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10 Untranslatable Love Expressions From Different Languages

Arabic, French, General, Love, Persian, Spanish /
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Love is a universal language but some days you need a little extra help with expressing your affection to your loved one. Here are our top 10 love expressions in 6 languages.

1. Arabic: Damu-hu/hā khafeef (دمه/ دمها خفيف)
Literally meaning “his/her blood is light”, this expression is used to say that you find someone extremely funny and adorable! Don’t forget that gender matters in Arabic: when referring to a male, use damu-hu khafeef, and for a female, use damu-ha khafeef.

2. Spanish: Eres un bombón
Like the previous expression, this phrase is a way of complimenting a loved one when they look particularly sweet. It literally translates to “you are a bonbon”.

3. French: Mon petit chou (masculine) or Ma choupinette (feminine)
This unique term of endearment can often be confusing. It literally translates to “my little cabbage”! However, you’re not calling your loved one a cabbage here but a “chou” short for ‘chou à la crème’, a sweet French puff pastry!

4. Persian (Farsi): Delam barāt tang shode (دلم برات تنگ شده)
When “I miss you” just isn’t enough, employ this poetic Persian phrase. It literally translates to “my heart has tightened for you”. This expression conveys the physical agony of being separated from a loved one – you miss someone so much that you can’t breathe!

5. Spanish: Me haces mucha falta
Although this Spanish expression is commonly translated as “I miss you”, it has a more heartwarming meaning to it. When broken down, it translates to: you make a big absence in me, or you are lacking from me!

6. French: Retrouvailles
Perhaps more relevant these past two years than ever: the unmatched feeling of joy when finally reunited with a loved one after much time apart – that’s exactly what this untranslatable French word conveys!

7. Kurmanji Kurdish: Kezeb-a min
Go beyond the typical terms of endearment with this Kurmanji expression. Address your loved one – lover, family or friend – with: “kezeb-a min”, literally meaning “my liver”. This expression conveys how vital they are to your life, like the liver to the human body!

8. Arabic: Tuqburnii (تقبرني)

No, we did not mix up our Valentine’s Day and Halloween expression lists! Although this phrase literally means: “you bury me”, it’s used to imply that one would rather die and have you bury them, than live without you! A rather touching expression of love!

9. Persian (Farsi): Doret begardam (دورت بگردم)
Another poetic Persian phrase, this one translates literally to: “let me circle around you”, in effect meaning, “I would do anything for you”. We love the planetary imagery this evokes!

10. Eastern Armenian: Janit mernem (ջանիդ մեռնեմ)
Literally meaning “let me die on/for your body”, this is said to show your profound love and care for someone! A heartwarming expression of love, to be taken metaphorically, of course ;)!

 

Roses are red, violets are blue, express love in new languages, & meet NaTakallam’s awesome (refugee) language tutors, too! Treat yourself to our unique language lessons or give the Gift of Language to your loved ones, near or far. Available in Arabic, Armenian, English, French, Kurdish, Persian and Spanish.

At NaTakallam, every language session contributes to the livelihoods of our skilled tutors from displaced backgrounds. Learn a language, make a friend, change a life.

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10 ways to go beyond a simple “thank you” in different languages

Arabic, French, General, Persian, Spanish, Thank You /
Reading Time: 2 minutes

2020 has been a testing year for us all, to say the least. As a way of expressing our gratitude to all our language learners, language instructors, translators, interpreters, volunteers & team members throughout, here are 10 ways of saying thank you — in Arabic, French, Persian and Spanish!

1. تسلم / تسلمي (Tislam/Tislami)

Coming from the root verb “سلم” or “salama” meaning “to come out safe/healthy”, this phrase means “May you stay safe”, and can be used as a way to thank someone, while literally also wishing well for their health and safety!

2. يعطيك العافية (Ya‘tik al-‘afiya)

Literally translating to “may [God] give you health,” this is a recognition of someone’s hard work and allows you to show your appreciation.

3. Merci de tout coeur (mekh-see dah tu ker)

A heartfelt phrase in French meaning, “thank you with all my heart”.

4. C’est très gentil à toi / vous (seh tkheh jan-tee a twa/voo)

In more formal settings, one might say “that’s very kind of you”. Remember to use “vous” when speaking in a respectful manner! 

