Let’s not beat around the bush. There are plenty of idioms in English, but other languages have colorful (and useful) idioms, too. An idiom is an expression with a meaning that can’t be deduced from the definitions of the individual words. For example, in English, we “see the light” when we metaphorically come to a conclusion after a long delay, but a speaker of another language might see that expression translated and wonder where the lightbulb is. It’s the same with idioms in other languages: When we read the phrases in English, the words may not make much sense, but in context they have clever and instructive meanings. Let’s learn some idioms from around the world.
我田引水 (ga den in sui) is a Japanese idiom that means to do or say something for your own benefit. You’re giving yourself advice, even though you’re the only one who needs it.
Chodit kolem horké kaše is a Czech phrase similar to the English idiom “beat around the bush.” “To walk around hot porridge” means to avoid a difficult topic and make up distractions in order to avoid discussing it.
Quem não tem cão, caça com gato is a Portuguese saying that suggests one should use what’s available and make the best of it. To be fair, cats are excellent hunters, even if they have a mind of their own.
Les carottes sont cuites comes from French, and it means you can’t change the situation. It’s too late, and you probably have mushy carrots.
If you’re drawing a snake with feet, those are unnecessary body parts and you’re putting way more effort into that picture than necessary. 画蛇添足 (Huà shé tiān zú) is a Chinese idiom that means doing excess work can become redundant.
Someone who can convince a dog to get out of a bush when they’re going after a scent must have excellent persuasion skills. ń Hond uit ń bos gesels describes having a great conversation (with people) in Afrikaans. Being a good conversationalist is just as valuable a skill as talking to dogs.
Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy is a Polish idiom that has been adopted into English, too. If the circus and monkeys aren’t yours, then they’re not your problem.
بايعها بقشرة بصلة (baa’hu beqishra basala) is the Arabic equivalent of the “I’d sell you out for one corn chip” meme. It describes throwing away a relationship for nothing. Frankly, a corn chip is preferable to an onion peel.
No tener pelos en la lengua is a Spanish phrase that means to speak your mind straightforwardly. (Not to avoid hairballs.)
Even sign language has idioms. Signed in ASL, “train go sorry” means “sorry, you’re too late” or “sorry, I can’t repeat that.” It’s kind of like when people say in English, “You missed the boat on that one.”
टोपी उछालना (toh-pee uh-chhahl-nah) is a Hindi idiom that references criticizing someone. Why stop at hurling insults when there are caps to be thrown?
Gần mực thì đen gần đèn thì sáng is a Vietnamese phrase that means you can tell a lot about someone by the company they keep. Some idiom translations are universal.
