ab6a1e8153e06d5a535/walking-london.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Slang word/phrase | \nMeaning | \nExample sentence | \n
|---|---|---|
| Ace | \nExcellent or great | \nThat movie was ace. I loved it! | \n
| Bagsy | \nTo claim or reserve | \nBagsy the front seat! | \n
| Bits and bobs | \nVarious small items or things | \nI need to pick up a few bits and bobs from the store. | \n
| Blag | \nTo obtain or achieve something through persuasion or manipulation | \nHe blagged his way into the club without a ticket. | \n
| Blimey | \nExpression of surprise or shock | \nBlimey! Did you see the size of that fish? | \n
| Bollocks | \nNonsense or rubbish | \nWhat you're saying is a load of bollocks. | \n
| Bonkers | \nWild | \nYou must be bonkers if you think that'll work. | \n
| Brolly | \nUmbrella | \nBetter bring your brolly. It looks like rain. | \n
| Budge up | \nMove over or make space | \nBudge up, I need some room on the bench. | \n
| Bugger all | \nNothing at all | \nI've got bugger all to do this weekend. | \n
| Chav | \nPejorative term for someone perceived as lower class or uncultured | \nThose chavs are always causing trouble in the neighborhood. | \n
| Chin wag | \nA chat or conversation | \nLet's have a chinwag over a cuppa. | \n
| Chuffed to bits | \nExtremely pleased or proud | \nShe was chuffed to bits with her exam results. | \n
| Cuppa | \nCup of tea | \nI could really use a cuppa right now. | \n
| Daft | \nSilly or foolish | \nDon't be daft. Of course, I'll help you. | \n
| Dodgy | \nSuspicious or unreliable | \nI wouldn't trust that dodgy website. It looks sketchy. | \n
| Fag | \nCigarette | \nHe's outside having a fag. | \n
| Gobsmacked | \nAstonished or amazed | \nI was gobsmacked when I won the lottery. | \n
| Innit | \nShortened form of \"isn't it\" or \"isn't he/she,\" often used for agreement or confirmation in informal speech | \nIt's raining hard today, innit? | \n
| Knackered | \nExtremely tired or exhausted | \nI've been up all night studying; I'm knackered. | \n
| Loo | \nBathroom or toilet | \nExcuse me, where's the loo? | \n
| Miffed | \nAnnoyed or irritated | \nHe was miffed when he found out he didn't get the job. | \n
| Minging | \nExtremely unattractive or unpleasant | \nThat food looks minging. I'm not eating it. | \n
| Minted | \nRich or wealthy | \nHe must be minted if he can afford to drive that car. | \n
| Muppet | \nFool or idiot | \nYou're such a muppet for forgetting your keys. | \n
| Naff | \nUnfashionable or tacky | \nThat outfit is a bit naff, isn't it? | \n
| Numpty | \nFool or idiot, often used affectionately or humorously | \nDon't be such a numpty. Read the instructions properly. | \n
| Peng | \nAttractive or appealing, especially in reference to food or a person | \nThat pizza looks peng. I can't wait to eat it. | \n
| Plonker | \nFool or idiot | \nHe's such a plonker, always messing things up. | \n
| Posh | \nUpper-class or elegant | \nShe comes from a posh family. | \n
| Rubbish | \nNonsense or poor quality | \nThat movie was rubbish. I fell asleep halfway. | \n
| Skint | \nWithout money or broke | \nI can't go out tonight. I'm skint until payday. | \n
| Skive | \nTo avoid work or responsibility | \nHe's always skiving off when there's work to be done. | \n
| Snog | \nTo kiss passionately | \nThey were snogging in the corner all night. | \n
| Sod off | \nGo away or leave | \nWhy don't you just sod off and leave me alone? | \n
| Telly | \nTelevision | \nLet's stay in and watch the telly tonight. | \n
| Wanker | \nA derogatory term for someone foolish or annoying | \nHe's such a wanker, always boasting about himself. | \n
| Wazzock | \nFool or idiot | \nHe's such a wazzock. I can't believe he did that. | \n
\n
Although the British accent is typically perceived as attractive and charming, British slang can sometimes sound either somewhat aggressive or straight-up funny.
\nHere are some quirky British lingo expressions that will make you chuckle.
\n![\"Fun](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt0db03bab94a06c87/65f2999e5fa1c6b4094bcacb/istock-938484480.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Slang word/phrase | \nMeaning | \nExample sentence | \n
|---|---|---|
| Barmy | \nEccentric | \nHe's got some barmy ideas, that's for sure. | \n
| Bodge | \nTo do something clumsily or hastily | \nI'll just bodge it together and hope for the best. | \n
| Chunter | \nTo mutter or grumble quietly | \nHe's been chuntering about the weather all day. | \n
| Codswallop | \nNonsense or rubbish | \nThat's absolute codswallop, don't believe it. | \n
| Doolally | \nWild | \nHe's gone completely doolally! | \n
| Faff | \nTo waste time or dither | \nStop faffing around and get to work! | \n
| Fuddy-duddy | \nA person who is old-fashioned or boring | \nHe's a bit of a fuddy-duddy, isn't he? | \n
| Gormless | \nClueless or lacking intelligence | \nHe stood there looking gormless when asked a question. | \n
| Kerfuffle | \nA commotion or fuss | \nThere was a kerfuffle at the party last night. | \n
| Malarkey | \nNonsense or foolishness | \nDon't pay attention to his malarkey. | \n
| Nosh | \nFood, especially a meal | \nLet's go grab some nosh before the movie. | \n
| Piffle | \nNonsense or trivial talk | \nI don't have time for your piffle. | \n
| Snazzy | \nStylish or impressive | \nI love your snazzy new jacket! | \n
| Squiffy | \nSlightly drunk or tipsy | \nAfter a few drinks, he was feeling rather squiffy. | \n
| Toodle-oo | \nInformal way of saying goodbye | \nAlright, toodle-oo, see you later! | \n
| Tosh | \nRubbish or nonsense | \nDon't listen to him, it's all a load of tosh! | \n
| Wally | \nA foolish or silly person | \nYou're such a wally sometimes. | \n
| Wangle | \nTo manipulate or obtain by persuasion or trickery | \nHe managed to wangle a free ticket to the concert. | \n
| Wibble | \nNonsense or gibberish | \nHe's talking absolute wibble, don't listen to him. | \n
| Wonky | \nUnstable or not working properly | \nThe table leg is a bit wonky, I'll fix it. | \n
\n
Here are some common mistakes that non-natives often make when trying to use British slang:
\n![\"So,](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt6e779bc241920cd8/65f29b2d0780b9edcb61c1f4/british-jargon.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
If you're not from the UK, it's easy to assume that all British slang is the same across the country. But the truth is, there are many dialects across the UK, and the slang is different from region to region. Using terms like \"trouble and strife\" or \"apples and pears\" might be perfectly understood in some parts of England, but they could leave people scratching their heads in Scotland.
\nSo, take the time to learn about the slang commonly used in the specific region you're in or interacting with. And always ask the locals for clarification if you're unsure!
\nSome slang terms are considered more casual or even rude, so using them in formal settings or with people you don't know well can be off-putting. For example, referring to someone as a \"mate\" or \"bloke\" in a professional meeting might come across as overly familiar.
\nTo avoid this mistake, be mindful of the context and tone in which you're using slang. If you’re unsure if it’s appropriate, just don’t use it!
\nAs a non-native speaker, it’s easy to misunderstand the real meaning behind certain slang expressions. To avoid misunderstandings, take the time to learn about the cultural context and connotations of the slang you're using. Pay attention to how native speakers use these terms and try to use them in the same situations.
\n\n
Understanding British slang is like deciphering a secret code. It can be hard at first, but once you figure it out, it's the missing key to fitting in.
\nBut keep in mind that slang isn't a one-size-fits-all deal. It varies based on things like age, social group, and context. So, if you're not careful, you might end up saying something out of place or in the wrong context to the wrong group of people.
\nTo avoid awkward silences and confused looks, pay attention to how the locals use slang in different situations. If you're feeling a bit lost, don't be afraid to ask for clarification.
\nWith a basic understanding of the nuances between the regional dialects and a bit of practice, you'll be speaking like a true Brit in no time. If you’re looking for more examples of English slang, you can explore our fun guide to American slang here, learn more about the differences between American English and British English here, or visit our English blog, filled with language, culture, and colloquialisms from around the world. Happy reading!
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"Constructed languages","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"Constructed languages: A cool guide & how to create your own","url":"/blog/constructed-languages-list","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt2072021d3b984b84/65e1a6a031aca1d3b37eff3f/Constructed_languages.jpg"},"post_content":"These artificially constructed languages are called “conlangs” - yes, it’s a smooth combination of the words “constructed” and “language.”
Conlangs have been around for quite a while. The oldest conlang we know of is Lingua Ignota, created in the 12th century by abbess Hildegard von Bingen. The earliest fictional language ever created was the Utopian language by Thomas More in 1516.
If you’re curious to learn more about constructed languages, keep reading because, in this article, we’ll go over the most popular constructed languages you might not have known ever existed.
![\"People](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt3cf16af3dec56854/65e1aa960f1d359afeca59bd/people-reading-together.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Conlangs are usually created for a specific purpose, although they can also be created purely for creative expression - or for fun (check out this language genius who created a dolphin conlang).
The earliest conlangs have been created for religious, philosophical, or other real-world purposes. For instance, the most popular conlangs we know today, like Esperanto and Interlingua, were constructed to create a universal language as a communication tool between nations.
Some other conlangs, like Klingon and Dothraki, have been created to build magical worlds in fantasy books, movies, TV shows, and video games. We’ve got an entire article dedicated to these fantasy conlangs.
Although it’s currently estimated that there are 312 constructed languages, they’re more common than we think. Since anyone can create their own conlang, we don’t exactly know how many newly constructed languages exist.
There’s even a term that describes a person who constructs languages (a “conlanger”), a verb that describes the action of creating a new language (“conlanging”), and a site you can use if you want to create your own language (conlang.org/).
If you’re interested in creating your own conlang or you’re just geeking out on this topic, you must know that there are 3 main types of constructed languages.
![\"There](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltb70a1f2b99cb20cd/65e1aaaa6e7edb17cfb50b32/laughing-teenagers-with-books-chatting-library.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Artlangs, or “artistic languages,” are constructed languages that have no real-world use and are solely created as works of art. Usually, artlangs have irregular grammar systems and aren’t as organized and well-defined as auxlangs or engineered languages.
There are different types of constructed languages that can be classified as artlangs:
International auxiliary languages, or auxlangs, are meant to act as a universal communication tool between nations that don’t speak the same language.
All auxlangs aren’t necessarily constructed languages. They can be both real-world languages, such as Latin or Greek in antiquity, and conlangs, such as Esperanto or Interlingua.
Engineered languages, or engelangs, are languages constructed to prove a hypothesis about how a language works or might work.
There are at least 3 different types of engineered languages:
Let’s jump into the list of the most popular constructed languages you didn’t even know existed.
![\"Tolkien's](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt7eb47b596e2ea71c/65e1ac1a51368b6977843d93/ring-4612457_1280.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
As you remember earlier in the article, fantasy languages fall under the artlangs category. If you’re a fan of fantasy books, movies, or video games, you might be familiar with some of these popular artlangs.
Sindarin and Quenya are two fictional languages created by J.R.R. Tolkien for his Middle-Earth stories.
Quenya, known as the language of the High Elves, is characterized by its complex grammar and melodic sound, drawing inspiration from Finnish, Latin, and Greek. Sindarin, spoken by the Grey Elves, has a more realistic feel inspired by Welsh and Old English.
If you’re a Tolkien fan and want to learn how to speak Elvish, you can join communities of Quenya and Sindarin speakers on Reddit (both with over 7k members!)
Dothraki and Valyrian are two fantasy languages constructed by David Petersen for Game of Thrones, a TV show loved by many. If you’ve watched the show, you’ll know that Daenerys is the last known speaker of High Valyrian and that Dothraki is the language spoken by the warriors of the land of Essos.
Although both languages are fictional, they have a huge fanbase, with some actively learning to speak them. There’s even a fan-made website and a small Reddit community for Dothraki and Valyrian learners.
Klingon is a fictional language spoken by the Klingon race in Star Trek, created by linguist Marc Okrand. Klingon features guttural sounds, agglutinative grammar, and a bizarre vocabulary that tries to reflect the culture of the humanoid warrior race.
The language has a dedicated community of enthusiasts known as Klingonists. Klingon has even appeared in various TV shows. For example, the two main characters of The Big Bang Theory mention that they speak fluent Klingon multiple times throughout the series.
In fact, Klingon has gained so much popularity that there’s even a Duolingo Klingon course for English speakers with over 377k active learners!
Na'vi was created by linguist Paul Frommer for the fictional inhabitants of the planet Pandora in James Cameron's film \"Avatar.\" Its features include a unique phonetic inventory, rich grammar with case markings and infixes, and a vocabulary tailored to reflect the culture and environment of the Na'vi people.
The Na'vi language community consists of fans who study and use the language, participate in online forums, create resources, and even hold language learning events at conventions. There’s even a website for Na’vi learners and Frommer’s official blog.
Thalassian is a conlang created for the fictional land of Quel'Thalas in the popular video game World of Warcraft. Thalassian draws inspiration from real-world languages like Latin, Greek, and French.
While it’s mainly used within the game by players and NPCs (non-player characters), Thalassian fans have created online resources for learning the language - like these Thalassian flashcards on Quizlet.
As you may remember, auxlangs are auxiliary languages that act as a universal language. Here’s a list of the most popular auxlangs.
![\"The](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt78f3cc6c8c7e462d/65e1ae89c5985215f2f6c98b/World-Congress-of-Esperanto.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Esperanto was created by a Polish physician, Ludovic Zamenhof, in 1887. Zamenhof wanted to develop a simple, easy-to-learn language to erase communication barriers between ethnic groups that didn’t speak the same language. Esperanto is designed to be simple and logical, with regular grammar and a vocabulary mainly based on European languages.
It's estimated that 2 million people worldwide speak Esperanto today. Every year, thousands of Esperantists attend the World Esperanto Congress, where they meet other Esperanto speakers.
If you speak any of the Romance languages, such as Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, or Romanian, you’ll have no trouble understanding Interlingua, which was created as an auxiliary language for Romance language speakers.
Interlingua was developed between 1937 and 1951 by the American International Auxiliary Language Association (IALA). It was officially launched in 1951 when IALA published the Interlingua-English Dictionary with 27,000 words.
Ido is a conlang derived from Esperanto. It was constructed in 1907 to rectify Esperanto's perceived flaws and become the second universal language for people of different linguistic backgrounds. The name “Ido” comes from the Esperanto word “offspring.”
Ido was designed to be easy to learn and fairly regular in terms of grammar, orthography, and lexicography. Ido’s vocabulary and structure draw inspiration from 6 leading European languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian.
Although Ido gained some popularity, it quickly faded away when one of its most influential proponents died, and another one left the movement to create his own language, Novial.
Volapük was created in 1880 by a German cleric, Johann Martin Schleyer, and designed, just as Esperanto, to be a universal language. Although Volapük draws inspiration from the Romance languages and English, it’s almost impossible to understand without studying it.
Volapük’s complex grammar and vocabulary, which doesn’t resemble any contemporary language at all, has made it quite difficult to learn, and it was quickly replaced by Esperanto.
Like Esperanto and Interlingua, Novial is another artificial language created to be a universal language for speakers of different mother tongues. It was introduced in 1928 by Otto Jespersen, a Danish linguist who was previously involved in the Ido movement.
Novial vocabulary draws inspiration from Germanic and Romance languages, but its grammar is largely based on English. Novial didn’t have enough time to gain popularity and nearly died with its creator in 1943.
Engelangs, or engineered languages, aim to prove a specific hypothesis about how languages can be applied to real-world issues. Here are some of the most popular engelangs.
![\"Lojban](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt2ef000043b1a0c28/65e1af3e0f1d356d3cca59d6/Lojban_logo.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\"){kind=logo}
Lojban is a logical and clean conlang created by the Logical Language Group (LLG) in 1987. Lojban is an improved version of its predecessor, Loglan, an artificial language created by James Cook Brown in 1955.
Lojban’s purpose is to make language more logical and easy to use. It has been suggested as a means of machine translations and as a way to explore the “intersection between human language and software” - hence why it falls under the engelangs category.
The words “loj” and “ban” stand for “logic” and “language,” meaning that Lojban is a very logical language with pretty straightforward grammar and inflection rules to express emotions.
Blissymbols (or Blissymbolics) is an artificial ideographic language consisting of graphic symbols that express specific ideas (like the Egyptian hieroglyphs). Currently, Blissymbols has over 5,000 recognized symbols.
This conlang first appeared in 1949, created by a Jewish chemical engineer, Charles K. Bliss, who wanted to develop a universal language to unite the nations that hated each other during the war. His life path took him to Shanghai, where he created Blissymbols inspired by Chinese characters.
A non-profit charity organization, Blissymbolics Communication International, is now in charge of Blissymbols and its use and development. Today, this language is used to help people with speech and physical impairments and various learning difficulties.
If you’re a software engineer or you’re familiar with programming, you know that programming languages like Python, Java, or C++ are pretty much like learning to speak a normal language - except on the computer.
Because of their use in software engineering, programming languages fall under the category of engineered languages.
You’ve probably heard of Braille, a tactile writing system used by visually impaired people. Braille was created over 200 years ago, in the 1820s, by Louis Braille - a Frenchman who lost his sight in a tragic accident as a child.
You might be surprised to learn that Braille isn’t a language but a tactile code. The dots represent letters, punctuation, and numbers, allowing visually impaired people to read and write by touch only.
Morse code is an early telegraph communication system developed by Samuel F.B. Morse in 1837 as a way of communicating through bursts of electricity. Back then, it was used to communicate via telegraph, satellite, and radio. Today, Morse code is still used by the U.S. Navy and aviators.
Morse code consists solely of dots and dashes. More specifically, it consists of short and long bursts of sound called “dits” (the short ones) and “dahs” (the long ones). The most common word used in Morse code is SOS, represented as:
Although constructing a language is complex, many people have done it. And we’re not only talking about the creators of the widely recognized conlangs mentioned in this article.
We’re also talking about linguists and linguistic enthusiasts who create new languages for art, entertainment, or worldbuilding, like this creator of a fantasy language called Asterian and this creator of a fictional conlang called Khedorran.
Here are some things you need to consider on when creating your conlang.
![\"Group](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt4e9beedf6ba46d81/65e1b25aeef4e34bb51e72ec/pexels-picjumbocom-210661.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Your language needs words to exist. To create your vocabulary base, think about how the speakers of your language would communicate in real life. If you’re creating a fictional conlang for a fantasy warrior species, you’ll have to consider their culture, habits, and way of communicating.
Once you’ve figured out how the speakers of your language will communicate, begin by brainstorming the main set of words: basic nouns, verbs, greetings, numbers, and so on. You can take inspiration from existing languages or even use ChatGPT to help you create new words.
Another key element of your conlang is the writing system it’ll use. Will your language speakers communicate via the written alphabet? Will you use a Latin alphabet or create an entirely new one? Or maybe you’d rather use symbols?
Your writing system can be anything from an entirely new writing system to one that’s inspired by the existing ones, such as:
After establishing your writing system and developing some vocabulary for your new conlang, you’ll need to think about phonology and pronunciation.
You'll need to consider the sounds present in your conlang, including consonants and vowels, as well as any consonant clusters or diphthongs. Decide on the basic phonetic inventory and the rules governing how these sounds can combine and change in different contexts. Consider factors like phonotactics, syllable structure, and any phonological processes such as assimilation or vowel harmony.
And once you’ve got all this figured out, think about the intonation, stress, and tone of your language. How do you want it to sound?
Although most language learners don’t enjoy learning grammatical rules, they’re a crucial part of any language - including your conlang. To come up with a logical and coherent set of grammar rules for your conlang, you must consider the following elements:
There’s a lot to think about!
Is creating your own conlang worth the effort?
If you’re doing it for entertainment, it might be a fun linguistic exercise. If you’re writing a fantasy novel or movie script, creating a conlang can be a great way to enrich the world you’re building and give your characters more depth.
For the conlang creators we mentioned in this article, creating their own language was a way of improving the world through more structured communication. Yet, many of these languages failed to achieve their purpose.
Of course, it’s not easy to get millions of people worldwide to adopt your language and start using it in their everyday lives.
Unless it has a specific purpose that helps people live better lives, like Morse code or Braille, your conlang will likely lack speakers, face cultural sensitivity issues, and struggle to maintain linguistic coherence due to lack of practical use.
Still, isn’t it fun to learn more about the artificial languages created over the years and maybe even try to create your own? Only you can tell!
Embrace more language learning fun on our language blog.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"Merry Christmas in English","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"205 ways to wish a happy holidays & merry Christmas in English","url":"/blog/happy-holidays-merry-christmas-english-quotes","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt9ff849644ac36741/64dae37f1a23ceabd65b8d28/pexels-jeshootscom-714696.jpg"},"post_content":"I’m an introvert. And as for any incredibly introverted person, the holiday season is a challenging time for me. Having to call my friends and family to wish them a Merry Christmas and send out emails to my clients, bosses, and colleagues wishing them a Happy Holiday is something that doesn’t come easily to me.
If you’re an introvert yourself, you likely get me! But if you’re an extrovert, you might be wondering what’s so hard about wishing someone a Happy Holiday. Well, the truth is I never know what to say.
I want my wishes to sound polite, kind, loving, and culturally appropriate. And even though I’m a writer, sometimes finding the right words for holiday wishes applicable to the situation, my relationship with the person, and their culture or religious beliefs is a bit tricky.
So, in this article, I’ve gathered over 200 happy holiday wishes and quotes you can use in your emails, Whatsapp messages, and phone calls. This article is as much dedicated to you - the English learner, you - the introvert, and me - the writer who will reread this every December from now on.
The holiday season makes us picture beautiful white snow falling gracefully outside our windows, a warm fireplace, a heartwarming Christmas movie on TV, and a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows.
![\"Learn](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltc2e4fddb4668414d/64daf0395ec7a960d092ce9b/holidays_istock-1159390595-min.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Such a cozy image of Christmas makes over 2 billion people in more than 160 countries on the planet who celebrate it every year eagerly wait for December to come.
And yet, not everyone on the planet celebrates Christmas. In December, many people celebrate other important holidays, like Hannukah or Kwanzaa. And that makes many of us stop in our tracks before writing out an email with Holiday wishes to our coworkers and bite our tongues before sending a Merry Christmas GIF to all our Whatsapp contacts.
Although 90% of Americans say they celebrate Christmas, there are those who don’t. And it’s important for us to consider their religious and cultural celebrations in our wishes.
This is why you may have already noticed a change in the yearly wishes you get from other people around Christmas time. Many choose the switch from the Christmas-oriented “Merry Christmas” to a more inclusive “Happy Holidays.”
So, how do you formulate your holiday wishes without sounding insensitive to someone’s culture or religious beliefs? How do you formulate holiday wishes appropriate to the situation and your relationship with the person you’re sending them to?
Below, you’ll find a list of happy holiday wishes you can use for your romantic partner, family, friends, coworkers, teachers, students, and more.
The holiday season is possibly the most romantic time of the year and a perfect opportunity to express your deep love for your partner. Regardless of whether your partner celebrates Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, they’ll appreciate the sincere wishes that come from your heart and the depth of your love for them.
![\"Wholehearted](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt91bb7a6c94ea1548/64daed04d7ccb06e60e43910/pexels-polina-kovaleva-6265541.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Here are 30 examples of romantic holiday wishes for your significant other.
The holiday season is a time to spend with your family and among your closest and dearest friends. It’s a time for shared moments of laughter and joy and reminiscing old memories that make you nostalgic.
But most of all, the holiday season is a time to finally express the love and appreciation you feel for your family members and friends - something that we don’t do often enough during the year.
![\"The](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltceb388256a054994/64daeb5a2b55eb2fdb40c934/pexels-elina-fairytale-5860011.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Here are 30+ beautiful and sincere holiday wishes for your family and friends.
Our jobs form a massive part of our lives. We typically spend more than 40 hours per week in the office, in front of our computers, interacting with our bosses, clients, employees, and work colleagues.
And while these people may not be our close friends, they’re a very important part of our lives. The holiday season is a perfect time to express our appreciation for them and the value they’re bringing into our lives in a professional way appropriate to our relationship with them.
Here are 40+ professional happy holiday wishes for your clients, colleagues, and employees. Keep in mind that these are generic messages, and remember to tailor them to your company culture, relationship with the person, and their culture and religious beliefs.
![\"Happy](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltb97fdb45b1422299/64dae8b347ddbc61e1c97e9c/pexels-rdne-stock-project-6519185.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Education is present in our lives even after finishing high school and graduating from the university. If there are teachers or students in your life, the holiday season is a great time to express your appreciation for everything they’ve taught you and the joy they brought into your life.
Here are 30+ ways to wish your students or teachers a happy holiday season.
Once again, remember that these are generic expressions. Before using them, tailor them to the relationship you share with your teacher or student and their culture and religious beliefs.
![\"Teacher](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt2067b6d6c49ab786/64dae9724eb70028acf7dd99/pexels-any-lane-5727956.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Given that many people celebrate holidays other than Christmas in December, Merry Christmas isn’t used as a universal holiday wish anymore. Happy Holidays is a much more appropriate holiday greeting to use when you’re unsure whether the person you’re talking to celebrates Christmas or not.
Still, in the United States and other English-speaking countries, those who do celebrate Christmas are a majority. So, here are 30+ ways to wish someone a Merry Christmas in a card or text message.
![\"Write](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt710209cd0e36ebdc/64dae76c87561b36d2cbfd5d/pexels-anna-tarazevich-6146618.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
For many of us, it may be difficult to express how the holidays make us feel. And when we struggle to express those feelings in our own words, we can use the words of those who were able to formulate beautiful phrases to describe the magic of the holidays.
While you can buy ready-made Christmas greeting cards in a store, there’s something special about designing your own. If you plan on creating hand-made or digital greeting cards the next holiday season, here are some quotes you can use.
Wondering what to say in your business emails during the holiday season? Including a holiday quote at the bottom of your email can add a special touch of festivity to your business exchanges with coworkers, clients, and employees.
Here are some holiday quotes you can use for business emails.
Don’t we all love taking holiday pictures? The holiday season's Instagram photoshoots have already become part of the holiday tradition. We love dressing up in Christmas-themed clothes and taking beautiful photos where red and green are the two prevalent colors.
And when posting those pictures on social media, all we want is a perfect caption that conveys the holiday spirit and fits our photo like Santa’s beard.
So, here are some social media quotes for your holiday photos.
Ah, who doesn’t love Christmas movies? If you’re anything like me, watching holiday-themed movies lifts your spirits and fills you with love and joy. In my home, watching Home Alone on Christmas Eve has turned into a yearly tradition. There’s no Christmas without little Kevin McCallister!
Here are a few quotes from famous holiday-themed movies you’ve seen a thousand times.
The holiday season is a time for holiday songs. So, here are the most popular Christmas-themed songs we all know and love and only listen to during this specific time of the year… and they get us in the holiday spirit like nothing else!
While I can sit here and write a list of tips for you to write your holiday wishes from scratch, I believe there’s no formula for writing a perfectly-worded Happy Holidays message that checks all the boxes.
The holiday season is all about expressing the feelings you carry inside. No matter who you’re writing your wishes to, think about what they brought into your life and how they make you feel. Think about what this holiday season may mean for them and what they need most. And then express that.
By taking a few moments to reflect on what this person has brought into your life, you’ll be able to come up with beautiful words to share those feelings with them. And even if you don’t say it perfectly, they’ll appreciate your sincerity, appreciation, and love.
Writing your holiday wishes may be challenging. Not because your English isn’t good enough to formulate them, but rather because many times we struggle with expressing our genuine feelings for the people in our lives - whether it’s our romantic partner, a family member, or the boss we’re fortunate to have.
Let this extensive list of over 200 Happy Holiday wishes and quotes inspire you to create your own wishes adequate to the relationship you hold with the person you’re writing to and their culture.
And if you’d like to learn more useful expressions in English - for example, how to sound professional in business situations or how to change basic words into more fancy ones - check out the other articles on our English blog.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"British English vs American English","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"British English vs. American English: What are the differences?","url":"/blog/british-english-vs-american-english-spelling-pronunciation-words","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt7b7d608d44195a45/659bd89adc76625ed57ec379/pexels-breakingpic-3084.jpg"},"post_content":"Compare British and American English differences in spelling, pronunciation, vocabulary, and usage for clearer communication.
\n\nIf you speak American English, you should still know British words, such as rubbish, queue, and lift. And if you speak British English, you should still know American words, such as garbage, line, and elevator.
\nEven if you don’t plan on traveling to any of the two countries, knowing the differences will not only help you better understand movies and TV shows but also help you elevate your English skills.
\nWe know how confusing the differences between British and American English can be. So, in this article, we break down the main differences and provide a quick glossary of the most important words you must know in both English variants.
\n![\"Learning](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blte4eec282a4a1dd6d/659bda467d6d2e3968b8eea0/pexels-liliana-drew-8555239.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Languages are undergoing a neverending evolution. They never stay exactly the same. If you take a closer look at the English language, you’ll see that the way people spoke in the 1800s and the way people speak now has changed significantly.
\nBut languages aren’t only affected by the passing of time. They’re also affected by historical events, such as colonization and war, immigration, gentrification, and the proximity to neighboring countries. And because so many different factors affect how languages evolve, it’s often hard to pinpoint the exact reasons behind specific changes.
\nThat’s precisely what’s going on with British and American English. The common belief is that British English is the “original” English, and American English is a changed, adapted version. However, that’s not entirely accurate.
\nWhile English was brought to America by the British during colonization, British English has also incorporated many words and expressions from American English. The linguistic exchange between the two variants is more nuanced than a simple one-way influence.
\n\n
If you pay attention to English spelling, you’ve inevitably noticed that the same words are sometimes spelled differently, depending on the English variation you’re using.
\nThere are a few key spelling differences between British English and American English. If you find yourself confused about how to spell certain words in British or American English, don’t worry - even native speakers struggle with this at times.
\n![\"Couple](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt7adc467de5e507ea/659ca7522d26121cfde76bef/usa_861257242.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Here are the key differences in the spelling of British and American words. Yes, there are more than you thought!
\n| British English | \nAmerican English | \n
| -our (eg. colour, flavour, behaviour) | \n-or (eg. color, flavor, behavior) | \n
| -re (eg. centre, theatre, litre) | \n-er (eg. center, theater, liter) | \n
| -ise (eg. realise, organise, socialise) | \n-ize (eg. realize, organize, socialize) | \n
| -yse (eg. analyse, paralyse) | \n-yze (eg. analyze, paralyze) | \n
| -ence (eg. licence, offence, defence) | \n-ense (eg. license, offense, defense) | \n
| -ae (eg. paediatric, leukaemia, anaemia) | \n-e (eg. pediatric, leukemia, anemia) | \n
| -oe (eg. manoeuvre, oesophagus, oestrogen) | \n-e (eg. maneuver, esophagus, estrogen) | \n
| -l (eg. enrol, fulfil, distil) | \n-ll (eg. enroll, fulfill, distill) | \n
| -ll (eg. travelled, cancelled, jewellery) | \n-l (eg. traveled, canceled, jewelry) | \n
| -ogue (eg. catalogue, dialogue) | \n-og (eg. catalog, dialog) | \n
| -e (eg. programme, gramme, glycerine) | \n- (eg. program, gram, glycerin) | \n
\n
Aside from these general differences, there are also many words that are spelled differently in British and American English, such as:
\n| British English | \nAmerican English | \n
| Aeroplane | \nAirplane | \n
| Artefact | \nArtifact | \n
| Cosy | \nCozy | \n
| Doughnut | \nDonut | \n
| Draught | \nDraft | \n
| Grey | \nGray | \n
| Jewellery | \nJewelry | \n
| Kerb | \nCurb | \n
| Plough | \nPlow | \n
| Sceptical | \nSkeptical | \n
| Sulphur | \nSulfur | \n
| Cheque | \nCheck | \n
| Chequerboard | \nCheckerboard | \n
| Ageing | \nAging | \n
| Pyjamas | \nPajamas | \n
| Tyre | \nTire | \n
\n
Oh, don't we all just love Hugh Grant's British accent in Notting Hill or Jude Law’s accent in The Holiday?
