Common Foreign Words And Phrases 8 Quiz

Answer: Taken for granted

The Latin phrase A PRIORI means 'not supported by fact', 'taken for granted' and 'self evident'. It relates to something that is based on theory rather than experiment, which requires no evidence for its validation or support. The medieval Latin words 'a' means 'from' and 'priori' means 'former'. E.g., 'saving starving children is a good thing a priori'.

Answer: Life of luxury

The Italian phrase DOLCE VITA means 'a luxurious, self-indulgent way of life' or literally 'sweet life'. The Italian words 'dolce' means 'sweet' and 'vita' means 'life'.

Answer: Noble gesture

The French phrase BEAU GESTE means 'a gracious gesture' and 'a gesture noble in form but meaningless in substance'. In French the phrase literally means 'beautiful gesture' with the words 'beau' meaning 'noble' and 'geste' meaning 'gesture'.

Answer: Good living

The French phrase BON VIVANT means 'a person with refined taste, esp. one who enjoys superb food and drink'. The French phrase literally means 'good living' with the words 'bon' meaning 'good' and 'vivant' meaning 'to live'. Synonyms for the phrase bon vivant are 'gourmet' and 'gastronome', which are words we use to describe someone who develops a taste for good food and drink.

Answer: Let the buyer beware

The Latin phrase CAVEAT EMPTOR means 'let the buyer beware'. It is based on the principle that a buyer must bear the risk for the quality of goods bought, unless they are covered by the seller's warranty. Also, the buyer alone is responsible for determining the quality of a purchase before buying.

In Latin the phrase literally means 'let the buyer beware' with the words 'caveat' meaning 'let him beware' and 'emptor' meaning 'buyer'.

Answer: Heartfelt

The French phrase CRI DE COEUR means 'a cry from the heart', 'heartfelt' and 'sincere appeal'. It is a phrase that refers to an impassioned outcry, when making an appeal or protest. The French words 'cri' means 'cry', 'de' means 'of' and 'coeur' means 'heart'.

Answer: Seasickness

The French phrase MAL DE MER means 'seasickness' and 'motion sickness'. It is a phrase that usually refers to the sickness felt when travelling on water. The French words 'mal' means 'sickness', 'de' means 'of' and 'mer' means 'sea'.

Answer: A fictitious name

The French phrase NOM DE GUERRE means 'a fictitious name' and 'a pseudonym', usually one taken on in a situation of active or covert warfare. The French phrase literally means 'war name' with the words 'nom' meaning 'name', 'de' meaning 'of' and 'guerre' meaning 'war'.

Answer: Goodbye

The German phrase AUF WIEDERSEHEN means until we meet again. It is a parting remark saying goodbye for now until we see each other again, similar to the French'au revoir'. The German words 'auf' means 'until' and 'wiedersehen' means 'seeing again'.

Answer: Correctly

The French phrase COMME IL FAUT means 'correct', 'correctly' and 'proper'. It refers to accepted standards and things that are in accord with convention. The French words 'comme' means 'as' and 'il faut' means 'it is necessary' or 'proper'. E.g., it is not comme il faut for a woman to pay for a gentleman's meal all the time.