Did you know that English is like a giant sponge? It has taken words from many different languages over time! Some of the words we use every day actually come from French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, and many other languages around the world!
Let’s explore some interesting words and where they come from.
French Words in English
Many English words come from French because, a long time ago, French was the language of the English royal court. That’s why English has so many fancy-sounding words from French!
- Restaurant – This comes from the French word restaurer, which means “to restore.”
- Ballet – A type of dance that keeps its French pronunciation.
- Café – A small restaurant where you can drink coffee and eat snacks. In French, café actually means “coffee”!
- Fiancé/Fiancée – A person who is engaged to be married.
- Souvenir – A small gift or item kept as a memory of a place.
- Déjà vu – The feeling that you have experienced something before.
Spanish Words in English
Because of history and culture, English has borrowed many words from Spanish, especially in the U.S.
- Patio – An outdoor space, just like the Spanish word patio.
- Tornado – This comes from the Spanish word tronada, which means “thunderstorm.”
- Canyon – From the Spanish word cañón, meaning “deep valley.”
- Siesta – A short nap, usually taken in the afternoon.
- Plaza – A public square or marketplace.
- Ranch – A large farm, from the Spanish word rancho.
Italian Words in English
If you love food and music, you may already know some Italian words!
- Pizza – Everyone’s favorite food comes from Italy!
- Piano – This musical instrument’s name means “soft” in Italian.
- Spaghetti – The famous pasta name comes from the Italian word spago, meaning “thin rope.”
- Opera – A dramatic performance that combines singing and acting.
- Gelato – A type of Italian ice cream.
- Gondola – A type of long, narrow boat used in Venice.
German Words in English
English and German are cousins, so they share some words.
- Kindergarten – This means “children’s garden” in German and is used for the first years of school.
- Doppelgänger – This word means a person who looks exactly like someone else.
- Rucksack – A German word for “backpack.”
- Wanderlust – A strong desire to travel and explore the world.
- Bratwurst – A type of German sausage.
- Poltergeist – A ghost that makes noise or moves things around.
Japanese Words in English
English has also borrowed words from Japanese, especially for food and culture.
- Tsunami – This means “harbor wave” in Japanese and describes a giant ocean wave.
- Sushi – A famous Japanese food made with rice and fish.
- Karaoke – In Japanese, this means “empty orchestra.” It’s when people sing along to music without lyrics.
- Kimono – A traditional Japanese robe.
- Samurai – A Japanese warrior from ancient times.
- Origami – The art of paper folding.
Other Languages That Have Influenced English
English has borrowed words from all over the world. Here are some examples from other languages:
Arabic Words in English
- Algebra – From the Arabic word al-jabr, meaning “reunion of broken parts.”
- Coffee – Comes from the Arabic word qahwa.
- Giraffe – From the Arabic zarāfa.
Hindi and Sanskrit Words in English
- Jungle – From the Hindi word jangal, meaning “forest.”
- Shampoo – From the Hindi word chāmpo, meaning “to press or massage.”
- Yoga – From the Sanskrit word yuj, meaning “to unite.”
Dutch Words in English
- Yacht – From the Dutch word jacht, meaning “hunt.”
- Cookie – From the Dutch word koekje, meaning “small cake.”
- Landscape – From the Dutch landschap, meaning “a view of land.”
Why Does English Borrow So Many Words?
English has borrowed words for many reasons! Sometimes it’s because of travel, trade, or history. Sometimes it’s because English didn’t have a word for something, so it just borrowed it!
Next time you hear a word that sounds a little different, think about where it might have come from. Maybe it has a cool and infesting history!
What are some words from your language that English uses? Share them in the comments!