7 Modern Expressions That Date Back To Ancient History
These words and phrases may seem ordinary, but a closer look reveals their ancient (and sometimes bizarre) origins.
The Babbel Magazine
Real-life conversations start with stories that inspire.
By Dylan Lyons
Babbel U.S. staffers weigh in on their favorite foreign films released in the 2000s. Have you seen any of these movies?
Headed to Spain this year? Travel smart and follow our 10 insiders tips to experience local Spanish traditions firsthand and get the most from your trip.
By Thea Bohn
Which authors did not write their world-famous works in their mother tongue? Here are 5 literary stars who have made a foreign language their own.
Some things are better left unsaid. All of the following are sentences which you will NEVER hear in Berlin, so you might as well read them here!
By Dylan Lyons
How speaking the language when you travel abroad can take your trip to the next level. (You could even score a free luxury yacht?!)
By Y Yates
This is your brain on a new language.
By Dylan Lyons
After studying Spanish with Babbel for just 15 hours, 3 Americans face off in a series of challenges to see how much they learned.
By James Lane
From bogans to brollies, here are the best Australian expressions, so you'll never be lost for words Down Under.
By Nicki Hinz
No matter where you are in the German-speaking world, who you are talking to and what time of day it is — learn the most suitable German greetings.
By Y Yates
Up your language learning game with these winning strategies.
You're already glued to your phone 24/7. Why not learn a language at the same time?
By Y Yates
Read this whenever you need a motivation refresh.
Are these tourists in Barcelona unlucky, or just unprepared? Don't miss out like they did. Learn a foreign language BEFORE opportunity knocks!
By Ed M. Wood
Whether you're a multilingual dog who learns languages for biscuits or a ballet dancer who learns it for work, there have never been so many high-quality resources to support your mission.
By Dylan Lyons
Every conversation, whether formal or informal, starts with a greeting. Here's what to say.
By Y Yates
Do you prefer tea time or a coffee break? Find out which country is your caffeine soulmate.
By Dylan Lyons
Fitting language learning into your busy schedule is much easier than you think. Here's how Babbel can help.
By Y Yates
Our picks for the stations that are noteworthy destinations unto themselves.
By Y Yates
Some of these are trop bizarre.
By Natali Lekka
Here's what interlanguages are all about: communication, cultural identity and trade. These languages truly transcend borders!
Scottish is more than a kind of accent. Scotland has a rich vocabulary of its own, including many wonderful phrases waiting to be spread across the globe.
By Ed M. Wood
Kissing, it seems, is a rather complicated business. Not only is there a plethora of tonsil-tennis vocabulary to learn, but there's also a whole load of etiquette!
By Nuno Marques
Writing has been around for over 5000 years, but there is a wider variety of unique writing systems than you might think. Let's trace writing's history.
These 10 French expressions are not only popular and funny (and sometimes a bit weird), but also extremely useful if you want to improve your French!
South America is home to so many amazing places that you'll run out of ways to say "amazing" pretty fast. Use these local phrases so you can be gobsmacked like a pro.
By Ed M. Wood
Why are more and more people travelling alone and how can you benefit from the experience? We dive into five reasons why everyone should try it at least once in their life.
By Ed M. Wood
Brits have a bad reputation for speaking foreign languages, but meet 3 Brits who broke the mould: discover how they all benefitted from learning a language.
By Y Yates
You don’t have to travel far to practice your Spanish. Better language skills are right around the corner.
By Y Yates
Textspeak is here 2 stay. Read this article to learn how people are texting around the world.
By Dylan Lyons
From tree-climbing contests to competitive kite-flying, these wacky celebrations of independence made our list of favorites.
Montreal, Canada is a city where you can speak English and French. So what is it like to constantly switch between the two languages every day?
By Dylan Lyons
Double check the meaning of these false cognates before trying out a new language, or some embarrassing situations might be in store!
By Dylan Lyons
Don't get caught off-guard while traveling — here's what to say in other languages when someone sneezes.
