Common Foreign Words in English
Sure, here are the words with phonetic transcriptions and their meanings:
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Arabic:
- Algebra /ˈæl.dʒɪ.brə/ – A branch of mathematics dealing with symbols and the rules for manipulating those symbols.
- Coffee /ˈkɒf.i/ – A brewed drink prepared from roasted coffee beans, typically served hot.
- Safari /səˈfɑː.ri/ – An expedition to observe or hunt animals in their natural habitat, especially in East Africa.
- Mosque /mɒsk/ – A Muslim place of worship.
- Zero /ˈzɪə.rəʊ/ – The numerical symbol (0) representing the absence of magnitude or quantity.
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Persian:
- Shawl /ʃɔːl/ – A piece of fabric worn by women over the shoulders or head or wrapped around a baby.
- Pajamas /pəˈdʒɑː.məz/ – Loose-fitting trousers worn by both sexes in some Eastern countries.
- Khaki /ˈkɑː.ki/ – A strong cotton fabric of a dull yellowish-brown color, used especially for military uniforms.
- Paradise /ˈpær.ə.daɪs/ – An ideal or idyllic place or state.
- Caravan /ˈkær.ə.væn/ – A group of people, especially traders or pilgrims, traveling together across a desert in Asia or North Africa.
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Urdu:
- Bungalow /ˈbʌŋ.ɡə.ləʊ/ – A low house, with a broad front porch, having either no upper floor or upper rooms set in the roof.
- Cummerbund /ˈkʌm.ə.bʌnd/ – A wide sash worn at the waist, especially as an item of formal dress.
- Pashmina /pæʃˈmiː.nə/ – A fine type of cashmere wool.
- Shampoo /ʃæmˈpuː/ – A liquid preparation containing detergent or soap for washing the hair.
- Typhoon /taɪˈfuːn/ – A tropical storm in the region of the Indian or western Pacific oceans.
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Hindi:
- Guru /ˈɡuːruː/ – A spiritual teacher or guide.
- Chutney /ˈtʃʌt.ni/ – A spicy condiment made of fruits or vegetables with vinegar, spices, and sugar, originating in India.
- Jungle /ˈdʒʌŋ.ɡəl/ – An area of land overgrown with dense forest and tangled vegetation, typically in the tropics.
- Karma /ˈkɑː.mə/ – The sum of a person’s actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.
- Yoga /ˈjoʊ.ɡə/ – A Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation.
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Latin:
- Alumni /əˈlʌm.naɪ/ – Graduates or former students of a particular educational institution.
- Bonus /ˈbəʊ.nəs/ – Something welcome and often unexpected that accompanies and enhances something that is itself good.
- Agenda /əˈdʒɛn.də/ – A list of items to be discussed at a formal meeting.
- Persona /pərˈsoʊ.nə/ – The aspect of someone’s character that is presented to or perceived by others.
- Status /ˈsteɪ.təs/ – The relative social, professional, or other standing of someone or something.
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Greek:
- Democracy /dɪˈmɒk.rə.si/ – A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
- Academy /əˈkæd.ə.mi/ – A place of study or training in a particular field.
- Philosophy /fɪˈlɒs.ə.fi/ – The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline.
- Theatre /ˈθiː.ə.tər/ – A building or outdoor area in which plays and other dramatic performances are given.
- Marathon /ˈmær.ə.θɒn/ – A long-distance running race, strictly one of 26 miles and 385 yards (42.195 km).
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Italian:
- Piano /piˈæ.noʊ/ – A large keyboard musical instrument with a wooden case enclosing a soundboard and metal strings, which are struck by hammers when the keys are depressed.
- Mafia /ˈmɑː.fi.ə/ – A secret criminal organization operating mainly in Sicily since the early 19th century and known for its violent methods and intimidation tactics.
- Spaghetti /spəˈɡɛt.i/ – Pasta made in the form of long, thin strings.
- Espresso /ɛˈsprɛs.oʊ/ – Strong black coffee made by forcing steam through ground coffee beans.
- Graffiti /ɡrəˈfiː.ti/ – Writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place.
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German:
- Kindergarten /ˈkɪn.dərˌɡɑːr.dən/ – A preschool for children between the ages of three and five years.
- Blitz /blɪts/ – Sudden and intense military attack; lightning.
- Wanderlust /ˈwɒn.də.lʌst/ – A strong desire to travel.
- Rucksack /ˈrʌk.sæk/ – A bag with shoulder straps that allow it to be carried on someone’s back, typically made of sturdy cloth and widely used by soldiers and hikers.
- Zeitgeist /ˈzaɪt.ɡaɪst/ – The defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.