5. Daste shomā dard nakone (دست شما درد نکنه )

Never realized how poetic Persian is? This phrase means “may your hand not hurt”, often used when someone gives you a gift or prepares food for you.

6. Ghorbāne shomā (قربان شما )

Literally meaning “your sacrifice”, this is an example of a Persian taarof or an Iranian sign of etiquette and politeness, displaying humility. Read more here for context.

7. Te la/lo debo (te la/lo de-bo)

Spanish for “I owe you” – use this with friends to let them know you’re grateful for them and you got them next time!

8. (Estoy) Muy agradecido/a (ehs-toy muy agra-de-cido/a)

This is a lovely way to say “(I’m) very grateful for you” – another version of “thank you so much”, as the adjective “agradecido” is translated as “grateful”.

9. Mamnoun(t)ak/ek (ممنونك/ممنونتك)

You may hear this Arabic loanword, “mamnoun” or “ممنون”, in Arabic or Persian, as a way to say “thank you” or “I’m grateful to you”.

10. Merci (mekh-see)

Don’t be surprised if you hear “merci”, a common way to say “thank you”, beyond francophone countries, it’s also common in Middle Eastern countries and even Iran!  

Here’s to reaching new language feats in 2021! 

Happy new year, كل سنة وأنتم بخير, Feliz año nuevo, Bonne année, سال نو مبارک, from the NaTakallam family to yours 🙂

P.S. In case you missed our thank you series in the past month, check them here in Arabic, Persian, French and Spanish!

10 ways to go beyond a simple “thank you” in different languages Read More »

5 Ways to Say “Thank You” in Arabic

Arabic, Thank You /

Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

Ahlan (أهلا, hello)! Last week, our blog explored 5 ways of saying “thank you” in Spanish. This week, let us dive into 5 different ways of expressing gratitude in Arabic.

Although each country in the MENA region has its own colloquial dialect, ‘aammiya (عامية), here are 5 ways to say “thank you” that can be understood almost anywhere in the region.

1. Shukran (شكراً)

Shukran is used in all Arabic-speaking countries, in both formal and informal settings, and is understood widely among speakers of all dialects of Arabic. It comes from the root verb shakara (شكر) meaning “to thank”. As a common response, you may hear al-’awfoo (العفو) or ‘af-waan (عفواً) which literally means “forgive/pardon”, and is the equivalent of “you’re welcome” or “no problem” in English.

2. Tislam/Tislami (تسلم/تسلمي)

Heard mostly throughout the Levant and parts of the Gulf, this phrase comes from the root verb salama (سلم) meaning “to come out safe/healthy”. It can be used when a friend or family member gives you something or does something nice for you.

Add ideyk (إيديك – to a male) or ideyki (إيديكي – to a female) to the end of the phrase and you will quite literally say “may your hands enjoy health” – a way of thanking the person who gave you something.

3. Mamnoun(t)ak/ek (ممنونك/ممنونتك)

Mamnountak/ek (female speaker) or mamnounak/ek (male speaker), is used throughout the Levantine region to say “thank you” or to mean “I’m grateful to you”.

If you’ve got this down, you know some Persian, too! This Arabic loanword, mamnoun (ممنون), which is gender-neutral in Persian, is commonly used to say “thank you” by Persian speakers as well. Watch out this space to learn more about expressing gratitude in Persian!

4. Ya‘tik al-‘afiya (يعطيك العافية)

Literally translating to “may [God] give you health” this phrase is said in recognition and appreciation of someone’s hard work. In response, you may hear Allah y-a‘fik, which also means “may God bless you with good health”. It is also used in the Levant as a way to say “hi” when entering a shop, acknowledging and praising the fact that the people attending you are working hard.

Caution: in Moroccan Darija dialect, ‘afiya means fire, so please be careful while using this phrase in Morocco!

 5. Yekather khairak/ek (يكثر خيرك)

An abbreviated version of the saying “I wish [that God] increases your welfare”, this phrase can be a way of saying “thank you so much for helping me” across the Arab world. Khair (خير) is the noun meaning “good” often heard as bekhair (بخير, well) when responding to the question “How are you?”

