Translating idioms can be a challenge but some other times it can be beneficial for other languages. Expressions or idioms can often lend insight into a language. Let’s call a cat a cat and learn how it can be used in Russian, French, Spanish, and German!
Translating Idioms | Can culture influence language?
Translating idioms from one language to another shows how much culture influences language. Take for example the expression “it’s raining cats and dogs” in English. When translated back from Russian into English it becomes “It’s pouring like from a bucket”, translated from French “It’s raining like a pissing cow”; Spanish “It’s raining in jugfuls”, and German “It’s raining in streams”. Here we have taken ten such expressions and translated them back into English from Russian, French, Spanish, and German with the help of our own Language Connections linguistic team.
Translating Idioms | 10 idioms translates into Russian, French, Spanish, and German
To call a spade a spade.
Call things by their names.
Russian
Call a cat a cat.
French
Call bread bread, and wine wine.
Spanish
Call the child by its proper name.
German
To shout from the rooftops.
To shout at all cross-roads.
Russian
To shout from the rooftops.
French
To let the bells sway.
Spanish
To hang something at the big bell.
German
Like two peas in a pod.
Like two drops of water.
Russian
Like two drops of water.
French
Like two drops of water.
Spanish
Like two eggs.
German
To put a line out.
To cast a line.
Russian
To test the waters.
French
To test the ground.
Spanish
To put out the tentacle.
German
To play first fiddle.
To play the first violin.
Russian
To be the point of a lance.
French
To lead the singing voice.
Spanish
To play the first violin.
German
Like a round peg in a square hole.
Like a fish out of water.
To not feel like one is on one’s own dinner plate.
Russian
Not to be in one’s own place.
French
A toad from a different swamp.
Spanish
To be in the wrong place.
German
To not hold a candle to.
Not fit to be soles of someone’s shoes.
Russian
Not to reach someone’s ankle height.
French
Not fit to be soles of someone’s shoes.
Spanish
Not fit to hand water to someone.
German
To walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.
To be in someone’s else’s hide.
Russian
To be in someone’s else’s hide.
French
To stand in someone else’s place.
Spanish
To be in someone’s else’s hide.
German
Dumb as a doorknob.
Numb (mute) as a fish. Russian
Dumb as a carp. French
To lapse into silence like the dead. Spanish
Numb as a fish. German
To wrap one’s brain around.
To break one’s head over something. Russian
To dig one’s mind.
French
To warm one’s head.
Spanish
To break one’s head over something.
German
A wise old bird.
A sparrow that has been shot at.
Russian
An old of the old – (old soldiers).
French
The bull that participated in a bullfight.
Spanish
An old hare.
German
Note: A special thanks to our Language Connections team of multilingual experts.
Learn more about our Translation Services!
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com