List of Use context as a clue to the meanings of foreign expressions

1. Déjà vu (French) – The feeling that you have experienced something before.
2. Cliché (French) – An overused phrase or idea.
3. Faux pas (French) – A social blunder or mistake.
4. Au revoir (French) – Goodbye.
5. Bona fide (Latin) – Genuine or real.
6. Caveat emptor (Latin) – Let the buyer beware.
7. Per se (Latin) – By itself; intrinsically.
8. Status quo (Latin) – The existing state of affairs.
9. Subpoena (Latin) – A legal document ordering someone to attend court.
10. Carpe diem (Latin) – Seize the day; make the most of the present moment.
11. Ad hoc (Latin) – For this specific purpose only.
12. Sic (Latin) – Thus; used to indicate that a quoted text is reproduced exactly as found.
13. Savoir-faire (French) – The ability to act or speak appropriately in social situations.
14. Avant-garde (French) – Innovative or pioneering.
15. Je ne sais quoi (French) – An indefinable quality that makes something attractive.
16. Raison d’être (French) – Reason for existence.
17. Tête-à-tête (French) – A private conversation between two people.
18. Schadenfreude (German) – Pleasure derived from someone else’s misfortune.
19. Wanderlust (German) – A strong desire to travel.
20. Zeitgeist (German) – The spirit of the time; the general cultural, intellectual, and moral climate of an era.
21. Finesse (French) – Skillful handling of a situation.
22. Gestalt (German) – An organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts.
23. Aficionado (Spanish) – A person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about an activity or subject.
24. Bon appétit (French) – Enjoy your meal.
25. Bravado (Spanish) – A show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate.
26. Pizzazz (English from Italian) – An attractive combination of vitality and glamour.
27. Entrepreneur (French) – A person who starts and manages a business.
28. Gung-ho (Chinese) – Enthusiastic and eager.
29. Kitsch (German) – Art or objects that are considered to be in poor taste because they are overly sentimental.
30. Déjà vu (French) – The feeling of having experienced something before.
31. Panache (French) – Distinctive and stylish flair.
32. Sangfroid (French) – Composure or coolness under pressure.
33. Doppelgänger (German) – A non-biologically related look-alike or double.
34. Nouveau riche (French) – Newly wealthy.
35. Risque (French) – Slightly indecent or liable to shock.
36. Coup d’état (French) – A sudden overthrow of a government.
37. Amateur (French) – A person who engages in a hobby or activity without professional skill.
38. Au courant (French) – Up-to-date or well-informed.
39. Cliché (French) – An overused phrase or idea.
40. Macho (Spanish) – Having an exaggerated sense of manliness.
41. Fait accompli (French) – An accomplished fact, something already done.
42. Savoir-vivre (French) – Knowledge of the right and polite way to behave.
43. Tête-à-tête (French) – A private conversation between two people.
44. Kudos (Greek) – Praise and honor received for an achievement.
45. Mantra (Sanskrit) – A word or phrase repeated to aid concentration in meditation.
46. Nirvana (Sanskrit) – A state of perfect happiness or liberation from suffering.
47. Veni, vidi, vici (Latin) – I came, I saw, I conquered.
48. Chic (French) – Stylish and fashionable.
49. Deja vu (French) – The sensation that you have already experienced something.
50. En route (French) – On the way.
51. Exposé (French) – A report or revelation of something discreditable.
52. Hors d’oeuvres (French) – Appetizers or starters before the main course.
53. In situ (Latin) – In its original place.
54. Laissez-faire (French) – A policy of non-interference.
55. Memento (Latin) – An object kept as a reminder of a person or event.
56. Modus operandi (Latin) – A method of operating or working.
57. Rendezvous (French) – A meeting at an agreed time and place.
58. Tabula rasa (Latin) – A clean slate; the absence of preconceived ideas.
59. Utopia (Greek) – An ideal society or place.
60. Vox populi (Latin) – Voice of the people.
61. Bête noire (French) – A person or thing that one dislikes or avoids.
62. Coup de grâce (French) – A final blow or action that ends something.
63. Lugubrious (Latin) – Looking or sounding sad and dismal.
64. Raison d’être (French) – Reason for existence.
65. Tsunami (Japanese) – A large sea wave caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.
66. Enigma (Greek) – A person or thing that is mysterious or difficult to understand.
67. Renaissance (French) – The revival of art and learning in Europe from the 14th to the 17th century.
68. Niche (French) – A specialized segment of the market for a particular kind of product or service.
69. Panorama (Greek) – An unbroken view of the whole region surrounding an observer.
70. Chauvinism (French) – Excessive or prejudiced support for one’s own cause or group.
71. Paparazzi (Italian) – Photographers who follow celebrities to take candid photographs.
72. Alma mater (Latin) – The school, college, or university that one has attended.
73. Eureka (Greek) – An exclamation used when someone finds something.
74. Ghetto (Italian) – A part of a city where a particular group of people lives, often due to social or economic pressures.
75. Klutz (Yiddish) – A clumsy person.
76. Liaison (French) – A close relationship or connection between people or organizations.
77. Malaise (French) – A general feeling of discomfort or unease.
78. Maestro (Italian) – A distinguished musician or conductor.
79. Noble (Latin) – Having high moral qualities or having a high social rank.
80. Pro bono (Latin) – Professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment.
81. Quid pro quo (Latin) – Something for something; a favor or advantage granted in return for something.
82. Sublime (Latin) – Of such excellence or beauty as to inspire admiration.
83. Cliché (French) – An overused expression or idea.
84. Début (French) – The first appearance or performance of a person.
85. Fête (French) – A celebration or festival.
86. Gourmet (French) – A person who enjoys and knows a lot about good food and wine.
87. Innocuous (Latin) – Not harmful or offensive.
88. Jargon (French) – Special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand.
89. Jubilant (Latin) – Feeling or expressing great joy.
90. Lament (Latin) – To express sorrow or regret.
91. Melancholy (Greek) – A deep, persistent sadness.
92. Oblivion (Latin) – The state of being unaware or unconscious of what is happening around one.
93. Plausible (Latin) – Seeming reasonable or probable.
94. Repertoire (French) – A stock of plays, dances, or pieces that a company or a performer knows and is prepared to perform.
95. Sanctuary (Latin) – A place of refuge or safety.
96. Serendipity (English from Persian) – The occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
97. Sinister (Latin) – Giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen.
98. Tactile (Latin) – Related to the sense of touch.
99. Ubiquitous (Latin) – Present or existing everywhere.
100. Zenith (Arabic) – The highest point or state.

let’s practice!