Throughout the world, queer people have developed forms of communication with one another that outsiders can't understand. What are these secret languages like?
By Nuno Marques
A lingua franca is a common language used in international communication. English is the world's lingua franca today, but how did it get to be that way?
By Ed M. Wood
We all make mistakes when trying to speak Spanish, but the most embarrassing ones can be avoided. Be a better Brit abroad on your next Spanish holiday.
By David Sumner
Want to set yourself apart from the average British tourist this summer? All you need to impress the locals is our app, 3 weeks of learning time, and a healthy dose of British tally-ho spirit.
Even if you studied Italian in school, we bet you'll only learn these slang expressions on the streets of Italy... or by reading this article.
By Nuno Marques
Some seemingly harmless words were originally concocted as mean-spirited insults. The history of derogatory terms that were reclaimed and went mainstream.
What are the advantages of learning a language with an app? We cover five of the key benefits in this rundown.
Learn these 14 Portuguese expressions from Brazil and you'll be a step closer to understanding Brazilian humor (and the Brazilian way of life).
By Ed M. Wood
We all make mistakes when trying to speak Italian, but the most embarrassing ones can be avoided. Be a better Brit abroad on your next Italian holiday.
By Natali Lekka
Swearing is a great way to learn a foreign language and even achieve fluency. If you ever wanted to swear like a Spanish master, I've got you covered with this mini-guide to Spanish swearing.
By Nuno Marques
Language is obvious and self-evident for most of us, but it's also a mystery that's hard to pin down. How should we define it? What is language, really?
By Ed M. Wood
These tips for travelers really work, even if you're a last-minute planner who hasn't learned any of the local language (yet).
We all make mistakes when trying to speak French, but the most embarrassing ones can be avoided. Be a better Brit abroad on your next French holiday.
If you only learn 10 phrases in Portuguese before you go to Brazil, these slang terms are the ones to remember if you want to sound VERY local.
We all make mistakes when trying to speak German, but the most embarrassing ones can be avoided. Be a better Brit abroad on your next German holiday.
5 sticky situations in which any travelers could easily find themselves. If you speak some of the local language, getting out of them is a lot easier.
By Ed M. Wood
Learn the many ways to say "hello" in the German language, no matter where you are in the country, and master the two-letter salutatory conundrum "na."
How hard is it to pronounce Italian words correctly? Watch this video and follow our pronunciation tips, and you won't have any problems at all.
Sometimes what we learn from books is not enough. Speaking REAL Spanish means using phrases that you'll only learn in the country or in this article.
By Dylan Lyons
Foreign ambassadors to the U.S. share their book and movie recommendations for visitors to their countries. Be sure to read and watch them before you go!
Learning a bit of Latin is your chance to learn about your own language. Impress your most intellectual friends with the following Latin expressions!
By Dylan Lyons
Want to take on a new challenge? These 6 languages are the most difficult for English speakers to learn.
What can we learn from great artists and writers like Ernest Hemingway and Agatha Christie? Can emulating their habits also help us to learn a language?
By Nuno Marques
10 things about deaf culture, history and sign language that you probably didn't know. Let's bust some stereotypes and misconceptions.
Babbel teams up with Strand Books to bring you some of the best works of international literature (in their original languages, of course).
By Kyri Savva
What Elizabethan English words and phrases would you hear if you traveled back to 16th century Tudor era England? And what would they mean?
By Dylan Lyons
Looking for some motivation to learn a new language? Look no further! Here's your complete guide to the benefits of bilingualism.
By David Sumner
Speaking the local lingo is a crucial part of unlocking new experiences when you're on holiday. So here are 6 ways the Babbel app will get you speaking before you fly!
By James Lane
As global and regional languages dominate our schools and our media, what happens to local languages — and what are the consequences?
By Maren Pauli
An overview of the languages of our world: Why do some languages disappear while others grow? And how can you prevent languages from dying out?
By Nuno Marques
Why is it so difficult to spell words in English? Because the inconsistency of English spelling has a long history with many people to blame along the way.
