Looking to bail on the Aussie winter this year? Why not head to Europe? You don’t have to worry about lookin’ the fool – Babbel’s got you covered.
While Australia is going through one of its coldest winters yet – falling as low as -2 Celsius in Sydney – Europeans are enjoy nice cold beers in the hot sun. So, why not take that well deserved work leave and join them?
The scariest thing about going abroad can be the language barrier; especially in Europe since 24 different languages are spoken there . However, with the language learning app Babbel you should be able to get by.
Top ten European words you didn’t know you needed – and how to use them:
- Did the flight attended server you the fish meal when you clearly ordered the chicken? Describe them as having a Backpfeifengesicht (pronounced: back-fy-fen-guh-zisht) – in German it’s a face badly in need of a slap. “You call this first class service, get your Backpfeifengesicht back here with my chicken!”
- Ever tried getting a seat at your local cafe but all the spaces are taken? Yes, us too. The French would call these table hoggers seigneur-terraces (p: sen-yeur te-razs) – coffee shop dwellers who sit at tables for far longer than they should. “Urgh, I can’t bear this place it’s full of seigneur-terraces”
- We all know a Linslus (p: lin-sloose). The Swedish name for someone who always wants to have their face in a photo is a perfect way to describe the Instagram-obsessed. ”Have you met Kelly? She’s such a Linslus – just look at her feed”
- Are you longing for something? Yearning for that missing part of you? Feel that there is something within you that isn’t fulfilled? Yet you can’t for the life of you figure out what the hell it is? You could well be suffering from Toska (p: tuska). This word is a Russian term that sums up the knowledge that something is missing, spiritually, but one doesn’t know what and it leaves them in a frustrated position. “I’m feeling a bit Toska, right now. I think I need to meditate over it a bit more”
- In good spirit and want to make a toast to celebrate? Then you Skál (p: Sk-owl) those celebrating with you. Skál is the Icelandic jolly cheer that originates from viking times. So lift your glass high and shout “Skál, everyone.” And you will hear the entire place erupt in cheer.
- See a beautiful and moving aria at the Teatro Alla Scala in Milan, Italy, but don’t know how to describe it? The Italians say Commuovere (p: c’more-ver-eh). That is, a heartwarming story that made you cry. “I almost cried during the opera. Such a Commuovere!”
- All too often we find ourselves replaying conversations and arguments after the moment has passed. The Germans have a word for when the eureka moment hits and you have the perfect shady comeback that would have dragged your opponent, but it’s now too late to say – it’s called Treppenwitz (p: trep-en-vitz). “Every time I argue with my husband I always have the best Treppenwitz”
- If you have kids, or find yourself surrounded by children often you may find this next word useful. The Russian’s have a word for a person who asks too many questions, and it’s Pochemuchka (p: push-a-mooch-ka). “Seriously, Janet! Stop being such a Pochemuchka. I don’t know what Boscht is!”
- Who knew the Norwegians were such a passionate bunch? More known for their pragmatism than their romanticism, they do however have a word that sums up the feeling of falling in love, rather than the act of being in love. It’s called Forelsket (p: for-elle-skit). “I’m seeing this new guy and I can’t help but feel Forelsket”
- In English we might say Bougie, but the Swedish call it Vaska (p: Vass-ka). The term was founded by the well-to-do of Stockholm, having so much money they could buy two bottles of Champagne and instruct the server to pour one down the sink. “Last night was so Vaska”
For these and more words that you can’t do without, download Babbel. Babbel is a language learning app and e-learning platform, available in various languages including French, Italian, Spanish and many more. The app is easy to download and gives a language learning experience that will have you talking like a local in no time.