\nBritish and American English can sometimes sound like they're two different languages, and that's because of the way words are pronounced. There are many differences between British and American English pronunciation, but it goes deeper than just the two countries.
\nFor instance, in the UK, you've got a whole range of different accents, from the posh London one to the barely understandable for most people Scottish, Irish, and Welsh.
\nThe US also has quite a few regional accents. For instance, New Yorkers speak with a distinctive accent, but the Texans have a twangy accent you probably know from movies like Sweet Home Alabama.
\nThe main differences between British and American English lie, of course, in their respective pronunciation.
\nWe could list the general differences between the British and American pronunciations, but you likely won’t enjoy reading about these subtleties unless you're a linguistics enthusiast.
\nSo, instead, here are some words that are pronounced differently in British and American English.
\n\n
When in New York, you don’t go to the cinema. You go to the movie theater. And in London, you don’t eat cookies with your afternoon tea. You eat biscuits. If you live in the US, you might want to go on vacation to the UK. But if you live in the UK, you might want to go on holiday to the US.
\nThe differences between commonly used words in the UK and the US can be a bit confusing, so here’s a breakdown.
\n![\"Woman](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt4829931cb9ec87f3/659ca76e2d26129f0de76bf3/usa_new_york_city_485693354.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
\n
How many times have you wondered whether your brain is playing tricks on you when you come across words like “learnt” instead of “learned” or “gotten” instead of “got”?
\nIn those instances, you probably thought, “do I remember this wrong?” The answer is no, you don’t. It’s just that you probably didn’t know that there are many differences in the grammar and usage between British and American English until now.
\n![\"Differences](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt497c60ce678ed1f3/659ca78d4135c4678556b282/usa_1000854100.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
In British English, the present perfect tense is used to emphasize the recent or repeated completion of an action with a connection to the present moment. In American English, we can also use the present perfect to convey this, but we’d rather use the simple past tense if we consider the action finished.
\nFor example:
\n\n
In American English, collective nouns such as team, band, and herd are treated as singular nouns, while in British English, they’re more commonly treated as plurals, although both forms are correct.
\nFor example:
\n\n
Have you ever racked your brain trying to figure out whether you should spell “learned” or “learnt” in a sentence? Both versions are correct, and you’ve probably seen both in written texts. So, what’s the difference?
\nAs you probably guessed, one is used in American English (learned) and the other in British English (learnt). Aside from this particular example, there are other common past forms with different endings in British vs American English, such as:
\n\n
The short answer is yes. After all, you speak the same language with some nuanced differences that rarely affect communication.
\nTypically, British people understand and know more American words and slang than American people do British words. That’s because British people tend to watch more American movies and TV shows than American people watch British ones. So, if you speak American English while on vacation in the UK, people will likely understand everything you say.
\nHowever, if you speak British English on your trip to the US, you may get questions like “What was that?” or “Can you repeat?” if you use a specific British word people don’t usually hear.
\n![\"An](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt77ade3ba151e975c/659ca822bb2e10cd1c012929/pexels-skitterphoto-745726.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
\n
Sometimes, the differences in vocabulary between British English and American English can not only be confusing but also quite funny. Here are some of the funniest ones we could think of.
\nDid you know that in the UK, babies suck on a dummy? For Americans, that can be pretty confusing because they’ll mentally picture a plastic human (you know, like the ones you see in the store displays wearing clothes). In American English, a dummy also means a person who is not very smart. And babies in America suck on a pacifier.
\nIf you ever ask a British person whether you should wear pants to go out, you’ll find a perplexed look on their face. “Of course, you should wear pants!” they’ll shout in disbelief. What you meant was whether you should wear trousers, and what they understood was underwear.
\nYes, pants in British English means underwear, and pants in American English means trousers.
\nIf you ask an American waiter where the toilet is, you may hear “in the bathroom.” And if you ask a British waiter where the bathroom is, you may find a confused look on their face, wondering whether you intend to take a bath before dinner.
\nA toilet in the US means the literal “throne” you sit on in the bathroom. A bathroom in the UK is more associated with a literal bath or shower. So, make sure to ask for the “toilet” in the UK and the “bathroom” in the US.
\n\n
Whether you're a language enthusiast, a traveler, or someone engaged in international communication, knowing the differences between British and American English can help you prevent misunderstandings and enhance your overall language skills.
\nAlthough the differences between British English vs. American English can be a bit confusing, we hope that this article has given you clarity. So, if you’re reading this in British English - cheers! And if you’re reading this in American English - thank you!
\nAnd for more cool and informative articles on all things related to the English language, check out our English blog here, or follow up with a related article on all things British slang here.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"How to say yes in different languages","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"How to say yes and no in 99 real languages and 8 fictional ones","url":"/blog/yes-no-different-languages","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt03b2e873b77b9b07/652df6a3ce77430bb942de70/istock-922981682.jpeg"},"post_content":"A look at how to say \"yes\" and \"no\" in various languages, emphasizing the cultural implications and variations in usage across different contexts.
\n\nJust imagine yourself strolling through the bustling markets of Marrakech, and a friendly vendor asks if you'd like to buy some hand-made Moroccan lamps. You can confidently respond with a \"نعم\" (Na'am) for \"yes\" or \"لا\" (La) for \"no\" in Arabic, making the negotiation part of the adventure.
\nEither way, learning how to say “yes” and “no” in other languages isn’t only useful, but also fun! So, in this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 100 ways to say “yes” and “no” in different languages.
\n![\"Woman](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltddea707df4fb9864/652dfa50b39433583227ffb5/istock-1138008608.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Learning how to say “yes” and “no” in over 100 different languages may seem pointless. But the truth is, you never know when it may come in handy!
\nWho knows if one day you may need to know a few words in Vietnamese because you found yourself in the middle of a lonely, dusty road in the Vietnamese countryside where no one speaks a word of English? Yes, it’s a true story that happened to yours truly sometime in 2015.
\nTo help you prepare for any situation, we’ve compiled this list of how to say “yes” and “no” in 99 languages.
\n![\"Friends](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltd025c855c6e6653f/652dfe1756a56bcc078999af/thailand_952077758.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Language | \nYes | \nNo | \n
|---|---|---|
| Afrikaans | \nJa | \nNee | \n
| Albanian | \nPo | \nJo | \n
| Amharic | \nአዎን (Awoon) | \nአይ (Ay) | \n
| Arabic | \nنعم (Na'am) | \nلا (La) | \n
| Armenian | \nԱյո (Ayo) | \nՈչ (Voč) | \n
| Aymara | \nAru | \nMana | \n
| Azerbaijani | \nBəli | \nXeyir | \n
| Basque | \nBai | \nEz | \n
| Belarusian | \nТак (Tak) | \nНе (Nie) | \n
| Bengali | \nহ্যাঁ (Hyã) | \nনা (Na) | \n
| Bosnian | \nDa | \nNe | \n
| Bulgarian | \nДа (Da) | \nНе (Ne) | \n
| Cantonese | \n係 (Hai) | \n唔係 (M4 hai) | \n
| Catalan | \nSí | \nNo | \n
| Cebuano | \nOo | \nDili | \n
| Chichewa | \nEe | \nAyi | \n
| Corsican | \nSì | \nNo | \n
| Croatian | \nDa | \nNe | \n
| Czech | \nAno | \nNe | \n
| Danish | \nJa | \nNej | \n
| Dutch | \nJa | \nNee | \n
| English | \nYes | \nNo | \n
| Estonian | \nJah | \nEi | \n
| Ewe | \nƐ̃ (ee) | \nHɔ (ao) | \n
| Farsi (Persian) | \nبله (Bale) | \nنه (Na) | \n
| Fijian | \nIo | \nSega | \n
| Filipino | \nOo | \nHindi | \n
| Finnish | \nKyllä | \nEi | \n
| French | \nOui | \nNon | \n
| Gaelic (Irish) | \nTá | \nNíl | \n
| Galician | \nSí | \nNon | \n
| Georgian | \nკი (Ki) | \nარა (Ara) | \n
| German | \nJa | \nNein | \n
| Greek | \nΝαι (Ne) | \nΌχι (Ohi) | \n
| Guarani | \nHẽ | \nAjejá | \n
| Haitian Creole | \nWi | \nNon | \n
| Hawaiian | \nʻAe | \nʻAʻole | \n
| Hebrew | \nכן (Ken) | \nלא (Lo) | \n
| Hindi | \nहाँ (Haan) | \nनहीं (Nahi) | \n
| Hmong | \nYog | \nTsis | \n
| Hungarian | \nIgen | \nNem | \n
| Icelandic | \nJá | \nNei | \n
| Igbo | \nEe | \nMba | \n
| Ilocano | \nWen | \nSaan | \n
| Indonesian | \nYa | \nTidak | \n
| Italian | \nSì | \nNo | \n
| Japanese | \nはい (Hai) | \nいいえ (Iie) | \n
| Kazakh | \nИя (Iya) | \nЖоқ (Joq) | \n
| Khmer | \nបាទ (Baht) | \nទេ (Tei) | \n
| Kinyarwanda | \nYego | \nOya | \n
| Korean | \n네 (Ne) | \n아니요 (Aniyo) | \n
| Kurdish | \nBella | \nNa | \n
| Lao | \nໂດຍ (Doi) | \nບໍ່ (Bo) | \n
| Latin | \nIta | \nMinime | \n
| Latvian | \nJā | \nNē | \n
| Lithuanian | \nTaip | \nNe | \n
| Luxembourgish | \nJo | \nNee | \n
| Macedonian | \nДа (Da) | \nНе (Ne) | \n
| Malagasy | \nEny | \nTsia | \n
| Malay | \nYa | \nTidak | \n
| Maltese | \nIva | \nLe | \n
| Mandarin | \n是 (Shì) | \n不 (Bù) | \n
| Maori | \nĀe | \nKāore | \n
| Mongolian | \nТийм (Tiim) | \nҮгүй (Ügüi) | \n
| Myanmar (Burmese) | \nဟုတ် (Hote) | \nမဟုတ် (Ma hote) | \n
| Nahuatl | \nQuin | \nAxi | \n
| Navajo | \nHózhǫǫ́ | \nHózhǫ́ǫ́go | \n
| Nepali | \nहो (Ho) | \nहोइन (Hoina) | \n
| Norwegian | \nJa | \nNei | \n
| Pashto | \nهو (Hu) | \nنه (Na) | \n
| Polish | \nTak | \nNie | \n
| Portuguese | \nSim | \nNão | \n
| Punjabi | \nਹਾਂ (Haan) | \nਨਹੀਂ (Nahi) | \n
| Quechua | \nArí | \nMana | \n
| Romanian | \nDa | \nNu | \n
| Russian | \nДа (Da) | \nНет (Net) | \n
| Samoan | \nIoe | \nLeai | \n
| Sepedi | \nEe | \nAowa | \n
| Serbian | \nДа (Da) | \nНе (Ne) | \n
| Sesotho | \nEe | \nHa | \n
| Slovak | \nÁno | \nNie | \n
| Slovenian | \nDa | \nNe | \n
| Somali | \nHaa | \nMaya | \n
| Spanish | \nSí | \nNo | \n
| Swahili | \nNdiyo | \nHapana | \n
| Swedish | \nJa | \nNej | \n
| Tagalog | \nOo | \nHindi | \n
| Taiwanese | \n有 (Ū) | \n無 (Bô) | \n
| Tamil | \nஆம் (Aam) | \nஇல்லை (Illai) | \n
| Thai | \nใช่ (Chai) | \nไม่ (Mai) | \n
| Tibetan | \nཨོ (O) | \nམདོ (Mado) | \n
| Tongan | \nʻIo | \nʻIkai | \n
| Turkish | \nEvet | \nHayır | \n
| Ukrainian | \nТак (Tak) | \nНі (Ni) | \n
| Urdu | \nہاں (Haan) | \nنہیں (Nahi) | \n
| Uzbek | \nHa | \nYo'q | \n
| Vietnamese | \nCó | \nKhông | \n
| Welsh | \nIe | \nNa | \n
| Xhosa | \nEwe | \nHayi | \n
\n
Wondering how to pronounce these yes’s and no’s? Here’s a quick guide on:
\n\n\n
Aside from the 7,100+ known languages spoken in the world, some have been created artificially rather than as a result of gradual linguistic evolution. Also known as conlangs, constructed languages were designed to facilitate international communication.
\nSimply put, they were created to allow us to understand each other without needing to speak various languages. For example, Interlingua is a universal language designed to replace all Romance languages, like Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese (it’s also really easy to understand if you speak at least one of those).
\nThese languages have recently been gaining popularity on platforms like TikTok, with creators teaching Esperanto and Interlingua. According to the internet, there are around 900 constructed languages in the world, with Esperanto at the head of them with approximately 2 million speakers.
\nSo, here’s how to say yes and no in the most popular conlangs.
\n| Constructed language | \nYes | \nNo | \n
|---|---|---|
| Esperanto | \nJes | \nNe | \n
| Interlingua | \nSi | \nNo | \n
| Lingua Franca Nova | \nSi | \nNo | \n
\n
Our favorite fantasy worlds also have their own unique languages. Fantasy and fictional languages have no other mission than immersing us even deeper into the worlds of wizardry, dragons, and mythical kingdoms we all love. They’re part of what makes these worlds feel real to us - at least while we’re engrossed in reading the books or watching the series.
\n\n
![\"Yes](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltcf76a00e6a7d3407/652dfdef1039a4ae82a2a00d/istock-1190127491-min.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
If you’re a Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones fan, you’re going to love this part! Here’s how to say “yes” and “no” in various fantasy languages.
\n| Fantasy language | \nYes | \nNo | \n
|---|---|---|
| Dothraki | \nSek | \nVos | \n
| Valyrian | \nKessa/Issa | \nDaor | \n
| Klingon | \nHIja' | \nGhobe’ | \n
| Quenya (Elvish) | \nNá | \nLá | \n
| Na’vi | \nSrane | \nKehe | \n
\n
“Yes” is a useful word. You’ll need it in various situations - when arranging a romantic date with your crush, planning your Saturday night with your friends, or agreeing to do someone a favor.
\n![\"Friends](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blte020141e8e37677b/652dfcbdb4a39a94d9bba507/pexels-pressmaster-3851902.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
And while you can reply with a simple “yes” in all these situations, you may want to be more expressive and find a different way to agree. Unless you’re standing at the altar or you’ve just been proposed to, you can respond in any of these 29 ways to say yes without saying yes.
\n\n
While it may be more difficult to say than “yes”, “no” is an indispensable word in our vocabulary. It can help us escape situations we don’t want to be in, get out of favors we don’t want to commit to, reject unwanted dates, refuse to answer uncomfortable questions during awkward family dinners, and prevent other people from overstepping our boundaries.
\nEach of these situations will require a different approach and, therefore, a different way to express your disagreement. So, here are 29 ways to say “no” without saying “no.”
\n\n
In the movie “Yes, Man,” Carl (played by Jim Carrey) leads a boring life as a loan officer until he participates in a self-help program that challenges him to say “yes” for an entire year. Taking it literally, Carl begins to say yes to everything, leading to funny situations that make the movie hilarious to watch.
\nBut most importantly, he begins to experience the magic of “yes,” watching how his life transforms and opportunities start to flow his way.
\nSaying “yes” more often than saying “no” can bring a positive change to your life. Still, it’s important to say these two simple words with discernment. Say yes to what you want and no to what you don’t want.
\nIf you haven’t seen this movie, this is your sign to do so!
\n![\"Yes,](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltbf4268de9f97ef05/652dfd91b4a39a1718bba50b/yesman.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
If you enjoyed learning to say yes and no in over 100 languages, you may also want to know how to say “hello” and “goodbye” in different languages. You may also go a little bit further and learn how to say “I love you” or wish someone a Merry Christmas in their mother tongue.
\nEither way, the world is your oyster no matter what language you’d like to learn. Check out our free language blog for more educational and fun resources.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"Merry Christmas in different languages","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"How to say happy holidays & Merry Christmas in 106 languages","url":"/blog/merry-christmas-different-languages","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltfbbc5a78dca29259/651b58e7a452a20c328b48c4/holidays_istock-868381970-min.jpeg"},"post_content":"Still, December is a special time for most cultures, each with its unique traditions and celebrations. For many, December is synonymous with Christmas. But beyond Christmas, December is also the time to celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and an array of other holidays.
Among this diversity, learning to say Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas in different languages goes beyond mere politeness. It’s a bridge that connects us with our family or friends across the world and a way for us to understand a piece of their culture a little bit better. It’s also a way for us to share the love - the love for the world, for others, for the planet, for everything.
So, in this article, we share with you how to wish someone a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays in over 100 languages.
![\"Merry](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt46081a31e0197c49/651b5a407bedefcebc94c0d9/pexels-antoni-shkraba-6057075.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Even though many people don’t celebrate Christmas, there are other important holidays that are also celebrated in December.
Holidays such as Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and Ōmisoka are all beautiful holidays celebrated by people around the world. And as with most celebrations, many of the holidays celebrated in December involve a family dinner, drinks, festive songs, and dancing.
![\"Christmas](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt83c1fc51488f3e99/651b7f10a452a21f618b4928/holidays_istock-623207678-min.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Here’s how to wish someone a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays - depending on what they’re celebrating.
| Language | Merry Christmas | Happy Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Afrikaans | Geseënde Kersfees | Geseënde vakansies |
| Albanian | Gëzuar Krishtlindjet | Gëzuar festat |
| Amharic | መልካም ገና (melikami gena) | መልካም በዓል (melikami be‘ali) |
| Arabic | عيد ميلاد مجيد (eid milad majid) | اجازة سعيدة (ajazat saeida) |
| Armenian | Շնորհավոր Սուրբ Ծնունդ (Shnorhavor Surb Tsnund) | Ուրախ արձակուրդ (Urakh ardzakurd) |
| Aymara | Jallall nawirara | Kusisiña urunaka |
| Azerbaijani | Milad bayramınız mübarək | Bayramınız mübarək |
| Basque | Eguberri on | Jai zoriontsuak |
| Bengali | শুভ বড়দিন (Śubha baṛadina) | শুভ ছুটির দিন (Śubha chuṭira dina) |
| Bosnian | Sretan Božić | Sretni praznici |
| Bulgarian | Весела Коледа (Vesela Koleda) | Весели празници (Veseli praznitsi) |
| Cantonese | 聖誕快樂 | 节日快乐 (jit jat faai lok) |
| Catalan | Bon Nadal | Bones festes |
| Cebuano | Maayong Pasko | Marau na Vakarau |
| Chichewa | Khrisimasi yabwino | Maholide abwino |
| Corsican | Bon natale | Bone vacanze |
| Croatian | Sretan Božić | Sretni blagdani |
| Czech | Veselé Vánoce | Šťastné svátky |
| Danish | Glædelig jul | God ferie |
| Dutch | Vrolijk Kerstfeest | Prettige Feestdagen |
| English | Merry Chrismas | Happy holidays |
| Estonian | Häid jõule | Häid pühi |
| Ewe | Blunya nawò | Dzidzɔkpɔkpɔ na ŋkekenyuiwo |
| Farsi (Persian) | کریسمس مبارک | تعطیلات شاد |
| Fijian | Marau ni Siganisucu | Marau na Vakarau |
| Filipino | Maligayang Pasko | Maligayang bakasyon |
| Finnish | Hyvää joulua | Hyvää lomaa |
| French | Joyeaux Noël | Joyeuses fêtes |
| Gaelic (Irish) | Nollaig Shona | Laethanta saoire sona |
| Galician | Bo Nadal | Felices vacacións |
| Georgian | შობას გილოცავთ (shobas gilotsavt) | ბედნიერი დღესასწაულები (bednieri dghesasts’aulebi) |
| German | Fröhe Weihnachten | Schöne Ferien |
| Greek | καλά Χριστούγεννα (kalá Christoúgenna) | Καλές διακοπές (Kalés diakopés) |
| Guarani | Vy'apavẽ tupãra'ýre | Vy'apavê arete rehegua |
| Haitian Creole | Jwaye Nwel | Bòn fèt |
| Hawaiian | Mele kalikimaka | Hauʻoli lā hoʻomaha |
| Hebrew | חג מולד שמח | חג שמח |
| Hindi | क्रिसमस की बधाई (krisamas kee badhaee) | छुट्टियों की शुभकामनाएं (chhuttiyon kee shubhakaamanaen) |
| Hmong | Zoo siab heev Christmas | Zoo siab hnub so |
| Hungarian | Boldog Karácsonyt | Kellemes Ünnepeket |
| Icelandic | Gleðileg jól | Gleðilega hátíð |
| Igbo | Ezi ekeresimesi | Ezumike obi ụtọ |
| Ilocano | Naragsak a paskua | Naragsak a piesta |
| Indonesian | Selamat natal | Selamat berlibur |
| Italian | Buon Natale | Buone vacanze |
| Japanese | メリークリスマス (Merīkurisumasu) | 楽しい休暇をお過ごしください (Tanoshī kyūka o o sugoshi kudasai) |
| Kazakh | Рождество құтты болсын (Rojdestvo quttı bolsın) | мерекелеріңіз құтты болсын (merekeleriñiz quttı bolsın) |
| Khmer | រីករាយថ្ងៃបុណ្យណូអែល (rikreay thngai bony nauel) | រីករាយថ្ងៃឈប់សម្រាក (rikreay thngai chhbsamreak) |
| Kinyarwanda | Noheri nziza | Iminsi mikuru myiza |
| Korean | 메리 크리스마스 (meli keuliseumaseu) | 즐거운 휴일 보내세요 (jeulgeoun hyuil bonaeseyo) |
| Kurdish | Kirîstmas piroz be | Cejnên pîroz |
| Lao | ສຸກສັນວັນຄຣິສມາດ (suksanvan khris mad) | ສຸກສັນວັນພັກຜ່ອນ (suksanvan phakphon) |
| Latin | Felicem natalem Christi | Felices fiestas |
| Latvian | Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus | Priecīgas brīvdienas |
| Lithuanian | Linksmų Kalėdų | Linksmų švenčių |
| Luxembourgish | Schéi Chrëschtdeeg | Schéin Vakanz |
| Macedonian | среќен Божиќ (sreḱen Božiḱ) | среќни празници (sreḱni praznici) |
| Malagasy | tratry ny krismasy | Mirary fety sambatra |
| Malay | Selamat Hari Natal | Selamat bercuti |
| Maltese | il-Milied it-tajjeb | il-festi t-tajba |
| Mandarin | 圣诞节快乐 (Shèngdàn jié kuàilè) | 节日快乐 (Jiérì kuàilè) |
| Maori | Meri Kirihimete | Nga hararei koa |
| Mongolian | Зул сарын баярын мэнд хүргэе (Zul saryn bayaryn mend khürgeye) | баярын мэнд (bayaryn mend) |
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ပျော်ရွှင်သောခရစ္စမတ်ဖြစ်ပါစေ (pyawshwinsaw hkarahchcamaat hpyitparhcay) | ပျော်ရွှင်ဖွယ်အားလပ်ရက်များ (pyawshwinhpwal aarrlautraat myarr) |
| Nahuatl | Cualli netlācatilizpan | Cualli tlamahcēhualmeh |
| Navajo | Yá'át'ééh Késhmish | Ya'at'eeh keshmish naa |
| Nepali | मेरी क्रिसमस (Mērī krisamasa) | शुभ बिदाहरू (Śubha bidāharū) |
| Norwegian | God jul | Glade høytider |
| Pashto | کرسمس مو مبارک | خوشحاله رخصتۍ |
| Polish | Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia | Wesołych świąt |
| Portuguese | Feliz Natal | Boas festas |
| Punjabi | ਮੇਰੀ ਕਰਿਸਮਸ (Mērī karisamasa) | ਛੁੱਟੀਆਂ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ (Chuṭī'āṁ mubāraka) |
| Quechua | Navidadpi kusikuy | Kusisqa raymikuna |
| Romanian | Crăciun fericit | Sărbători fericite |
| Russian | С Рождеством (S Rozhdestvom) | Счастливых праздников (Schastlivykh prazdnikov) |
| Samoan | Manuia le kirisimasi | Manuia aso malolo |
| Sepedi | Krisemose ye botse | Maikhutšo a thabilego |
| Serbian | срећан Божић (srećan Božić) | срећни празници (srećni praznici) |
| Sesotho | Kereseme e monate | Matsatsi a phomolo a monate |
| Slovak | Veselé Vianoce | Šťastné prázdniny |
| Slovenian | Vesel božič | Vesele praznike |
| Somali | Christmas-ka wanaagsan | Fasax wanagsan |
| Spanish | Feliz Navidad | Felices fiestas |
| Swahili | Krismasi Njema | Likizo njema |
| Swedish | God Jul | Trevlig helg |
| Tagalog | Maligayang Pasko | Maligayang Pista |
| Taiwanese | 聖誕節快樂 (sèng-tàn-chat/chiat khòai-lo̍k) | 歡樂假期 (huān lè jià qī) |
| Tamil | கிறிஸ்துமஸ் வாழ்த்துக்கள் (Kiṟistumas vāḻttukkaḷ) | மகிழ்ச்சியான விடுமுறை நாட்கள் (Makiḻcciyāṉa viṭumuṟai nāṭkaḷ) |
| Thai | สุขสันต์วันคริสต์มาส (S̄uk̄hs̄ạnt̒ wạn khris̄t̒mās̄) | สุขสันต์วันหยุด (S̄uk̄hs̄ạnt̒ wạn h̄yud) |
| Tibetan | དགའ་ལྡན་དུས་ཆེན་ལ་སྨོན་འདེབས། | ལོ་གསར་བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས (lo gsar bkrashis bdelegs) |
| Tongan | Kilisimasi Fiefia | Ofa atu ki he Katoanga |
| Turkish | Mutlu Noeller | Mutlu tatiller |
| Ukrainian | щасливого Різдва (shchaslyvoho Rizdva) | щасливих свят (shchaslyvykh svyat) |
| Urdu | میری کرسمس | خوش چھٹیاں |
| Uzbek | Rojdestvo muborak | Bayramlar bilan |
| Vietnamese | Giáng sinh vui vẻ | Ngày nghỉ vui vẻ |
| Welsh | Nadolig Llawen | Gwyliau hapus |
| Xhosa | Ikrismesi emnandi | Iholide ezimnandi |
Did you know that there are 312 constructed languages in the world? While we’ve never heard about 99% of them (and you probably haven’t either), there are a couple that have been gaining in popularity over the recent years.
Languages such as Esperanto, Interlingua, and Lingua Franca Nova were constructed with one purpose: to unify similar-sounding languages into a universal one. For instance, interlingua aims to unify Latin languages like Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Italian, and Esperanto was constructed based on the roots of the main European languages.
![\"Languages](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt201ca56d4d1126d6/651b7f83375d982c199cda9c/pexels-rdne-stock-project-6517770.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
So, here’s how to say Merry Christmas in those three constructed languages, just in case you’d like to impress your friends, family, or social media followers by wishing them Happy Holidays in Esperanto.
| Constructed language | Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays |
|---|---|
| Esperanto | Feliĉan Kristnaskon |
| Interlingua | Felice Natal |
| Lingua Franca Nova | Bon natal |
If you’ve read our article on fictional languages, you’re already familiar with the languages in the table below. These languages were created to complement the fantasy worlds portrayed in the Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, and Star Trek.
From what we know, Christmas doesn’t exist in most of these fantasy worlds. For this reason, some translations aren’t literal. For example, “biare biarves” means “happy celebration” rather than “happy holidays” or “merry Christmas.” It has to suffice.
| Fantasy language | Movie/TV show | Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Dothraki | Game of Thrones | Ajjalani neaka vezhvena |
| Valyrian | Game of Thrones | Biare biarves |
| Klingon | Star Trek | Qismas Botivjaj |
| Quenya (Elvish) | The Lord of the Rings | Nai lye hiruva airea amanar |
| Na’vi | Avatar | Ayftxozä Lefpom |
There’s nothing cozier than watching a Christmas-themed movie on the sofa in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate in hand and a blanket (or a cat) on your knees. Movie classics such as Home Alone or The Grinch have become part of the Christmas tradition in many countries around the world.
![\"The](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blta7daea78b3a80add/651b82c7d09c5275fd778a78/Christmas-movies.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
At this point, most of us can’t imagine Christmas without watching at least one cheesy Christmas romantic comedy. Seriously, who hasn’t seen The Holiday at least twice?
Here are some of the most memorable quotes from your favorite Christmas movies.
| Holiday quote | Movie | Quoted by |
|---|---|---|
| \"You have such a pretty face. You should be on a Christmas card.\" | Elf | Buddy |
| “No one should be alone on Christmas.” | How The Grinch Stole Christmas | Cindy Lou Who |
| “Now you listen to me, young lady! Even if we’re horribly mangled, there’ll be no sad faces on Christmas.” | How The Grinch Stole Christmas | The Grinch |
| \"Keep the change, ya filthy animal.\" | Home Alone | Gangster Johnny |
| “Will you please tell Santa that instead of presents this year, I just want my family back.” | Home Alone | Kevin McCallister |
| \"Just because I cannot see it, doesn't mean I can't believe it!\" | The Nightmare Before Christmas | Jack Skellington |
| \"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.\" | It’s a Wonderful Life | Zuzu Bailey |
| “At Christmas, you tell the truth.” | Love Actually | Mark |
| “I realized that Christmas is the time to be with the people you love.” | Love Actually | Billy Mack |
| \"Christmas isn't just a day. It's a frame of mind.\" | Miracle on 34th | Kris Kringle |
| \"I believe, I believe, it's silly, but I believe.\" | Miracle on 34th | Susan Walker |
| \"Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.\" | The Polar Express | Santa Claus |
| \"Seeing is believing, but, sometimes, the most real things in the world are the things we can't see.\" | The Polar Express | The Conductor |
| \"It's Christmas Eve, and we are going to celebrate being young and being alive.\" | The Holiday | Miles Dumont |
| \"I'm looking for corny in my life.\" | The Holiday | Iris Simpkins |
| “It’s Christmas Eve. It’s the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more.” | Scrooged | Frank Cross |
| “If you’re worried and you can’t sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep. Then you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings.” | White Christmas | Bob Wallace |
| “You can mess with a lot of things. But you can’t mess with kids on Christmas.” | Home Alone 2: Lost in New York | Kevin McCallister |
| “Yes! Yes, I do! I like Christmas! I love Christmas! | A Christmas Carol | Ebenezer Scrooge |
| \"But sir, Christmas is a time for giving... a time to be with one’s family.” | A Christmas Carol | Bob Cratchit |
Movies are one thing. But Christmas songs are the spirit of the holiday season. As soon as December is around the corner, all radio stations start to blast Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” at least three times per hour.
