50 Foreign Words in English
Hello, English learners. Welcome to a new lesson. We will look at 50 foreign words in English.
| Vocabulary word | Language of origin | Meaning |
| Déjà vu | French | The eerie feeling that you’ve already experienced the present situation. |
| Cliché | French | An overused or stereotyped phrase or idea. |
| Fiancé/Fiancée | French | A person who is engaged to be married (male/female, respectively). |
| Entrée | French | In American English, the main course of a meal (though in French it means “entry”). Foreign Words in English |
| Rendezvous | French | A planned meeting or gathering. |
| Savoir-faire | French | The ability to act appropriately in social situations. |
| Cul-de-sac | French | A dead-end street; a road with a closed end. |
| Bon appétit | French | A wish for someone to enjoy their meal. |
| Eau de toilette | French | A lightly scented cologne or cosmetic solution. |
| Rapport | French | A harmonious, understanding relationship with someone. Foreign Words in English |
| Faux pas | French | A social blunder or lapse in etiquette. |
| Genre | French | A category or style, especially in art or literature. |
| Fiesta | Spanish | A festival or party, often festive and communal. |
| Siesta | Spanish | A short afternoon nap, traditionally observed in some Spanish-speaking countries. |
| Mañana | Spanish | Literally “tomorrow,” sometimes implying an indefinite postponement or later time. Foreign Words in English |
| Prima donna | Italian | Originally the lead female singer in an opera; used to describe a temperamental person. |
| Opera | Italian | A dramatic musical performance that combines singing, orchestration, and often acting. |
| Risotto | Italian | A rich, creamy Italian rice dish cooked slowly in broth. |
| Cappuccino | Italian | A coffee beverage made with espresso and steamed milk foam. |
| Al fresco | Italian | Describes dining or enjoying an activity outdoors. |
| Fiasco | Italian | A complete failure or disaster. Foreign Words in English |
| Gelato | Italian | Italian-style ice cream known for its creamy texture and intense flavour. |
| Coup d’état | French | A sudden, often violent, overthrow of a government. |
| Schadenfreude | German | Pleasure derived from another person’s misfortune. |
| Kindergarten | German | A preschool educational approach based on playing and social interaction. |
| Wanderlust | German | A strong desire to travel or explore the world. |
| Doppelgänger | German | A non-related look-alike or double of a person. Foreign Words in English |
| Bratwurst | German | A type of German sausage made from pork, beef, or veal. |
| Zeitgeist | German | The spirit or mood of a particular period in history. |
| Rucksack | German | A type of backpack or knapsack. |
| Tsunami | Japanese | A large ocean wave, usually caused by underwater disturbances like earthquakes. |
| Zen | Japanese | A state of calm attentiveness; also a school of Buddhism emphasizing meditation. Foreign Words in English |
| Karaoke | Japanese | A form of interactive entertainment where people sing along to recorded backing tracks. |
| Emoji | Japanese | Digital icons used to express emotions and messages in electronic communication. |
| Pyjamas | Urdu/Hindi | Loose-fitting sleepwear. |
| Bungalow | Hindi | A one-story house or cottage with a veranda, popular in South Asia. |
| Shampoo | Hindi | A product used for washing hair, originally referred to a head massage. Foreign Words in English |
| Pukka | Hindi | Of good quality; genuine or first-class. |
| Curry | Tamil/Indian | A dish characterized by complex combinations of spices and herbs, typically made with meat or vegetables. |
| Tsar/Czar | Russian | A title used to designate an emperor of Russia. |
| Vodka | Russian | A clear distilled alcoholic beverage, a staple of Russian culture. |
| Babushka | Russian | Originally meaning “grandmother”; also refers to a headscarf tied under the chin. |
| Sputnik | Russian | Literally “satellite,” used to refer to the first artificial satellite, now a term for any satellite. |
| Balalaika | Russian | A traditional Russian stringed musical instrument with a distinct triangular body. Foreign Words in English |
| Safari | Swahili | Originally meaning “journey” in Swahili; now, an expedition to observe or hunt wildlife. |
| Banjo | West African | A stringed musical instrument with African origins, popularized in American folk music. |
| Graffiti | Italian | Writings or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surfaces in a public space. |
| Coda | Italian | A concluding section or passage in a musical piece. |
| Persona non grata | Latin | A person who is unwelcome or disfavored socially or politically. Foreign Words in English |
| Ad hoc | Latin | Used to describe something that is created or done for a specific, immediate need rather than following a general rule or plan. |
Foreign words in English
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