How do you cross the threshold from language learner to language speaker? Use these 4 language hacks on your next vacation to get a head start.
Knowing a language is often more about mastering the linguistic turns than knowing a lot of words... Improve your command of Spanish with these 10 useful expressions.
By Natali Lekka
So, did you know you could speak Greek? With over 150,000 words of Greek origin in English, this doesn't seem like such a crazy idea after all.
Peace and quiet go hand-in-hand, but these "untranslatable" words deserve to be shared out loud.
By James Lane
Bigly, clicktivist, emojional... language is changing rapidly. But who gets to decide what's correct? Descriptivism vs Prescriptivism – the gloves are off.
These "vintage" Italian words have fallen out of fashion, but we think it's about time they made a comeback. Check out our favorites.
By Dylan Lyons
Did you know Spanish has the second largest number of native speakers in the world? And that there are more Spanish speakers in the U.S. than in Spain?
Sometimes what you really need is motivation while learning a language. You needed a couple of driving forces... so we came up with 50!
By Dylan Lyons
Follow these tips on your next trip to New York, and avoid standing out like a stereotypical (and obnoxious) tourist.
By James Lane
From Noah Webster to George Bernard Shaw, reformers have been trying to fix English spelling for years. If only they could agree on how to do it...
By Ed M. Wood
In an office in Berlin, over 100 language experts are focusing their attention on creating the best language learning app possible. One million people are already actively using it, so what makes it so good?
Traveling to a French speaking country? These 10 sentences will help you survive: greetings, the boulangerie, asking for directions, even complaining!
By Thea Bohn
What are the most useful German phrases you need to know to successfully navigate everyday life? Here are the top 10 German sentences!
By Dylan Lyons
Taking the easy way out isn't always a bad thing. Here's how our app teaches you a language quickly and effectively.
By Dylan Lyons
Planning a trip to New York? Add these attractions to your itinerary for a more fun and successful visit — and even save a few bucks in the process!
By Ed M. Wood
Confused by the German articles? Unsure whether you should be saying der, die or das? Read on to discover some tips to enhance your German language.
By David Sumner
How many languages are spoken in Belgium, and where are they spoken exactly? We've got the answers!
By Thea Bohn
Inspirational people live a life beyond the ordinary. Meet Miguel from Liverpool, whose passion (and profession) took him to 21 countries in just 1 year.
By David Sumner
If it's your dream to enjoy a cream tea with the Queen, or treat yourself to a pint down the pub, you'll need to master these essential British phrases!
French pronunciation can be hard for non-native speakers, as this video proves. But don't worry! We've got plenty of pronunciation tips to make it easier.
By Ed M. Wood
German words are like chemical elements. If you stick two of them together, they can take on a whole new meaning. Discover some of the best here!
By David Sumner
7 ways Babbel is perfect for the independent learner who wants to take control of their language learning without forking out for a language teacher or school!
It's very important to practice your accent when you're learning a new language. We explain why and explore 5 very useful tips for improving it.
9 things you should do when you visit Canada — from ordering a "double double" to living underground to learning when to add "eh" to the ends of sentences.
What is language attrition, and why do I think it's affecting me? Is it possible to forget your native language? It's a fascinating but little-researched phenomenon.
By Ed M. Wood
Did you know French is one of the fastest growing languages in the world and that nearly half of all French speakers live in Africa? Discover more cool French facts here.
Is there such a thing as "just the right amount?" Discover the elusive concept of "lagom" and the place it holds in Swedish culture.
Do you want to keep your brain strong, fit and active for a long time? Here are our top picks for the most effective brain training methods!
By David Sumner
Anyone can speak a language with Babbel, even complete beginners who have never learned languages before! Here are 5 reasons that prove it!
By Pia Leong
We've come to the end of the road. After thousands of kilometers and countless Spanish conversations, here are the lessons I'm taking home with me.
It's easy to overlook strange place names when they're familiar, but as an Italian, I'm shocked that Americans live in cities and towns with these names.