While in some countries Christmas isn’t celebrated, every holiday comes with its special music. Songs that we all hum under our noses while waiting for the main celebration and those we sing with our families while gathered at the holiday dinner.
Music truly is the soul of celebration. So, here are some of the most popular Holiday songs around the world.
Spanish
Polish
French
German
Italian
Japanese
This one is literally my favorite one and nothing tops it.
Phew! We’ve arrived at the end of this list. Now, you’re ready to wish a merry Christmas or happy holidays to anyone, regardless of what their native language is.
You may also want to find different ways to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays in English to be better prepared for when it’s time to send out those holiday wishes to anyone and everyone, from your mom to your boss.
And if you’ve ever thought of celebrating the December holidays abroad, you’re now a tiny bit more prepared to do that. If you’re planning a trip abroad, you might also want to learn how to say hello and how to say goodbye in different languages.
And as always, remember to bookmark and check back on our language learning blog, full of fun and free language lessons for everyone.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"Small talk in English","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"How to make small talk in English: 100 top questions & examples","url":"/blog/how-to-make-small-talk-english-questions-examples-tips","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltddae672e7c741139/64f6b11f9bf2612ad46b9d67/USA_901572108.jpg"},"post_content":"If you’re an extrovert who loves meeting new people, small talk is your daily bread and butter. But if you’re an introvert like me who’d rather skip to the deep and complex conversations, it may not come naturally to you.
But regardless of how you feel about it, small talk is something that we cannot avoid. It’s present in our everyday life at almost every corner - when you run into a neighbor while shopping at the supermarket or during your coffee break at the office.
To help you turn the awkward “uh… so… how was your weekend?” questions into fluent and dynamic conversations about everything and nothing, we’ve compiled a list of small talk topics, questions and examples you can use in different situations.
![\"Learn](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltce9dec1ab7d0ec92/64f6accf9bcd1b111f1cd291/istock-1003489896_(1).jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Ok, but what is small talk? Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines it as “polite conversation about subjects that are ordinary or unimportant, especially at social occasions.” And that’s essentially what it is: a polite chat with a person you just met or someone you’re acquainted with on a surface level.
For many, small talk is just a trivial conversation you have with someone out of politeness because you don’t want to seem unfriendly.
Imagine entering the office kitchen to make yourself a (giant) cup of coffee and finding a colleague pouring themselves a cup of tea. You don’t really know what to say, maybe you don’t even feel like having a chat with someone, but you feel it’s impolite not to say anything. That’s when you’d engage in - slightly forced and awkward - small talk.
But the good news is small talk doesn’t always have to be this way. When you come in armed with some handy small talk questions and expressions, it can actually become something you do on autopilot - without the “uh… what should I say next?” anxiety and awkward silences.
Having a few open-ended small talk questions up your sleeve to use in situations that require some polite small talk can help appear more confident and feel less awkward. It can save you the embarrassment of awkward silence when you unexpectedly run into your neighbor in the elevator or the anxiety of mingling at a party where you don’t know anybody.
![\"Super](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt3ac5c26d0b6a4c68/64f6b1779e7ba62afeca8c62/usa_1131794615.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Using small talk to engage in conversations with newly met people can be the beginning of new friendships. So here are some conversation-starting expressions you can use at a party or social event with many people you don’t know.
We’ll leave it to you to imagine the specific context for each expression - you’ll know exactly when to use them!
Small talk at the office can be pretty awkward. It’s a delicate art of striking a balance between being relaxed but not too casual, polite but not too serious, and professional but not too boring.
Here are a few conversation starters you can use at the office to help you achieve that balance.
Using small talk during a job interview probably isn’t top of mind for you. However, it’s a great way to warm up before the interview and establish some sense of familiarity with the interviewer or the interviewee (depending on your role).
Here are some expressions to use during a job interview.
You know that feeling when you finally have a chance to have a conversation with your crush, but you have no idea what to say? You might be afraid of coming across as awkward or saying something stupid. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there (more times than we’d like to admit).
Hopefully, with these small talk examples to start a conversation with your love interest, you won’t find yourself in that paralyzing situation ever again!
Engaging in small talk with your customers can be a great way to build rapport and strengthen your relationship. Plus, it’s a great way to fill in awkward breaks in service - for example, when you’re waiting for a slow database to load or for a colleague from another department to take over the call.
Here are some things you can ask your customer in those situations.
Often, the first exercise on an oral English exam is small talk. This serves as a warm-up to get you more comfortable speaking English with your examinator and help them get more familiar with you and your style.
These small talk questions can range from basic questions like “How is your day going?” to anything under the sun, like “What’s your favorite book?” or “What did you do last holiday?” Here are some questions your examinator may ask you during this part of the exam.
When talking to a stranger, you might feel at a loss for words. If you find yourself in a situation where you don’t know what to talk about, these topics can come in handy.
Naturally, different social events create an opportunity to discuss different topics. For instance, a sports event naturally sparks a conversation around sports, while a concert inspires you to talk about the favorite songs from the performing artist or how long you’ve been their fan.
In this section, we’ve written down some small talk tips and example phrases and topics you can talk about in different settings.
![\"Making](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltac6250616df3200d/64f6b1d4ea4b5d2dfb50fc9c/usa_483722258.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
A sports event is a great place to talk about… well, sports. You can easily start a conversation by asking the person next to you whether they’re a fan of one of the playing teams, who their favorite player is, or whether they play that sport themselves.
Here are some examples:
Keep in mind that sports can be a very competitive topic. If the person you’re talking to happens to be a fan of the opposite team or has views you disagree with, always respect their opinion and remain kind.
Attending a conference creates a great opportunity to talk about the speakers, the topic of the event, the facility, and anything around it. For example, you could ask the person next to you these questions to break the ice:
Parties are always full of people you don’t know. It’s a perfect place to meet new people and make new friends! If you don’t know how to start a conversation with the person next to you or with someone who caught your eye, try starting with simple topics like the music, the DJ, the drinks, etc.
Here are a few questions that can help you break the ice:
Concerts and festivals are a true mix of people from different cultures, sub-cultures, and walks of life. You can see people wearing truly fashionable outfits, unique hairstyles, and eccentric accessories. They’re also places where fans of particular artists and music genres gather around a shared interest. This provides lots of opportunities to establish a conversation.
If someone caught your eye and you’d like to get to know them better, here’s how you can start a conversation with them.
Waiting rooms are a great place to spark a conversation with someone new. Plus, chatting with the person next to you can be a great way to kill the boredom of waiting for your turn. Here are some expressions you can use in that situation:
As a general rule of thumb, you should avoid any topic that may be offensive, controversial, or too intrusive. For instance, avoid topics like religious beliefs, politics, and controversial current events.
You should also stay away from asking about the person’s age, commenting on their appearance (unless it’s positive), and talking about negative things like death or illnesses.
The point of small talk is to get the conversation going, so don’t get too deep into your personal views or talk about how you had a toxic ex who still stalks you online. There will be time for getting into more personal topics if a friendship entails.
Ending a bad conversation can be as awkward as the conversation itself. Ending a great conversation, however, may be challenging because you don’t actually want to end it - or you don’t want to cut its flow.
The best advice I can give you to end a conversation politely with someone is to use a viable excuse, like “It was great chatting with you, but I have to get back to work… Have a nice day!” or “I have to run, my bus is here. Have a great rest of your day!”
And when it comes to a great conversation? Well, you likely don’t even need my advice because ending it will come to you naturally. But in case you need some inspiration to go beyond finishing it with a simple “goodbye,” you can check out this article on 80+ ways to say goodbye without actually saying it.
![\"Ending](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt8d1326e2f10bbdc4/64f6b34b891649eb3050f892/istock-1056859986.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
With these expressions, you’ll quickly become a small talk pro. No conversation will be scary to you! You’ll be able to mingle at parties without constantly wondering what to say next, start conversations with your coworkers in the coffee room without anxiety, and maybe even confidently start a conversation with your crush.
And if you’d like to further expand your vocabulary so you can have even more eloquent, exciting and engaging conversations with your coworkers, friends, and strangers, check out other articles on our English blog. Toodaloo!
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even use a service in an English-speaking country, you’ll need to learn how to write emails and letters in English.
The good news is that once you learn the principles of writing different types of letters and emails in English, such as the most appropriate greetings and sign-offs, how to format your letters, and how to open them, writing them becomes effortless.
And we’re all about making learning English as easy as possible, which is why we’ve created this complete guide on how to write letters and emails in English - including tables with the most common expressions and other useful tips.
![\"Learn](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt7617d61034d40853/649e5bb77ad9885e9631dcd2/istock-644238022.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
So, why should you even bother learning to write a letter or an email in English? Well, because it’s part of your daily life.
You use written forms of communication daily: from writing motivational letters for job applications to sending a neverending stream of emails at work, you can’t escape writing letters or emails.
And when you're dealing with an English-speaking client or coworker or applying for a job that demands advanced English skills, you need to be on top of your letter-writing game. Mastering this art will not only make you appear more professional but also help you get your point across and express yourself more effectively.
![\"Mastering](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt9df9d42387f988eb/649e5ceceaac9d606c3911fa/jumpstory-download20200622-041508_copy.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Before we go any further, let’s make sure we’re on the same page when it comes to letter-related vocabulary. Take a look at this table of essential letter-writing terminology.
| English | IPA pronunciation | Definition |
| A4 size | /ˌeɪ ˈfɔːr saɪz/ | The standard paper size used in many countries measuring 210 × 297 millimeters. |
| Letter size | /ˈlɛtər saɪz/ | The standard paper size used in North America, measuring 8.5 × 11 inches. |
| Envelope | /ˈɛnvəˌloʊp/ | A paper covering used to enclose a letter or document before mailing it. |
| Letterhead | /ˈlɛtərhɛd/ | A printed heading at the top of a letter, usually displaying the sender's information. |
| /ˈiːmeɪl/ | An electronic message sent over the internet or a computer network. | |
| Post mail | /poʊst meɪl/ | The traditional method of sending letters or packages through a postal service. |
| Salutation | /ˌsæljuˈteɪʃən/ | The greeting used at the beginning of a letter or email, such as \"Dear,\" \"Hello,\" or \"Hi.\" |
| Body | /ˈbɒdi/ | The main content or message of a letter or email. |
| Signature | /ˈsɪɡnətʃər/ | A person's name or personalized mark written at the end of a letter or email. |
| Formal | /ˈfɔːrməl/ | Following established conventions and manners, often used in professional or official correspondence. |
| Informal | /ɪnˈfɔːrməl/ | Casual and relaxed, used in friendly or personal correspondence. |
| Attachments | /əˈtætʃmənts/ | Files or documents that are included and sent along with an email. |
| Complimentary closing | /ˌkɒmplɪˈmɛntəri ˈkloʊzɪŋ/ | A polite phrase used to end a letter, such as \"Sincerely,\" \"Best regards,\" or \"Yours truly.\" |
| Reply | /rɪˈplaɪ/ | A response or answer to a letter or email. |
| Subject line | /ˈsʌbdʒɪkt laɪn/ | A brief description or title that summarizes the content of an email. |
| CC | /ˌsiːˈsiː/ | Abbreviation for \"carbon copy,\" used to indicate additional recipients of an email. |
| BCC | /ˌbiːˈsiːˈsiː/ | Abbreviation for \"blind carbon copy,\" used to indicate hidden recipients of an email. |
| Draft | /dræft/ | A preliminary version of a letter or email, usually not yet finalized or sent. |
| Urgent | /ˈɜːrdʒənt/ | Requiring immediate attention or action. |
Writing a formal letter in English requires knowledge of business English and being fluent in corporate speak. It involves saying things professionally and politely, regardless of whether it’s praise or complaint.
What’s more, when writing a formal or business letter in English, you must follow a specific layout that includes putting information like reference numbers, addresses, and dates in specific places on the document.
But fret not - below, we explain how to structure your formal letter and how to start and end it.
![\"Be](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltc8b4796b946d0339/649e5dd266ab622024fc82e9/istock-934119610.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
While formal emails follow a simple Salutation - Body - Signoff structure, a formal letter has a slightly more complex layout.
There’s some visual flexibility when it comes to the letter layout. Still, typically, a formal letter should have the sender details mentioned in the top left corner of the document (such as your name, address, email, and phone number) and the recipient details on the right-hand side, below the sender details. And below all that, you’d start with a formal greeting.
Take a look at this example to see what a formal letter layout looks like:
Ethan Thompson
456 Oak Avenue,
Sunnyville, USA
ethan.thompson@example.com
Samantha Reynolds
123 Maple Street,
Anytown, USA
sam.reynolds@example.com
June 15, 2023
Dear Mr. Thompson,
… and then continue your letter.
If you’re writing a letter regarding a job application or a specific issue, you’d want to include the job application number or the reference number. The best place to put those numbers is before the greeting. In that case, your letter layout might look like this:
Ethan Thompson
456 Oak Avenue,
Sunnyville, USA
ethan.thompson@example.com
Samantha Reynolds
123 Maple Street,
Anytown, USA
sam.reynolds@example.com
June 15, 2023
Re: Job application no. AAA000
Dear Mr. Thompson,
![\"Formatting](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltcf245ecfa8f8590b/649e75147e68bb05c0abd9b4/Formal_letter_formatting_English.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
When it comes to writing the date on your letters in English… well, there are different rules depending on the letter type and the country.
In formal letters, you should always write the date in full. You should avoid any abbreviations like 29-06-2023 or 2023/06/29. An example of this would be June 29th, 2023 in the US and 29 June 2023 in other countries around the world (yes, no commas). In some Asian countries, the date can also be written as 2023 June 29 (also no commas).
In informal letters, the date can be abbreviated. If you’re in the US, you’d shorten it this way: 29-06-2023 (day-month-year). In other countries, you’d invert it this way: 06-29-2023 (month-day-year). You can also use a slash (/) or a dot (.) instead of the dash (-) in between the numbers.
The most commonly accepted way to start a formal letter is by addressing the person you’re writing to as directly as possible.
But in many situations, you won’t know the name or the gender of the person you’re writing to. In those cases, you can use more general greetings that are still widely accepted and considered polite.
Here’s a list of the most common greetings you can use depending on who you’re writing to.
English | Target audience |
|---|---|
| Hello | When you want to keep it generic. |
| To whom it may concern | When you are unsure about the appropriate recipient. |
| Dear Sir/Madam | When you don't know the specific name or gender of the recipient. |
| Dear Mr. [Last Name] | When addressing a male recipient, and you know their last name. |
| Dear Mrs. [Last Name] | When addressing a married female recipient and you know their last name. |
| Dear Ms. [Last Name] | When addressing a female recipient, and you don't know if they are married or unmarried, or if they prefer this form of address. |
| Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name] | When addressing a recipient whose gender is unknown or you prefer to use a neutral form of address. |
| Dear [Recipient's Full Name] | When you know the full name of the recipient and want to address them personally. |
| Dear Dr. [Last Name] | When addressing a recipient who holds a doctorate degree, regardless of gender. |
| Dear Professor [Last Name] | When addressing a recipient who holds the academic title of \"Professor\". |
| Dear [Job Title] [Last Name] | When addressing a recipient by their professional title, such as \"Dear Director Smith\" or \"Dear Manager Johnson\". |
| Dear Hiring Manager | When addressing the hiring manager in a job application or cover letter. |
| Dear Human Resources Director | When addressing the human resources director for employment-related matters. |
| Dear [Company/Organization Name] Representative | When addressing a representative of a specific company or organization. |
| Dear Customer Service | When addressing the customer service department for inquiries or complaints. |
| Dear [Event/Occasion] Organizer | When addressing the organizer or coordinator of a specific event or occasion. |
| Dear Board of Directors | When addressing the collective board of directors of a company or organization. |
| Dear [Government Agency/Department] | When addressing a specific government agency or department for official matters. |
| Dear [Educational Institution] Admissions Office | When addressing the admissions office of a specific educational institution for enrollment-related matters. |
| Dear Editor | When addressing the editor of a publication for a letter to the editor or a submission. |
Ok, so now you know how to greet the person you’re writing to. But what comes next? How do you start your letter?
The first sentence of a letter is always the most difficult to write. Once you’ve got it out of the way, it’ll be easier to continue writing the rest of your message.
To help you out, we’ve created the tables below with suggestions for starting your letter, depending on the situation.
Your cover letter's introduction is the perfect opportunity to make a memorable first impression on potential employers and position yourself as a professional and capable candidate.
To help you craft a professional opener, we've compiled a table of the most common ways to start a cover letter.
English | When to use |
|---|---|
| I'm writing in the application of… | When applying for a position. |
| I am writing to apply for the position of… | When expressing your intention to apply for a specific position. |
| I am submitting my application for… | When formally submitting your job application. |
| I am interested in applying for the position of… | When expressing your interest in a specific position. |
| I am writing to express my strong interest in the position of… | When emphasizing your enthusiasm and interest in a position. |
| I would like to be considered for the position of… | When requesting consideration for a specific position. |
| Please accept my application for the position of… | When formally submitting your application. |
| I would like to apply for the position of… | When indicating your desire to apply for a specific position. |
| Having seen the job posting for…, I’d like to express my interest in the position. | When referring to a specific job posting you came across. |
| After reviewing the job description for…, I’d like to express my interest in the position. | When mentioning that you have reviewed the job description. |
Whether you're seeking details about a specific matter or uncovering the reason behind a situation, the introduction of your letter sets the tone for the rest of it.
To help you start your letter with confidence (and avoid wasting hours trying to write that first sentence without sounding rude), we've assembled a table of expressions you can use for inspiration.
English | When to use |
|---|---|
| I'm writing to inquire about... | When seeking information or clarification on a specific matter. |
| I'm writing to enquire in regards to... | When inquiring about an issue or seeking further details. |
| I'm reaching out to find out... | When you want to gather information or seek an update. |
| I would like to inquire about... | When you have questions or need information about something. |
| Could you please provide information on... | When you are requesting specific details or data. |
| I am interested in learning more about... | When you want to gather further information or explore a topic. |
| I hope you can assist me with... | When seeking help or support regarding a particular matter. |
| I am writing to seek clarification on... | When you need clarification or further explanation. |
| I would appreciate it if you could provide... | When requesting specific information or documentation. |
| Can you please provide me with details on... | When you need specific details or information about something. |
| I am contacting you to inquire about... | When you want to initiate an inquiry or request information. |
| I'm interested in finding out... | When you want to gather information or obtain specific details. |
| I am writing to inquire whether... | When seeking confirmation or information about a certain matter. |
| Could you please let me know... | When requesting information or seeking an update. |
Writing a complaint letter is always challenging. You might be worried about coming across as rude or hurting someone’s feelings. Or, you might struggle to express negative emotions such as anger or frustration constructively and professionally. Here are a few examples of how you can start your complaint letter in a way that sounds both polite and authoritative.
English | When to use |
|---|---|
| I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with... | When you want to convey your dissatisfaction with a particular issue. |
| I am writing to lodge a formal complaint about... | When you want to make a formal complaint regarding a specific matter. |
| I would like to bring to your attention that... | When you want to draw attention to a problem or issue. |
| I am writing to register a complaint regarding... | When you want to formally register a complaint about something. |
| I feel compelled to express my concern about... | When you want to communicate your concern regarding a particular matter. |
| I wish to voice my disappointment with... | When you want to express your disappointment about a situation. |
| I am writing to express my strong dissatisfaction with... | When you want to convey your strong dissatisfaction with a specific issue. |
| I am extremely dissatisfied with the... | When you want to convey your extreme dissatisfaction with something. |
| I am writing to bring to your immediate attention... | When you want to highlight an urgent issue or problem. |
| I am compelled to write this letter of complaint due to... | When you feel strongly compelled to write a complaint letter due to a specific reason. |
| I regret to inform you that... | When you want to inform the recipient about a problem or issue. |
| I have encountered a significant issue with... | When you want to inform about a major problem or concern. |
| I am writing to express my discontent with... | When you want to express your discontentment about a specific matter. |
| I am disappointed with the level of service provided in relation to... | When you want to express your disappointment with the quality of service or product. |
| I am writing to raise a formal complaint regarding... | When you want to raise a formal complaint about a specific matter. |
They say “sorry” is the hardest word to say. But regardless of how hard it might be to say it, apologizing might be necessary in many situations. You may need to apologize for a simple misunderstanding or not completing a project on time. Here’s how you can start your apology letter in a heartfelt and kind way. You can also learn more about how to say sorry meaningfully in English here.
English | When to use |
|---|---|
| I am writing to apologize for... | When you want to express your apology for a specific action or event. |
| I would like to extend my sincere apologies for... | When you want to convey your sincere apologies for a particular matter. |
| I am deeply sorry for... | When you want to express your deep regret and apologize for something. |
| Please accept my apologies for... | When you want to request acceptance of your apologies for a specific matter. |
| I would like to offer my apologies for... | When you want to offer your apologies for a mistake or inconvenience. |
| I wanted to reach out and apologize for... | When you want to express your apology and acknowledge a wrongdoing. |
| I am writing to express my regret and offer my apologies for... | When you want to express your regret and offer your apologies for a specific matter. |
| I would like to express my sincere apologies for... | When you want to convey your sincere apologies for a mistake or offense. |
| I want to apologize for... | When you want to convey your apology for a particular action or event. |
| I would like to apologize unreservedly for... | When you want to convey a strong and unequivocal apology for something. |
| I am truly sorry for... | When you want to express your heartfelt apology for a specific matter. |
| I feel deeply remorseful for... | When you want to convey your deep sense of remorse for something. |
| I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for... | When you want to seize the opportunity to offer your apologies for a mistake or wrongdoing. |
| I am writing to express my sincere regret and offer my apologies for... | When you want to express your sincere regret and offer your apologies for a specific matter. |
| I want to convey my apologies for... | When you want to convey your apologies for a mistake or inconvenience. |
| I am sorry to inform you that... | When you want to apologize for delivering bad news or unfortunate circumstances. |
Sometimes, you may have to respond to someone’s query or solve their concerns. Here’s how you can respond to an inquiry letter from a client or a coworker - whether it’s in your own name or the name of your company.
English | When to use |
|---|---|
| Thank you for your email regarding… | When responding to a general message or inquiry. |
| In response to your email from [date]... | When replying to a specific letter or email. |
| I appreciate you reaching out to me/us regarding... | When expressing appreciation for the recipient's communication. |
| I am writing in reference to your question... | When addressing a specific concern or question raised by the recipient. |
| I have received your inquiry and... | When acknowledging receipt of a message or inquiry. |
| I would like to thank you for bringing [matter] to my/our attention... | When expressing gratitude for bringing a matter to the recipient's attention. |
| I am writing in regards to the issue you raised... | When addressing a specific issue or matter raised by the recipient. |
| I/We appreciate your interest in my/our product/service and... | When responding to a customer's interest in a product or service. |
| Thank you for your recent inquiry about... | When acknowledging and responding to a recent request or inquiry. |
| I am writing to provide you with the requested information regarding... | When fulfilling a request for specific information by the recipient. |
| I would like to address the concerns you raised in your email... | When specifically addressing concerns raised by the recipient. |
| I am pleased to respond to your question regarding... | When providing a response to a specific inquiry or question. |
| I/We have reviewed your email and... | When indicating that the recipient's message has been reviewed. |
| Thank you for taking the time to write to me/us... | When expressing gratitude for the recipient's communication. |
| I am writing to respond to your email regarding... | When acknowledging receipt and providing a response to the recipient's message. |
| I have carefully considered the issues you raised in your email... | When expressing thorough consideration of the recipient's concerns. |
| I/We appreciate your feedback regarding... | When expressing appreciation for the recipient's feedback. |
| I am writing in response to your question about... | When providing a response to a specific inquiry or question by the recipient. |
Writing an effective sales letter can be challenging. Professional copywriters, who are often in charge of writing such letters to the company’s customers, use copywriting and psychological principles to grab the reader’s interest and persuade them to purchase the advertised product or service.
But, sometimes, you may need to write a sales letter yourself. Here’s how you can start it.
| English | When to use |
| Introducing our latest [product/service]... | When introducing a new product or service to potential customers. |
| We are excited to announce our special promotion... | When announcing a special promotion or offer. |
| Discover the exclusive benefits of our [product/service]... | When highlighting the unique advantages of a product or service. |
| We're delighted to present our new [product/service]... | When presenting a newly launched product or service. |
| Take advantage of our limited-time offer... | When promoting a time-limited or seasonal offer. |
| We have an exciting opportunity for you... | When presenting a unique opportunity or offer to potential customers. |
| Get ready for our biggest sale of the year... | When promoting a significant sale or event. |
| Join us in celebrating the launch of our new [product/service]... | When inviting customers to celebrate the launch of a new product or service. |
| Discover the secret to [desired outcome]... | When highlighting the benefits or solutions provided by a product or service. |
| You're invited to our exclusive [event]... | When inviting customers to a special event or gathering. |
| Elevate your [experience/lifestyle/business] with... | When emphasizing how a product or service can enhance the customer's experience, lifestyle, or business. |
| Unlock the potential of your [area/industry] with... | When promoting a product or service that can benefit a specific area or industry. |
| Transform your [activity/task] with... | When showcasing how a product or service can transform a specific activity or task. |
| We have something special in store for you... | When creating anticipation and teasing an upcoming offer or announcement. |
| Reimagine [activity/task] with our revolutionary... | When highlighting a product or service that brings a new perspective or innovation to a specific activity or task. |
| Discover the power of [product/service]... | When emphasizing the impact or effectiveness of a product or service. |
| Welcome to a world of [benefits/features] with... | When inviting customers to explore the benefits and features of a product or service. |
Another challenge when writing a formal letter in English is how to sign it off in a professional and polite manner, adequately to the situation. Not every sign-off will be appropriate for a formal letter, and it will differ depending on how you addressed the letter, to begin with.
Below, you’ll find a table of the most common sign-off for formal letters in English with an explanation of when it’s appropriate to use it.
But aside from the sign-off, you also have the option to add a postscript (PS).
A PS (or P.S. - both forms are correct, so it’s up to you if you want to use dots) is an abbreviation of the Latin post scriptum, which means “after text.” It’s a comment you add at the end of a letter after the sign-off to add extra information.
This is a great way to emphasize something you mentioned in the letter, mention an additional detail, or simply add a friendly personal touch to your letter.
English | When to use |
|---|---|
| Yours faithfully | When starting the letter with \"Dear Sir/Madam\" or \"To whom it may concern\". |
| Yours sincerely | When starting the letter with a specific recipient's name. |
| Kind regards | When you want to convey a polite and friendly tone. |
| Best regards | When you want to convey a professional yet friendly tone. |
| Yours truly | When you want to convey sincerity and authenticity. |
| Respectfully | When you want to show respect and deference. |
| Thank you | When you want to express gratitude or appreciation. |
| Sincerely | When you want to convey a formal and professional tone. |
| With warm regards | When you want to express warmth and friendliness. |
| Cordially | When you want to convey politeness and a formal tone. |
| With best wishes | When you want to convey good wishes and positivity. |
| Yours faithfully/Truly | When writing a formal letter in a more traditional or formal style. |
| Best | When you want to keep the sign-off short and simple. |
| With appreciation | When you want to express gratitude or appreciation for the recipient. |
| Warmest regards | When you want to convey a friendly and warm tone. |
| Wishing you the best | When you want to convey good wishes to the recipient. |
| Many thanks | When you want to express appreciation or gratitude. |
| Sincerely yours | When you want to convey a formal and respectful tone. |
| Best wishes | When you want to convey good wishes or regards. |
| With kindest regards | When you want to convey a friendly and heartfelt sentiment. |
Writing an informal letter is without any doubt much easier than writing a formal letter. Unlike a formal letter, an informal letter doesn’t carry the pressure of sounding professional and polite or being fluent in business English.
An informal letter is a great way to tell a story of something that recently happened to you, share the big news with your friends and acquaintances, invite people to a party, or simply check in with someone you haven’t heard from in a while.
In the following sections, we’ll share some ways to start and end your informal letter in English.
![\"Write](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt8a8c145a58e9ea46/649e5f2f9c69d8fa1cc1d5f5/pexels-pavel-danilyuk-7403877.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
You can open an informal letter in many ways. How you do will depend on the person you’re talking to and how close your relationship is.
When writing to your best friend, you may start with something easygoing, like “Hey girl” or “Hey buddy.” But when writing to a more distant acquaintance, you’d want to start with something less casual like a good ol’ “Hello.” Explore 107 diverse ways to say hello in English here.
A good rule of thumb is this: if you don’t know the person well but are on friendly terms, go for a more universal greeting like a simple “Dear [First Name].”
English | When to use |
|---|---|
| Hi/Hello [First Name] | When writing to a close friend or someone you have a casual relationship with. |
| Hey there!/Hi there! | When writing to someone in a friendly and casual manner. |
| Dear [First Name] | When writing to a friend, family member, or someone you know well. |
| Dear [Nickname]/Hey [Nickname] | When writing to a close friend or someone with whom you share a nickname. |
| Dear [Mom/Dad/Brother, etc.] | When writing to a close friend or family member with a specific relationship mentioned. |
| Hey [Name], long time no see!/Hi [Name], it's been a while! | When writing to a friend you haven't seen or spoken to in a long time. |
| Greetings from [Location]!/Hello from [Location]! | When writing from a specific location and want to share the greeting. |
| Hey there, stranger! | When writing to a friend or acquaintance you haven't been in touch with for a while. |
Truth be told, there’s no standard way to open an informal letter. You could do it in as many ways as your imagination and creativity allow you to. Informal letters are more flexible in structure and content than formal letters, which use standard corporate-sounding phrases.
So, feel free to open your informal letters however you like - appropriately to the situation and the person you’re talking to. But here are a few suggestions you might find helpful.
English | When to use |
|---|---|
| Long time no see!/It's been ages since we last talked! | When reconnecting with a friend or someone you haven't spoken to in a while. |
| Just wanted to say hi! | When writing a casual and friendly letter. |
| How have you been? | When showing genuine concern for the recipient's well-being. |
| Guess what happened today!/You won't believe this! | When starting a letter with an exciting or surprising anecdote. |
| I've been thinking about you lately and wanted to check in. | When expressing that the recipient has been on your thoughts recently. |
| It's been too long since we caught up! | When expressing the desire to reconnect and catch up with a friend. |
| You'll never guess what happened! | When starting a letter with an intriguing or dramatic statement. |
| Tell me all the news! | When expressing curiosity and interest in the recipient's life. |
| I'm so excited to share some big news with you! | When starting a letter with a sense of excitement or anticipation. |
| Just wanted to say thanks for being an awesome friend! | When expressing gratitude and appreciation to a friend. |
| Can you believe it's already [Current month]? Time flies! | When acknowledging the passing of time and engaging in small talk. |
| Remember that funny story I told you? I have an update! | When referring back to a previous conversation or shared experience. |
Informal letters typically have quite relaxed, warm, and easygoing sign-offs. They can go from the standard “Cheers” or “Best” to more intimate “xoxo” or “Hugs and kisses.”
Here, a good rule of thumb is to reserve the most easygoing and warm sign-offs for your closest friends and family and use the more universal ones, like “Best” or “Warm regards,” for those you’re on friendly terms with but aren’t close with. Discover a vast amount of different ways to say goodbye in English here.
