Common Foreign Words And Phrases 10 Quiz

Answer: Friend

The Spanish word 'amigo' is also used in the Portuguese language and it means 'friend or 'comrade'. It has been widely used in America due to the influence of early Spanish explorers, and it comes from the Latin word 'amicus'. Many American movies have used the phrase 'Adios amigo', which means 'goodbye friend'.

Answer: Something of little value

The French word 'bagatelle' means 'something of little value or significance'. It also means 'a short light piece of music, esp. for piano' and it is another name for 'Bar Billiards'. It comes from the Italian word 'bagattella', which comes from (dialect) 'bagatta' meaning 'a little possession', from the word 'baga' which means 'a possession'.

It also may come from the Latin word 'baca' which means 'berry'. Roy Orbison sang a song called 'Penny Arcade' in which the line 'Just ring the bell on the big bagatelle' is used.

In this instance 'bagatelle' means a board game where balls are struck into holes, with pins as obstacles. This game is usually used in circuses and pinball machine parlours.

Answer: Radical

The French phrase 'avant-garde' means 'radical' and 'daring'. It is used for those artists, writers, musicians, etc., whose techniques and ideas are experimental and innovative. E.g., Painters who introduced abstract art as compared to portrait and scenic pictures.

The phrase comes from the French word 'Vanguard' which means 'advance guard' or 'front guard'. An example of avant-garde is in a building construction in Ohio, Kentucky, where a Museum Plaza project has been proposed. This project will incorporate a diagonal elevator and a public park will be constructed on the 22nd floor.

Answer: Performed in a lively manner

The Italian word 'animato' is a musical term meaning 'to be performed in a lively manner'. This Italian word comes from the Latin word 'animatus', past participle of 'animare' which means 'to give life to' and from 'anima' which means 'breath' and 'soul'. 'Animato' can also be written as 'con anima' which literally means 'with animation'.

A music piece marked 'animato' should be quick and lively.

Answer: Water bath

The French phrase 'bain-marie' is a cooking vessel for holding hot water. The cooking technique used is likened to a 'double boiler' in which sauces and other dishes are gently cooked or kept warm . It is often used for making custards, souffles and cakes. This French phrase comes from the Medieval Latin words 'balneum Mariae', which literally mean 'bath of Mary'.

Answer: Forbidden

The German word 'verboten' means 'forbidden or 'prohibited'. It is used when something is excluded from use or mention. E.g., dancing or whistling in the house is forbidden and may not be mentioned. The word 'verboten' comes from the past participle of 'verbieten' which means 'to forbid', which is from Middle High German and from the word 'farbiotan' which is from Old High German. An American movie called 'Verboten' was made in 1959.

It movie starred James Best and it was about a G.I., who quits the army to marry the German girl who saved his life.

Answer: Therefore

The Latin word 'ergo' means 'therefore' and 'hence' and is used as a sentence connector. The word 'ergo' has been used in the Latin phrase 'Cogito, ergo sum', which translates to 'I think, therefore I am'. This is a philosophical statement made by Rene Descartes (1576-1650). 'Ergo' is used in the American and English languages to this day.

In the movie 'Star Wars' 'Ergo' is a fictional planet within the galaxy.

Answer: Baked earth

The Italian phrase 'terra cotta' literally means 'baked earth'. The phrase describes a hard unglazed brownish-red earthenware, or the clay from which it is made. 'Terra cotta' is made from refined clay that is dried and then fired in a kiln. Flower pots, urns, jugs and sculptures can also be made from 'terra cotta', their color being a strong reddish-brown to brownish-orange.

The most famous 'terra cotta' statues are those of the warriors of China who guard the mausoleum of the first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.

Answer: Not in control of the mind

The Latin phrase 'non compos mentis' means 'mentally incapable of managing one's own affairs', also 'of unsound mind' and 'not in control of one's mind'. It is a phrase often used in law, when a criminal is insane and can't stand trial. It has been thought that the word 'nincompoop', which means a 'stupid person', may have come from the phrase 'non compos mentis'.

The word 'non' means 'not', the word 'compos' means 'in control' and the word 'mentis' (genitive sing. of mens) means 'mind'.

Answer: Hail to victory

The German phrase 'sieg heil' means 'hail to victory' and was used during Hitler's reign of terror. During the Nazi era, it was a common chant at political rallies. When meeting someone in the street 'sieg heil' was said after giving the Hitler salute.

The phrase was introduced by Joseph Goebbels at a party meeting, but Ernst Hanfstangl, who was an associate of Hitler, claimed that he had devised the saying. In Germany today, the phrase is illegal and its use is a criminal offence.