By Dylan Lyons
Make the most of your trip to a Spanish-speaking country — and avoid getting lost and frustrated — by learning how to say these key phrases.
By Nuno Marques
Over 30% of English words come from French, but you probably wouldn't recognize many of them — our favorite English words with surprising French origins.
Did you know that some words that we used every day come from Venice and have a very fascinating story behind them?
Our insights from the Polyglot Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece: 6 conference speakers and 2 attendees reveal what it takes to become a polyglot.
"What the heck?! Are American's even speaking English?" Of course we are... in our own way. Here are 21 words and phrases that Americans use A LOT.
By Jasmine Chao
Ranking American and British actors on their cross-Atlantic accents in Hollywood movies.
By Pia Leong
Chatting with strangers has been the perfect way to practice my listening and speaking skills and bring my passive knowledge of Spanish closer to fluency.
By Ed M. Wood
Learning a language is a formative experience, but there are plenty of obstacles on your road to success. Here are the situations where I struggle.
By Dylan Lyons
Exploring America's most common languages and the geography and culture of the people who speak them.
By Nuno Marques
What is the connection between the colors we see and the words we use to describe them? Can our language affect our perception?
By Dylan Lyons
Can't decide which new language to take up? Make your life simpler by learning one of these languages that are easy for English speakers to master!
By Elin Asklöv
Swedish is an easier language to learn than you might think — these 5 tips from a genuine Swede will make it even easier to start speaking it.
By Nuno Marques
English speakers use many phrasal verbs. To improve your English, you'll need to use them too. Learn the right way to use them and avoid awkward mistakes.
Winter in Scandinavia is long and dark, but Scandinavians somehow pull through. Learn about the top Danish, Norwegian and Swedish survival techniques.
What comes to mind when you think of the word "Carnival?" In South America and Europe, it's a topsy-turvy week of music, dance, parades and debauched fun.
By Nuno Marques
In German, verb prefixes can completely change the meaning of the root verb. Here are some tips on how to dissect German verbs into their particles to help you remember what they really mean.
How is technology changing the way we learn? As pioneers in digital education, we have some tips for using your apps to live the digital nomad lifestyle.
By Nuno Marques
These 7 countries are home to almost a third of the world's languages! And the most multilingual country on Earth has a population smaller than New York!
Want to learn a language but can't decide which one? Here are a few unconventional ideas to help you narrow the field.
You have no time, no money and isn't the language you want to learn too hard anyway? Nope! These are just excuses getting in your way. Let's demolish them!
By Nuno Marques
Dialects are spoken by fewer and fewer people every generation. What are the global forces pushing them to the sidelines, and can any of them be saved?
By Ed M. Wood
Are you ready for some serious tips for learning German? We'll guide you through some very specific areas of German which will help you get your head around this majestic language.
By Pia Leong
If you're shy like me, talking to strangers is not always easy — especially when you aren't speaking your native language! Here's how I overcome my shyness.
By Nuno Marques
How many languages can one human mind master? These 6 people are some of the most famous polyglots in history. And some of them even invented languages!
Québécois, the variant of French most commonly spoken in North America, has a fascinating history far removed from its European roots. Here is a portrait of the language and its evolution.
By Ed M. Wood
Which are the very best places to visit in Argentina? What shouldn't you miss? Here's a list of all the the places you should give pride of place in your itinerary.
By Jasmine Chao
Babbel commissioned U.S. and U.K. captioning organizations to identify words in 2016 that were the most challenging for newscasters to pronounce correctly.
By Thea Bohn
You want to be awesome and learn a new language? Then you'll need the expertise of 50 Youtube stars combined with our very own language learning hacks!
What are the most important French words to know in order to master the language? Our author argues that they're the following: Truc, bidule, machin and chose: these are (almost) the only words you need to know if you want to master French chit-chat.
If you're looking to celebrate the new year a bit differently this year, then check out these 6 New Year's Eve traditions from around the world!