English | When to use |
|---|---|
| Cheers | When ending the letter in a casual and friendly manner |
| Take care | When expressing concern for the well-being of the recipient |
| Lots of love/Love | When writing to a close family member or someone you have a strong affection for |
| Hugs and kisses/XOXO | When ending the letter with a warm and affectionate tone. |
| Your friend/Your pal | When signing off as a friend or someone with a close relationship. |
| Catch you later | When ending the letter in a casual and upbeat manner. |
| Until next time | When expressing the anticipation of meeting or talking again. |
| Thinking of you | When expressing that you have the recipient in your thoughts. |
| With love | When signing off with a heartfelt and affectionate sentiment. |
| Stay awesome | When ending the letter with a positive and lighthearted tone. |
| Best wishes/Warm wishes | When conveying good wishes and positive thoughts to the recipient. |
| Keep in touch | When expressing the desire to continue the conversation or maintain contact. |
| Yours truly | When signing off with sincerity and authenticity. |
| With all my heart/With affection | When expressing deep feelings of love or affection towards the recipient. |
| Yours forever/Yours always | When signing off with a strong commitment and loyalty. |
| Sending you positive vibes | When expressing positive thoughts and well-wishes to the recipient. |
| With a big hug | When signing off with a warm and affectionate gesture. |
How you write an email in English - or in any other language, for that matter - will depend on the nature of the email and its recipient. So, when writing your emails, always make sure they’re appropriate for their intended use (no one wants to send an overly casual email to their overly serious boss).
![\"Man](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt1e3960d5ba9d833a/649e611efcb6fd778f5acf26/istock-641267460.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
But aside from that, here are some general tips for writing emails you should always follow:
Yes, we just went over a huge list of ways to start and end your letters and emails in English. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be original. It’s 2023 - at this point, everything is allowed, even signing off your work emails in a funny way.
Here are some of the most epic email sign-offs that made us laugh:
After this exhaustive list of letter greetings, sign-offs, and first sentences, we hope you feel more confident to write your next motivation letter, business email, love note or even apply for a job!
But even though now you know the expressions that can get you started with your next letter, remember that practice makes perfect. The more letters and emails you write, the better you’ll get at writing them. And one day, you won’t need to read blog articles like this one to write a masterfully worded letter.
And if you’d like to enrich your emails and letters with more English vocabulary, check out the articles on our English blog.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"Fancy words to sound smart","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"127 Big Fancy Words to Sound Smart and Boost Your Eloquence","url":"/blog/big-words-to-sound-smart","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt31f10195d282fbd1/64bf1808320b7e5ce9ca7eb0/pexels-matheus-bertelli-3321796.jpg"},"post_content":"Big words to sound smart are sophisticated vocabulary terms that replace common words with more elegant alternatives—like using \"granular\" instead of \"detailed\" or \"ephemeral\" instead of \"short-lived.\" These words elevate your speech and writing, helping you express ideas with greater precision and eloquence while making a memorable impression in professional, academic, and social settings.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"Love in different languages","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"Love in different languages: 118 ways to declare I love you","url":"/blog/i-love-you-different-languages","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltbb30940d3c66436d/6376ebad7a64f810a298539c/pexels-dương-nhân-1021145.jpg"},"post_content":"The article provides translations and cultural insights on how to say \"I love you\" in various languages, showcasing the diversity of expressions of love across cultures.
\n\nWe've all said it before, but saying those three words can still be hard sometimes, especially in a different language. And there may be many reasons you’d want to say “I love you” in a foreign language. Maybe it’s because you’re dating someone who doesn’t speak your language. Or perhaps you want to impress someone special with your knowledge of their mother tongue.
\nIf you ever find yourself without a way to tell someone you love them in their language — don't worry! We’ve got you covered with this list of ways to say “I love you” in 118 different languages.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"English business vocabulary","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"127 business English phrases for great business conversations","url":"/blog/business-english-vocabulary-phrases","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt1f40e40319ba327d/646c3cb46f22962ae089dd64/istock-1207147756.jpeg"},"post_content":"Business English vocabulary refers to the specialized words, phrases, and expressions used in professional workplace settings—including meetings, negotiations, marketing, sales, finance, HR, and legal contexts—that enable clear, formal communication in corporate environments.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"Fictional languages","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"20 of our favorite fictional languages from brilliant fantasy worlds","url":"/blog/fictional-fantasy-languages-conlangs","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt4a2e46ac8a5a5fa6/636200001fb4e757e1111faa/pexels-rene-asmussen-2514316.jpg"},"post_content":"The authors of books, movies, and TV shows often go the extra mile to immerse fans into the story by not only creating a completely unreal and exciting world of fantasy but also by making it seem real. Some authors, like George R. R. Martin or J. R. R. Tolkien, even come up with fantasy languages that the characters in their books speak.
So, if you’re a Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, or Star Trek fan, you’re in for a treat because, in this article, we’ll go over the top 20 made-up languages from fantasy worlds that sound real.
![\"20](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt5fdb317c2f26a9a6/6362039e3db734338d7d1bd7/20_of_our_favorite_fictional_languages_from_brilliant_fantasy_worlds.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
A fictional language, also known as a fantasy language, is a language created by an author, often for the purpose of interest or entertainment (such as in speculative or fantastical fiction).
They don't exist in the real world. These languages are commonly created by writers, filmmakers, and game developers to add depth to their fictional worlds (also called constructed worlds, or “conworlds” for short). Most often, you can encounter fantasy languages in movies (Klingon in Star Trek), TV shows (Dothraki in Game of Thrones), and video games (Dovahzul in Skyrim).
These fantasy languages also help writers create alien worlds that might not be possible in real life — such as Middle Earth in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings or the Hutts in Star Wars.
That’s not to say that these make-believe languages are a bunch of nonsense - they actually have a logical linguistic structure. They must be coherent and have grammatical rules to make them make sense.
Constructed languages are designed by people who want to create a new language for a specific purpose.
Fictional languages are also sometimes called constructed languages or conlangs. While they fall under the category of constructed languages - because they have been created for a specific purpose - the opposite isn’t necessarily true.
A constructed language doesn’t need to be created for a fictional novel or movie - it can also be created with a functional purpose. The earliest constructed languages were created for religious, philosophical, or other real-world purposes. For example, Esperanto is a constructed language created to develop a universal language as a communication tool between nations.
With time, authors started creating constructed languages to complement their works of fiction. So, yes - fictional languages are constructed languages, but constructed languages aren’t necessarily fictional.
If you’re thinking about creating your own conlang – (respect!) – check out conlang.org, from the Language Creation Society.
Here are some fun facts about conlangs you might find interesting.
When you think of fictional languages, you probably think of Klingon, Elvish, and Dothraki. But there are plenty more out there to be discovered.
But did you ever wonder where they came from? What’s the story behind them? And how did they get those crazy-looking letters?
Here are the top 20 fictional languages that we forgot weren't real.
The Dothraki language is a fictional constructed language in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels and the Game of Thrones TV series.
In the fictional world of A Song of Ice and Fire, the Dothraki (sometimes referred to as Dothraxa) are a nomadic horse-riding people who live beyond the \"Painted Mountains\" in what is known as the Dothraki Sea. They speak a unique language called Dothraki.
Initially, Dothraki didn’t extend beyond a few phrases created by George R.R. Martin in his novels. The full structure of the Dothraki language was created by a linguist named David J. Peterson - the same one who also invented Valyrian - for the purpose of the TV show.
Dothraki was inspired by a mix of Spanish and Arabic sounds and made into a language that would be easy to learn for the actors. When constructing the language, Peterson focused on making the language fully tailored to the Dothraki culture - which is why the Dothraki language doesn’t have any words for things that the Dothraki do not need or use.
That’s why the Dothraki language has 14 different ways to say “horse” but no word for “thank you.” Here’s a table of some Dothraki words and phrases we could find:
| English | Dothraki |
| Moon of my life. | Yer jalan atthirari anni. |
| My sun and stars. | Shekh ma shieraki anni. |
| Blood of my blood. | Qoy Qoyi |
| I love you. | Anha zhilak yera. |
| With respect. | M’athchomaroon! |
| Thank you. | San athchomari yeraan! |
| Happy birthday. | Asshekhqoyi vezhvena! |
| The stars are charging for you. | Shieraki gori ha yeraan! |
| Horse | Hrazef |
Aside from Dothraki, David J. Peterson also created High Valyrian for Season 3 of Game of Thrones. Before Peterson developed Valyrian into a full-fledged language, there were only 56 Valyrian phrases in the Game of Thrones books. Currently, Valyrian has over 2,000 functional words. You can refine your pronunciation of some common High Valyrian phrases here.
Valyrian also has quite a complex grammatical structure. Aside from verb conjugations, it has four gender classes (lunar, solar, terrestrial, and aquatic), four grammatical numbers (singular, plural, collective, and paucal), and eight noun cases (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive, vocative, locative, instrumental, and comitative).
Here’s a table with some popular Valyrian words and expressions we could find:
| English | Valyrian |
| All men must die. | Valar Morghulis. |
| Dragon fire. | Dracarys. |
| A dragon is not a slave. | Zaldrīzes buzdari iksos daor. |
| All men must serve. | Valar Dohaeris. |
| Winter is here. | Sōnar mastan. |
| Hold the door. | Nerni ōrēs. |
| I will take what is mine. | Ñuhor līr gūrēnna, |
| The night is dark and full of terrors. | Bantis zōbrie issa se ossȳngnoti lēdys. |
| I love you. | Avy jorrāelan. |
Here’s a video of David J. Peterson reviewing people speaking Dothraki and Valyrian:
Since J.R.R Tolkien is a linguist himself, he went ahead and constructed not one, but TWO languages for the elves in this novel series The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Quenya is one of the two elvish languages spoken by the High Elves of Eldamar.
Quenya was inspired by a mix of Finnish, Greek, and Latin. As a nominative-accusative language, Quenya has a complex grammatical structure. Its nouns are declined into ten cases: the nominative, accusative, genitive, dative, instrumental, possessive, locative, allative, ablative, and a tenth case, sometimes called the \"respective.\"
Here’s a list of some Quenya words and phrases:
| English | Quenya |
| The day has come! Behold, people of the Eldar and Fathers of Men, the day has come! | Utúlie'n aurë! Aiya Eldalië ar Atanatarni, utúlie'n aurë! |
| The night is passing! | Auta i lóme! |
| The will of the Valar will be done. | Valar valuvar |
| How did the language of Elves change? | Manen lambë Quendion ahyanë? |
| Welcome. | Alatulya. |
| What’s your name? | Man esselya ná? |
| Pleased to meet you. | Vandë omentaina. |
| Have a nice day | Nai aurelya nauva mára! |
| Do you speak Quenya? | Ma istal quet' Eldarin? |
| I love you. | Melinyel |
Here’s a Quenya tutorial in 8 minutes:
Sindarin is another one of the Elvish languages in The Lord of the Rings. Sindarin is the language spoken by the Grey Elves of Talarin, and it’s based on a mix of Welsh and Finnish - two languages studied by J.R.R Tolkien.
Quenya and Sindarin are two of over 15 languages spoken by the Elves in The Lord of the Rings novel series. Here are some phrases and expressions in Sindarin you might enjoy:
| English | Sindarin |
| A star shines on the hour of our meeting. | Êl síla erin lû e-govaded 'wîn. |
| Welcome! | Aldol! |
| At last! | Na vedui! |
| Come with me/Follow me. | Aphado nin. |
| You are welcome here. | Gi nathlof hí. |
| Farewell. | Novaer. |
| My heart shall weep until I see you again. | I faer nîn *nínia *aden a-govedinc. |
| Until we meet again. | Na lû e-govaded 'wîn. |
| Do you speak Elvish? | Pedil edhellen? |
| Don’t be afraid. | Av-'osto. |
Here’s a Sindarin tutorial in 8 minutes:
Simlish is the language spoken by The Sims. To many, it sounds like complete gibberish - and according to its author, Will Wright, it is, indeed, a mash-up of gibberish and real words from different languages.
Many people think Simlish is a mix of Irish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, and Navajo words. It is said the voice actors of the game improvised most of the sounds and their emotional nuances
![\"20](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt9753ca5c4929321e/636218f12b6d754895c53ca5/20_of_our_favorite_fictional_languages_from_brilliant_fantasy_worlds_games.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Newspeak is a fictional language that was spoken by the totalitarian nation of Oceania in George Orwell’s book, 1984. It is a language officially created and accepted by the fictitious ruling party as a new way of communication.
The purpose of Newspeak was to create a form of speech that would meet the ideological requirements of the fictional state of Oceania.
Na’vi is the language spoken by the big blue beings - the Na’vi - in James Cameron’s famous blockbuster, Avatar in 2009. James Cameron wanted the Na’vi to be a fully developed concept and decided to create a language for them.
Cameron created the first 30 words of the Na’vi language. To create the rest, he turned to a linguist named Paul Frommer, who helped him create an extended vocabulary and a grammar structure of the Na’vi language. It is said that it took around six months to create the full structure of the language. Check out some interesting conversational words from this fascinating fake language below.
| English | Na’vi |
| Hello. | kaltxì |
| I see you. | oel ngati kameie |
| Thanks. | irayo |
| I love you. | nga yawne lu oer |
| See you soon. | kìyevame |
Klingon is the most developed fictional language. It was created in 1979 as the language spoken by the warrior race Klingon in the TV show Star Trek. The linguist Mark Okrand has created the language to be fully functional, to the point where fans use it to write songs and say their wedding vows. What’s more, Shakespeare’s Hamlet has been fully translated into Klingon.
Klingon has over 3,000 words and a fully developed grammatical structure. There’s even an official Klingon Language Institute where you can learn Klingon! Here are a few Klingon phrases and words you might find interesting.
| English | Klingon |
| Is this seat taken? | quSDaq ba’lu’’a’? |
| Curse well! | pe’vIl mu’qaDmey |
| Where’s the bathroom? | nuqDaq ‘oH puchpa’’e’? |
| Where’s the bar? | nuqDaq ‘oH tach’e’? |
| Do they serve Earth food? | tera’ngan Soj lujab’a’? |
| How are you? | bIpIv'a'? |
| Cheers! | 'IwlIj jachjaj |
| I understand. | jIyaj |
| Do you speak a language other than Klingon? | tlhIngan Hol 'oHbe'bogh latlh Hol'e' DajatlhlaH'a'? |
| Would you like to dance with me? | mamI' DaneH'a'? nItebHa' mamI' DaneH'a'? |
Alienese, also called Alien language, is simply a coded language. If you’re good at math, it should be pretty easy for you to learn! This language was created for hidden jokes on the animated show called Futurama to see if fans could decipher it.
Initially, it had a substitution alphabet with 26 characters corresponding to the English alphabet. However, with time, it was developed into a more complex form using numbers.
Alienese is the language spoken by the alien species Nibblonian, the native inhabitants of the Planet Eternium.
![\"20](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt18ba531fba4f0cff/63621921bc9c90713e05c5a1/20_of_our_favorite_fictional_languages_from_brilliant_fantasy_worlds_movies.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Lapine is the language spoken by the rabbits in the novel and animated movie Watership Down. Watership Down is a tale of a colony of rabbits looking for a new home. Lapine is meant to sound fluffy, and its name comes from the French word for “rabbit.”
Initially, Richard Adams only created a few words of Lapine for the purpose of the movie in 1972. However, since then, fans have developed it into a fully functional language with extended vocabulary and a grammatical structure.
Atlantean is the language spoken by the people of Atlantis in the 2001 Disney movie Atlantis: The Lost Empire. The authors of the movie wanted the Atlanteans to have their own unique language, so they hired a renowned linguist, Mark Okrand, to develop it.
Since the story of Atlantis dictates that most real-world languages are derived from Atlantean, Mark Okrand created this language based on a mashup of different, real languages. Atlantean has its own alphabet.
Vulcan is another one of the famous Star Trek’s constructed languages. While Klingon is the most developed one, Vulcan is the first to appear in the movies. It is spoken by the Vulcan from the planet Vulcan.
Initially, the actors spoke the words in English, which were later dubbed into Vulcan words that were created to match the actors’ mouth movements. The actor James Doohan - the one who played Scotty - was the first to devise Vulcan words to be dubbed during the 1979 movie Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
The language was later developed into a fully functional language by Mark Okrand - the same guy who created Klingon.
Here you can listen to the original Star Trek intro dubbed in the Vulcan language:
The Star Wars universe has several constructed languages for its alien species, and Huttese is one of the most famous ones. Huttese is spoken by Jabba the Hutt and his species, the Hutts - a jumbo species of crime lords.
Huttese was created by the sound designer Ben Burtt for Jabba’s appearance in the film Return of the Jedi in 1983. Together with Jabba’s actor, Larry Ward, Ben Burtt created the Huttese language based on the sounds from the Inca’s language, Quechua (which is still spoken by over 8 million people in the Andes region).
Barsoomian is the language of the Barsoomians - the humanoids that inhabit the planet Mars in Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novels. The language had only 400 words and some descriptions in Burroughs novels and was fully developed by the linguist Paul Frommer - the same one that created the Na’vi language for Avatar - for the movie John Carter of Mars in 2012.
If you’re a Superman fan, we don’t have to tell you about the language of Krypton - Superman’s birth planet. The inhabitants of Krypton speak Kryptonian - or Kryptonese.
The language first appeared in the Superman comics as incomprehensible squiggles and was later developed by E. Nelson Bridwell into a 118-letter alphabet. In 2000, DC Comics introduced a transliteration of the alphabet with corresponding English letters. A more complex version of the Kryptonian language appeared in the TV show Smallville.
Dovahzul is the language of the dragons, which first appeared in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in 2011. In case you don’t know it already, Skyrim is a famous action role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios. The name of the language comes from its word for “dragon”: “dovah” means “dragon,” and “dovahzul” means “dragon’s voice.”
The language has its own alphabet, and it’s written from left to right. It is said that it’s based on the oldest form of writing, the Cuneiform script.
This is what a text written in dovahzul looks like:
![\"smp_dovahzul.gif\"](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt4e089c52f4a1609f/6361da8c3bd922566d8d792c/smp_dovahzul.gif?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Stargate fans know that the Goa’uld are nasty symbiotes from the planet P3X-888 in the Milky Way galaxy. They’re known for taking over their host’s body completely.
The Goa’uld communicate in the Goa’uld language, which is based on Egyptian hieroglyphics. Of course, in the Stargate series, the story is flipped - it is said that the Egyptian hieroglyphics are based on the Goa’uld language (which we know, of course, isn’t true in real life).
Trigedasleng, also called Trig, is the language of the Grounder people in the CW series, The 100. The Grounder people are survivors of the nuclear apocalypse on Earth.
The creator of the Trigedasleng language, linguist David J. Peterson (yes, the same one that created the Dothraki and Valyrian languages for Game of Thrones), says that it has evolved from English. Trigedasleng can be translated as the “forest language.” In the series, many Grounder clans speak this language but can also communicate in English.
Here’s a video of Lexa from The 100 speaking Trigedasleng:
D’ni is the language spoken by the D’ni people in the video game series Myst produced by Cyan Inc. The D’ni language has its own alphabet, and its words and phrases have been used throughout the game to challenge the players.
You can learn more about the grammar and vocabulary of the D’ni language from the Guild of Archivists.
The Tenctonese is the language spoken by an alien species in the movie and FOX TV show Alien Nation. Surprisingly, there are two versions of this language - one created for the movie by Van Ling and another created for the TV show by the father-daughter duo Kenneth and Julliette Johnson.
The Tenctonese language in the movie was based on a combination of Chinese, Samoan, and German words. On the other hand, the Tenctonese language for the TV show was created from English words spelled backward or rearranged into different syllable combinations.
It’s time to say goodbye (fonas chek in dothraki)! Let’s take a moment and appreciate all the amazing fictional and fantasy languages out there! They have helped us to feel truly immersed in the world of our favorite movies, TV shows, or video games.
Despite the fact that these fake languages are simply creations of the imagination, they do function as full-fledged languages, so perhaps we should even consider them real. While they may lack the same level of complexity and intricacy as natural languages, they are crafted with thought and purpose to suit the specific needs of their respective worlds.
And whenever you're ready to leave the fantasy worlds and their adventures, check out this article on the most spoken languages in the world, and learn about more languages and culture on our language blog.
Want to learn real languages in a fictional world? Discover the best books to learn about languages and cultures here.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"Hello in different languages","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"How to say hello in 113 different languages [real & make-believe]","url":"/blog/hello-different-languages","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltdfd9eaf6cdea5023/632d0d22a982bd60a88d83ad/524176927.jpeg"},"post_content":"This article explores how to say \"hello\" in various languages around the world, showcasing the diversity of greetings. It encourages readers to embrace cultural differences and learn simple phrases to connect with others.
\n\nLearning basic words like “hello,” “thank you,” “excuse me” or yes and no in different languages can help you a ton during your travels! And even if you’re not a language geek like me, these words are pretty easy to learn in any language - and you can learn any language fast with a few good tips!
\nThe truth is, learning how to say hello in the language of the country you’re traveling to, a person you’re doing business with, or even starting a friendship with, is fundamental to building solid relationships with people.
\nIt's a common courtesy to greet people in their native language. Whether you're traveling or doing business, knowing how to say hello in another language shows that you take an interest in the culture and customs of others. Your message can be taken more seriously, and you might even receive better service!
\nSo, in this article, we’ll cover how to say hello in 113 languages. We’ve also included a pronunciation column to help you learn how to pronounce these foreign words (some can be quite challenging!).
\n\n
\n
We can confidently say that there are at least 100 creative ways to say hello in English, 23 ways to say hello in French, and 77 unique ways to say hello in Spanish. Therefore, it goes without saying that we cannot cover all the possible greetings for each language in this article!
\nSo, while there are many ways to say hello in different languages, ranging from formal to slang, we’re going to focus only on the most common ones.
\n![\"These](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltdd3aa39a062782f9/632d0c5c72f6ac30ff64c95c/istock-869658444.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| \n Language \n | \n \n Most common way to say hello \n | \n \n Pronunciation \n | \n
|---|---|---|
| \n Afrikaans \n | \n \n Hallo \n | \n \n HAH-low \n | \n
| \n Albanian \n | \n \n Përshëndetje \n | \n \n per-shen-DEAT-ye \n | \n
| \n Amharic \n | \n \n Iwi selami newi (እው ሰላም ነው) \n | \n \n ewe-selamee-nuhwee \n | \n
| \n Arabic \n | \n \n Marhaba (مرحبًا) \n | \n \n mur-HAH-ba \n | \n
| \n Armenian \n | \n \n Barev \n | \n \n bah-REV \n | \n
| \n Aymara \n | \n \n Kamisaki \n | \n \n kah-mee-sah-kee \n | \n
| \n Azerbaijani \n | \n \n Salam \n | \n \n sal-aam \n | \n
| \n Basque \n | \n \n Kaixo \n | \n \n kia-show \n | \n
| \n Belarusian \n | \n \n Vitaju (Вітаю) \n | \n \n veeta-you \n | \n
| \n Bengali \n | \n \n Hyālō (হ্যালো) \n | \n \n HEL-oh \n | \n
| \n Bosnian \n | \n \n Zdravo \n | \n \n ZDRAH-voh \n | \n
| \n Bulgarian \n | \n \n Zdraveĭte (Здравейте) \n | \n \n ZDRAH-vey-teh \n | \n
| \n Burmese \n | \n \n Haallo (ဟယ်လို) \n | \n \n HAAL-oo \n | \n
| \n Cantonese \n | \n \n Nǐ hǎo (你好) \n | \n \n nie HAOW \n | \n
| \n Catalan \n | \n \n Hola \n | \n \n OH-laa \n | \n
| \n Cebuano \n | \n \n Kamusta \n | \n \n kuh-moos-tah \n | \n
| \n Chichewa \n | \n \n Moni \n | \n \n moh-nee \n | \n
| \n Corsican \n | \n \n Bonghjornu \n | \n \n bon-jornoo \n | \n
| \n Croatian \n | \n \n Zdravo \n | \n \n ZDRAH-voh \n | \n
| \n Czech \n | \n \n Ahoj \n | \n \n AH-hoy \n | \n
| \n Danish \n | \n \n Hej \n | \n \n hey \n | \n
| \n Dutch \n | \n \n Hallo \n | \n \n HAAL-oo \n | \n
| \n English \n | \n \n Hello \n | \n \n hah-low \n | \n
| \n Estonian \n | \n \n Tere \n | \n \n TEh-reh \n | \n
| \n Ewe \n | \n \n Hello \n | \n \n hah-low \n | \n
| \n Farsi (Persian) \n | \n \n Salām (سلام) \n | \n \n saol-AM \n | \n
| \n Fijian \n | \n \n Bula \n | \n \n mbula \n | \n
| \n Filipino \n | \n \n Kumusta \n | \n \n koo-moo-stah \n | \n
| \n Finnish \n | \n \n Hei \n | \n \n hey \n | \n
| \n French \n | \n \n Bonjour \n | \n \n bon-ZHOOR \n | \n
| \n Gaelic (Irish) \n | \n \n Dia dhuit \n | \n \n DEE-ah GHWIT \n | \n
| \n Galician \n | \n \n Ola \n | \n \n oh-laah \n | \n
| \n Georgian \n | \n \n Gamarjoba (გამარჯობა) \n | \n \n gah-mahr-joh-bah \n | \n
| \n German \n | \n \n Guten tag \n | \n \n goo-tenn tahk \n | \n
| \n Greek \n | \n \n Geia (γεια) \n | \n \n gya \n | \n
| \n Guarani \n | \n \n Mba'éichapa \n | \n \n mbah-ey-chapaah \n | \n
| \n Haitian Creole \n | \n \n Bonjou \n | \n \n BON-joo \n | \n
| \n Hawaiian \n | \n \n Aloha \n | \n \n AH-low-ha \n | \n
| \n Hebrew \n | \n \n Shalom (שלום) \n | \n \n shah-LOHM \n | \n
| \n Hindi \n | \n \n Namaste (नमस्ते) \n | \n \n nah-mah-steh \n | \n
| \n Hmong \n | \n \n Nyob zoo \n | \n \n nyo-ZHOW \n | \n
| \n Hungarian \n | \n \n Szia \n | \n \n SEE-ah \n | \n
| \n Icelandic \n | \n \n Halló \n | \n \n HAL-oo \n | \n
| \n Igbo \n | \n \n Ndewo \n | \n \n n-day-wo \n | \n
| \n Ilocano \n | \n \n Hello \n | \n \n hah-low \n | \n
| \n Indonesian \n | \n \n Halo \n | \n \n hah-low \n | \n
| \n Italian \n | \n \n Ciao \n | \n \n chau \n | \n
| \n Japanese \n | \n \n Konichiwa (こんにちは) \n | \n \n kohn-nee-chee-wah \n | \n
| \n Kazakh \n | \n \n Sälemetsiz be (Сәлеметсіз бе) \n | \n |
| \n Khmer \n | \n \n Suostei (សួស្តី) \n | \n \n suo-stey \n | \n
| \n Kinyarwanda \n | \n \n Mwaramutse \n | \n \n mwah-rah-moot-seh \n | \n
| \n Korean \n | \n \n Anyeong haseyo (안녕하세요) \n | \n \n AHN-young-ha-say-yo \n | \n
| \n Kurdish \n | \n \n Slav \n | \n \n slawv \n | \n
| \n Lao \n | \n \n Sabaidi (ສະບາຍດີ) \n | \n \n sa-baai-di \n | \n
| \n Latin \n | \n \n Salve \n | \n \n sal-veh \n | \n
| \n Latvian \n | \n \n Sveika (male) or Sveiks (female) \n | \n \n SVYEH-kah or SVYEH-eeks \n | \n
| \n Lithuanian \n | \n \n Sveiki \n | \n \n svey-kee \n | \n
| \n Luxembourgish \n | \n \n Moien \n | \n \n MOY-en \n | \n
| \n Malagasy \n | \n \n Salama \n | \n \n sah-LAHM-ah \n | \n
| \n Malay \n | \n \n Selamat pagi \n | \n \n suh-lah-met pah-gee \n | \n
| \n Maltese \n | \n \n Bongu \n | \n \n BON-joo \n | \n
| \n Mandarin \n | \n \n Nǐ hǎo (你好) \n | \n \n nie HAOW \n | \n
| \n Maori \n | \n \n Kia ora \n | \n \n kya-orah \n | \n
| \n Marathi \n | \n \n Namaskāra (नमस्कार) \n | \n \n nah-mahs-kah-rah \n | \n
| \n Mongolian \n | \n \n Sain uu (сайн уу) \n | \n \n say-noo \n | \n
| \n Nahuatl \n | \n \n Niltze Tialli Pialli \n | \n \n nilts-tialee-pialee \n | \n
| \n Navajo \n | \n \n Ya’at’eeh \n | \n \n yah-tah-hey \n | \n
| \n Nepali \n | \n \n Namaskāra (नमस्कार) \n | \n \n nah-mahs-kah-rah \n | \n
| \n Norwegian \n | \n \n Hei \n | \n \n hay \n | \n
| \n Pashto \n | \n \n Salam (سلام) \n | \n \n sah-laam \n | \n
| \n Polish \n | \n \n Cześć \n | \n \n cheshch \n | \n
| \n Portuguese \n | \n \n Olá \n | \n \n OH-laa \n | \n
| \n Punjabi \n | \n \n Sata srī akāla (ਸਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ) \n | \n \n saht sree ah-kahl \n | \n
| \n Oromo \n | \n \n Akkam \n | \n \n akh-kaam \n | \n
| \n Quechua \n | \n \n Allianchu \n | \n \n eye-ee-anch-oo \n | \n
| \n Romanian \n | \n \n Bunâ \n | \n \n boo-na \n | \n
| \n Russian \n | \n \n Privet (Привет) \n | \n \n pree-VYEHT \n | \n
| \n Samoan \n | \n \n Talofa \n | \n \n tah-low-fah \n | \n
| \n Sepedi \n | \n \n Thobela \n | \n \n tob-eh-lah \n | \n
| \n Serbian \n | \n \n Zdravo (Здраво) \n | \n \n ZDRAH-voh \n | \n
| \n Sesotho \n | \n \n Dumela \n | \n \n doo-meh-lah \n | \n
| \n Slovak \n | \n \n Ahoj \n | \n \n AH-hoy \n | \n
| \n Slovenian \n | \n \n Zdravo \n | \n \n ZDRAH-voh \n | \n
| \n Somali \n | \n \n Hello \n | \n \n hah-low \n | \n
| \n Spanish \n | \n \n Hola \n | \n \n oh-laa \n | \n
| \n Swahili \n | \n \n Jambo \n | \n \n jam-BOH \n | \n
| \n Swedish \n | \n \n Hallå \n | \n \n hal-oa \n | \n
| \n Tagalog \n | \n \n Kamusta \n | \n \n kuh-moos-tah \n | \n
| \n Tahitian \n | \n \n Ia Orana \n | \n \n ya-rah-nah \n | \n
| \n Taiwanese \n | \n \n Li-hó \n | \n \n lee-hoh \n | \n
| \n Tamil \n | \n \n Vanakkam (வணக்கம்) \n | \n \n vaa–NAK–kam \n | \n
| \n Thai \n | \n \n S̄wạs̄dī (สวัสดี) \n | \n \n sa-wat-dii \n | \n
| \n Tibetan \n | \n \n Tashi delek \n | \n \n tah-shee del-ek \n | \n
| \n Tongan \n | \n \n Mālō e lelei \n | \n \n mah-lo eh lei-lei \n | \n
| \n Tsonga \n | \n \n Avuxeni \n | \n |
| \n Turkish \n | \n \n Merhaba \n | \n \n mehr-hah-bah \n | \n
| \n Ukrainian \n | \n \n Privit (привіт) \n | \n \n pree-VEET \n | \n
| \n Urdu \n | \n \n Assalāmu Alaykum (السلام عليكم) \n | \n \n as-salam-u lay-kuhm \n | \n
| \n Uzbek \n | \n \n Salom \n | \n \n shah-lohm \n | \n
| \n Vietnamese \n | \n \n Xin chào \n | \n \n sin CHOW \n | \n
| \n Welsh \n | \n \n Helo \n | \n \n hah-low \n | \n
| \n Xhosa \n | \n \n Molo \n | \n \n moh-loh \n | \n
\n
\n
Did you know that apart from the whopping 7,100+ languages spoken in the world, there are also 900 constructed languages?
