Japanese words in English

Here’s a pub quiz question for you: What’s the only (real) country that is also a verb? Have you got it yet? I’ll put you out of your misery. It’s Japan. Collins English Dictionary defines the verb as ‘to lacquer with japan or any similar varnish’. And ‘japan’ as a… Read More

French word of the week: rien

This series of weekly blogs takes a closer look at words from our French dictionaries. The word we're focusing on this week is the French pronoun 'rien'. Read More

Warnings!

To tell someone that they are in danger, shout Look out! Look out! There’s a car coming! Look out! It’s falling! To suggest that someone pays attention to something, use Watch out… Watch out, they’re behind you! Road signs urging motorists to watch out for hedgehogs are set to be unveiled. To… Read More

Learning German: Wining and dining  

If you want to sample German food and drink, be it at a more traditional Gasthaus (inn/pub), a fancy restaurant, a Café (good for coffee and cake/snacks) or a Bar, learning some key phrases in German will give you the confidence to chat to the waiter and prepare you for… Read More

Congratulating someone

To show that you are pleased that something good has happened to someone, use Congratulations! If you want to congratulate someone with regard to something particular, use the preposition ‘on’. You passed your exam? Congratulations! Congratulations on your new job! Congratulations on the birth of your baby son! Congrats is… Read More

French word of the week: on

This series of weekly blogs takes a closer look at words from our French dictionaries. The word we're focusing on this week is the French pronoun 'on'. Read More