By Pia Leong
The more willing you are to make mistakes, the more opportunities you have to practice speaking your new language. It's all about having a healthy mindset.
How should you best listen to new material and make yourself heard? Some sound advice about language learning on the go.
By Nuno Marques
Do you see mysterious dots hovering over words in the language you are learning? Don't be alarmed by those funny little diacritic marks (umlauts and diaereses) are here to help.
By Nuno Marques
Why do Germans chop some verbs in half, and how are you supposed to keep track of the pieces? Welcome to the weird world of German separable verbs.
By Pia Leong
More lessons from the road: Changing your learning environment can be a shortcut to getting over your inhibitions and becoming a better learner and speaker. Stop giving a hoot and just speak!
By Nuno Marques
Sometimes languages aren't meant to be understood. Secret codes and slang can insulate a marginalized community and keep outsiders scratching their heads.
By David Sumner
The Babbel School of British Accents takes a look at the dulcet tones and German-inspired patterns of the legendary West Country accent.
By David Sumner
Yorkshire is home to one of the UK's most-loved accents, but mastering it is no mean feat for native Brits and non-natives alike!
By Thea Bohn
Welcome to Berlin. All you need to do is survive the city. No problem: Here are our seven useful phrases to WOW any German.
By David Sumner
Fancy mastering Welsh English? We teach you the most important tips you'll need to learn (along with a selection of our favourite Welsh English words).
By Dylan Lyons
Here are three ways jamming to your favorite foreign song can make a new language stick.
By Ben Davies
We give you the top tips you'll need to speak genuine cockney like a proper Londoner!
Are all those stereotypes about Italians a legend? An Italian living abroad reveals the truth.
By Ben Davies
Inspired to learn English because of your love for Scottish English? Then check out our lesson on mastering the Scottish accent!
By Ben Davies
Want to impress your friends by learning how to speak genuine scouse like a true Liverpudlian? We show you how!
By Nuno Marques
Latin never died, it just mutated into dozens of new languages and dialects, and the connections among them tells a fascinating story going back 2000 years.
This portrait of Turkish looks at its similarity to other Turkic languages, the reforms that modernized it in the 20th century and its unique "sticky" grammar.
By Simon Cowley
Geordie is one of Britain's most distinctive (and tricky) accents for non-natives to master. That's why our inside scoop on the Newcastle accent is here to help!
By Ben Davies
British accents vary depending on who you're asking and where you are in the British Isles. Here's an overview of 7 regional varieties of British English.
By Dylan Lyons
Corny jokes aren't for everyone, but try to be o-pun-minded when you read this round-up of "dad jokes" in other languages.
Spanish-language media is everywhere — from TV to the internet, newspapers and radio. So if you want to learn Spanish, all you have to do is tune in!
By David Sumner
Two Brits, who have lived for years in the safe linguistic cocoon of Northern Germany, take on the challenge of learning Austrian German in just a few hours!
By Elin Asklöv
What is code-switching and why do bilinguals do it? Is it just laziness or could there be a deeper meaning to why we constantly switch between languages?
We asked 15 of our resident Babbelonians to learn Spanish with Babbel for 3 weeks. So how did they do?
By Dylan Lyons
Believe it or not, a holiday for showing gratitude is not uniquely American. Similar traditions exist in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada and the Netherlands.
These popular expressions about (new) beginnings, endings and sausages are an unbeatable way to understand the German mindset.
By Dylan Lyons
With smartphone use on the rise and attention spans fading fast, a new type of learning is gaining popularity. Is microlearning the answer to your study struggles?
By Pia Leong
We've begun our bike tour across South America, just in time for me to realize that I'm afraid to speak Spanish out loud... what have I gotten myself into?
There are some things you should never, ever do in different countries (because they'll give you the worst of luck)!
By Pia Leong
Pia and Jimmy cycle across South America with camping gear, cameras and basic Spanish. Can they go the distance? Will their language skills improve along the way? Follow their video journey — a new episodes every month.
By Jasmine Chao
At the end of President Obama's second term, Babbel has asked embassies and expats in the US to rate his attempts to speak languages from around the world.
