List of Use the correct foreign expression

Word/Phrase	Origin	Meaning
Ad hoc	Latin	For a specific purpose or situation
Al dente	Italian	Cooked to be firm to the bite
Bona fide	Latin	Genuine; real
Cliché	French	An overused expression or idea
Déjà vu	French	The feeling that you have already experienced something
Echelon	French	A level or rank in an organization
Exposé	French	A report or revelation of something hidden
Faux pas	French	A social blunder or mistake
Fiancé/Fiancée	French	A person engaged to be married
Gourmet	French	A connoisseur of fine food and drink
Je ne sais quoi	French	An indescribable quality that makes something attractive
Kindergarten	German	A preschool or early childhood education setting
Laissez-faire	French	A policy of non-interference in economic matters
Memoir	French	A historical account or biography from personal knowledge
Nouveau riche	French	People who have recently acquired wealth
Prima donna	Italian	A vain or difficult person, especially a singer
Rendezvous	French	A meeting at a prearranged time and place
Status quo	Latin	The existing state of affairs
Sui generis	Latin	Unique or in a class of its own
Tour de force	French	An impressive performance or achievement
Vive la différence	French	Celebrating the difference between people
Ad nauseam	Latin	To a point of disgust
Carpe diem	Latin	Seize the day; make the most of the present
Coup d’état	French	A sudden, violent overthrow of a government
De facto	Latin	In practice or actuality
De jure	Latin	According to law
Doppelgänger	German	A non-biological look-alike or double of a person
Eureka	Greek	An exclamation of discovery or realization
Finesse	French	Intricate and refined delicacy
Hors d’oeuvre	French	A small dish served before the main course
In situ	Latin	In the original place or position
In vino veritas	Latin	In wine, there is truth
Kismet	Turkish	Fate or destiny
Modus operandi	Latin	A method of operating or functioning
Nota bene	Latin	Note well; pay attention
Panache	French	Distinctive and stylish flair
Raison d’être	French	Reason for being or existence
Risqué	French	Slightly indecent or daring
Savoir-faire	French	The ability to act or speak appropriately in social situations
Tempestuous	Latin	Characterized by strong or conflicting emotions
Umami	Japanese	A basic taste sensation that is savory
Vis-à-vis	French	Face-to-face; in relation to
Vitae	Latin	Curriculum vitae; a summary of one’s career
Alumnus/Alumna	Latin	A graduate or former student
Apropos	French	Fitting; at the right time
Coup de grâce	French	A final blow to kill a wounded person
Détente	French	The easing of strained relations
Faux	French	False or fake
Genre	French	A category of art, music, or literature
Gist	French	The main point or essence
Incognito	Italian	In disguise or using a false identity
Karaoke	Japanese	Entertainment where people sing along to music
Liaison	French	A person who helps organizations work together
Macho	Spanish	Having an exaggerated sense of masculinity
Memento	Latin	An object kept as a reminder or souvenir
Memo	Latin	A written message or note
Oeuvre	French	The complete works of an artist
Pejorative	Latin	A word or phrase with negative connotations
Piquant	French	Pleasantly sharp taste or interesting quality
Plenitude	Latin	An abundance or plenty
Prima facie	Latin	Accepted as correct until proven otherwise
Quintessential	Latin	The most perfect example of something
Ritual	Latin	A series of actions performed in a prescribed order
Sycophant	Greek	A person who acts overly flattering to someone important
Tête-à-tête	French	A private conversation between two people
Ubiquitous	Latin	Present or existing everywhere
Versatile	Latin	Able to adapt to many different functions
Volte-face	French	An abrupt reversal of attitude or policy
Abstention	Latin	Choosing not to participate in something
Aficionado	Spanish	A person very enthusiastic or knowledgeable about an activity
Allegro	Italian	In music, a brisk and lively tempo
Avant-garde	French	New and unusual or experimental ideas in arts
Bureaucracy	French	A system of government with many rules and officials
Début	French	The first appearance or performance of something
Diva	Italian	A celebrated female singer; a self-important person
Ego	Latin	A person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance
Emporium	Latin	A large retail store
Enigma	Greek	Something mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand
Gusto	Italian	Enjoyment or enthusiasm
Hymn	Greek	A song of praise or worship
Languid	Latin	Weak or faint from illness or fatigue
Lethargic	Greek	Sluggish and apathetic
Mirth	English (Old)	Great joy, amusement, or happiness
Niche	French	A comfortable or suitable position
Opus	Latin	A musical composition or a work of art
Panorama	Greek	An unbroken view of a surrounding area
Paradox	Greek	A contradictory statement that may reveal truth
Paragon	Greek	A model of excellence or perfection
Prelude	Latin	An action that serves as an introduction
Quintet	Latin	A group of five musicians or singers
Rhapsody	Greek	An enthusiastic or ecstatic expression of feeling
Sombre	French	Dark or dull in tone; serious or dismal
Subterranean	Latin	Existing or done under the earth’s surface
Symphony	Greek	An elaborate musical composition
Tranquil	Latin	Free from disturbance; calm
Utopia	Greek	An imagined perfect place or state
Vortex	Latin	A mass of whirling fluid or air
Zenith	Arabic	The time at which something is most powerful
Zephyr	Greek	A gentle, mild breeze

Let’s practice!