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Chinese:
- Kung fu /ˌkʊŋˈfuː/ – A primarily unarmed Chinese martial art resembling karate.
- Feng shui /ˌfʌŋ ˈʃweɪ/ – The Chinese art of harmonizing one’s surroundings through the placement of objects, particularly in relation to the flow of chi (energy).
- Dim sum /ˈdim ˈsʌm/ – A Chinese dish of small steamed or fried savory dumplings containing various fillings, served as a snack or main course.
- Tai chi /ˌtaɪ ˈtʃiː/ – An internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits.
- Wok /wɒk/ – A versatile round-bottomed cooking pot, originating in China.
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French:
- Champagne /ʃæmˈpeɪn/ – A sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of France.
- Déjà vu /ˌdeɪ.ʒɑː ˈvuː/ – A feeling of having already experienced the present situation.
- Fiancé(e) /fiˌɒnˈseɪ/ – A person to whom one is engaged to be married.
- Rendezvous /ˈrɒn.deɪ.vuː/ – A meeting at an agreed time and place, typically between two people.
- Soufflé /suːˈfleɪ/ – A light, fluffy baked dish made with egg yolks and beaten egg whites combined with various other ingredients and served as a savory main dish or sweetened as a dessert.
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Spanish:
- Siesta /ˈsiː.es.tə/ – A short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal.
- Patio /ˈpæt.i.oʊ/ – An outdoor space adjoining a residence, often paved and used for dining or recreation.
- Guerrilla /ɡəˈrɪl.ə/ – A member of a small independent group taking part in irregular fighting, typically against larger regular forces.
- Embargo /ɪmˈbɑːɡ.əʊ/ – An official ban on trade or other commercial activity with a particular country.
- Macho /ˈmɑː.tʃoʊ/ – A strong or exaggerated sense of masculinity stressing attributes such as physical courage, virility, and dominance of other men.
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Japanese:
- Karaoke /ˌkæriˈoʊ.ki/ – A form of entertainment, typically in a bar or club, in which people take turns to sing popular songs into a microphone over prerecorded backing tracks.
- Tycoon /taɪˈkuːn/ – A wealthy, powerful person in business or industry.
- Origami /ˌɔːr.ɪˈɡɑː.mi/ – The Japanese art of folding paper into decorative shapes and figures.
- Samurai /ˈsæm.ʊˌraɪ/ – A member of a powerful military caste in feudal Japan, especially a member of the class of military retainers of the daimyos.
- Tsunami /suːˈnɑː.mi/ – A long high sea wave caused by an earthquake, submarine landslide, or other disturbance.
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Portuguese:
- Samba /ˈsæm.bə/ – A Brazilian dance of African origin characterized by a slight forward and backward tilt of the body and a rhythm marked by a dip and spring.
- Cachaça /kəˈʃɑː.sə/ – A Brazilian spirit made from distilled fermented sugarcane juice, similar to rum.
- Bossa nova /ˌbɒs.ə ˈnəʊ.və/ – A style of Brazilian music derived from samba but with more complex harmonies and rhythms, popularized in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Favela /fəˈvɛl.ə/ – A Brazilian shack or shanty town, especially in a slum area of a city.
- Embarrasso /ɪmˈbær.ə.səʊ/ – An awkward or difficult situation; embarrassment.
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Persian:
- Kebab /kɪˈbæb/ – Pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables roasted or grilled on a skewer or spit.
- Taj Mahal /ˌtɑːdʒ məˈhɑːl/ – A white marble mausoleum built in Agra, India, by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
- Jasmine /ˈdʒæz.mɪn/ – A shrub or climbing plant in the olive family, with fragrant flowers that are typically white or yellow and have a star-shaped or funnel-shaped corolla.
- Saffron /ˈsæfrən/ – An orange-yellow flavoring, food coloring, and dye made from the dried stigmas of a crocus.
- Turmeric /ˈtɜː.mər.ɪk/ – A bright yellow aromatic powder obtained from the rhizome of a plant of the ginger family, used for flavoring and coloring in Asian cooking and formerly as a fabric dye.
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Turkish:
- Baklava /bɑːkˈlɑː.və/ – A rich, sweet pastry made of layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey.
- Yogurt /ˈjoʊ.ɡərt/ – A semisolid sourish food prepared from milk fermented by added bacteria, often sweetened and flavored.
- Kilim /ˈkiːlɪm/ – A Turkish or Persian flat-woven rug or carpet, often used as a wall hanging or furniture covering.
- Mehmet /ˈmɛm.ɛt/ – A common Turkish male given name.
- Yataghan /ˈjætəɡən/ – A type of Turkish sword characterized by a double-curved blade and a hilt with no guard.
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