Being such a diverse country, it can be hard to agree on what defines an American — but here are 10 very American talents that just about all of us share.
We look at the history of the Russian language and the development of the cyrillic alphabet in an attempt to glimpse the essence of Russian.
Impress the locals with some real Viennese words and expressions. Here are the 9 words you need to survive a night out in Vienna.
By Nuno Marques
These top 10 mistranslations throughout history will have you rolling with laughter — the most epic translation fails!
Seven Babbelonians reminisce about their best (and sometimes worst) language teachers. Looking back, what lessons did we REALLY learn?
We challenge New Yorkers to a language guessing game. Does living in a city of 800 languages give them an advantage? See how they do.
Does Polish really deserve its reputation as a fearsome and difficult language? We look at the history of the language to get to its true essence.
Masculine and feminine seem like perfectly normal distinctions, but are they more cultural than natural. How grammatical genders influence our worldview.
Spanish can be a tricky language to pronounce, but here are some tricks that will help you pronounce some challenging words — watch and see!
By David Sumner
There are loads of reasons why you should start learning Dutch, but to get you started here are our top 5!
He has never been to South America before, he doesn't speak a word of Portuguese and he has no clue what he's doing. This gringo in Rio has a lot to learn.
Ever wondered what it would be like to speak Spanish like an infamous Colombian drug lord? No, us neither, or at least not until the premier of Narcos. With season two upon us, we take you on a whirlwind tour of Pablo Escobar's favored vocabulary.
By Ed M. Wood
Four of the world's greatest language learners attempt to learn a language in one hour. Follow their progress, and prepare to be astonished!
By David Sumner
Swedish is one of the easiest languages for English-speakers to learn! But trust us, it's not the ONLY reason you should start learning the language...
We challenged 4 polyglots to learn Romanian in an hour. Here are 4 tips we picked up from observing how they each approached learning a new language.
How did the Brazilian Wagner Moura land the role of Pablo Escobar in the Netflix series Narcos, and what makes the series special?
Jiminy Cricket! Balderdash! Humbug! Every language has its share of old-timey words and expressions, and German is no exception. Here we take a look at some of our very favorite vintage German words.
By James Lane
The science of memory and why we forget things so easily. Language learners take note: use these memory techniques to better remember what you've learned.
Why do Brazilians use so many hand gestures? Is this an exclusively Brazilian habit? Here are 7 common Brazilian gestures that might not translate easily.
Learn Italian and speak with the residents of spectacular Siena! Improve your travels by learning a language.
By LOST iN
Babbel has teamed up with the city guide specialists over at LOST iN to bring you some of the best places around Berlin to add to your itinerary, whether you're a permanent resident, a traveller just passing through, or anything in between.
By Ed M. Wood
What's the deal with all these new words, where do they come from, and who’s the Italian upstart who’s taken to inventing new German words?
Luca Lampariello, an expert language learner who's dedicated much of his adult life to language studying and coaching, describes the 5 key principles he uses in order to learn and use new vocabulary quickly and effectively.
7 Portuguese words, 7 foreigners, and the challenge of pronouncing the unique sounds of the Portuguese language!
Learn about Italian, Russian, English and more in this article exploring the multicultural neighborhoods of the great melting pot: New York City!
Thinking of studying abroad in Europe, but not sure where to go? Keep reading to discover the best Erasmus destinations.
By Nuno Marques
Music may be universal, but musical notation is Italian. If you sing or play a musical instrument (or want to start), you better learn these Italian words.
Learn Spanish and speak with the residents of magnificent Mérida! Improve your travels by learning a language.
The Italian language is not only musicality and gestures: here's a list of 11 funny expressions you can use on many occasions to impress the Italian natives!
Jumpstart your love life, make mom proud, and handle snarky waiters — here are five ways you miss out when you only speak one language.
By Ed M. Wood
Over 1,000,000 people have selected Babbel as their preferred method to learn a language. We delve into the reasons why the language learning app is proving so popular.
