⚡ Get All Content for 20% Off ⚡

12 Foreign Phrases the English Language Needs to Steal (Infographic) Every culture is different -- and that include the meanings of words and phrases.

By Rose Leadem

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Warchi | Getty Images

All around the world, different countries and cultures have their own ways of speaking and acting, and many of the phrases that might work in one country, don't translate to another. And when you're a foreigner, it can be hard to understand these differences.

Related: 13 Body Language Blunders That Can Make You Look Bad

For example, in English, the phrase, "Speak of the devil!" is commonly used. However, you won't find people using this statement in countries such as Japan or France. And these countries have their own set of phrases that you wouldn't hear in America. Can you guess what the Japanese phrase, "To have a wide face," means? It's to be well liked and have a lot of friends. In France, locals use the phrase "to have long teeth" when calling someone ambitious.

There are a number of other clever idioms English speakers may consider adopting, like these featured in the infographic by OX Essay's below.

Rose Leadem is a freelance writer for Entrepreneur.com. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Remote Side Hustle a 43-Year-Old Musician Works on for 1 Hour a Day Earns Nearly $3,000 a Month: 'All From the Comfort of Home'

Sam Ziegler wanted to supplement his income as a professional drummer — then his tech skills and desire to help people came together.

Business News

Costco CFO Reveals Uncertain Fate of $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

CFO Richard Galanti reveals that the price will stay the same — but only "for a while."

Business News

The Most Unexpectedly Popular Side Hustle of the Decade Has Low Startup Costs and High Markups

A new report shows that vending machines are a popular investment — and the industry is set to grow up to $3 billion by 2031.

Marketing

Ever Wonder Why Certain Websites Rank Higher Than Yours? This SEO Expert Reveals The Secret to Dominating Search Results

It's often the smart use of SEO, now supercharged with AI, particularly in keyword optimization.

Business News

AI Is Impacting Jobs. Here Are the Gigs Affected the Most, According to an Analysis of 5 Million Upwork Postings

The researcher said in the report that freelance jobs were analyzed first because that market will likely see AI's immediate impact.

Leadership

Former Interrogator Shares 5 Behaviors Liars Exhibit and How to Handle Them

Five deceptive behaviors to look for and how to respond to those behaviors when you encounter them.