An idiom is useful only if it’s commonly recognized by a lot of people. We know someone exclaiming that “it’s raining cats and dogs out there!” isn’t referring to furry creatures because that phrase is widely known to mean it’s pouring rain. But a direct translation of the same phrase in German or Spanish wouldn’t make sense.Every language has its own set of amusing idioms to decode. Sometimes an English idiom gets a slight twist in a foreign language. For example, the English phrase “like a bull in a china shop,” which describes a very clumsy person, turns into “like an elephant in a china shop” in French: “Comme un éléphant dans un magasin de porcelaine.“ Other times, an English idiom can be traced back to a foreign language. “Not my circus, not my monkeys” — meaning “not my problem” — is a translation of a Polish expression (nie mój cyrk; nie moje małpy) with the same meaning. So, what are some of the most amusing idioms that exist in other languages? Let’s find out.
Meaning: To live luxuriously
This expression paints a vividly gross picture. The expression “Wie die Made im Speck leben“ refers to someone living a life of luxury or abundance. For example, you might apply the phrase to a millionaire celebrity who is vacationing on their yacht. In the direct translation, the key German words are Made, meaning “maggot” or “grub,” and Speck, meaning “bacon fat.” The connection here is simple: Much like a hungry maggot in a piece of fatty bacon, this person has everything they need and more.
Meaning: To talk nonsense
In Latvian, the idiom “pūst pīlītes“ means “to exaggerate, lie, or say something outlandish.” Directly translated, pūst means “to blow” and pīlītes means “little ducks” or “ducklings.” (The Latvian word for an adult duck is pīle.) In Latvia, if your friend claims to have won the lottery, you might respond with, “Stop blowing little ducks!”
Meaning: A sunshower
If it’s raining but sunny at the same time, you can call it a sunshower. Those who speak Afrikaans — which is primarily spoken in South Africa and Namibia — call this occurrence “jakkals trou met wolf se vrou,” meaning “the jackal is marrying the wolf’s wife,” in reference to an unusual union of two things. In Zulu, another South African language, this weather phenomenon is called a “monkey’s wedding” for the same reason.
Meaning: An unexpected bonus
While finding a raisin at the end of a hot dog might not seem like a pleasant surprise, for Icelanders, this idiom is a way to convey excitement. The phrase “rúsínan í pylsuendanum” (where rúsínan means “raisin” and pylsuendanum means “the end of the sausage”) is akin to the English phrase “icing on the cake.” For example, you might say that a complimentary dessert at the end of a good meal was “the raisin at the end of a hot dog.” This quirky expression likely comes from traditional Scandinavian sausages, such as the Finnish rusinamakkara, which are made with raisins mixed in for a touch of sweetness.
Meaning: True character can’t be changed
Similar to the English expression “you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig,” this Spanish idiom suggests that true character is inherent: “Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda.” Although the monkey (la mona) dresses in silk (de seda), it’s still a monkey. For instance, you might use this phrase if a run-down restaurant is renovated but customer service is still lacking. Despite outward appearances, the fundamental nature or character of someone or something remains the same.
Meaning: Used when someone sneezes
In English-speaking places, it’s standard etiquette to say “bless you” when someone sneezes, but in Mongolia they take it up a level. The expression “бурхан оршоо бутын чинээ сахал урга” (“Burkhan orshoo butin chinee sakhal urga“) includes the standard “bless you” but also wishes the person a luxurious beard. Historically, facial hair was important in Mongolian culture — think of Genghis Khan, the first ruler of the Mongol Empire. Thus, the idiom is a wish or blessing for strength and prosperity.
Meaning: Something absurd
It’s helpful to have a good sarcastic response ready for nosy questions. Down Under, if someone asks you, “What’s in your pocket?” you might respond, “A wigwam for a goose’s bridle.” It’s a nonsensical reply for questions that don’t need a real answer. The phrase was adopted into Australian slang from British English, where the expression is “a whim-wham for a goose’s bridle,” in which “whim-wham” refers to an ornament or a trinket. The phrase was first recorded in its Aussie form in 1917, replacing “whim-wham” with “wigwam,” which is an Indigenous dwelling but is used here for whimsical effect.
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