What are some common idioms in different languages?

What are some common idioms in different languages?

Sure! Idioms can vary greatly between languages. For example, in English, we say 'it's raining cats and dogs' to mean it's raining heavily. In Spanish, they say 'está lloviendo a cántaros,' which translates to 'it's raining from pitchers.'

That's interesting! Can you give me more examples?

Of course! In French, they say 'avoir le cafard,' which means 'to have the cockroach,' but it actually means to feel down or depressed. In German, there's 'die Daumen drücken,' which means 'to press your thumbs,' and it means to wish someone good luck.

Are there any idioms that are similar across languages?

Yes, many idioms have similar meanings across languages! For instance, the idea of 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree' exists in various forms in many cultures, indicating that children often resemble their parents.

What about idioms that don't translate well?

Great question! Some idioms are deeply rooted in culture and don't translate well. For example, the Japanese idiom 'the nail that sticks out gets hammered down' reflects cultural values about conformity, which might not resonate the same way in other cultures.