These are a few ways to express gratitude in Arabic. This holiday season, learn more about the subtleties of the Arabic language and culture with NaTakallam’s language partners! Sign up for sessions here. Offer the gift of conversation to loved ones, near or far, here!

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How Can Language Empower Global Leaders To Build Peace?

Arabic, Armenian, English, French, Kurdish, Persian, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian /
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Language is more than a series of words. Language is a powerful tool for creating dialogue between diverse communities and an invaluable cornerstone of peacebuilding. As the human rights champion and Noble Peace Prize recipient, Nelson Mandela, summed it up, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”

 

In today’s world, amid new and ongoing conflicts, political leaders and diplomats worldwide face heightened scrutiny. In such a landscape, multilingualism has become more crucial than ever – not just for fostering cross-cultural understanding but as an essential skill for effective communication, negotiation, and peacebuilding in the international arena.

 

Given the United States’ role on the global stage, one might assume its leaders would lean toward multilingualism. Yet, out of 46 US presidents, only 20 (43%) have spoken a second language.

 

Meanwhile, some of the most well-known leaders of English-speaking countries – the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand – are monolingual. But, for example, Jacinda Ardern, former New Zealand Prime Minister, wishes she had learned Maori and has promised to raise her daughter speaking the indigenous language.

Some (In)famous Monolingual World Leaders

1. Anthony Albanese (Australia): English

2. Javier Milei (Argentina): Spanish

3. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Brazil): Brazilian Portuguese

4. Xi Jinping (China): Mandarin

5. Christopher Luxon (New Zealand): English 

6. Keir Starmer (UK): English

7. Joe Biden (USA): English

8. Donald Trump (USA): English

 

Multilingual world leaders are of course not without fault, but let’s take a look at some leaders whose linguistic skills have impacted their roles.

Some Famous Multilingual World Leaders

1. Nelson Mandela (South Africa): English and Afrikaans, also understood several African languages, fostering unity in post-apartheid South Africa.
2. Kofi Annan (Ghana, Former UN Secretary-General): English, French, and several African languages, known for his peacekeeping efforts.
3. Angela Merkel (Germany): German, English, and Russian, used her language skills to engage in diplomacy across Europe and beyond.
4. Ban Ki-moon (South Korea, Former UN Secretary-General): Korean and English, with knowledge of French, aiding his global diplomatic initiatives.

5. Queen Máxima (Netherlands): Spanish, Dutch, English, with French, enhancing her role in international engagements.
6. Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa): English, Afrikaans, and several South African languages (including Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Ndebele, Isizulu, Setswana, Sepedi, and IsiXhosa). This linguistic diversity has been instrumental in promoting inclusivity, enabling him to address different communities directly and address concerns with greater cultural sensitivity.

 

Studies have shown that learning a foreign language directly correlates to the learner’s ability to empathize with and enhance understanding of the speakers of that language and subsequently, their culture. Multilingualism serves as more than a skill; it is a bridge to better understanding and fosters cross-cultural connection to the benefit of everyone involved.

 

Imagine the impact if more world leaders were required to be culturally and linguistically competent in a foreign language – and to leverage their multilingual skills for peace, diplomacy, and collaboration across borders.

 

At NaTakallam, language doesn’t stop at syntax. Whatever languages you speak – or are eager to learn – embrace the role of language in opening doors to new cultures, building empathy, and fostering intercultural competencies. 

 

With NaTakallam’s experienced language partners, you’re not just learning to speak – you’re delving into the cultural nuances and contexts that define meaningful communication. Each session highlights the importance of language as a tool for understanding, reinforcing how multilingualism can build connections, prevent misunderstandings, and promote peace. This immersive experience empowers you to not only communicate but also appreciate the subtleties that can shape the difference between merely talking and truly connecting across languages, embodying the spirit of multilingualism as a catalyst for dialogue and peacebuilding.

 

Yalla, vamos, on y va! What are you waiting for? Choose from Arabic, Armenian, English, French, Kurdish, Persian, Spanish, Ukrainian or Russian… and learn a language, the NaTakallam way!

How Can Language Empower Global Leaders To Build Peace? Read More »

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