Say something that only makes sense in your native language.

Behrauder

Joined June 2021

Topic Starter

Behrauder 2024-01-11T18:24:09+00:00

Translate any phrase, joke, expression, etc., from your native language into English, choosing one that loses its meaning when translated LITERALLY.

Rules: first write the sentence in the original language, then translate it LITERALLY into English, then you CAN try to explain what it means.

If you only speak English, sorry...

I'll start:

Portuguese: "Dar com a língua nos dentes."

English: "To hit the tongue against the teeth."

(This means to accidentally reveal a secret.)

‮Behrauder

Rhythm32

96 posts

Joined July 2020

Rhythm32 2024-01-11T18:46:37+00:00

Hindi: Daal mein kuch kala hein (typed in English but is read in Hindi)

In English: There's something black in daal/lentils

Actual meaning: something is fishy.

Last edited by Rhythm32 2024-01-11T18:46:55+00:00, edited 1 time in total.

Nanofranne

692 posts

Joined May 2018

Nanofranne 2024-01-12T08:27:03+00:00

Id : Ada udang di balik batu
En : There's shrimp under the rock

It means they have underlying intention about something

Last edited by Nanofranne 2024-01-12T08:27:14+00:00, edited 1 time in total.

reach for the stars

Aireunaeus

3,072 posts

Joined December 2021

Aireunaeus 2024-01-12T14:16:19+00:00

German: Ich habe die Nase voll

English: I have my nose full

Actual Translation: I‘ve had enough!

Btw german is not rlly my native language but i mostly speak it

Last edited by Aireunaeus 2024-01-12T14:18:58+00:00, edited 2 times in total.

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Mysdibule

44 posts

Joined February 2023

Mysdibule 2024-02-16T12:42:05+00:00

boh /bó/

Italian, XX century, informal-rude
Nearly translates to English in: dunno
• interjection
Expresses no knowledge on a question usually, quick and lighted response for uninterest in knowing.
"Sai dove sono finite le mie chavi?" (Do you know where my keys went?)
"Boh."
Synonyms: ah boh, ecchennesò (from "e che ne so", "and what should I know about").

JustABeginner

1,216 posts

Joined December 2016

JustABeginner 2024-02-28T03:07:33+00:00

Sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga.
Translate: As clever as the squirrel hops, eventually it always falls to the ground.

Meaning: No matter how smart a person is, one always made a mistake.

Serraionga

11,484 posts

Joined November 2014

Serraionga 2024-02-28T19:51:43+00:00

ajo y agua

garlic and water

it's a "deal with it" spanish equivalent. the full sentence is "a joderse y a aguantarse"

Aireunaeus

3,072 posts

Joined December 2021

Aireunaeus 2024-03-08T09:45:51+00:00

Einen Runterholen

English= to bring someone down

Real meaning = uhh

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NotKal

5 posts

Joined April 2024

NotKal 2024-04-17T16:23:17+00:00

Indonesian: Nasi sudah menjadi bubur
Translation: Rice has become porridge
Meaning: Its too late already

ThisisnotKal[

Polyspora

448 posts

Joined September 2019

Polyspora 2024-04-18T05:15:54+00:00

her everything wrote:
German: Ich habe die Nase voll

English: I have my nose full

Actual Translation: I‘ve had enough!

Btw german is not rlly my native language but i mostly speak it

what is your native language