\nUnlike real languages, constructed languages (or conlangs) haven’t developed naturally but were intentionally created with a specific purpose in mind (usually as part of a work of fiction). Fantasy languages that we cover below also fall under this category.
\n| Constructed language | \nHello | \n
|---|---|
| Esperanto | \nSaluton | \n
| Intelingua | \nBon die | \n
| Lingua Franca Nova | \nBon dia (Бон диа) | \n
| Novial | \nKehan chhi (meaning how are you) | \n
\n
\n
If you’re a Lord of the Ring, Game of Thrones, or Harry Potter fan, you’re in for a treat! Bring out your inner geek with these ways to say hello in fantasy languages from your favorite books, movies, and TV shows.
\nWant more? We've got an entire article dedicated to the most interesting and distinctive famous phrases from fictional languages here.
\n![\"Say](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt7c365035da8e86b5/632d0fcdfac7b2660da0282a/Game_of_thrones.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Fantasy language | \nWhat we think is the right way to say hello | \nSpoken by: | \nBook/movie/show | \nLanguage created by: | \n
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dothraki | \nM’atchomaroon | \nThe indigenous habitents of the Dothraki Sea. | \nA Game of Thrones | \nDavid Peterson | \n
| Klingon | \nNuqneh | \nThe Klingons. | \nStar Trek | \nDr. Marc Okrand | \n
| Parseltongue | \nSeethaaa-ssse-hathehhh-hathehhh-ayaeeh | \nSerpents, and descendents of Salazar Slytherin may inherit the ability to speak Parseltongue, although it's rare. Some notable exceptions to this rule include Harry Potter, and Ginny Weasley. | \nHarry Potter | \nDr. Francis Nolan | \n
| Valyrian | \nRytsas | \nHigh Valyrian is no longer used as a language of everyday communication, but rather as a language of learning and education among the nobility of Essos and Westeros, with much literature and song composed in High Valyrian. The Nine Free Cities of Essos speak locally evolved variants of Valyrian. | \nA Game of Thrones | \nDavid Peterson | \n
| Sindarin | \nA | \nSpoken by the Elves, called the Eledhrim [ɛˈlɛðrɪm] or Edhellim [ɛˈðɛlːɪm] in Sindarin. | \nLord of the Rings | \nJ.R.R. Tolkien | \n
| Quenya (Elvish) | \nAiya | \nSpoken by the immortal Elves, called Quendi ('speakers') in Quenya. | \nLord of the Rings | \nJ.R.R. Tolkien | \n
| Na’vi | \nKaltxì | \nThe inhabitants of Pandora. | \nAvatar | \nDr. Paul Frommer | \n
\n
While we’re experts on many spoken languages, we can’t boast our knowledge of constructed languages. So, here are some YouTube videos that may help you learn how to pronounce “hello” in these languages:
\n\n
After reading this guide, you can now greet people in over 100 languages! That’s something to be proud of. Knowing how to say hello in different languages has helped me make better connections during my travels (and not look like a lost tourist) and make lasting impressions on people from other countries and cultures. Sadly, every hello does come with a goodbye, which you can also learn to say in different languages here.
\nHowever, we bet that your language learning journey doesn’t stop here! If we’ve inspired you to take up a new, exciting language to learn, you might want to check out this article on the easiest languages for English speakers to learn or other resources on our blog.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"Goodbye in other languages","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"Goodbye in different languages: 107 notable ways to bid farewell","url":"/blog/goodbye-different-languages","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltca5aaf897f5ad17d/6344be3159c8ec116d13fe92/pexels-askar-abayev-5638577.jpg"},"post_content":"Explore various ways to say \"goodbye\" across different languages, emphasizing cultural variations and the significance of farewells in diverse contexts.
\n\nNo matter where you live, you’ll encounter people from different backgrounds. Whether you’re a frequent traveler who always meets people from other countries or a business owner who interacts with foreigners, knowing how to say goodbye in different languages will help you maintain excellent relationships with these people.
\nAnd aside from that, it will make it easier for you to part ways with someone you used to spend time with. After all, who knows when you may need to understand someone else's goodbye? This is why in this article, we share with you how to say goodbye in over 90 languages - real or not!
\n\n
\n
Each language around the world has many ways to say goodbye. Of course, there are many different ways of saying goodbye in English. You can tell someone to have a nice day or to have fun. You can simply say, “see you later” or “take care.”
\nIn French, for example, you can say au revoir (until we meet again), adieu (farewell), and à bientôt (until soon). In Spanish, there's hasta luego (see you later), hasta la vista (see you soon), or simply adios.
\nIf you want to learn a language fast and you want to speak it fluently, you definitely should know different variations of goodbye, bye, and farewell. However, we couldn’t cover that all in one article, so we’ll focus on the most common way of saying goodbye in each language.
\n![\"Saying](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltaef4827c251bb614/6344c3f4fd2c201181b0662b/pexels-helena-lopes-697243.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| \n Language \n | \n \n Most common way to say goodbye \n | \n \n Pronunciation \n | \n
|---|---|---|
| \n Afrikaans \n | \n \n Totsiens \n | \n \n TOTE-seens \n | \n
| \n Albanian \n | \n \n Mirupafshim \n | \n \n meer-oo-PAHF-sheem \n | \n
| \n Amharic \n | \n \n Bayi (ባይ) \n | \n \n bai \n | \n
| \n Arabic \n | \n \n Mae alsalama (مع السلامة) \n | \n \n may ahsahlahmah \n | \n
| \n Armenian \n | \n \n Ts’tesut’yun (ցտեսություն) \n | \n \n ts-teess-uts-yun \n | \n
| \n Aymara \n | \n \n Jan mayampitaki \n | \n \n han-maym-pee-ta-kee \n | \n
| \n Azerbaijani \n | \n \n Sagol \n | \n \n saah-gohl \n | \n
| \n Basque \n | \n \n Agur \n | \n \n ah-goor \n | \n
| \n Bengali \n | \n \n Bidāẏa (বিদায়) \n | \n \n bi-dai \n | \n
| \n Bosnian \n | \n \n Zdravo \n | \n \n zdrah-voh \n | \n
| \n Bulgarian \n | \n \n Dovizhdane (Довиждане) \n | \n \n do-viz-DAH-neh \n | \n
| \n Burmese \n | \n \n Swarrtotmaal (သွားတော့မယ်) \n | \n \n swar-toh-meal \n | \n
| \n Cantonese \n | \n \n Baibai (拜拜) \n | \n \n bai-bai \n | \n
| \n Catalan \n | \n \n Adéu \n | \n \n ah-deh-ou \n | \n
| \n Cebuano \n | \n \n Paalam \n | \n \n pah-lahm \n | \n
| \n Chichewa \n | \n \n Bayi \n | \n \n ba-yee \n | \n
| \n Corsican \n | \n \n Avvedeci \n | \n \n aveh-deh-chee \n | \n
| \n Croatian \n | \n \n Doviđenja \n | \n \n doh-vee-JEN-ya \n | \n
| \n Czech \n | \n \n Ahoj \n | \n \n aa-hoi \n | \n
| \n Danish \n | \n \n Farvel \n | \n \n far-vel \n | \n
| \n Dutch \n | \n \n Tot ziens \n | \n \n tut-ZEENS \n | \n
| \n English \n | \n \n Goodbye or Bye \n | \n \n Gud-bai or Bai \n | \n
| \n Estonian \n | \n \n Nägemist \n | \n \n nahgehmist \n | \n
| \n Ewe \n | \n \n Hede nyuie \n | \n \n heh-deh-nwee \n | \n
| \n Farsi (Persian) \n | \n \n Khoda hafis (خداحافظ) \n | \n \n koo-dah ha-fiz \n | \n
| \n Fijian \n | \n \n Moce \n | \n \n mothay \n | \n
| \n Filipino \n | \n \n Paalam \n | \n \n pah-lahm \n | \n
| \n Finnish \n | \n \n Näkemiin \n | \n \n nah-keh-meen \n | \n
| \n French \n | \n \n Au revoir \n | \n \n oh-VWAHR \n | \n
| \n Gaelic (Irish) \n | \n \n Slán \n | \n \n slawn \n | \n
| \n Galician \n | \n \n Adeus \n | \n \n ah-deh-oos \n | \n
| \n Georgian \n | \n \n Ნakhvamdis (Ნახვამდის) \n | \n \n akhvamdis \n | \n
| \n German \n | \n \n Auf Wiedersehen \n | \n \n owf-VEE-der-zayn \n | \n
| \n Greek \n | \n \n Yasou \n | \n \n YAH-soo \n | \n
| \n Guarani \n | \n \n Jajohecha peve \n | \n \n ja-jo-echa-peh-veh \n | \n
| \n Haitian Creole \n | \n \n Orevwa \n | \n \n oh-reh-vwah \n | \n
| \n Hawaiian \n | \n \n Aloha \n | \n \n ah-loh-ha \n | \n
| \n Hebrew \n | \n \n Shalom (הֱיה שלום) \n | \n \n shah-lohm \n | \n
| \n Hindi \n | \n \n Namaste (नमस्ते) \n | \n \n nah-mah-stay \n | \n
| \n Hmong \n | \n \n Nyob zoo \n | \n \n niob-zoo \n | \n
| \n Hungarian \n | \n \n Viszontlátásra \n | \n \n vee-sohnt-la-tah-shrah \n | \n
| \n Icelandic \n | \n \n Bless \n | \n \n bleh-s \n | \n
| \n Igbo \n | \n \n Ka ọ dị \n | \n \n kah oh dee \n | \n
| \n Ilocano \n | \n \n Mapanen \n | \n \n mah-pah-nen \n | \n
| \n Indonesian \n | \n \n Selamat tinggal \n | \n \n sell-ah-maht teen-gahl \n | \n
| \n Italian \n | \n \n Arrivederci or Ciao \n | \n \n ah-ree-veh-DEHR-chee or CHOW \n | \n
| \n Japanese \n | \n \n Sayōnara (さようなら) \n | \n \n sie-yon-are-ah \n | \n
| \n Kazakh \n | \n \n Saw bolıñız (Сау болыңыз) \n | \n \n sahw-boh-lee-nees \n | \n
| \n Khmer \n | \n \n Leahaey (លាហើយ) \n | \n \n lee-ah-hai \n | \n
| \n Kinyarwanda \n | \n \n Muraho \n | \n \n moo-rah-hoh \n | \n
| \n Korean \n | \n \n Annyeong (안녕) \n | \n \n AN-nyeong \n | \n
| \n Kurdish \n | \n \n Bi xatirê te \n | \n \n by scat-er teh \n | \n
| \n Lao \n | \n \n Sabaidi (ສະບາຍດີ) \n | \n \n sa-bai-dee \n | \n
| \n Latvian \n | \n \n Ardievu \n | \n \n ar-die-voh \n | \n
| \n Lithuanian \n | \n \n Atsisveikink \n | \n \n at-sis-veik-ink \n | \n
| \n Luxembourgish \n | \n \n Äddi \n | \n \n ah-dee \n | \n
| \n Malagasy \n | \n \n Veloma \n | \n \n veh-loh-mah \n | \n
| \n Malay \n | \n \n Selamat tinggal \n | \n \n sell-ah-maht teen-gahl \n | \n
| \n Maltese \n | \n \n Addiju \n | \n \n a-dee-joh \n | \n
| \n Mandarin \n | \n \n Zàijiàn (再见) \n | \n \n tzai-JIEN \n | \n
| \n Maori \n | \n \n Kia koa \n | \n \n kee-yah koh-wah \n | \n
| \n Mongolian \n | \n \n Bayartai (Баяртай) \n | \n \n bah-yar-tyeh \n | \n
| \n Nahuatl \n | \n \n Ye niauh \n | \n \n yeah-nyah-uh \n | \n
| \n Navajo \n | \n \n Hágooshį́į́ \n | \n \n hah-goo-shee \n | \n
| \n Nepali \n | \n \n Namaste (नमस्ते) \n | \n \n nah-mah-stay \n | \n
| \n Norwegian \n | \n \n Hade \n | \n \n HA-day \n | \n
| \n Pashto \n | \n \n Da khoday pa amaan (د خدای په امان) \n | \n \n dah khod-ay pah ah-mahn \n | \n
| \n Polish \n | \n \n Do widzenia \n | \n \n do-vids-enia \n | \n
| \n Portuguese \n | \n \n Adeus \n | \n \n ah-deh-ooSH \n | \n
| \n Punjabi \n | \n \n Alavidā (ਅਲਵਿਦਾ) \n | \n \n al-ah-vee-dah \n | \n
| \n Quechua \n | \n \n Tupanchikkama \n | \n \n too-pan-anchis-kama \n | \n
| \n Romanian \n | \n \n La revedere \n | \n \n LA-re-ve-DEH-re \n | \n
| \n Russian \n | \n \n Do svidaniya (до свидания) \n | \n \n do-sve-DAN-ya \n | \n
| \n Samoan \n | \n \n Tōfā \n | \n \n toe-fah \n | \n
| \n Sepedi \n | \n \n Šala gabotse \n | \n \n shah-lah-gah-bot-seh \n | \n
| \n Serbian \n | \n \n Zbogom (збогом) \n | \n \n z-boh-ghom \n | \n
| \n Sesotho \n | \n \n Sala hantle \n | \n \n sala hant-l \n | \n
| \n Slovak \n | \n \n Dovidenia \n | \n \n doh-vidjen-yeah \n | \n
| \n Slovenian \n | \n \n Nasvidenje \n | \n \n nas-vih-den-yeah \n | \n
| \n Somali \n | \n \n Nabad gelyo \n | \n \n nah-bad-jeh-lyoh \n | \n
| \n Spanish \n | \n \n Adiós \n | \n \n ah-DYOS \n | \n
| \n Swahili \n | \n \n Kwaheri \n | \n \n kwaheri \n | \n
| \n Swedish \n | \n \n Adjö \n | \n \n ah-YEU \n | \n
| \n Tagalog \n | \n \n Paalam \n | \n \n puh-AH-lam \n | \n
| \n Tahitian \n | \n \n Nānā \n | \n \n nah-nah \n | \n
| \n Taiwanese \n | \n \n Chài-kiàn \n | \n \n jaigen \n | \n
| \n Tamil \n | \n \n Piriyāviṭai (பிரியாவிடை) \n | \n \n pir-yah-vih-tai \n | \n
| \n Thai \n | \n \n Lā k̀xn (ลาก่อน) \n | \n \n laa-kawn \n | \n
| \n Tibetan \n | \n \n Kah-leh pheb \n | \n \n kah-leh pheb \n | \n
| \n Tongan \n | \n \n Alu a e \n | \n \n Ah-loo ah eh \n | \n
| \n Turkish \n | \n \n Güle güle \n | \n \n gooleh gooleh \n | \n
| \n Ukrainian \n | \n \n Do pobachennya (до побачення) \n | \n \n doh-poh-ba-CHAN-ya \n | \n
| \n Urdu \n | \n \n Khuda hafiz (خدا حافظ) \n | \n \n koo-dah ha-fiz \n | \n
| \n Uzbek \n | \n \n Xayr \n | \n \n hayir \n | \n
| \n Vietnamese \n | \n \n Tạm biệt \n | \n \n tahm bee-et \n | \n
| \n Welsh \n | \n \n Hwyl fawr \n | \n \n hwyl-fawr \n | \n
| \n Xhosa \n | \n \n Sala kakuhle \n | \n \n sah-lah kah-koo-leh \n | \n
\n
\n
Constructed languages are languages created by one individual or a group of people with a specific purpose in mind. For example, fantasy languages - such as Dothraki or Sindarin - have been created to support a fictional story the authors wanted to tell. We cover these in the section below.
\nHowever, other constructed languages - such as Esperanto or Interlingua - have been created to become a shared, universal language that would unite people who speak different languages. According to unofficial stats, it is estimated that Esperanto has 2 million speakers worldwide.
\n| Constructed language | \nHow to say goodbye | \n
| Esperanto | \nAdiaŭ | \n
| Intelingua | \nAdeo! A revider! | \n
| Lingua Franca Nova | \nAdio | \n
| Novial | \nAdie | \n
\n
\n
Has your love of fantasy movies and TV shows taken you so far to learn fictional languages?
\nIf so, you’d be surprised how many resources you can find on the internet to learn at least the basics of the language spoken in Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, or the Harry Potter movies! But for now, here’s how to say “goodbye” in your favorite fantasy languages.
\n| Fantasy language | \nWhat we think is the right way to say goodbye | \nSpoken by | \nBook/movie/show | \nLanguage created by | \n
| Dothraki | \nHajas | \nThe indigenous inhabitants of the Dothraki Sea | \nGame of Thrones | \nDavid Peterson | \n
| Klingon | \nQapla' | \nThe Klingons | \nStar Trek | \nDr. Marc Okrand | \n
| Valyrian | \nGeros ilas | \nHigh Valyrian is no longer used as a language of everyday communication, but rather as a language of learning and education among the nobility of Essos and Westeros, with much literature and song composed in High Valyrian. The Nine Free Cities of Essos speak locally evolved variants of Valyrian. | \nGame of Thrones | \nDavid Peterson | \n
| Sindarin | \nNavaer | \nSpoken by the Elves called the Eledhrim [ɛˈlɛðrɪm] or Edhellim [ɛˈðɛlːɪm] in Sindarin. | \nLord of the Rings | \nJ.R.R. Tolkien | \n
| Quenya (Elvish) | \nNamárië | \nSpoken by the immortal Elves called Quendi ('speakers') in Quenya. | \nLord of the Rings | \nJ.R.R. Tolkien | \n
| Na’vi | \nEywa ngahu | \nThe inhabitants of Pandora. | \nAvatar | \nDr. Paul Frommer | \n
If you want to learn more prominent words from these incredible fictional conlangs, we have an article for it, of course.
\n\n
Saying goodbye isn’t always easy. Sometimes, we must say goodbye to someone we love - a friend, a family member, or a partner. Other times, we must part ways with our pet, our cozy apartment, or our first office. And while some goodbyes hurt, other goodbyes are necessary because they give us a chance to say a new hello.
\nTo make these farewells a little more bearable, we’ve compiled a short list of famous (and inspiring) goodbye quotes from your favorite movie characters, book authors, and philosophers.
\n\n
![\"cat-in-the-hat-quote.jpg\"](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt8592c094ff69b6bd/6344b9b587ede91113b29906/cat-in-the-hat-quote.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
\n
\n
\n
Now that you know how to say goodbye in many spoken, constructed, or even fantasy languages, you’re ready to make friends with people from around the world. And to be even more prepared to handle these conversations, we also encourage you to learn how to say hello in different languages.
\nWe hope that this article has given you more confidence when it comes to saying farewell in Italian, Hindi, or even Valyrian! If you’d like to continue your language learning journey, check out this article on the best language learning methods or browse through other resources on our blog.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"Sneezing in different languages","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"How to sneeze & respond to a sneeze in 80 different languages","url":"/blog/how-to-sneeze-in-different-languages","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blte1e55b8622646da6/642cf09f66181410a573288e/pexels-edward-jenner-4031632.jpg"},"post_content":"And while we all know how to sneeze in our native language, have you ever wondered how to sneeze in a foreign language?
Not only is it a fun party trick, but it's also a great way to expand your perspective on different languages and cultures around the world, as the way we sneeze differs a lot.
In this article, we'll teach you how to sneeze in different languages, so you can add a new skill to your language-learning arsenal.
So, get ready to say \"achoo\" in a whole new way!
![\"Have](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt5232746a13674f93/642cf4243af6ec10ceabfe85/pexels-edward-eyer-14107462.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Achoo! Atchoum! Achis! These are all words that describe the sound of sneezing. Linguistically speaking, these words are onomatopoeias: words that mimic sounds to describe and name that sound.
In the English language, we’ve got lots of onomatopoeias. You may even be using them in your everyday conversations without realizing it. Words such as “bang,” “boom,” or “click” are all onomatopoeias. They’re very present in our daily lives.
You’d think that every person on the planet would hear the same sound when you sneeze. And yet, each language interprets this sound differently, creating sneezing onomatopoeias that are vastly different from each other.
Why does this happen?
Most likely because people tend to modify the sound of sneezing according to the rules and sounds of their native language. This explains why the sound for sneezing in English is “achoo,” but in Polish it’s “apsik.”
The same goes for how we reply to sneezing. While in English the go-to thing to say after someone sneezes is “bless you” or “God bless you,” this is not the standard reply in other languages.
For example, Slavic languages like Russian, Polish, or Czech all use a response that translates to “for your health” in English. Similarly, in Spanish, French, and Portuguese, you’d reply with a simple “health.”
Sneezing is a natural reaction to nasal irritation and one that is ingrained in our DNA. We’re all different, so it's only right that the way we sneeze should vary around the globe.
We know you know how to sneeze in your own language – whether you do it with “achoo” or “atchoo” or something else entirely – but what about in other parts of the world?
So, we prepared a list of 80 ways to sneeze in different languages, together with the responses to sneezes.
| Language | Sneeze | Response | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afrikaans | Haksie | Gesondheid | Health |
| Albanian | Haashii | Shëndet | Health |
| Amharic | አጥሸ (Atsheshe) | ይማርሽ (yimarish for female, yimarih for male) | May God forgive you |
| Arabic | هاشوم (Hashoom) | يرحمك الله (yarahmuk Allah) | May God have mercy on you |
| Armenian | Ուրար (Urar) | առողջություն (aroghjutyun) | Health |
| Azerbaijani | Huşşu | Sağlam ol | Be healthy |
| Bangla | হাচু (Hachu) | আল্লাহ তোমার উপর রহম দান করুন (Alhamdulillah) | May God have mercy on you |
| Basque | Atsitsu | Doministiku | The Lord be with you |
| Bavarian | Hatschi | Gsundheid | Health |
| Belarusian | апчхі (Apchhi) | будзь здаровы (Budz zdarovy) | Be healthy |
| Bulgarian | Апчиха (Apchiha) | Наздраве (Nazdrave) | To your health |
| Cantonese | 哈欠 (Haa-ching) | 好嘅 (Hǎo kǎi) | A great fortunate occurrence |
| Catalan | Atxim | Salut | Health |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 哈啾 (Ha jiu) | Mandarin people do not comment when someone sneezes | |
| Croatian | Apsik | Nazdravlje | To your health |
| Czech | Ačí | Na zdraví | To your health |
| Danish | Atju | Prosit | To your health |
| Dutch | Hatsjoe | Gezondheid | Health |
| English | Achoo | Bless you | |
| Esperanto | Hacu | Sanon | Health |
| Estonian | Apsu | Terviseks | For health |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Haa-tsing | Haa | Bless you |
| Finnish | Atsiuh | Terveydeksi | To your health |
| French | Atchoum | À tes souhaits | To your health |
| Gaelic | Haich | Dia leat | God with you |
| Georgian | აჩი (Achi) | ჯანმრთელობა (janmrteloba) | Health |
| German | Hatschi | Gesundheit | Health |
| Greek | Ατσουμ (atsoum) | γείτσες (gítses) | Health |
| Haitian Creole | Atchoum | Sentez bon | Feel well |
| Hebrew | צ'יק (tzik) | לבריאות (labri'oot) | To your health |
| Hindi | छींक (Chheenk) | आपकी ज़िदंगी में खुशियां हो\" (aapki zindagi mein khushiyaan ho) | May happiness come into your life |
| Hungarian | Hapci | Egészségedre | To your health |
| Icelandic | Átshú | Guð blessi þig | God bless you |
| Indonesian | Hatsjoe | Sehat! | Health |
| Irish | Atishoo | Sláinte | Health |
| Italian | Etciù | Salute | Health |
| Japanese | ハクション (Hakushon) | 大丈夫? (Daijoubu?) | Are you okay? |
| Kazakh | Апчы (Apchy) | Сау Болыңыз (Saw Bolıñız) | Be healthy |
| Khmer | ស្រលេះ (sraleh) | ស្បើយ (S'baoi) | Fast recovery |
| Korean | 재채기 (Jaechae-gi) | Koreans don’t comment when someone sneezes. | |
| Kyrgyz | Апчы (Apchy) | Сага болго (Saga bolgo) | Be healthy |
| Latin | Doesn’t exist | Salve | Health |
| Latvian | Atšķan | Veselību | To your health |
| Lithuanian | Apsčiau | Į sveikatą | To your health |
| Macedonian | Апчи (Apchi) | Наздравје (Nazdravje) | To your health |
| Malagasy | Fotso | Velona! | Be healthy |
| Malay | Hapci | Hari Krishna (ഹരി കൃഷ്ണാ) | May Krishna bless you |
| Maltese | Ħaħħes | Evviva | Long life |
| Mongolian | Хаашаа (haashaa) | Бурхан өршөө (Burkhan örshöö) | May God forgive you |
| Nepali | छींक (Chheenk) | चिरञ्जीवी भव (Chiranjeevi Bhawa) | May you live long |
| Norwegian | Atsjoo | Prosit | Cheers |
| Oromo | Aticho | Akka dhaloota | As you age |
| Pashto | پوکائی (Pokai) | صبر (Sah-bur) | Patience |
| Persian | چهتو (Cheto) | عافیت باشه\" (aafiyat baasheh) | May it be for your health |
| Polish | Apsik | Na zdrowie | To your health |
| Portuguese | Atchim | Saúde | Health |
| Punjabi | Haa(n)Tii (ਹਾਂਟੀ) | ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ (Waheguru) | Glorious Lord |
| Quechua | Achhiy | Sumaj kawsaymi ñuqa | May you have a good life |
| Romanian | Apsis | Sănătate! | Health |
| Russian | Апчхи (Apchhi) | Будьте здоровы (Bud'te zdorovy) | Be healthy |
| Samoan | Ātciu | Manuia lou malaga | May your journey be blessed |
| Serbian | Апчи (Apči) | Наздравље (Nazdravie) | To your health |
| Slovak | Ačí | Na zdravie | To your health |
| Slovenian | Apsih | Na zdravje | To your health |
| Somali | Haakoo | Allow kuu naxariiso | May God have mercy on you |
| Spanish | Achís | Salud | Health |
| Swahili | Hachoo | Nafuu | May God have mercy on you |
| Swedish | Atjo | Prosit | Cheers |
| Tamil | அச்சு (Achu) | ஆயுசு நூறு (aa-yu-su noo-ru)/ஆயுள் நூறு (aa-yul noo-ru) | Live long or Live a 100 years |
| Thai | ชิ้น (Chin) | หนึ่งในหลายสุข (Nueng nai lai suk) | One of the many happiness |
| Turkish | Hapşu | Çok yaşa | Live long |
| Ukrainian | Апчхі (Apchhi) | Будьте здорові (Bud'te zdorovi) | Be healthy |
| Uzbek | Apchi | Sog' bo'ling | Be healthy |
| Vietnamese | Hắt xì | Sức khỏe | Good health |
| Welsh | Atsiw | Bendith | God bless you |
You can listen to how people sneeze in different languages around the world in this short video from Condé Nast Traveler.
Here’s the funny version of sneezing in different countries. I’m warning you - it’s hilarious.
If you’re both an avid language learner and a fan of fantasy books and movies, you’ll definitely enjoy learning how to say “bless you” in your favorite fantasy languages.
So the next time your friend who also loves Game of Thrones as much as you do sneezes, you can proudly tell them “Hajas” (that’s the equivalent of “cheers” in Dothraki).
Here are some phrases that can be used as the equivalent of the English “bless you” (we think).
| Language | “Bless you” equivalent | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Quenya | Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo | A star shines on the hour of our meeting. |
| Sindarin | Êl síla erin lû e-govaded 'wîn. | A star shines on the hour of our meeting. |
| Klingon | 'IwlIj jachjaj | Cheers! |
| Na’vi | Eywa ngahu | May Eywa be with you. |
| Dothraki | Hajas | Cheers! |
![\"Mother](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blte844144637929e19/642cf3620afb1c108e793317/pexels-josh-willink-701014.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
“Bless you” flies out of our mouths immediately after someone sneezes. Whether it’s a friend at a dinner party or a stranger standing in the Starbucks line behind us, “bless you” is the automatic response whenever someone sneezes.
Have you ever stopped to think why?
Nowadays, “bless you” carries no more importance to us than just being polite.
But back in the days of the Byzantine Empire and the early European Christians, people believed that sneezing created an opening for evil spirits to enter their bodies. So, they’d respond to it with a blessing, trying to keep the evil spirits away from the sneezer.
At least, that’s one of a few theories. But all of these theories, however different, claim that sneezing was somehow connected to the spiritual realm.
Learning how to sneeze in different languages may seem like a trivial pursuit, but it's a great way to expand your language skills and impress those around you.
Just like learning how to say hello in different languages, or yes and no in different languages, it's all about broadening your horizons and embracing different cultures.
So, the next time you feel a sneeze coming on, try saying \"atchoo\" in a new language. Who knows, it might just lead to a conversation with someone you never expected to connect with!
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"English tongue twisters","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"105 top English tongue twisters that you'll have fun trying to say","url":"/blog/english-tongue-twisters","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt7d7a5f143d6cb8b8/6423c108ba298210fbb5fc39/pexels-ekaterina-bolovtsova-4049792.jpg"},"post_content":"A collection of challenging English tongue twisters designed to improve pronunciation and fluency, while also providing a fun linguistic challenge.
\n\nAny idea what these phrases are?
\nYes, they’re tongue twisters! The favorite torture device of evil English teachers and speech therapists.
\nThese funny and terrifying phrases will either have you rolling on the floor with laughter while trying to pronounce them or have you frustrated with their impossible pronunciation.
\nIf it’s the latter - don’t worry! Pronouncing every tongue twister - especially very fast and repeatedly - is a mission impossible even for native speakers!
\nSince we like to have fun with English learning, we’ve prepared a list of over 100 tongue twisters that range from beginner to god level. So, if you're feeling up to the challenge and want to have some fun, give some of them a try. But be warned - you’ll be crying with laughter!
\n![\"Group](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltbe8e68a533607158/6423c239cfb44c109a1d5dad/pexels-william-fortunato-6140644.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
Tongue twisters are a series of similar-sounding words that are hard to pronounce when followed by each other.
\nThe trick of tongue twisters is that they cleverly use the most challenging sounds in English and pair them in combinations of two or three. They often rely on alliteration, repetition, and unusual word combinations to create their tricky effect.
\nThink of tongue twisters as funny linguistic puzzles that challenge your tongue not to twist into a pretzel but also challenge your mind to distinguish between similar sounds, improving your articulation.
\nIf you’re wondering where these hilarious phrases came from, well… it’s hard to say. We don’t know for sure. It's widely believed that they were invented by mischievous poets and linguists as a way to test the limits of language and humor.
\nIt is said that the oldest tongue twister - that was actually referred to as a “tongue twister” - was “Miss Smith’s fish-sauce shop.” We don’t know where it came from, but I’m guessing there probably was a Miss Smith who had a fish sauce shop.
