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Hey Pandas, What Is A Saying That Makes Sense In One Language But Not In Any Other?
Language is weird...
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I'll start.
Estoy hecho un ají (Spanish). It basically just means 'I am very angry', but the direct translation is 'I am made into a chilli pepper'
„Das ist ein dicker Hund!“ = „That‘s a fat dog!“
We say this in Germany to express that something is unfair/outrageous.
a la verga
in Spanish its supposed to mean f**k this but English translation says otherwise
English translation: to the d**k
German:
Er/sie erzählt viel, wenn der Tag lang ist. -- literal meaning: "He/she/they talks a lot if the day is long."
Meaning: you shouldn't believe everything this person says (they talk a lot and mostly BS).
Spanish:
No hay color -- lit. "There is no colour" Meaning: these two things don't compare/difference like night and day.
Tu eres la leche -- lit. "You are the milk"
Meaning: you are amazing!
Manda huevos! -- lit. "Send eggs!"
Used to express surprise/disbelief/irritation
(Not my native language but I find Spanish sayings hilarious when translated literally into English)
You're right, direct Spanish translations are really funny, I like 'Tu eres la leche' the best
Spanish: No hay burro calvo, ni calabaza con pelo.
English: There isn’t any bald donkey nor any pumpkin with hair.
The fact that some languages curse as "motherf**ker" and others as "I f**k your mother", like make up your mind... Also, there's the Greek one that goes: Στη πούτσα μου λουλούδια και γύρω γύρω μέλισσες (on my d**k are flowers and bees flying around aka I don't give a f**k)
Indonesian:
Masuk angin. The words literally mean enter (masuk) and wind (angin). It means you're feeling under the weather like you feel a cold or flu coming.
Turkish: Kolay gelsin
English translation is “may it come easy to you” which we say when we see/pass someone who’s working, wishing the work will be easy for them. I really like it because you can say this to a stranger sweeping the leaves in autumn and it’s just a small, kind interaction.
German: Tomaten auf den Augen haben
"Have tomatoes on your eyes" meaning not seeing or not wanting to see something obvious.