10 Foreign Phrases That Will Make You Sound Smart

We all want to impress the other part while we’re talking, especially the native speakers. 

The words we use, the phrases we choose affect how other people see us.

So, how to sound smart? How to show them how excellent your language skills are?

Luckily, in every language, some phrases make you smart.

But let’s make something clear right at the beginning. Learning new words every day doesn’t make you more intelligent.

The key is to know which of the smart sentences to use and when.

10 Foreign Phrases That Make You Sound Smart

When you start learning a language, some of the polite phrases, such as ‘hello,’ ‘please,’ or ‘thank you’ you memorize in the first place.

After mastering some of the basic words and phrases you can use on different occasions, you tend to boost your vocabulary with other, more demanding phrases.

Between starting to learn a new language and half the way to fluency, it is vital to make room for more sophisticated words and meanings. 

Here are some smart words in different languages you can use in conversations and blow away native speakers.

Learning a language requires knowing some words that you can’t always find in your textbooks. Learning from native speakers is one of the best ways you can master the language. Justlearn tutors are your best option.

Hacer una bomba de humo (Castellano Spanish) 

Translation: To do a smoke bomb

When to use it: Spanish people like to make friends and spend time in big groups. Imagine the situation when one of them wants to leave and say goodbye to the others. Don’t forget that they kiss each other on the cheek, so if you add kissing and saying goodbye, that person would never leave.

That’s why in Spanish, when people hang out in big groups, to avoid noise and big fuss, they simply leave.

¿Sus tacos con copia o sin copia? (Mexican Spanish)

Translation: Do you want your tacos with or without a copy?

When to use it: This phrase can be heard in taco restaurants. The word ‘copy’ in this context refers to a tortilla. When you order an unusually large taco, one tortilla isn’t enough, and it can break, so you will be asked if you want it with two tortillas instead.

A continha, por favor. (Portuguese)

Translation: The little check, please.

When to use it: Portuguese people like to use diminutives. And just like their characters, diminutives sound friendly and charming. 

If you get to Brazil, don’t forget to use this phrase when asking for a check. You can also order ‘a small coffee’ that is, ‘cafezinho.’ Without a doubt, they will be impressed.

Kein Bier Vor Vier (German)

Translation: No beer before four.

When to use it: German is known for its beer. One of the German fun facts is that it is the second-largest beer producer in the world. 

No wonder there are many big words connected to beer.

This expression is so simple and yet unique. There are no special symbols, nor you have to read between the lines.

German people, simply, don’t drink beer before 4 pm. After this time, everything is allowed.

Hvor lang tid tager det på cykel? (Danish)

Translation: How long does it take by bike?

When to use it: For those who aren’t familiar, Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark, is a paradise for bicycles. Over there, every person uses a bike, whether they go to work or for a coffee. 

No wonder that they have some smart phrases about bikes.

And since using bicycles is their everyday habit, it’s perfectly natural to measure time with how long it takes to get to the destination by bike.

Petit a Petit, L’oiseau Fait Son Nid (French)

Translation: Little by little, the bird makes its nest.

When to use it: The same way birds make their nests piece by piece, you also have to work on your goals to succeed, hour by hour, day by day.

In this phrase, you feel optimistic saying that you can achieve something great even with small things.

Una bella giornata non fa estate (Italian)

Translation: One beautiful day doesn’t make a summer.

When to use it: Back in ancient Greece, a famous philosopher, Aristotle, postulated one phrase. Like Aristotle's quote, Italians also have a phrase that even though something good happened, it doesn’t mean that you can rely on the fact that it will remain good.

So, if you want to impress Italian native speakers and sound smart, you should remember this phrase.

Без трудa не вытащишь и рыбку из прудa (Russian)

Translation: Without effort, you won’t even pull a fish out of a pond.

When to use it: Russia isn’t all about winters and fairytales. There is something about fish, too. In this phrase, however, fish has nothing to do with eating or any Russian dish. 

It means that even if pulling a fish out of a pond is easy to do, you have to try hard to get it out. Equivalent to the English phrase ‘no pain, no gain,’ or ‘nothing comes easily’’ this expression is used to show that if you want to achieve something, you have to try really hard.

ペンは剣よりも強し (ぺんは けんより つよし) (Japanese)

Translation: The pen is mightier than the sword.

When to use it: The Japanese are full of wisdom, calmness, and people who tend to live simple and yet happy lives. Being respected and appreciated by others takes a central part in their lives.

Therefore, this phrase fully represents them. 

When you can 'defeat' someone politely, you don't need physical strength and muscles to beat them literally using words. It also means that words in Japan are highly appreciated, so when you ‘win’ someone with words, you are fully respected.

If this phrase made you think about the language and how to have fun and learn Japanese, give the language a chance and start learning it with Japanese tutors.

مصائب قوم عند قوم فوائد (Arabic)

Translation: The misfortunes of some people are advantages to others.

When to use it: The best English equivalent to this Arabic phrase would be ‘One man’s meat is another man’s poison.’

Quite simple to use it. You can’t know whether something you find useless or wrong isn’t useful and perfect for another person. 

This phrase shows that, like people are different, they also like different things.

Final Thoughts

Using these intelligent-sounding quotes will help you impress others, especially native speakers.

No matter which level of proficiency you are, you can always use these phrases to sound smart.

Others will highly respect you and they’ll have a high opinion about you as a person on the whole.

If we’ve tickled your imagination to start learning some of the languages, then give it a try! Justlearn tutors are there for you.

After all, if you’ve been trying to learn all these foreign expressions, it does say a lot about you.

Which of the phrases did you find amusing? Please share it with us in the comments below!