\nAside from the fun aspects, tongue twisters have some practical uses. They’re often used in speech therapy to cure lisp and other speech defects. According to the internet, they have also been recommended as a cure for hiccups (I’ll try it out!).
\n\n
Are you ready to tie your tongue in a knot? If so, take a look at these 62 tongue twisters.
\nWe classified these tongue twisters as easy, as they’re quite rhythmic and easy to memorize. But they’ll still have you babbling like a baby and rolling on the floor with laughter.
\n| Tongue twister | \nIPA | \n
|---|---|
| A big black bug bit a big black bear. | \n/ ə bɪg blæk bʌg ˈbɪt ə bɪg blæk ˈber / | \n
| A flea and a fly flew up in a flue. | \n/ ə ˈfli: ənd ə flaɪ ˈfluː ˈʌp ɪn ə ˈfluː / | \n
| A happy hippo hopped and hiccupped. | \n/ ə ˌhæpi ˈhɪpoʊ hɒpt ənd ˈhɪkʌpt / | \n
| A noisy noise annoys an oyster. | \n/ ə ˈnɔɪzi nɔɪz əˌnɔɪz ən ˌɔɪstər / | \n
| A proper copper coffee pot. | \n/ ə ˈprɑːpər ˌkɒpə ˈkɒfi ˈpɑːt / | \n
| A shapeless sash sags slowly. | \n/ ə ˈʃeɪpləs ˈsæʃ ˈsæɡz ˈsloʊli / | \n
| A synonym for cinnamon is a cinnamon synonym. | \n/ ə ˈsɪnəˌnɪm fər ˈsɪnəmən z ə ˈsɪnəmən ˈsɪnəˌnɪm / | \n
| An ape hates grape cakes. | \n/ ən ˈeɪp ˈheɪts ˈgreɪp ˈkeɪks / | \n
| Betty Botter bought some butter, but she said the butter's bitter. If I put it in my batter, it will make my batter bitter. | \n/ ˈbeti botter ˈbɔːt səm ˈbʌtr̩ bət ˈʃi: ˈsed ðə butter's ˌbɪtə ɪf ˈaɪ ˈpʊt ˈɪt ɪn maɪ ˈbætər ˈɪt ˌwi:l ˈmeɪk maɪ ˈbætər ˈbɪtər / | \n
| Betty bought butter, but the butter was bitter, so Betty bought better butter to make the bitter butter better. | \n/ ˈbeti ˈbɔːt ˈbʌtr̩ bət ðə ˈbʌtr̩ wəz ˌbɪtə soʊ ˈbeti ˈbɔːt ˈbetər ˈbʌtr̩ tə ˈmeɪk ðə ˌbɪtə ˈbʌtr̩ ˈbetər / | \n
| Billybob blabbered boldly. | \n/ billybob ˈblæbəd ˈboʊldli / | \n
| Black bug's blood. | \n/ blæk bug's ˈbləd / | \n
| Blue glue gun, green glue gun. | \n/ ˈblu: ˈɡluː ˈɡən ˈɡriːn ˈɡluː ˈɡən / | \n
| Can you can a can as a canner can can a can? | \n/ kən ju kən ə kən əz ə ˈkænər kən kən ə kæn / | \n
| Cooks cook cupcakes quickly. | \n/ ˈkʊks ˈkʊk ˈkʌpkeɪks ˈkwɪkli / | \n
| Double bubble gum, bubbles double. | \n/ ˌdʌbl ˈbʌbl̩ ˈɡəm ˈbʌbl̩z ˈdʌbl̩ / | \n
| Eddie edited it. | \n/ ˈedi ˈedətɪd ˈɪt / | \n
| Eleven benevolent elephants. | \n/ ɪˈlevn̩ bəˈnevələnt ˈeləfənts / | \n
| Eleven elves licked eleven little licorice lollipops. | \n/ ɪˈlevn̩ ˈelvz ˈlɪkt ɪˈlevn̩ ˈlɪtl̩ ˈlɪkərɪʃ ˈlɑːliˌpɑːps / | \n
| Elizabeth has eleven elves in her elm tree. | \n/ ˌɪˈlɪzəbəθ ˈhæz ɪˈlevn̩ ˈelvz ɪn hər ˈelm ˈtriː / | \n
| Four furious friends fought for the phone. | \n/ ˌfɔ:r ˈfjʊriəs ˈfrendz ˈfɔːt fər ðə ˈfoʊn / | \n
| Fred fed Ted bread and Ted fed Fred bread. | \n/ ˈfred ˈfed ˈted ˈbred ənd ˈted ˈfed ˈfred ˈbred / | \n
| Frivolously fanciful Fannie fried fresh fish furiously. | \n/ ˈfrɪvələsli ˈfænsəfəl ˈfæni ˈfraɪd ˈfreʃ fɪʃ ˈfjʊriəsli / | \n
| Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear. Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair. Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't very fuzzy, was he? | \n/ ˈfʌzi ˈwəzi wəz ə ˈbeə ˈfʌzi ˈwəzi həd ˈnoʊ heər ˈfʌzi ˈwəzi ˈwɑːzənt ˈveri ˈfʌzi wəz hi / | \n
| Give papa a cup of proper coffee in a copper coffee cup. | \n/ ˈɡɪv ˈpɑːpə ə kʌp əv ˈprɑːpər ˈkɒfi ɪn ə ˌkɒpə ˈkɒfi kʌp / | \n
| Good blood, bad blood. | \n/ gʊ blʌd ˌbæd blʌd / | \n
| Greek grapes. | \n/ ˈɡriːk ˈɡreɪps / | \n
| Green glass globes glow greenly. | \n/ ˈɡriːn glɑ:s ɡloʊbz ˈgloʊ ˈɡriːnli / | \n
| He threw three balls through the tall trees. | \n/ ˈhi: ˈθruː θri: bɔ:lz θruː ðə ˈtɒl ˈtriːz / | \n
| How can a clam cram in a clean cream can? | \n/ ˌhaʊ kən ə ˈklæm kræm ɪn ə ˈkli:n ˈkriːm kæn / | \n
| How many cans can a canner can if a canner can can cans? A canner can can as many cans as a canner can, if a canner can can cans. | \n/ ˌhaʊ məni ˈkænz kən ə ˈkænər kən ɪf ə ˈkænər kən kən ˈkænz ə ˈkænər kən kən əz ˌmeni ˈkænz əz ə ˈkænər kən ɪf ə ˈkænər kən kən ˈkænz / | \n
| How many yaks could a yak pack, pack if a yak pack could pack yaks? | \n/ ˌhaʊ məni jæks kəd ə ˈjæk pæk pæk ɪf ə ˈjæk pæk kəd pæk jæks / | \n
| How much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood? | \n/ ˌhaʊ ˈmʌtʃ ˈwʊd wʊd ə ˈwʊdˌtʃək ˈtʃək ɪf ə ˈwʊdˌtʃək kəd ˈtʃək ˈwʊd / | \n
| I saw a kitten eating chicken in the kitchen. | \n/ ˈaɪ sɔ: ə ˈkɪtn̩ ˈi:tɪŋ ˈtʃɪkɪn ɪn ðə ˈkɪtʃən / | \n
| I saw Susie sitting in a shoe shine shop. | \n/ ˈaɪ sɔ: ˈsuːzi ˈsɪtɪŋ ɪn ə ˈʃu: ˈʃaɪn ˈʃɑːp / | \n
| I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. | \n/ ˈaɪ ˈskriːm ju ˈskriːm wi ɔ:l ˈskriːm fər ˈaɪs kri:m / | \n
| I thought a thought, but the thought I thought wasn't the thought I thought I thought. | \n/ ˈaɪ ˈθɔ:t ə ˈθɔ:t bət ðə ˈθɔ:t ˈaɪ ˈθɔ:t ˈwɑːzənt ðə ˈθɔ:t ˈaɪ ˈθɔ:t ˈaɪ ˈθɔːt / | \n
| I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish the witch wishes, I won't wish the wish you wish to wish. | \n/ ˈaɪ ˈwɪʃ tə ˈwɪʃ ðə ˈwɪʃ ju ˈwɪʃ tə ˈwɪʃ bət ɪf ju ˈwɪʃ ðə ˈwɪʃ ðə ˈwɪtʃ ˈwɪʃəz ˈaɪ woʊnt ˈwɪʃ ðə ˈwɪʃ ju ˈwɪʃ tə ˈwɪʃ / | \n
| If practice makes perfect and perfect needs practice, I’m perfectly practiced and practically perfect. | \n/ ɪf ˈprækˌtɪs ˈmeɪks pərˈfekt ənd pərˈfekt ˈniːdz ˈprækˌtɪs ˈaɪm ˈpɝːfəktli ˈprækˌtɪst ənd ˈpræktəkl̩i pərˈfekt / | \n
| If two witches were watching two watches, which witch would watch which watch? | \n/ ɪf ˌtu: ˈwɪtʃəz wər ˈwɑːtʃɪŋ ˌtu: ˈwɑːtʃəz hwɪtʃ ˈwɪtʃ wʊd ˈwɒtʃ hwɪtʃ ˈwɑːtʃ / | \n
| If you notice this notice, you will notice that this notice is not worth noticing. | \n/ ɪf ju ˈnoʊtɪs ðɪs ˈnoʊtɪs ju ˌwi:l ˈnoʊtɪs ðæt ðɪs ˈnoʊtɪs ɪz nɑːt ˈwɝːθ ˈnoʊtɪsɪŋ / | \n
| Kitty caught the kitten in the kitchen. | \n/ ˈkɪti ˈkɔːt ðə ˈkɪtn̩ ɪn ðə ˈkɪtʃən / | \n
| One-one was a race horse. Two-two was one too. One-one won one race. Two-two won one too. | \n/ one-one wəz ə reɪs hɔ:s two-two wəz wʌn ˈtuː one-one wɑːn wʌn reɪs two-two wɑːn wʌn ˈtuː / | \n
| Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. | \n/ ˈpiːtər ˈpaɪpər ˈpɪkt ə ˈpek əv ˈpɪkl̩d ˈpepərz / | \n
| Red blood, green blood. | \n/ ˈred blʌd ˈɡriːn ˈbləd / | \n
| Rubber baby buggy bumpers. | \n/ rʌbər ˌbeɪbi ˌbʌgi ˈbʌmpərz / | \n
| Santa's sleigh slid on the slick snow. | \n/ ˈsæntə ˈsleɪ sˈlɪd ˈɑːn ðə sˈlɪk ˈsnoʊ / | \n
| Scissors sizzle, thistles sizzle. | \n/ ˈsɪzərz ˈsɪzl̩ ˈθɪsl̩z ˈsɪzl̩ / | \n
| Seventy-seven benevolent elephants. | \n/ seventy-seven bəˈnevələnt ˈeləfənts / | \n
| She sees cheese. | \n/ ˈʃi: ˈsiːz ˈtʃiːz / | \n
| She stood on the balcony, inexplicably mimicking him hiccupping and amicably welcoming him in. | \n/ ˈʃi: ˈstʊd ˈɑːn ðə ˈbælkəni ˌɪnɪkˈsplɪkəbbi ˈmɪmɪkɪŋ ɪm ˈhɪkʌpɪŋ ənd ˈæmɪkəbli ˈwelkəmɪŋ ɪm ɪn / | \n
| Sheena leads, Sheila needs. | \n/ ˈʃiːnə ˈliːdz ˈʃiːlə ˈniːdz / | \n
| Six Czech cricket critics. | \n/ ˈsɪks ˈtʃek ˈkrɪkət ˈkrɪtɪks / | \n
| Six sticky skeletons. | \n/ ˈsɪks ˈstɪki ˈskelətn̩z / | \n
| Smelly shoes and socks shock sisters. | \n/ ˈsmeli ˈʃuːz ənd ˈsɑːks ˈʃɒk ˈsɪstərz / | \n
| Snap crackle pop. | \n/ snæp ˈkrækl ˈpɑːp / | \n
| The big black bug bit the big black bear, but the big black bear bit the big black bug back. | \n/ ðə bɪg blæk bʌg ˈbɪt ðə bɪg blæk ˈbeə bət ðə bɪg blæk ˈbeə ˈbɪt ðə bɪg blæk bʌg ˈbæk / | \n
| Tie twine to three tree twigs. | \n/ ˈtaɪ ˈtwaɪn tə θri: tri: ˈtwɪɡz / | \n
| To begin to toboggan first buy a toboggan, but don't buy too big a toboggan. Too big a toboggan is too big a toboggan to buy to begin to toboggan. | \n/ tə bɪˈɡɪn tə təˈbɑːɡən ˈfɜ:st ˈbaɪ ə təˈbɑːɡən bət doʊnt ˈbaɪ ˈtuː bɪg ə təˈbɑːɡən ˈtuː bɪg ə təˈbɑːɡən z ˈtuː bɪg ə təˈbɑːɡən tə ˈbaɪ tə bɪˈɡɪn tə təˈbɑːɡən / | \n
| Toy boat. Toy boat. Toy boat. | \n/ ˌtɔɪ ˈboʊt ˌtɔɪ ˈboʊt ˌtɔɪ boʊt / | \n
| Unique New York, unique New York. | \n/ juːˈniːk ˈnju: ˈjɔ:k juːˈniːk ˈnju: ˈjɔ:k / | \n
| Zebras zig and zebras zag. | \n/ ˈziːbrəz ˈzɪɡ ənd ˈziːbrəz ˈzæɡ / | \n
![\"Zebras](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt8c85392f20c51fc7/6423c29d167b14113bedf285/pexels-hendrik-cornelissen-2862070.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
From Irish wristwatch to selfish shellfish, we've got 30 tongue twisters that will leave your mouth feeling like it just ran a linguistic marathon. So, get ready to exercise those tongue muscles because things are about to get twisted!
\n| Tongue twister | \nIPA | \n
|---|---|
| A loyal warrior will rarely worry why we rule. | \n/ ə ˌlɔɪəl ˈwɔːriər ˌwi:l ˈrerli ˈwɜːri ˈwaɪ wi ˈruːl / | \n
| A skunk sat on a stump and thunk the stump stunk, but the stump thunk the skunk stunk. | \n/ ə ˈskəŋk ˈsæt ˈɑːn ə ˈstəmp ənd ˈθənk ðə ˈstəmp ˈstəŋk bət ðə ˈstəmp ˈθənk ðə ˈskəŋk ˈstəŋk / | \n
| Brisk brave brigadiers brandished broad bright blades, blunderbusses, and bludgeons—balancing them badly. | \n/ ˈbrɪsk ˈbreɪv ˌbrɪɡəˈdɪəz ˈbrændɪʃt brɔ:d ˈbraɪt ˈbleɪdz ˈblʌndəbʌsɪz ənd ˈblʌdʒənz ˈbælənsɪŋ ðəm ˈbædli / | \n
| Fresh French fried fly fritters. | \n/ ˈfreʃ ˈfrentʃ ˈfraɪd flaɪ ˈfrɪtəz / | \n
| He threw three free throws. | \n/ ˈhi: ˈθruː θri: ˈfri: ˈθroʊz / | \n
| How much ground would a groundhog hog if a groundhog could hog ground? | \n/ ˌhaʊ ˈmʌtʃ graʊnd wʊd ə ˈɡraʊndˌhɑːɡ ˈhɑːɡ ɪf ə ˈɡraʊndˌhɑːɡ kəd ˈhɑːɡ ˈɡraʊnd / | \n
| I slit the sheet, the sheet I slit, and on the slitted sheet I sit. | \n/ ˈaɪ sˈlɪt ðə ʃi:t ðə ʃi:t ˈaɪ sˈlɪt ənd ˈɑːn ðə slitted ʃi:t ˈaɪ ˈsɪt / | \n
| If you must cross a coarse cross cow across a crowded cow crossing, cross the cross coarse cow across the crowded cow crossing carefully. | \n/ ɪf ju məst ˈkrɒs ə ˈkɔːrs ˈkrɒs ˈkaʊ əˈkrɒs ə ˈkraʊdəd ˈkaʊ ˈkrɒsɪŋ ˈkrɒs ðə ˈkrɒs ˈkɔːrs ˈkaʊ əˈkrɒs ðə ˈkraʊdəd ˈkaʊ ˈkrɒsɪŋ ˈkerfəli / | \n
| Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager managing an imaginary menagerie. | \n/ ˌɪˈmædʒən ən ˌɪˈmædʒəˌneri məˈnædʒəri ˈmænədʒər ˈmænədʒɪŋ ən ˌɪˈmædʒəˌneri məˈnædʒəri / | \n
| Irish wristwatch, Swiss wristwatch. | \n/ ˈaɪˌrɪʃ ˈrɪˌstwɑːtʃ ˈswɪs ˈrɪˌstwɑːtʃ / | \n
| Lesser leather never weathered wetter weather better. | \n/ ˈlesər leðər ˈnevər ˈweðərd ˈwetər ˈweðə ˈbetər / | \n
| Luke's duck likes lakes. Luke Luck licks lakes. Luke's duck licks lakes. Duck takes licks in lakes Luke Luck likes. | \n/ ˈluːks ˈdək ˈlaɪks ˈleɪks ˈluːk ˈlək ˈlɪks ˈleɪks ˈluːks ˈdək ˈlɪks ˈleɪks ˈdək ˈteɪks ˈlɪks ɪn ˈleɪks ˈluːk ˈlək ˈlaɪks / | \n
| Pad kid poured curd pulled cod. | \n/ ˈpæd ˈkɪd ˈpɔːrd ˈkɝːd ˈpʊld ˈkɑːd / | \n
| Red lorry, yellow lorry. | \n/ ˈred ˈlɔːri ˈjeloʊ ˈlɔːri / | \n
| Rory the warrior and Roger the worrier were reared wrongly in a rural brewery. | \n/ ˈrɔːri ðə ˈwɔːriər ənd ˈrɑːdʒər ðə ˈwɜːriər wər ˈrɪrd ˈrɒŋli ɪn ə ˈrʊrəl ˈbruːəri / | \n
| Selfish shellfish. (Repeat many times) | \n/ ˈselfɪʃ ˈʃelfɪʃ / | \n
| Send toast to ten tense stout saints’ ten tall tents. | \n/ ˈsend toʊst tə ˈten ˈtens ˈstaʊt ˈseɪnts ˈten ˈtɒl ˈtents / | \n
| She saw Sherif's shoes on the sofa. But was she so sure those were Sherif's shoes she saw? | \n/ ˈʃi: sɔ: sherif's ˈʃuːz ˈɑːn ðə ˈsoʊfə bət wəz ˈʃi: soʊ ʃʊə ðoʊz wər sherif's ˈʃuːz ˈʃi: ˈsɔː / | \n
| She sells seashells by the seashore. | \n/ ˈʃi: ˈselz ˈsiːˌʃelz ˈbaɪ ðə ˈsiːˌʃɔːr / | \n
| Six sick hicks nick six slick bricks with picks and sticks. | \n/ ˈsɪks sɪk ˈhɪks ˈnɪk ˈsɪks sˈlɪk ˈbrɪks wɪθ ˈpɪks ənd ˈstɪks / | \n
| Six sleek swans swam swiftly southwards. | \n/ ˈsɪks sˈliːk ˈswɑːnz ˈswæm ˈswɪftli ˈsaʊθwədz / | \n
| Susie works in a shoeshine shop. Where she shines she sits, and where she sits she shines. | \n/ ˈsuːzi ˈwɝːks ɪn ə ˈʃuːˌʃaɪn ʃɒp ˈhwer̩ ˈʃi: ˈʃaɪnz ˈʃi: ˈsɪts ənd ˈhwer̩ ˈʃi: ˈsɪts ˈʃi: ˈʃaɪnz / | \n
| The thirty-three thieves thought that they thrilled the throne throughout Thursday. | \n/ ðə thirty-three ˈθiːvz ˈθɔ:t ðæt ˈðeɪ ˈθrɪld ðə ˈθroʊn θruːˈaʊt ˈθɝːzdeɪ / | \n
| The sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep’s sick. | \n/ ðə ˈsɪksθ sɪk ˈʃiːks ˈsɪksθ ˈʃiːps ˈsɪk / | \n
| Thirty-three thirsty, thundering thoroughbreds thumped Mr. Thurber on Thursday. | \n/ thirty-three ˈθɝːsti ˈθʌndərɪŋ ˈθɝːoˈbredz ˈθəmpt ˈmɪstər ˈθɝːbər ˈɑːn ˈθɝːzdeɪ / | \n
| Three free throws. | \n/ θri: ˈfri: ˈθroʊz / | \n
| Top chopstick shops stock top chopsticks. | \n/ tɒp ˈtʃɑːpˌstɪk ˈʃɑːps stɒk tɒp ˈtʃɑːpˌstɪks / | \n
| Wayne went to Wales to watch walruses. | \n/ ˈweɪn ˈwent tə ˈweɪlz tə ˈwɒtʃ ˈwɑːlrəsəz / | \n
| Which wrist watches are Swiss wrist watches? | \n/ hwɪtʃ ˈrɪst ˈwɑːtʃəz ər ˈswɪs ˈrɪst ˈwɑːtʃəz / | \n
| You know New York, you need New York, you know you need unique New York. | \n/ ju ˈnoʊ ˈnju: ˈjɔ:k ju ˈniːd ˈnju: ˈjɔ:k ju ˈnoʊ ju ˈniːd juːˈniːk ˈnju: ˈjɔ:k / | \n
\n
Many people think English is one of the easiest languages to pronounce. And it might be true for you, depending on where you’re from and how similar your native language is to English.
\nHowever, English pronunciation can be quite confusing and difficult. Take words like “rural” or “sixth.” They look pretty innocent at first glance, but they’re actually one of the hardest words to pronounce in English.
\nOr take “pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis,” for example. This monster of a word is not only hard to pronounce, but it’s also considered to be the longest word in the English dictionary.
\nAnd when it comes to tongue twisters… well, they’re designed to be hard to pronounce, but that doesn’t mean that some aren’t harder than others. Here are the top 3 tongue twisters considered the hardest to pronounce in the world.
\nI don’t know about you, but I twisted my tongue into a knot, trying to pronounce this one. It’s actually been named the hardest tongue twister to pronounce in the world by a team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
\nDon’t even get me started on this one! You really have to be a master of articulation and have trained your tongue to be extremely precise with each sound to pronounce this one correctly.
\nIf you’re not a native English speaker, you likely find the English sound for “r” challenging to pronounce. Especially if in your native language, the r rolls nicely.
\nWell then, while this tongue twister may not be as challenging for native English speakers, it surely is terrifying for non-native English speakers. It also contains two of the hardest English words to pronounce - “rural” and “brewery.”
\n\n
\n
It’s 2023. We’re in the era of AI. So, I decided to ask ChatGPT to come up with a list of 10 original tongue twisters in English that no one has ever invented before.
\nHere’s what it came up with. What do you think? Some of them are pretty fun!
\n![\"Enjoying](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blta6f48dced3dfca98/6423c43bcc01de1087082790/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4350210.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Tongue twister | \nSounds it emphasizes | \nPronunciation | \n
|---|---|---|
| Eleven elves eagerly ate eleven eggs, but each elf ate the eggs on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day. | \n/e/ and /l/ | \nih-lev-uhn elvz ee-ger-lee eyt ih-lev-uhn egz, buht eech elf eyt thuh egz on thih ih-lev-uhn ahr uhv thih ih-lev-uhn dey. | \n
| A lazy lizard lounged on the lovely lavender leaves, licking its lips as it lazily lounged. | \n/l/ and /z/ | \nuh ley-zee liz-uhrd lawndjd on thuh luhv-lee lav-uhn-der leevz, lik-ing its lips az it ley-zuh-lee lounjd. | \n
| The red robin roosted in the rusted ruins of the old railway station, ruffling its red feathers in the breeze. | \n/r/, /d/, and /f/ | \nthuh red rob-in roost-ed in thuh rus-tid ru-ins uhv thuh ohld rail-way stay-shuhn, ruhf-ling its red fe-thuhrz in thuh breez. | \n
| The cheeky monkey chattered ceaselessly, chomping on chewy chunks of cherries and chestnuts. | \n/ch/, /k/, and /sh/ | \nthuh chee-kee muhn-kee chat-erd see-seh-less-lee, chomping on chewy chunks uhv cherries and chestnuts. | \n
| Slippery snails slither slowly over slimy stones in the stagnant stream. | \n/s/ and /sl/ | \nslip-uh-ree snaylz slith-ur slow-lee oh-vur slim-ee stoh-nz in thuh stag-nuhnt streem. | \n
| A pack of pickled peppers pecked a peck of perfect pears, then proceeded to party with the polite penguins in the park. | \n/p/ and /k/ | \nuh pak uhv pik-uld pep-urz peckt uh pek uhv pur-fikt pears, then pruh-seed-id toh pahr-tee with thuh poh-lite pen-gwins in thuh park. | \n
| Six sleek sharks swam swiftly in a spiral, chasing the shimmering schools of silvery sardines. | \n/s/ and /sh/ | \nsiks sleek sharks swahm swift-lee in uh spy-ruhl, chay-sing thuh shim-ur-ing skoolz uhv sil-vuh-ree sar-dines. | \n
| The flustered florist frantically fixed a faulty vase filled with fragrant flowers before the fussy family arrived. | \n/f/ and /l/ | \nthuh flus-turd flor-ist fran-tik-lee fikst uh fawl-tee vays fil'd with fray-grunt flow-urz buh-fore thuh fuss-ee fam-uh-lee uh-rahyvd. | \n
| Three twisted twigs twirled together in the treacherous tornado, twirling and twisting tumultuously. | \n/t/ and /tw/ | \nthree twis-ted twigz twirld toh-geth-ur in thuh trech-ur-uhs tor-nay-doh, twirl-ing and twis-ting tuh-mul-chu-uhs-lee. | \n
| The yellow yoyo yawed yonder, yanking the young yodeller's yellow yarn in the yard. | \n/y/ and /a/ | \nthuh yell-oh yo-yoh yawd yon-duhr, yang-king thuh yung yoh-dul-urz yell-oh yah-rn in thuh yard. | \n
\n
Whether you're learning English as a second language or want to practice your articulation, tongue twisters are bound to help you improve overall pronunciation, dictation, and tongue control.
\nTongue twisters are a fun way of improving your English pronunciation, as they force you to slow down and master your articulation as you transition between words. Most of them don’t really make sense, but they sound rhythmic and funny!
\nThese 100+ tongue twisters will certainly have you twisting your tongue in knots and having a great time with friends, family, and classmates.
\nAnd if you’d like to learn more fun English words, check out more articles on your English blog.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"English pronouns","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"An easy grammar guide to all 7 types of English pronouns","url":"/blog/english-pronouns-grammar","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt5f276606a15929db/6406c82e8bbba310615dd5de/learning_english_pronouns.jpg"},"post_content":"The most common type of English pronouns - the one you learn in your first English lesson - are subject pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, we, you, and they. If you’ve taken a few English classes, you’ve got these under control by now.
\nBut the fun doesn’t end with simple subject pronouns. In fact, the English language employs the use of object pronouns, possessive pronouns, reflexive pronouns, relative pronouns… and a few more.
\nYes, that’s a lot to take in. But don’t worry! We’ll explain the most common types in this article and provide examples of how to use them in practice.
\n\n
![\"two](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt399c070885331fbb/62aa63b8e3bbf658a27e2f0b/funwords-italian.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
\nNouns are extremely common in English. They’re everywhere! In fact, they do so much work in the English language that they need assistants to replace them. Pronouns are words that replace nouns to help us avoid repeating the same noun over and over again in sentences.
\nImagine if you were telling your friend a story of how your dad made dinner for your family on Sunday:
\nMy dad loves cooking. My dad always cooks dinner for us on the weekends. My dad is a pretty good cook! My dad made delicious pasta with tomato sauce.
\nWell, that would make your storytelling sound boring and repetitive! This is why we need pronouns. Here’s how your story would sound with pronouns:
\nMy dad loves cooking. He always cooks dinner for us on the weekends. He’s a pretty good cook! He made delicious pasta with tomato sauce.
\nBetter, right?!
\nIn English, there are 7 types of pronouns:
\nWe know it can be a lot of information to absorb. That’s why we’re here to explain it all in simple terms.
\n\n
As the name suggests, personal pronouns refer to the speaker or the person (or animal) the speaker is talking about.
\nThere are three types of personal pronouns in English:
\nLet’s explain each one of them.
\nThe pronoun fun in English starts with subject pronouns. They are the most common. As you may realize intuitively, these are simply words that are used to replace a noun or a name function as a subject of the sentence.
\nHere are some examples of how to use subject pronouns in a sentence.
\n| English subject pronouns | \nExample sentences | \n
|---|---|
| I | \nI ate a delicious pizza this afternoon. | \n
| You | \nYou are smart, so you will get an A on the test tomorrow. | \n
| He | \nHe is Kate’s boyfriend from London. | \n
| She | \nShe likes video games and football, just like her brother. | \n
| It | \nLook at this cat! It is so cute! | \n
| We | \nWe are looking forward to the party tonight. | \n
| You | \nYou are the best friends in the world! | \n
| They | \nThey all have blue eyes and blond hair. | \n
\n
\n
All pronouns in the English language have the same job: to replace the noun. As the name suggests, object pronouns in English replace the object of the sentence.
\nSounds easy, right? But wait, there's more!
\nObject pronouns can be divided into direct object pronouns (they replace the direct object) and indirect object pronouns (they replace the indirect object).
\nA direct object of the sentence is the noun that receives the action (verb) from the subject. An indirect object of the sentence is the noun that receives the direct object.
\nAs this may leave you scratching your head, let’s illustrate it in the following sentences:
\nHere are some examples of how to use object pronouns in sentences.
\n| English object pronouns | \nExample sentences | \nDirect vs. Indirect | \n
|---|---|---|
| Me | \nJohn gave me a book | \nIndirect | \n
| You | \nI love you. | \nDirect | \n
| Him | \nI saw him at the mall yesterday. | \nDirect | \n
| Her | \nMy boss thinks very highly of her. | \nDirect | \n
| It | \nThe dog chased the ball, but didn't bring it back. | \nDirect | \n
| Us | \nThey gave us a beautiful wedding gift. | \nIndirect | \n
| You | \nWe invited you to the party. | \nDirect | \n
| Them | \nI gave them the keys. | \nIndirect | \n
\n
\n
Possessive nouns are quite straightforward. They’re just pronouns that express ownership or possession of something and are most commonly used to avoid repeating nouns or entire phrases.
\nFor example, instead of saying:
\n“Your cat is bigger than my cat.”
\nYou can say:
\n“Your cat is bigger than mine.”
\nBy replacing “my cat” with “mine”, we’re simply avoiding repeating the word “cat.”
\n| Possessive pronouns | \nExample sentence | \n
|---|---|
| Mine | \nMy brother’s house is prettier than mine. | \n
| Yours | \nMy kids are better at math than yours. | \n
| His | \nThis is not my car. It’s his. | \n
| Hers | \nI took my boyfriend to the party and she took hers. | \n
| Its | \nThe cat chased its tail for hours. | \n
| Ours | \nThat is your house, and this one is ours. | \n
| Yours | \nWe’ll call our parents, and you’ll call yours. | \n
| Theirs | \nThe motorcycles are theirs. | \n
\n
The easiest and most logical explanation of reflexive pronouns that I have managed to come with is that these are pronouns that reflect back to themselves.
