You frequently use loan words, foreign words adopted into another language without translation. Here are some examples to prove it.
Latin Loan Words
bona fide
This means genuine, or real. You may call someone a bona fide expert, or claim someone is a bona fide friend.
caveat emptor
“Buyer beware” — you’ll hear this one thrown around when talking about a deal that seems too good to be true.
ad nauseam
The nausea in this word should provide a context clue; this is Latin for "to a sickening degree." You might refer to your friend going on and on about his new girlfriend, ad nauseam.
modus operandi
This refers to the particular way of doing something. A written manual will lay out the modus operandi.
prima donna
If you’re at the opera, you’ll be watching the prima donna, the lead female singer, perform. It doesn’t speak well for her reputation that the other definition of prima donna is a temperamental or conceited person.
pro bono
This is work that is done for free or donated without charge. You’re most likely to hear it on your favorite legal drama.
persona non grata
That nasty customer who always has complaints will quickly become a persona non grata, or an unwelcome person.
quid pro quo
You’re not asking for a favor when you propose a quid pro quo deal. Instead you’re expecting an equal exchange — you give something in return for the same back.
status quo
This stands for the existing condition. Your manager may insist that the status quo isn’t good enough, and he or she wants better results at work.
French Loan Words
carte blanche
If you’re given carte blanche, you have unlimited authority — use it wisely!
faux pas
This is a social blunder. Watch your manners if you don’t want to commit a faux pas.
bon voyage
You’ll cheer this as your cruise ship departs, because it literally means “nice trip.”
fait accompli
This refers to something everyone expects, or has already been decided. It’s fait accompli that the governor will run for re-election.
en masse
Use this term when describing the actions of a large group. The crowd flooded the field en masse when the home team scored the winning goal at the buzzer.
German Loan Words
kindergarten
Literally translated, this means garden for children, and it’s an appropriate place for four and five-year-olds to spend their days.
angst
We borrowed the German word for fear to give name to what teenagers often experience as they’re trying to navigate new and big emotions.
über
The ride-sharing app borrowed this word that means above and beyond. We’ll let you describe your own experience with the service.
Volkswagen
Another literal translation, this means car of the people.
Photo credit: @jankolario/ Unsplash