Language & Words
Foreign Phrases Everyone Should Know Quiz
Carpe diem, schadenfreude, je ne sais quoi — can you match the phrase to its meaning?
Carpe diem, schadenfreude, je ne sais quoi — can you match the phrase to its meaning?
English has borrowed more words and phrases from other languages than almost any language on Earth. Linguists estimate that over 80% of English vocabulary comes from foreign origins, with Latin, French, Greek, and Germanic languages contributing the most. From "carpe diem" in graduation speeches to "schadenfreude" in everyday conversation, these borrowed phrases have become so embedded in English that many speakers use them without knowing their original language or precise meaning.
Each question presents a commonly used foreign phrase and asks you to identify its meaning or language of origin. You'll encounter Latin legal and philosophical terms, elegant French expressions, evocative German compound words, Italian phrases from music and cuisine, and terms from Japanese, Spanish, Hindi, and Arabic that have found a permanent home in English. Four possible answers are provided — pick the correct one and learn the fascinating backstory behind each phrase.
Beyond simply matching phrases to definitions, you'll discover the cultural contexts that gave birth to these expressions. You'll learn why German excels at compound emotional words, why French dominated diplomacy and cuisine, and why Latin remains the language of law and science. Understanding these phrases enriches your vocabulary and gives you a window into how different cultures name concepts that English has no single word for.
Some of the most widely used Latin phrases in English include "et cetera" (and the rest), "ad hoc" (for this purpose), "per se" (by itself), "vice versa" (the other way around), "carpe diem" (seize the day), "bona fide" (in good faith), "status quo" (the existing state of affairs), and "quid pro quo" (something for something). Many of these are so common that speakers often don't realize they're using Latin.
"Carpe diem" is a Latin phrase meaning "seize the day." It comes from a poem written by the Roman poet Horace around 23 BCE (Odes 1.11). The full line is "carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero," which translates to "seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow." The phrase encourages people to make the most of the present moment rather than waiting for the future. It was popularized in modern culture by the 1989 film Dead Poets Society.
English regularly uses words borrowed from many languages. From French: "entrepreneur," "faux pas," "cliché," and "déjà vu." From German: "kindergarten," "wanderlust," and "schadenfreude." From Italian: "al fresco," "prima donna," and "fiasco." From Japanese: "tsunami," "karaoke," and "emoji." From Spanish: "embargo" and "aficionado." From Hindi: "avatar," "jungle," and "shampoo." From Arabic: "algorithm," "algebra," and "safari." These loanwords fill gaps where English lacks a concise equivalent.
Last updated: March 2026