\nIn other words, reflexive pronouns are ones that refer back to the subject of the sentence. For example:
\n| Reflexive pronouns | \nExample sentences | \n
|---|---|
| Myself | \nI'm going to treat myself to a nice dinner tonight. | \n
| Yourself | \nYou should be proud of yourself for all your hard work. | \n
| Himself | \nHe hurt himself while playing basketball. | \n
| Herself | \nShe taught herself how to play the guitar. | \n
| Itself | \nThe cat cleaned itself after eating. | \n
| Ourselves | \nWe are going to challenge ourselves to run a marathon next year. | \n
| Yourselves | \nYou can help yourselves to some snacks in the kitchen. | \n
| Themselves | \nThey need to take care of themselves before they can help others. | \n
\n
\n
Intensive pronouns may sound like another terrifying grammar issue, but they’re not.
\nIn fact, intensive pronouns are exactly the same as reflexive pronouns, but their job in the sentence is different: they’re just meant to emphasize the subject of the sentence.
\nHere’s how:
\n| \n Intensive pronouns \n | \n Example sentences | \n
|---|---|
| Myself | \nI myself cannot believe that I accomplished this goal. | \n
| Yourself | \nYou yourself said that you didn't want to come. | \n
| Himself | \nHe himself fixed the car's engine. | \n
| Herself | \nShe herself prepared the dinner for the party. | \n
| Itself | \nThe computer itself shut down because of a power outage. | \n
| Ourselves | \nWe ourselves decided to take a day off. | \n
| Yourselves | \nYou yourselves should be proud of the progress you've made. | \n
| Themselves | \nThey themselves couldn't believe they had won the lottery. | \n
\n
In English, there are four more types of pronouns. These are way different from the previous ones, but still have the same job: to replace the noun in the sentence.
\nThose four types are demonstrative, interrogative, reflexive, and indefinite pronouns. Let’s explain the role of each of them.
\nTake a look at this table to better understand this explanation.
\n| English Pronoun Type | \nExample Pronouns | \nExample Sentences | \n
|---|---|---|
| Demonstrative | \nthis, that, these, those | \nThis is my car. That is yours. These are my shoes. Those are hers. | \n
| Interrogative | \nwho, what, which, whom | \nWho is your favorite musician? What time is the meeting? Which movie do you want to watch? Whom did you invite to the party? | \n
| Indefinite | \nanyone, someone, something, nothing, all, both, few, many, several | \nSomeone left their jacket here. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Both of the books are good. Many people enjoy hiking. | \n
| Relative | \nwho, whom, whose, which, that | \nThe person who called earlier left a message. I don't know whom to ask for help. This is the house whose roof needs to be repaired. The book which I borrowed from the library was very interesting. The bike that I bought last week is already giving me problems. | \n
\n
![\"Group](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt2923cb7d79ae0da8/62a0a23458931557ed9f72e4/funny-words-spanish.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
\nHere’s a fun fact that will seem counterintuitive to every grammatical rule you have learned in English so far.
\nWhile the pronouns “they, them” are plural, they can also be used in the singular form. This is widely used in conversation and written text to refer to someone in a gender-neutral way. You can use “they” in singular if you don’t know the gender of the person you’re referring to.
\nIt’s important to remember that even if you’re using “they” to refer to one person, it will still be followed by a plural verb.
\nFor example, you can say:
\nWhat’s more, you can use “they, them” to refer to a person who identifies as non-binary.
\n\n
Mastering the use of pronouns is crucial to communicate effectively in English. That's because using them allows you to add more flow to your sentences and avoid sounding like a poorly designed robot.
\nIn fact, dominating the use of pronouns is just as important to expanding your English vocabulary. It will help you stand out from other English learners and make your conversations in English more fun, and growing your language confidence through fun is what we're all about.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"Question words in English","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"How to use English question words to make good conversation","url":"/blog/english-question-words","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt355389d6ae664d47/6364508f3f01d1106f8ea861/istock-1219254607-2.jpeg"},"post_content":"We ask questions in a variety of situations, such as when looking for directions, wanting to know more about an event, or trying to find out what happened to a friend.
Asking questions is a skill that all of us need to learn. In our native languages, asking questions may seem easy and intuitive. However, in a foreign language, it may seem way more complicated.
So, how do you ask questions in English? The answer is: with the help of interrogative words (also known as question words).
To help you learn how to ask grammatically correct, relevant questions for every situation in English, we’ve covered everything you need to know about English question words in this article.
![\"Woman](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltfc13851080474827/63d9cec43d28dd4dde642994/Question_words_in_Italian_when_shopping_for_clothes.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
An interrogative pronoun is a pronoun used to ask a question in English. It replaces the noun in a question and is usually the first word in a sentence ending with a question mark.
In English, these interrogative pronouns are also called wh-words because most start with “wh.” The most common interrogative pronouns are:
Now that you know what interrogative words are (aka, question words), you may be asking yourself how to form grammatically correct questions in English.
In English, forming questions follows a pretty simple formula:
question word - auxiliary verb - subject- verb - complement
To illustrate this, here’s a great example of this formula in use: “Who did you see yesterday at the party?”
This formula sometimes implements the additional noun or adjective between the question word and the auxiliary verb. We’ll go over this in detail when discussing each interrogative pronoun separately.
What’s more, not every question you formulate will require you to use the entire formula. So, think of it as a guide rather than a strict mathematical question!
The second formula you can use to form questions in English is without an auxiliary verb:
question word - main verb - subject- complement
For example, in the question “Who ate the cake at the party?” there’s no auxiliary verb.
For now, take a look at the example sentences in the table below.
English | Pronunciation | IPA | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | hoo | /ˈhuː/ | Who are you? |
| What | wot | /ˈhwʌt/ | What is this? |
| When | wen | /hwen/ | When did this happen? |
| Where | wear | /hwer/ | Where are you? |
| Why | hwigh | /ˈwaɪ/ | Why are you upset? |
| Which | wich | /hwɪtʃ/ | Which dress do you prefer? |
| How | hou | /ˈhaʊ/ | How are you? |
“Who” is a word used to ask for information about a person and their identity. This question verb doesn’t have a plural form, so if you’re asking about multiple people, it’ll just be followed by a plural verb instead of a singular one.
The main use cases for this question word include asking about a person’s identity and the performer of an action. The main variation of this question word is “whose,” which is used when asking about the possession of a certain object.
Take a look at these examples:
English | Pronunciation | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Who are you going with? | hoo air yoo goin' wit | /ˈhuː ər ju ˌgoʊɪŋ wɪθ/ |
| Who won the game? | hoo won thuh game | /ˈhuː wɑːn ðə ˈɡeɪm/ |
| Who gave you this dress? | hoo gav yoo this dres | /ˈhuː ˈɡeɪv ju ðɪs ˈdres/ |
| Who was with you at the party? | hoo wuhz wit yoo at thuh party | /ˈhuː wəz wɪθ ju ət ðə ˈpɑːrti/ |
| Who is the person you were talking to? | hoo iz thuh purson yoo wuhr tawkin' tuh | /ˈhuː ɪz ðə ˈpɝːsn̩ ju wər ˈtɔ:kɪŋ tuː/ |
| Whose car is this? | hooz kahr iz this | /ˈhuːz ˈkɑ:r z ðɪs/ |
| Whose pencil are you using? | hooz pen-sul air yoo yoo-zin | /ˈhuːz ˈpensl̩ ər ju ˈjuːzɪŋ/ |
“What” is probably the first question word you learn in English. In your first English class, the teacher asks, “What’s your name” to get everyone’s names.
It is a question word used to ask about the identity of a thing or the nature of an action. This interrogative word can also be used with additional nouns to ask more detailed questions about someone or something.
Another use case of “what” is asking about the description of a person, object, or place. In this case, “what” questions need to include the phrase “look like.” It follows the formula:
what - auxiliary verb - subject- look like?
It can also be used in combination with “like” to ask about someone’s character or the nature of a place. The formula, in this case, is:
what- verb \"to be\" - subject-like?
To illustrate this, take a look at the examples in the table below.
English | Pronunciation | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| What is your name? | Wuhts iz yoo-ur neym? | /wɒt ɪz jər ˈneɪm/ |
| What are you doing? | Wuhts uh-ree yoo dooin? | /wɒt ər ju ˈduːɪŋ/ |
| What ice cream flavor do you like the most? | Wuhts ays kreem flehv-ur duh yoo lahy-k thuh mo-st? | /wɒt ˈaɪs kri:m ˈfleɪvər du: ju laɪk ðə moʊst/ |
| What is your favorite TV show? | Wuhts iz yoo-ur fehv-ur-it T-V shoh? | /wɒt ɪz jər ˈfeɪvərət ˈtiːˈviː ˈʃoʊ/ |
| What time do you go to work? | Wuhts tahym duh yoo goh tuh wurk? | /wɒt ˈtaɪm du: ju ˈɡoʊ tə ˈwɝːk/ |
| What day is today? | Wuhts day iz toh-dey? | /wɒt ˈdeɪ z təˈdeɪ/ |
| What does your sister look like? | Wuhts doh-z yoo-ur sis-tur luk lahy-k? | /wɒt dəz jər sɪstər ˈlʊk ˈlaɪk/ |
| What does your car look like? | Wuhts doh-z yoo-ur kahr luk lahy-k? | /wɒt dəz jər ˈkɑ:r ˈlʊk ˈlaɪk/ |
| What is your city like? | Wuhts iz yoo-ur sit-ee lahy-k? | /wɒt ɪz jər ˈsɪti ˈlaɪk/ |
| What is your father like? | Wuhts iz yoo-ur fah-thur lahy-k? | /wɒt ɪz jər ˈfɑːðr̩ ˈlaɪk/ |
“When” is a pretty simple interrogative pronoun with just one use case: to ask about the time of an event. In other words, it’s used to ask about a point in time when something happens.
English | Pronunciation | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| When are you coming to visit me? | Wen er yoo kuhm-ing tuh vuh-zit mi | /hwen ər ju ˈkʌmɪŋ tə ˈvɪzət miː/ |
| When are you coming home? | Wen er yoo kuhm-ing hohm | /hwen ər ju ˈkʌmɪŋ hoʊm, həʊm/ |
| When do the holidays start? | Wen duh holidays stahrt | /hwen du: ðə ˈhɑːlədeɪz ˈstɑːrt/ |
| When is your yoga class? | Wen iz yur yo-guh klahs | /hwen ɪz jər ˈjoʊɡə ˈklæs/ |
| When do you want to go to the cinema? | Wen duh yoo wahnt tuh guh tuh thuh sin-uh-muh | /hwen du: ju ˈwɒnt tə ˈɡoʊ tə ðə ˈsɪnəmə/ |
| When will you visit me? | Wen wil yoo vuh-zit mi | /hwen ˌwi:l ju ˈvɪzət miː/ |
Just like “when,” “where” is a pretty straightforward question word to use. The main and only use case for this interrogative pronoun is asking about the location of a place, the place of an action or event, or a destination.
Essentially, it’s used to ask about the point in space where something is located. Not much detail to go into here!
English | Pronunciation | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Where are you going on your weekend trip? | weh-r ahr yoo go-in' on yoor weekend trip | /hwer̩ər ju ˌgoʊɪŋ ˈɑːn jər ˈwiːˌkend ˈtrɪp/ |
| Where is the bus station? | weh-r iz thuh bus stuh-shun | /ˈhwer ɪz ðə ˈbəs ˈsteɪʃn̩/ |
| Where is the Bad Bunny concert? | weh-r iz thuh bad bun-nee kon-sert | /ˈhwer ɪz ðə ˌbæd ˈbʌni ˈkɑːnsərt/ |
| Where is this train going? | weh-r iz this train go-in' | /ˈhwer ɪz ðɪs ˈtreɪn ˈɡoʊɪŋ/ |
| Where would you like to go on vacation? | weh-r would yoo like to go on vuh-key-shun | /ˈhwer wʊd ju laɪk tə ˈɡoʊ ˈɑːn veˈkeɪʃn̩/ |
| Where is Wally? | weh-r iz waw-lee | /ˈhwer ɪz ˈwɒli/ |
“Why” is most commonly used to ask about the cause of something or the reason behind it. The answer to a question starting with “why” is usually introduced with the word “because.”
But “why” is a pretty versatile word, and it has a few more use cases, such as:
English | Pronunciation | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Why did you do this? | hwahy did yoo doo this? | /ˈwaɪ ˈdɪd ju du: ðɪs/ |
| Why did the baby throw away its food? | hwahy did thuh bay-bee throw away its food? | /ˈwaɪ ˈdɪd ðə ˌbeɪbi ˈθroʊ əˈweɪ ɪts ˈfuːd/ |
| Why should we pay taxes every year? | hwahy should weh pay taxes ev-ree yair? | /ˈwaɪ ʃəd wi ˈpeɪ ˈtæksəz ˈevri ˈjɪr̩/ |
| Why are you upset? | hwahy are yoo up-set? | /ˈwaɪ ər ju ˌʌpset/ |
| Why don’t we leave now? | hwahy dont weh leave now? | /ˈwaɪ doʊnt wi ˈli:v ˈnaʊ/ |
| Why isn’t the train leaving? | hwahy is-nt thuh train leaving? | /ˈwaɪ ˈɪzənt ðə ˈtreɪn ˈliːvɪŋ/ |
| Why are they looking at us? | hwahy are they luh-king at us? | /ˈwaɪ ər ˈðeɪ ˈlʊkɪŋ ət əz/ |
When it comes to “which,” it’s a quite particular interrogative word. We use “which” to ask for more information about something when there are limited options to choose from.
For example, in the question “Which dress do you prefer?”, we’re asking the recipient of the question about their specific preferences between a given number of options.
“Which” can also be used with “of” when there are other determiners (the, those, your) or pronouns used in the questions. The question “Which of the following features do you use the most?” is an excellent example of how to use this.
English | Pronunciation | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Which ice cream flavor do you prefer? Chocolate or vanilla? | wich ays krim flay-vuhr doo yoo prefuhr? chawk-lit or van-uh-luh? | /hwɪtʃ ˈaɪs kri:m ˈfleɪvər du: ju prəˈfɝː ˌtʃɔːklət ɔːr vəˈnɪlə/ |
| Which feature is your favorite? | wich fea-cher iz yoor fey-vrit? | /hwɪtʃ ˈfiːtʃər z jər ˈfeɪvərət/ |
| Which pencil is yours? | wich pen-sul iz yore? | /hwɪtʃ ˈpensl̩ z ˈjʊrz/ |
| Which of those shirts do you like best? | wich uv doth serts doo yoo lyk best? | /hwɪtʃ əv ðoʊz ˈʃɝːts du: ju laɪk ˈbest/ |
| Which of your brothers is married? | wich uv yore broh-ders iz mer-ried? | /hwɪtʃ əv jər ˈbrʌðr̩z ɪz ˈmerid/ |
| Which dress is prettier? The blue one or the yellow one? | wich dres iz pret-ee-er? the bloo wun or the yel-oh wun? | /hwɪtʃ ˈdres ɪz ˈprɪtiər? ðə ˈblu: wʌn ɔːr ðə ˈjeloʊ wʌn/ |
We use “how” in questions to ask about the way something is done. As an adverb, “how” means “in what way” or “to what extent.”
Here are the main use cases for “how” in questions:
English | Pronunciation | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| How are you? | How air yoo? | /ˌhaʊ ər ju/ |
| How was the trip? | How wuhz thuh trip? | /ˌhaʊ wəz ðə ˈtrɪp/ |
| How do you make lasagna? | How doo yoo make luh-sahg-nuh? | /ˌhaʊ du: ju ˈmeɪk laˈsɑːnjə/ |
| How often do you go to the cinema? | How often doo yoo go to thuh sin-uh-muh? | /ˌhaʊ ˈɔːfn̩ du: ju ˈɡoʊ tə ðə ˈsɪnəmə/ |
| How far do you live? | How far doo yoo live? | /ˌhaʊ ˈfɑːr du: ju ˈlaɪv/ |
| How about dinner at the new Italian restaurant? | How uh-bout dinner at thuh new ih-tuh-lee-un rest-uh-rant? | /ˌhaʊ əˌbaʊt ˈdɪnə ət ðə ˈnju: əˈtæljən ˈrestəˌrɑːnt/ |
If you’ve read any other articles on our English blog, you already know how much we love visual learning! Videos, movies, and songs are one of the best ways to help you memorize vocabulary and learn proper pronunciation.
So, here are some helpful YouTube videos to help you practice your newly gained knowledge on how to use English question words in practice.
Knowing how to ask questions in English is essential to communicate properly with others. It’ll help you find your way in difficult situations, ask for the necessary details of an event, or simply have a chat with a friend.
We hope that you’re now ready to use the knowledge on how to use English question words in the real world. And if you’d like to further expand your English knowledge, we invite you to learn English online with us or read other helpful articles on our English blog.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"Hardest words in English","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"252 of the Hardest English Words to Pronounce and Spell","url":"/blog/hardest-english-words-pronounce-spell","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt061377eeb4e9b11d/63d87299b369f5745550c375/Talking_on_phone.jpg"},"post_content":"This post highlights some of the most challenging English words in terms of pronunciation and spelling, offering insights into their meanings and usage to help learners navigate these linguistic hurdles.
• English words are difficult to pronounce because spelling and sounds often don't match, thanks to silent letters, borrowed vocabulary, and irregular patterns.
• This article covers 252 of the hardest English words to pronounce and spell.
• The main categories of difficulty include silent letters, words borrowed from Latin, Greek, and French, and double consonants.
• One of the most notoriously difficult words is Worcestershire—pronounced \"Woo-ster-sher,\" not the way it's spelled!
These pet names come in many forms and are a great way to show affection and closeness with friends and family or just a fun way to refer to your loved one.
\nSome people are blessed with a nickname that perfectly captures their personality, while others are stuck with a moniker that they'd rather forget. Whether you're a \"Peanut,\" a \"Pumpkin,\" or a \"Muffin,\" one thing is for sure: nicknames are a fun and quirky way to add personality and flair to our lives.
\nIn this article, we’ll share with you a list of English nicknames that you can use for your partner/boyfriend/girlfriend, friends, or family members to show them your love and affection.
\nSo sit back, grab a drink, and get ready to laugh as we explore the strange and humorous world of nicknames whether it’s for your romantic partner, friends, or family members.
\n![\"Friends](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltb32ee551b1b46637/62cd18cf719eb738924958f9/friends-4972059_1280.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
When it comes to romantic relationships, in particular, using pet names can be considered cheesy. But, a study found that couples who use pet names are actually happier in their relationship.
\nSo, maybe that's your cue to start looking for a cute nickname for your romantic partner! Here are some nicknames you can use to call your girlfriend or boyfriend.
\nSaying “I love you” to your partner or someone you like may not always be the right thing to say. So, how do you express affection without saying these three little words? You can use nicknames!
\nThe right nickname for your boyfriend will often depend on his personality and the nature of your relationship. These nicknames are a good start, but don’t limit yourself! Sometimes, the funniest and most affectionate nicknames come from spontaneous, romantic moments you share together.
\n\nEnglish | \nIPA Spelling | \nPronunciation | \n
|---|---|---|
| Angel | \neɪndʒəl| | \nANN-juhl | \n
| Angel Boy | \nˈeɪndʒəlˌbɔɪ| | \nANN-juhl boy | \n
| Babe | \nbeɪb| | \nBAYB | \n
| Baby | \nˈbeɪbi| | \nBAY-bee | \n
| Bae | \nˈbaɪ| | \nBAE | \n
| Boo | \nbu| | \nBOO | \n
| Boss | \nbɒs| | \nBAWS | \n
| Captain | \nˈkæptɪn| | \nKAEP-tin | \n
| Chief | \ntʃif| | \nCHEEF | \n
| Cuddlebug | \nˈkʌdl̩bʌɡ| | \nKUHD-uhl-buhg | \n
| Cuddlebunny | \nˈkʌdl̩ˈbʌni| | \nKUHD-uhl-buhn-ee | \n
| Cuddlepie | \nˈkʌdl̩paɪ| | \nKUHD-uhl-pye | \n
| Cutie Pie | \ncutiepaɪ| | \nKYOO-tee pye | \n
| Daddy | \nˈdædi| | \nDAD-ee | \n
| Darling | \nˈdɑlɪŋ| | \nDAR-ling | \n
| Darling Boy | \nˈdɑlɪŋˌbɔɪ| | \nDAR-ling boy | \n
| Dumpling | \nˈdʌmpl̩ɪŋ| | \nDUHM-pling | \n
| Honey | \nˈhʌni| | \nHUHN-ee | \n
| Honeydew | \nˈhʌnidju| | \nHUHN-ee-dyoou | \n
| Honeypie | \nˈhʌnipaɪ| | \nHUHN-ee-pye | \n
| Hot Stuff | \nˈhɒtstʌf| | \nhawt stuhf | \n
| Hottie | \nhottie| | \nHAWT-ee | \n
| King | \nkɪŋ| | \nKING | \n
| Lion | \nˈlaɪən| | \nLYE-uhn | \n
| Love | \nˈlʌv| | \nLUHV | \n
| Love Muffin | \nˈlʌvˈmʌfɪn| | \nLUHV MUHF-in | \n
| Mister | \nˈmɪstə| | \nMIHS-ter | \n
| Papi | \npapi| | \nPAH-pee | \n
| Peanut | \nˈpinʌt| | \nPEE-nut | \n
| Prince | \nprɪns| | \nPRINS | \n
| Pumpkin | \nˈpʌmpkɪn| | \nPUHM-kin | \n
| Romeo | \nˈromiˌəʊ| | \nROH-mee-oh | \n
| Snugglebug | \nˈsnʌɡl̩bʌɡ| | \nSNUHG-uhl-buhg | \n
| Snugglebunny | \nˈsnʌɡl̩ˈbʌni| | \nSNUHG-uhl-buhn-ee | \n
| Sugar | \nˈʃʊɡə| | \nSHOO-ger | \n
| Sweet Pea | \nˈswitpi| | \nswēt pē | \n
| Sweetheart | \nˈswithɑt| | \nSWEET-hart | \n
| Sweetie | \nˈswiti| | \nSWEET-ee | \n
| Sweetie Pie | \nˈswitipaɪ| | \nSWEET-ee pye | \n
| Tiger | \nˈtaɪɡə| | \nTYE-gur | \n
Do you want to express to your wife or girlfriend how beautiful, sexy, or sweet she is? These pet names are a great way to show affection and appreciation for her whenever you turn to her. We’re sure she’ll love it!
\nEnglish | \nIPA Spelling | \nPronunciation | \n
|---|---|---|
| Angel | \n|ˈeɪndʒəl| | \nANN-juhl | \n
| Babe | \nbeɪb| | \nBAYB | \n
| Baby | \nˈbeɪbi| | \nBAY-bee | \n
| Bae | \nˈbaɪ| | \nBAE | \n
| Boo | \nbu| | \nBOO | \n
| Bunny | \nˈbʌni| | \nBUHN-ee | \n
| Cupcake | \nˈkʌpkeɪk| | \nKUHP-kayk | \n
| Cutie | \ncutie| | \nKYOO-tee | \n
| Cutie Pie | \ncutiepaɪ| | \nKYOO-tee-PYE | \n
| Darling | \nˈdɑlɪŋ| | \nDAR-ling | \n
| Dear | \ndɪə| | \nDEER | \n
| Dumpling | \nˈdʌmpl̩ɪŋ| | \nDUHM-pling | \n
| Goddess | \nˈɡɒdɪs| | \nGAHD-is | \n
| Honey | \nˈhʌni| | \nHUHN-ee | \n
| Honey Bunny | \nˈhʌniˈbʌni| | \nHUHN-ee-BUHN-ee | \n
| Honeybee | \nˈhʌnibi| | \nHUHN-ee-be | \n
| Hot Stuff | \nˈhɒtstʌf| | \nhawt-stuhf | \n
| Hottie | \nhottie| | \nHAWT-ee | \n
| Hun | \nhʌn| | \nHUHN | \n
| Kitty | \nˈkɪti| | \nKIHT-ee | \n
| Light of My Life | \nlaɪtəvmaɪlife| | \nlahyt-uhv-mah-lahyf | \n
| Love | \nˈlʌv| | \nLUHV | \n
| Lovebug | \nˈlʌvbʌɡ| | \nLUHV-buhg | \n
| Monkey | \nˈmʌŋki| | \nMUHNG-kee | \n
| Muffin | \nˈmʌfɪn| | \nMUHF-in | \n
| Pooh Bear | \nˈpubeə| | \nPOO-buhr | \n
| Princess | \nprɪnˈses| | \nPRIN-sis | \n
| Queen | \nkwin| | \nKEEN | \n
| Snowflake | \nˈsnəʊfleɪk| | \nSNOH-flayk | \n
| Sunshine | \nˈsʌnʃaɪn| | \nSUHN-shyne | \n
| Sweet Pie | \nˈswitpaɪ| | \nswēt-pī | \n
| Sweetie | \nˈswiti| | \nSWEET-ee | \n
| Wifey | \nwifey| | \nWIF-ee | \n
Cute, loving, and funny nicknames aren’t just for your romantic partner. You can also use them to show love and affection for your family.
\nGrandma and grandpa are one of the most important people in everyone’s life. They have been there for you since the day you were born. Apart from our parents, our grandparents are the ones who give us the most genuine love, support and advice.
\nThey are still with us in our hearts and minds even if they aren't around anymore. We never forget them or stop thinking about them. And if they are still with you, show them as much love and affection as possible.
\nHere are some nicknames for grandma and grandpa:
\nEnglish | \nIPA Spelling | \nPronunciation | \n
|---|---|---|
| Nana | \n|ˈnænə| | \nNAH-nuh | \n
| Papa | \npəˈpɑ| | \nPAH-puh | \n
| Grammy | \nˈɡræmi| | \nGRAM-ee | \n
| Gramps | \ngramps| | \nGRAMPS | \n
| Mimi | \nˈmimi| | \nMEE-mee | \n
| Pop Pop | \npɒppɒp| | \nPAHP PAHP | \n
| Nanny | \nˈnæni| | \nNAN-ee | \n
| Pappy | \npappy| | \nPAH-pee | \n
| Meemaw | \nmeemaw| | \nMEE-maw | \n
| Peepaw | \npeepaw| | \nPEE-paw | \n
| Momsie | \nmomsie| | \nMAHM-see | \n
| Popsie | \npopsie| | \nPAHP-see | \n
| Gigi | \nˈdʒidʒi| | \nGEE-jee | \n
| Lolly and Pop | \nˈlɒliəndpɒp| | \nLAH-lee and PAHP | \n
| Momo and Papo | \nmomoəndpæˈpəʊ| | \nMAH-moh and PAH-poh | \n
| Mawmaw and Pawpaw | \nmawmawəndˈpɔpɔ| | \nMAW-maw and PAW-paw | \n
| Meme and Papaw | \nmemeəndˈpɔpɔ| | \nMEE-mee and PAH-paw | \n
| Gramms and Gramps | \nɡræmzəndgramps| | \nGRAMZ and GRAMPS | \n
| Grammie and Grampie | \ngramieəndgrampie| | \nGRAM-ee and GRAM-pee | \n
Your parents are the ones who are always there to love and care for you. Your mom and dad have a special place in your life and heart - and you have a special place in theirs.
\nHere are 10+ nicknames for mom and dad, which may help you to express your love for them.
\n\nEnglish | \nIPA Spelling | \nPronunciation | \n
|---|---|---|
| Mommy | \nˈmɑmi | | \nMAH-mee | \n
| Daddy | \nˈdædi | | \nDAD-ee | \n
| Mama | \nməˈmɑ | | \nMAH-mah | \n
| Papa | \npəˈpɑ | | \nPAH-pah | \n
| Momsie | \nmomsie | | \nMAHM-see | \n
| Popsie | \npopsie | | \nPAHP-see | \n
| Mama Bear | \nməˈmɑ beə | | \nMAH-mah BEER | \n
| Papa Bear | \npəˈpɑ beə | | \nPAH-pah BEER | \n
| Momma | \nˈmɑmə | | \nMAHM-mah | \n
| Poppa | \nˈpɒpə | | \nPAHP-pah | \n
| Pop | \npɒp | | \nPAHP | \n
If you’re lucky enough to be blessed with a sibling that is close to you, then she or he surely has a knack for making the most important moments of your life memorable. And even though you may be fighting a lot, as teenagers or as adults, your brother or sister will always be there for you.
\nIf you want to keep your sibling close and make them feel special, then get them a nickname that is unique and funny. They will surely appreciate it because they know how much you care about them.
\nHere’s a list of 49 cute and funny nicknames for your brother or sister.
\nEnglish | \nIPA Spelling | \nPronunciation | \n
|---|---|---|
| Issy | \nˈɪsi | | \niss-ee | \n
| See see | \nˈsi ˈsi | | \nsee see | \n
| Sissy | \nˈsɪsi | | \nsiss-ee | \n
| Sista | \nsista | | \nsiss-tah | \n
| Sistie | \nsistie | | \nsiss-tee | \n
| Sis | \nˌes ˈaɪz | | \nsiss | \n
| Miss sis | \nmɪs ˌes ˈaɪz | | \nmiss siss | \n
| Missy | \nˈmɪsi | | \nmiss-ee | \n
| Missy Sissy | \nˈmɪsi ˈsɪsi | | \nmiss-ee siss-ee | \n
| Boo Boo | \nbubu | | \nboo boo | \n
| Hermana | \nermana | | \nair-mah-nah | \n
| Hermanita | \nermanita | | \nair-mah-nee-tah | \n
| Little Lady | \nˈlɪtl̩ ˈleɪdi | | \nlit-l lay-dee | \n
| Mini | \nmini | | \nmin-ee | \n
| Miss mini | \nmɪs mini | | \nmiss min-ee | \n
| Mini me | \nmini mi | | \nmin-ee mee | \n
| Ninnie | \nninnie | | \nnin-ee | \n
| Baby | \nˈbeɪbi | | \nbay-bee | \n
| Lil one | \nˈlɪl wʌn | | \nlill wun | \n
| Lil sis | \nˈlɪl ˌes ˈaɪz | | \nlill siss | \n
| She-Devil | \nˈʃi ˈdevl̩ | | \nshee-dev-uhl | \n
| Munchkin | \nmunchkin | | \nmunch-kin | \n
| Short stuff | \nʃɔt stʌf | | \nshort stuff | \n
| Wee-one | \nˈwi wʌn | | \nwee wun | \n
| Newbie | \nnewbie | | \nnew-bee | \n
| Eenie meenie | \neenie meenie | | \neen-ee meen-ee | \n
| Princess | \nprɪnˈses | | \nprin-sess | \n
| Queenie | \nˈkwini | | \nkwee-nee | \n
| Bro | \nˈbrəʊ | | \nBRO | \n
| Baby Bro | \nˌbeɪbi ˈbrəʊ | | \nBAY-bee BRO | \n
| Baby Face | \nˌbeɪbi feɪs | | \nBAY-bee FAYS | \n
| Bam Bam | \nˈbæm ˈbæm | | \nBAM BAM | \n
| Bambino | \nbæmˈbinəʊ | | \nbahm-BEE-noh | \n
| Big Bro | \nbɪg ˈbrəʊ | | \nBIG BRO | \n
| Big Dude | \nbɪg djud | | \nBIG DYOO-d | \n
| Big Guy | \nbɪg ɡaɪ | | \nBIG GUY | \n
| Big Man | \nbɪg θɜ | | \nBIG MAN | \n
| Biggie | \nˈbɪɡi | | \nBIHG-ee | \n
| Bobo | \nˈbobəʊ | | \nBOH-boh | \n
| BooBoo | \nbubu | | \nBOO BOO | \n
| Little Bro | \nˈlɪtl̩ ˈbrəʊ | | \nLIHT-uhl BRO | \n
| Little Dude | \nˈlɪtl̩ djud | | \nLIHT-uhl DYOO-d | \n
| Little Guy | \nˈlɪtl̩ ɡaɪ | | \nLIHT-uhl GUY | \n
| Little Man | \nˈlɪtl̩ θɜ | | \nLIHT-uhl MAN | \n
| Brominator | \nˈbrəʊminator | | \nBROHM-ih-nayt-er | \n
| Brommando | \nˈbrəʊmando | | \nBROHM-mahn-doh | \n
| Hermano | \nermano | | \ner-MAH-noh | \n
| Hermanito | \nermanito | | \ner-mah-NEE-toh | \n
| Trouble | \nˈtrʌbl̩ | | \nTRUHB-uhl | \n
![\"Cute](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltc8c152a7063a504e/637470428db6e810ab777b4d/istock-1137929235.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
If you want to call your friend a special name that strengthens your bond, you can use a nickname. It shows that you care about them and makes them feel special.
