English Words That Come From Other Languages

Have you ever noticed that many European languages (and not only them) have words similar to English vocabulary? It’s not just because English is an international language and we borrowed some words, but because English and other languages have the same origins, creating similar words and phrases.

Languages are like living, breathing stories that travel across continents, bringing with them cultures, histories, and memories. That’s one of the reasons I love learning languages. English is not just a language; it's a beautiful concept created from threads of different linguistic traditions.

Imagine words as travelers, crossing oceans, climbing mountains, and settling into new homes – that's precisely how English vocabulary has evolved! Each word carries a piece of its original culture, making English a truly global language that celebrates diversity and connection.

In this article, I’m going to explore some of the English words borrowed or adapted from other languages spoken around the world.

English Words That Come from the German Language

The German language has been a contributor to English for a long time. We have borrowed and adapted words that provide remarkable precision and depth of expression. German and English share Germanic roots, which makes their linguistic connection especially fascinating. During the medieval period and through following waves of immigration, German words naturally integrated into English, bringing with them subtle concepts that English speakers found both intriguing and useful. These linguistic contributions reflect not just vocabulary exchange but also cultural understanding and intellectual sophistication.

Here are some of my favorite Germanic words used in English vocabulary:

• Kindergarten (pronounced: "KIN-der-gar-ten"): This word literally means "children's garden" in German. We started using this word in English in the mid-19th century and we still use it to describe a sort of pre-school in English vocabulary.
• Doppelgänger (pronounced: "DO-puhl-gang-er"): This word describes a look-alike or an exact double of a person. You’ll see this word in board games that include roleplay and several characters. It’s also a popular world in media, with internet users describing celebrity lookalikes as their doppelgangers.
• Wanderlust (pronounced: "WAN-der-lust"): This word describes a strong desire to travel and explore the world, reflecting the human spirit of adventure.
• Schadenfreude (pronounced: "SHAHD-n-froy-duh"): I can’t say for sure that this word has finally been integrated into the English language, but I’ve seen it in various TV shows and cartoons, so it seems like English is adapting this specific German word. It describes a complex emotion of finding pleasure in someone else’s misfortune.
• Gestalt (pronounced: "guh-SHTALT"): This word is often used in psychology. It means that the organized whole is more than the sum of its parts. To describe it easily, gestalt therapy is a concept teaching that the body, world, and mind are connected.

English Words That Come from the French Language

French has significantly influenced English, especially after the Norman Conquest. Many sophisticated and elegant words in English have French origins. Let’s explore some of them:

• Entrepreneur (pronounced: "ahn-truh-pruh-NUR"): I’m sure you’ve heard this word by now. It’s all over the internet. It describes a person who started and developed a business, and it entered English in the early 19th century.
• Chic (pronounced: "SHEEK"): We’ve used chic to describe something something stylish or fashionable, popularized in English during the late 19th century.
• Café (pronounced: "ka-FAY"): The word cafe has been used for such a long time in the English vocabulary that it feels almost weird to think that it was borrowed from another language.
• Cuisine (pronounced: "kwi-ZEEN"): This word refers to a style or method of cooking, especially characteristic of a particular country or region, for example, we say “I love Mexican cuisine and its flavors.”

English Words That Come from the Arabic Language

Arabic has been a crucial contributor to English vocabulary, particularly in the fields of science, mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. During the Islamic Golden Age, Arabic scholars made groundbreaking discoveries and developed sophisticated intellectual frameworks, many of which were communicated through terms that eventually found their way into English.

• Algebra (pronounced: "AL-juh-bruh"): We all know algebra. It’s a mathematical term that was first introduced in the 12th century. It originates from the Arabic word "al-jabr".
• Coffee (pronounced: "KAH-fee"): Yes, our beloved beverage that has various preparation methods and flavors - coffee. The word that we currently use in English vocabulary comes from the Arabic word “gahwa.”
• Algorithm (pronounced: "AL-guh-ri-thum"): This word describes a computing term named after the Persian mathematician Al-Khwarizmi ( sounds familiar, right?). English vocabulary has many words that come from the names of concept founders.
• Mantra (pronounced: "MAN-truh"): We all have mantras. And the word itself has become quite popular. It was originally a sacred utterance in Hinduism and Buddhism, but now we use it more broadly in the English vocabulary, describing a repeated phrase that has the power to alter our lives.
• Guru (pronounced: "GOO-roo"): The word “guru” has a bit of a different meaning in today’s English vocabulary, but it usually means a spiritual leader. Now, we describe an expert in a particular field as a guru. Although it’s used quite often, some people find it a bit annoying calling experts gurus.
• Shampoo (pronounced: "sham-POO"): Yes. The word “shampoo” comes from the Hindi word “champo.” We all know what shampoo is, but the Hindi word that it comes from means to massage or knead.

English Words That Come from Hindi and Sanskrit

Indian languages have profoundly enriched English with words that describe unique cultural experiences, philosophical concepts, and natural phenomena. These words often carry deep spiritual and cultural significance. This effect that Hindi and Sanskrit have on English vocabulary allows English speakers to express themselves with more nuanced words and gives them the ability to understand complex human experiences.

Some of my favorite words include:

• Yoga (pronounced "YOH-guh" ): It was logical to assume that the word "Yoga" in the English vocabulary had been borrowed from an Asian language. Yoga is a practice of physical, mental, and spiritual discipline that entered English in the late 19th century.
• Karma (pronounced: "KAR-muh"): Similarly to “yoga,” “karma” is a cultural word that joined English vocabulary. This word describes the sum of a person’s actions and their consequences.
• Jungle (pronounced: "JUNG-guhl"): I’ll be honest - I had no idea that the word jungle came from the Hindi language. I always thought that it was native to English vocabulary, but after doing some research, I found out that it comes from the Hindi word “jangal,” meaning a dense forest.

Continue Your Learning Adventure and Improve English Vocabulary

Learning English is not just about memorizing words – it's about discovering stories, connecting with cultures, and expanding your understanding of human communication. I love learning languages, even if I can’t achieve full professional proficiency, I understand more about them, and it helps me improve my English vocabulary.

Every new word you learn is a passport to another world, another perspective. The beauty of English lies in its incredible diversity and its ability to embrace words from every corner of the globe.

Want to improve English vocabulary? Then don't just learn words – celebrate them! Each word is a tiny adventure waiting to be understood, a bridge connecting you to millions of speakers worldwide. Your journey in mastering English is a journey of endless discovery, connection, and wonder.