Idioms Around The World

“When life gives you lemons, squeeze them in people’s eyes.” unknown

Idioms are sentences that sound ridiculous to everyone but the native speakers who use them. They are phrases that mean more than the sum of their words. Here are some of my favorites from different countries

Australia
“He’s got a kangaroo loose in the top paddock.”
He is a bit crazy.

Germany
Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof. “I only understand the train station.”
I don’t know what he is talking about.

Cuba
Se formó tremendo arroz con mango! “This turned into a serious bowl of rice with mango.”
This is now a big deal.

Portugal

Quem não tem cão caça com gato. 
“He who doesn’t have a dog hunts with a cat.”
You do what you need to do, with the resources you have.

Italy
Ogni morte di papa.”Every death of a pope.”
Once in a blue moon.

France

Les carottes sont cuites “The carrots are cooked!”
The situation can’t be changed.

Norway
Å snakke rett fra leveren.“To speak directly from the liver.”
To tell it like it is.

Poland
Bułka z masłem.
 “It’s a roll with butter.”
It’s really easy.

Thailand
ชาติหน้าตอนบ่าย ๆ “One afternoon in your next reincarnation.”
It’s never gonna happen.

Russia
На воре и шапка горит.
 “The thief has a burning hat.”
He has an uneasy conscience that betrays itself.

Japan
花より団子 (hana yori dango). “Dumplings instead of flowers.”
Choose something useful over something pretty.

Sweden
Det är ingen ko på isen
.  “There’s no cow on the ice.”
There’s no need to worry.

Netherlands
Lets voor een appel en een ei kopen. 
“Buying something for an apple and an egg.”
You bought it very cheaply.

Indonesia
Kuman di seberang lautan tampak, gajah di pelupuk mata tak tampak.
“A germ across the sea can be seen, an elephant on the eyelid can not.”
You can see other people’s faults more clearly than you can see your own.

Stay safe,

JAZ