\nBut sometimes, nicknames can make things worse. So you need to be careful when choosing the right nickname to convey the right message and not make things awkward.
\nHere are some cute, loving and funny nicknames for your best friend.
\nYour bestie is your ride or die. You tell each other everything and spend your afternoons gossiping over the phone. Here are some cute and loving nicknames you can call her to show her how much you love her.
\n\nEnglish | \n IPA Spelling | \n Pronunciation | \n
|---|---|---|
| Bestie | \nbestie | | \nBEH-stee | \n
| BFF | \nˈbi ef ef | | \nB-F-F | \n
| Chica | \nchica | | \nCHEE-kah | \n
| Forever Friend | \nfəˈrevə ˈfrend | | \nFOH-ver FREND | \n
| Gal | \nɡæl | | \nGAHL | \n
| Girly | \ngirly | | \nGEER-lee | \n
| Homegirl | \nhəʊm ɡɜl | | \nHOHM-gurl | \n
| Missy | \nˈmɪsi | | \nMIHS-ee | \n
| Queen | \nkwin | | \nKEEN | \n
| Señorita | \nseñorita | | \nseh-nyoh-REE-tah | \n
| Sis | \nˌes ˈaɪz | | \nSIS | \n
| Soul Sister | \nˈsəʊl ˈsɪstə | | \nSOH-uhl SIS-ter | \n
Every girl deserves to have a guy best friend. Someone who can give you advice when you fight with your boyfriend or just need a shoulder to cry on. Someone who can show you a different outlook on life from his male perspective.
\nHere are some fun and loving nicknames for your guy best friend.
\n\nEnglish | \nIPA Spelling | \nPronunciation | \n
|---|---|---|
| Amigo | \nəˈmiɡəʊ | | \nah-MEE-goh | \n
| Bro | \nˈbrəʊ | | \nBRO | \n
| Bubba | \nˈbəbə | | \nBUH-buh | \n
| Buck | \nbʌk | | \nBUK | \n
| Bud | \nbʌd | | \nBUHD | \n
| Buddy | \nˈbʌdi | | \nBUHD-ee | \n
| Champ | \ntʃæmp | | \nCHAEMP | \n
| Chief | \ntʃif | | \nCHEEF | \n
| Coach | \nkəʊtʃ | | \nKOHCH | \n
| Junior | \nˈdʒunɪə | | \nJOON-yuhr | \n
| King | \nkɪŋ | | \nKING | \n
| Pal | \npæl | | \nPAHL | \n
| Punk | \npʌŋk | | \nPUNK | \n
| Senior | \nˈsinɪə | | \nSEE-nyuhr | \n
| Slim | \nslɪm | | \nSLIM | \n
| Sport | \nspɔt | | \nSPAWRT | \n
Nicknames are a great way to add some fun into your relationships. They aren’t reserved just for your romantic partner. You can have fun giving nicknames to literally anyone in your life - from your annoying little brother to your orange cat you named Garfield.
\nHowever, here’s the thing with nicknames: you have to be careful not to offend the other person. Remember that sometimes there’s a thin line between funny and offensive.
\nHere are some funny nicknames for anyone in your life. Use them for inspiration to come up with your own.
\n\nEnglish | \nRelationship | \nIPA Spelling | \nPronunciation | \n
|---|---|---|---|
| Ace | \nBrother, friend, pet | \neɪs | | \nAYS | \n
| Bee | \nSister, girlfriend, friend | \nbi | | \nBEE | \n
| Bond | \nBrother, friend, pet | \nbɒnd | | \nBAWND | \n
| Bonny Lass | \nSister, girlfriend, friend | \nˈbɒni læs | | \nBAHN-ee LAHS | \n
| Boo | \nBoyfriend, girlfriend, friend, pet | \nbu | | \nBOO | \n
| Boomer | \nDad, grandpa | \nˈbumə | | \nBOO-muhr | \n
| Bug | \nBrother, friend, pet | \nbʌɡ | | \nBUG | \n
| Buttercup | \nSister, girlfriend, friend | \nˈbʌtəkʌp | | \nBUHT-er-kuhp | \n
| Chipmunk | \nBrother, boyfriend, friend | \nˈtʃɪpmʌŋk | | \nCHIHP-muhnk | \n
| Cutie Pie | \nSister, girlfriend, friend | \ncutie paɪ | | \nKYOO-tee pye | \n
| Dolly | \nSister, girlfriend, friend | \nˈdɒli | | \nDAHL-ee | \n
| Dottie | \nSister, girlfriend, friend | \nˈdɑti | | \nDAHT-ee | \n
| Giggles | \nSister, friend | \nˈɡɪɡl̩z | | \nGIHG-uhlz | \n
| Goon | \nBrother, friend, pet | \nɡun | | \nGOON | \n
| Gump | \nBrother, friend, pet | \nˈɡəmp | | \nGUHMP | \n
| Kiddo | \nBrother | \nkiddo | | \nKIHD-oh | \n
| Lovey | \nSister, girlfriend, friend | \nlovey | | \nLUHV-ee | \n
| Mouse | \nSister, girlfriend, friend | \nmaʊs | | \nMAWSS | \n
| Munchkin | \nSister, girlfriend, friend | \nmunchkin | | \nMUHNCH-kin | \n
| Nugget | \nPet, brother | \nˈnʌɡɪt | | \nNUHG-iht | \n
| Oldie | \nBrother | \nˈəʊldi | | \nOH-lee | \n
| Precious | \nSister, girlfriend, friend | \nˈpreʃəs | | \nPREH-shuhs | \n
| Punk | \nBrother, friend, pet | \npʌŋk | | \nPUNK | \n
| Rambo | \nBrother, friend, pet | \nˈræmbəʊ | | \nRAM-boh | \n
| Rapunzel | \nSister, friend, pet | \nrəˈpənzəl | | \nrahp-oon-ZEHL | \n
| Scout | \nBrother, friend, pet | \nskaʊt | | \nSKOWT | \n
| Shortie | \nGirlfriend | \nshortie | | \nSHAWR-tee | \n
| Smarty | \nAnyone | \nsmarty | | \nSMAAHRT-ee | \n
| Smiley | \nSister, brother, friend, pet | \nˈsmaɪli | | \nSMY-lee | \n
| Speedy | \nSister, brother, friend, pet | \nˈspidi | | \nSPEE-dee | \n
| Sweetums | \nBrother, boyfriend, friend | \nsweetums | | \nSWEET-uhmz | \n
| Teacup | \nPet, brother | \nˈtikʌp | | \nTEE-kuhp | \n
| Teeny | \nSister, brother, friend, pet | \nˈtini | | \nTEE-nee | \n
| Toots | \nBrother, boyfriend, friend | \ntuts | | \nTOHTS | \n
In the English language, there are many cute and funny nicknames you can use for your partner, best friend, or sibling.
\nBut while there’s no shortage of popular and common pet names, you may want to come up with something original. Something that perfectly describes that person. Something unique that only you and them can share.
\nSo, how do you do that? Aside from your creativity and spontaneous situations that may inspire an original nickname, you can get some inspiration from online nickname generators.
\nHere’s a list of some cool nickname generators you can use:
\nPhew! We’ve covered so many nicknames in this article we’re almost running out of creative ideas. Now, you’re equipped with a list of funny and cute nicknames for anyone: your loving boyfriend or girlfriend, your annoying sibling, or your caring parents.
\nBut what about you? Do you have a nickname? Or maybe you have a few English nicknames? We’re curious to know!
\nAnd if you’d like to learn English a bit more, we invite you to browse through our English blog.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"call_to_action_text":"Colors in English","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"90 marvelous shades of color in English from mint green to mango","url":"/blog/colors-english-shades","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt89289c92ef9c5502/622be95dddcaa8030b8bacf6/pexels-enric-cruz-lópez-7444978.jpg"},"post_content":"Once you learn the basic colors, you’ll be able to tell someone that you like their yellow t-shirt, indicate to your date that you want red roses, or tell the lady at the shoe store that you’d prefer this pair of shoes in black. Although you don’t need to know all the different colors and shades, the more you know, the more specific you can get when describing things.
\nIn this guide, we will walk you through all colors of the rainbow and their range of shades. We will also share tips and fun games to learn colors faster. Ready? Let’s learn some colors!
\n\nWhether you’re learning English to have a basic conversation while you travel to an English-speaking country or for professional reasons, colors are something you won’t be able to do without. Here are a few reasons why:
\nOne of the main reasons why you should learn different shades of color in English is to be able to describe things. Whether while shopping for new clothes at a clothing store or describing the girl or guy we like to our best friend, we need colors to paint a vivid picture of whatever we’re describing.
\nCan you imagine not being able to describe what you see or the thing you want just because you don’t know how to name its color? It would be very uncomfortable! And it would make communicating much more difficult. Learning colors in English and their different shades will help you be more specific when describing things and communicate your message more efficiently.
\nEnglish uses a lot of fun idiomatic expressions with colors. Someone can be green with envy, see red, or be tickled pink. Do you know what these mean? If you know the colors, you might be able to figure it out!
\nThis is because colors are closely tied to our emotions (there’s even such as thing as color psychology).
\n\nIn English, there are a few words that describe the color of something. Of course, the most basic one is the word “color.”
\nApart from the word “color,” there’s also “hue” and “shade.” The hue can be described as an indication of the color. For example, you can have blue ocean water with a green hue. On the other hand, a shade is the tone of the color. For example, a blue ocean can have turquoise or aquamarine shade.
\nLet’s take a look at the main colors and their shades.
\n\nPurple is one of the most important colors in English. If you want to describe the shade of beautiful flowers that bloom in spring or the color of some fruits, such as grapes or plum, you’ll need to learn the various shades of purple.
\nPurple is also a popular nail and hair color, so if you’re currently considering going purple, you can take inspiration from the below purple palette.
\n![\"Nine](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt8300b2bb9230e5da/622ec405785e150be52d4936/Purple-in-English.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Shade of purple | \nPronunciation | \nHEX color code | \n
|---|---|---|
| Lavender | \n/lævəndə/ | \n#E39FF6 | \n
| Purple | \n/pɜːpl̩/ | \n#800080 | \n
| Violet | \n/vaɪələt/ | \n#710193 | \n
| Grape | \n/ɡreɪp/ | \n#6F2DA8 | \n
| Mauve | \n/məʊv/ | \n#FFD700 | \n
| Mulberry | \n/mʌlbri/ | \n#7FFF00 | \n
| Plum | \n/plʌm/ | \n#601A35 | \n
| Lilac | \n/laɪlək/ | \n#C812C8 | \n
| Indigo | \n/ɪndɪɡəʊ/ | \n#4B0082 | \n
Orange is a vivid and bright color that brings joy to anyone’s life! If you want to describe the Caribbean sunset or the colors of various tropical fruits, such as mangos or papayas, you’ll need to know these shades of orange.
\n![\"Shades](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltb03a3f62405fa8e3/622ec419f603d566e7990a0c/Orange-in-English.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Shade of orange | \nPronunciation | \nHEX color code | \n
|---|---|---|
| Tangerine | \n/tændʒəriːn/ | \n#F28500 | \n
| Orange | \n/ɒrɪndʒ/ | \n#FFA500 | \n
| Amber | \n/æmbə/ | \n#FFBF00 | \n
| Bronze | \n/brɒnz/ | \n#B2560D | \n
| Burnt Orange | \n/bɜːntɒrɪndʒ/ | \n#CC5500 | \n
| Marmalade | \n/mɑːməleɪd/ | \n#D16002 | \n
| Mango | \n/mæŋɡəʊ/ | \n#FFBF34 | \n
| Rust | \n/rʌst/ | \n#AB0B23 | \n
| Papaya | \n/pəpaɪə/ | \n#E66A35 | \n
Blue is one of those colors that we use on a daily basis. The shades of blue vary a lot. There are light blues such as sky blue, blues with a hint of green such as turquoise or teal, and dark blues, such as navy or midnight blue.
\n![\"Nine](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltc458c2c797f9eb5d/622ec424ddcaa8030b8bae01/Blue-in-English.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Shade of blue | \nPronunciation | \nHEX color code | \n
|---|---|---|
| Royal Blue | \n/rɔɪəl bluː/ | \n#281E5D | \n
| Blue | \n/bluː/ | \n#0000FF | \n
| Turquoise | \n/tɜːkwɔɪz/ | \n#30D5C8 | \n
| Teal | \n/tiːl/ | \n#008080 | \n
| Cyan | \n/saɪən/ | \n#00FFFF | \n
| Sky Blue | \n/skaɪ blu:/ | \n#63C5DA | \n
| Navy Blue | \n/neɪvi bluː/ | \n#000080 | \n
| Baby Blue | \n/beɪbi blu:/ | \n#89CFF0 | \n
| Midnight Blue | \n/mɪdnaɪt bluː/ | \n#191970 | \n
Red is a color of love, passion, and strong emotions. Just like blue, red has many different shades, ranging from dark reds, such as burgundy to bright reds, such as crimson or scarlet. If you like to wear lipstick, you’re probably already familiar with different shades of red.
\n![\"Nine](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt6e138b46bbd7a951/622ec42f0b94652ce01fa5c4/Red-in-Englsih.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Shade of red | \nPronunciation | \nHEX color code | \n
|---|---|---|
| Burgundy | \n/bɜːɡəndi/ | \n#800020 | \n
| Red | \n/red/ | \n#FF0000 | \n
| Cherry | \n/tʃeri/ | \n#990F02 | \n
| Crimson | \n/krɪmzn̩/ | \n#DC143C | \n
| Brick Red | \n/brɪk red/ | \n#CB4154 | \n
| Blood Red | \n/blʌd red/ | \n#710C04 | \n
| Maroon | \n/məruːn/ | \n#800000 | \n
| Berry | \n/beri/ | \n#AB0B23 | \n
| Scarlet | \n/skɑːlət/ | \n#FF2400 | \n
Yellow is an energetic colors that brings joy and happiness. It has many different shades, ranging from toned-down yellows, such as light yellow and cream, to move vivid ones, such as lemon or canary.
\n![\"Nine](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt84d2bf018a748acd/622ec439f26a4b66ea4a16be/Yellow-in-English.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Shade of yellow | \nPronunciation | \nHEX color code | \n
|---|---|---|
| Lemon | \n/lemən/ | \n#EFFD5F | \n
| Yellow | \n/jeləʊ/ | \n#FFFF00 | \n
| Cream | \n/kriːm/ | \n#FFFDD0 | \n
| Canary | \n/kəneəri/ | \n#FF00FF | \n
| Chartreuse | \n/ʃɑːtrɜːz/ | \n#DFFF00 | \n
| Gold | \n/ɡəʊld/ | \n#FFD700 | \n
| Light Yellow | \n/laɪtjeləʊ/ | \n#FFFFA7 | \n
| Sand | \n/sænd/ | \n#D8B863 | \n
| Mustard | \n/mʌstəd/ | \n#E1AD01 | \n
Brown is a versatile color and its shades are mainly named after coffee, nuts, and chocolate. So, if you’re a coffee or chocolate lover (or both!), you might already know the different shades of brown.
\n![\"Shades](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt3d3e64534f3db9da/622ec443ddcaa8030b8bae05/Brown-in-English.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Shade of brown | \nPronunciation | \nHEX color code | \n
|---|---|---|
| Caramel | \n/kærəməl/ | \n#65350F | \n
| Brown | \n/braʊn/ | \n#964B00 | \n
| Sepia | \n/siːpɪə/ | \n#80613C | \n
| Chestnut | \n/tʃesnʌt/ | \n#3DED97 | \n
| Chocolate | \n/tʃɒklət/ | \n#4E403B | \n
| Almond | \n/ɑːmənd/ | \n#EED9C4 | \n
| Cedar | \n/siːdə/ | \n#4A3728 | \n
| Coffee | \n/kɒfi/ | \n#8A624A | \n
| Walnut | \n/wɔːlnʌt/ | \n#59392B | \n
In psychology, pink is the color of hope. It’s a reassuring color that brings a sense of peace. Its shades range from orange-y ones, such as peach and coral to bright ones with purple and red hues, such as magenta or strawberry.
\nIf you’re a makeup enthusiast, you may already be familiar with them!
\n![\"Shades](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt32cb60799ac510e7/622ec44eba7f6b684a46c486/Pink-in-English.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Shade of pink | \nPronunciation | \nHEX color code | \n
|---|---|---|
| Peach | \n/piːtʃ/ | \n#FC9483 | \n
| Pink | \n/pɪŋk/ | \n#FFC0CB | \n
| Coral | \n/kɒrəl/ | \n#FE7D6A | \n
| Rouge | \n/ruːʒ/ | \n#F26B8A | \n
| Magenta | \n/mədʒentə/ | \n#FF00FF | \n
| Salmon | \n/sæmən/ | \n#FDAB9F | \n
| Blush | \n/blʌʃ/ | \n#FEC5E5 | \n
| Hot Pink | \n/hɒt pɪŋk/ | \n#FF69B4 | \n
| Strawberry | \n/strɔːbri/ | \n#FC4C4E | \n
Green is the color of nature. It’s everywhere. We see green trees when looking out of our window, we have green plants bring a breath of fresh air into the four walls of our home, and we dream about green palm trees while sitting in the office. Because of this versatility, green has many different shades. If you love the color green, you’ll very likely appreciate the shades of green color palette below.
\n![\"Different](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltd64ab58be02780dd/622ec459f26a4b66ea4a16c2/Green-in-English.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Shade of green | \nPronunciation | \nHEX color code | \n
|---|---|---|
| Sage | \n/seɪdʒ/ | \n#728C69 | \n
| Green | \n/ɡriːn/ | \n#3CB043 | \n
| Jade | \n/dʒeɪd/ | \n#00A86B | \n
| Seafoam | \n/si:fəʊm/ | \n#3DED97 | \n
| Lime | \n/laɪm/ | \n#AEF359 | \n
| Forest | \n/fɒrɪst/ | \n#0B6623 | \n
| Olive | \n/ɒlɪv/ | \n#98BF64 | \n
| Emerald | \n/emərəld/ | \n#50C878 | \n
| Mint | \n/mɪnt/ | \n#99EDC3 | \n
Although we tend to consider black as a dramatic color, in psychology, as well as in branding, it’s considered to be the ultimate expression of luxury, elegance, mystery, and power.
\nBlack also has many shades, although the differences between them are very subtle.
\n![\"Powerful](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt9491c41093bae257/622ec4642f117523f14aec78/Black-in-English.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Shade of black | \nPronunciation | \nHEX color code | \n
|---|---|---|
| Ebony | \n/ebəni/ | \n#080402 | \n
| Black | \n/blæk/ | \n#000000 | \n
| Cool Black | \n/ku:lblæk/ | \n#151922 | \n
| Ink | \n/ɪŋk/ | \n#070504 | \n
| Obsidian | \n/əbsɪdɪən/ | \n#020403 | \n
| Jet Black | \n/dʒetblæk/ | \n#030303 | \n
| Charcoal | \n/tʃɑːkəʊl/ | \n#28231D | \n
| Onyx | \n/ɒnɪks/ | \n#030104 | \n
| Midnight | \n/mɪdnaɪt/ | \n#040406 | \n
Although white may seem boring, it’s a subtle, elegant color with many beautiful shades used in interior design, fashion, or graphic design. Knowing the different shades of white may be helpful when shopping for a new wardrobe, painting your house or choosing the drapes and bedsheets for your bedroom.
\n![\"Pretty](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt89b0545a6632c6eb/622ec46f0b94652ce01fa5c8/White-in-English.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Shade of white | \nPronunciation | \nHEX color code | \n
|---|---|---|
| Beige | \n/beɪʒ/ | \n#F5F5DC | \n
| White | \n/waɪt/ | \n#FFFFFF | \n
| Ivory | \n/aɪvəri/ | \n#FFFFF0 | \n
| Eggshell | \n/eɡʃel/ | \n#F9FEFF | \n
| Coconut | \n/kəʊkənʌt/ | \n#F0EDE5 | \n
| Pearl | \n/pɜːl/ | \n#F8F6F0 | \n
| Bone | \n/bəʊn/ | \n#F9F6EE | \n
| Alabaster | \n/æləbɑːstə/ | \n#F8F3ED | \n
| Off white | \n/ɒfwaɪt/ | \n#FAF9F6 | \n
Songs are a fun way to learn vocabulary in English without much effort. Singing songs can help you memorize new words more easily.
\nSo, here are a few songs to help you learn colors in English. These are just three examples, but you can find many more on YouTube!
\nMost songs about colors in English are made for kids. However, songs for kids are often very catchy and easy to sing, which makes them very efficient tools for English learners!
\nThis is another song about colors. Although it’s made for kids, it’s also a great one for adult English learners, as it walks you through all the colors of the rainbow with a catchy tune!
\nIf you’re not into children's songs and you’d like something for adults, this beautiful song by Louis Armstrong is a perfect choice to learn the colors of our wonderful world.
\n\nRed, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet are the colors of the rainbow. The first letter of each of these colors spells ROYGBIV, an acronym commonly used to remember the colors of the rainbow. Red is found at one end of the visible light spectrum, while violet is at the other end. The other colors are found in between.
\nBoth ways are correct. “Color” is the American and Canadian spelling, and “colour” is the British and Australian spelling.
\nThe correct spelling depends on whether you’re writing in American, Canadian, British, or Australian English.
\nDogs see colors differently than humans. While humans can perceive a broad spectrum of colors, dogs can only see shades of grey, brown, yellow, and blue due to the structure of their eyes.
\n\nAlthough it’s fun, learning different colors in English and their shades can be pretty overwhelming. Here are a few tips you can implement to make this process easier.
\nLearning colors will be easier if you can associate them with tangible things. To do that, pick a color and imagine different things of that color in your head. For example, if you chose blue, imagine something blue in your mind.
\nNow say it out loud or write it down. Try to make as many sentences as you can. For example, “I like the blue sky,” “He has blue eyes,” or “Her dress is blue.” This will help you remember the color and use it in different sentences.
\nFlashcards are cards with words on them, usually one word on each side of the card. They are very useful for learning English words because you can test yourself with them.
\nYou can buy flashcards or make your own by cutting up pieces of paper into cards. Write down the color on one side and paint the other side of the card in that color.
\nThere are many fun games that can help you practice your color vocabulary skills. For example, you can play “I Spy” with your friends during a party. In this game, you describe an object and have them guess what it is based on its color (e.g., “I spy something blue!”).
\nYou can also hide small things around your home or yard and have your friends find objects of a specific color. You can even create a point system and fun prizes for the winners!
\n\nLearning the names of colors in English and their shades takes time and effort. However, it is not as tricky as you might think, and can be a lot of fun, so embrace it. With the right methods, all it takes is a few minutes to learn the names for most of the colors; after that, you can easily remember them all.
\nWe hope that this guide has helped you get familiar with different colors in English and their shades. And we believe that the vocabulary covered in this guide will help you make your English sound more colorful!
\nIf you loved this article and would like to learn more useful English vocabulary, check our English blog or get in touch with us via the form below to see how we can help you reach your language goals.
"}],"exclude_internal_ref_image":false,"contain_image":false},{"title":"15 of the longest words in English and how to pronounce them","call_to_action_text":"Longest word in English","basic_card":false,"align_center":false,"page_reference":[{"title":"15 of the longest words in English and how to pronounce them","url":"/blog/longest-word-english","image":{"url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/blt9fbbb9050162010e/62eb72b634f523580f10e751/istock-578120634_copy.jpeg"},"post_content":"Even though you’ll be met with some people’s floccinaucinihilipilification of your new vocabulary, knowing these words will make you sound more eloquent and knowledgeable in the English language!
So, are you ready to discover the longest words in the English language? Let’s dive right into this unusual and fun article.
The longest word in English has 189,819 letters and takes 3 hours to pronounce. This is a technical term for the chemical composition of titin. Titin is the largest known protein responsible for maintaining the passive elasticity of the muscles.
The reason why this word is so long is that titin is formed by 244 individual protein domains, which are connected into one sequence. Now, imagine 244 names of chemical compounds squashed together into one word.
We’ll show you a glimpse:
“Methionylthreonylthreonylglutaminylarginyl...isoleucine”.
If you’d like to see the entire word, check it out here. We’re warning you, though. It looks like a string of letters your cat accidentally wrote when it sat on your keyboard.
While the monstrosity of the word we mentioned above is, indeed, the longest word in English, it’s disputed whether it’s even a word - which is why it’s not recorded in any English dictionary.
In that case, what’s the longest word in the English language dictionary? It’s pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.
The funny thing about pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is that it’s not even a real word! It’s an invented term that was coined by Everett M. Smith, the president of the National Puzzlers’ League. Everett came up with this word as a sarcastic term for long medical terms and a synonym for silicosis - a lung disease caused by inhaling sand and ash dust.
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is a string of Latin terms that together describe an inflammatory lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of silica dust. While the word is made up, the disease is real, and it’s known under the names pneumoconiosis, silicosis, or black lung in the UK.
Are you wondering how to pronounce this incredibly long word? Let’s dissect it:
| Fragment | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pneumono- | A prefix meaning “lung” |
| Ultra | Extreme |
| Microscopic | Very tiny; seen only with a microscope |
| Silica | A dioxide of silicon that occurs as quartz sand |
| Volcano | A vent in the earth’s crust or a mountain crater where lava is expelled |
| Pneumonoconiosis | A lung disease |
In case you still need it, here’s the phonetic respelling:
nyoo-muh-noh-uhl-truh-mahy-kruh-skop-ik-sil-i-koh-vol-key-noh-koh-nee-oh-sis
And here’s this term again, written phonetically: / ˈnu mə noʊˌʌl trəˌmaɪ krəˌskɒp ɪkˈsɪl ɪˌkoʊ vɒlˌkeɪ noʊˌkoʊ niˈoʊ sɪs, ˈnyu- /
We hope that you don’t have hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia because we’re about to share with you 15 of the longest words in the English language.
While most of them are technical terms, you’ll probably find a way to use “floccinaucinihilipilification” or “xenotransplantation” in a conversation.
![\"Dick](\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltacc1a01c4d280f24/bltbf41ed722e132141/62eb754199dab06ebd13d0ab/MaryPoppins-3.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&quality=80&\")
| Word | Meaning | Letter count |
| Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis | A specific lung disease caused by inhaling quartz dust. | 45 |
| Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia | A fear of long words. | 36 |
| Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism | A medical condition of the thyroid | 30 |
| Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious | An expression of excitement. | 34 |
| Eellogofusciouhipoppokunurious | Very good, very fine | 30 |
| Floccinaucinihilipilification | Estimating something as worthless | 29 |
| Antidisestablishmentarianism | Opposition to the disestablishment of the Church of England | 28 |
| Honorificabilitudinitatibus | The state of being able to achieve honors | 27 |
| Thyroparathyroidectomized | A medical term that describes the excision of the thyroid and parathyroid glands. | 25 |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane | A chlorofluoromethane CF2Cl2 | 23 |
| Xenotransplantation | The process of transplanting organs from one species to another | 19 |
| Incomprehensibilities | Things that are impossible to comprehend | 21 |
| Trichotillomania | An inexplicable desire to pull your own hair | 16 |
| Uncopyrightable | Impossible to be protected by copyrights | 15 |
| Tergiversation | When someone avoids making a clear statement | 14 |
The majority of the longest words in the English language are technical or medical terms formed by a string of individual parts. But there are also some unusually long words that only have one syllable. Curious to find out what they are?
The most commonly cited one-syllable English word is the verb screeched, which means “made a loud, squealing noise.” But there are also other one-syllable words mentioned in the English dictionary, all with 9 letters. These are:
But, there’s another word that takes away the crown of the longest monosyllabic word in the English language with 12 letters: schtroumpfed. The problem with this word, however, is that it’s not a real word. It originates from the French word for… Smurfs, “Schtroumpfs.” It’s being debated whether this word should even be in the English dictionary.
If you’re wondering what’s the longest English word without vowels, we’re sorry to say that there’s no clear answer. The answer depends on whether we consider the “y” to be a consonant or a vowel. In most English words, though, y is a vowel.
Here’s the list of the longest words without vowels but including y:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Twyndyllyngs | The word of Welsh origins, meaning twins |
| Symphysy | A fusion of two bodies or parts |
| Rhythms | Repeated patterns of sounds |
| Spryly | An adverb from the adjective “spry” |
| Syzygy | An alignment of planets in astrology |
| Crypts | Places where people are buried |
| Trysts | Clandestine or secret meetings |
Even if you had no idea what a palindrome is, we bet you use these words in your everyday conversations without realizing it. Words such as mom, level, or noon are all palindromes. The common denominator? They all read the same forward and backward.
But what’s the longest palindrome word in English? Well, it’s a word invented by James Joyce to describe the sound of the knock on the door: tattarrattat.
Have you ever been to Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu? Or Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch? While these words look as if you fell asleep on the keyboard, these are actually names of places you can visit.
| Place | Location | Letter Count |
|---|---|---|
| Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu | A hill in southern Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand | 85 |
| Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch | A name of a town in Wales | 58 |
| Chargoggagoggmanchauggauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg | A lake on the border of Connecticut and Massachusetts, USA | 45 |
| Tweebuffelsmeteenskootmorsdoodgeskietfontein | A farm located about 200km west from Pretoria in South Africa | 44 |
| Pekwachnamaykoskwaskwaypinwanik | A lake in Manitoba, Canada | 31 |
| Mamungkukumpurangkuntjunya | A hill in South Australia, approximately 108km away from a town called Marla | 26 |
| Bullaunancheathrairaluinn | A name of a town in Ireland | 25 |
| Nunathloogagamiutbingoi | A name of a beach on the southwestern coast of Alaska, USA | 23 |
While the words mentioned in this article seem absolutely unpronounceable, some people have the superpower of pronouncing them without a drop of effort. Here are a few videos we’ve found of incredibly talented people pronouncing these monstrous words.
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch just rolls off the tongue of this weatherman:
Spelling the word pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is as easy as ABC to this 7-year old kid:
Reading the longest word in English takes this YouTuber 2 hours. Let’s admire this guy’s insane patience!
Now that you know the longest words in the English language, there are no incomprehensibilities left. You’re ready to impress your friends with your incredible knowledge of the English language and its nuances.
These words may not come in handy anytime soon unless you’re planning to visit Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch or diagnose someone with a pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. But still, we bet you had fun learning these words with us. For more fun challenges, we've also compiled 252 of the hardest English words to pronounce and spell here.
And if you’d like to learn some more (useful) English words, check out the other articles on our English blog.
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