Have a fun and fulfilling summer by learning Spanish, Italian, French and more with these fun and easy tips!
When film titles get translated into other languages, the results can get downright weird. Here are some of the funniest and most surreal examples.
The best reasons to learn some new language skills before your next vacation. Are you ready to become an even better traveler?
Some languages have a lot in common. Use these shortcuts to your advantage when learning a language similar to your mother tongue.
What is etymology and why is it important? Join us on an excursion into the world of eight common words' delightfully convoluted backstories.
Learn French and speak with the residents of beautiful Bonifacio! Make your travels shine by learning a language.
French is spoken by 80 million people worldwide, not just in France. Here are French expressions that would leave even the French scratching their heads.
By Babbel
Babbel weighs into the referendum debate to share its views on why the UK should vote to remain within the EU on June 23rd.
By David Sumner
Euro 2016 is almost here, so it's time you brushed up on your football knowledge by learning eight of the greatest football idioms from around the world!
By Ed M. Wood
We take a look at the use of language in modern day football: with so many nationalities on the team sheet and so many languages spoken, how do clubs help players to integrate and communicate?
By David Sumner
If you're studying for language exams then check out our top tips to ensuring you succeed on the big day!
How can laughing help us learn a language? Actor George Oliver talks us through his own experiences learning French and teaching English through comedy and theatre.
By Ed M. Wood
We look at our relationship to sleep and the notion of hypnopaedic learning, asking whether it's really possible to learn a foreign language while sleeping.
By Ed M. Wood
Three average guys set out to learn as much French as possible in one average week. How will they manage? Find out here!
By Anna Hartley
Speaking your second language in front of an audience probably sounds like a nightmare — but sometimes the only way to get over your fear is to face it.
By Ed M. Wood
Have you ever learned a language? Have you thought about using an app to facilitate your studies? Here are five things you should consider before using an app to help you learn a language.
Have you tried and failed to learn a foreign language? Try, try again. Here are seven tricks to ensure you stay on track this time.
By Ed M. Wood
Can you think of any polyglot celebrities? We've compiled this list of the ten most multilingual film stars. Some of them have even gone so far as to dub their own roles into other languages.
A fun collection of words invented by Italian-American immigrants during the past century.
By Nuno Marques
Are the Brits and Americans really “separated by a common language?” How different are these two versions of English, actually?
Babbel is pleased to announce the two winners for our #mommoments contest!
By James Lane
Want to get your Bachelor’s degree but don’t know how to pay for it? Avoid massive student loan debt by studying in Scandinavia, Germany, or France.
When learning a language, nothing beats studying abroad. But what’s the best way to go about it? People from six different countries share their experiences.
By James Lane
Almost half of the world’s population claim one of only ten languages as their mother tongue. So who’s in the top ten? You might be surprised.
5 stages of learning a language that purify, fortify, and detox your brain.
What is Hay-On-Wye and why should you attend? Author Richard Aslan offers up a brief history of the famous book festival in the small Welsh town of Hay-On-Wye, where the books outnumber the inhabitants seven-thousand to one.
What are the origins of the words “twitter” and “meme?” Here are 5 fun words you’d never guess were invented by authors!
Which languages are spoken in the Game of Thrones universe? How were they created and what would be their equivalents in our world? Let's have a look.
How do you keep your entire body healthy on the go and without spending a fortune? Our 5 tips have got you covered.
Why love grammar? Because without it, the sounds we make would be meaningless. My love letter to how humans communicate, in all our weird and wonderful ways.
By James Lane
Nobody’s too old to learn a language. We now know that training changes your brain even after only a few sessions. Translation: older brains can change too
By James Lane
Funny and poetic weather expressions in different languages – everything you need to sound like a local, from snowy Stockholm to sunny Sydney.
How can learning a second language earn you an extra $128,000 over your career? Find out here!
By Nuno Marques
Is the Spanish spoken across Latin America significantly different from the Spanish spoken in Spain? Does it change from country to country? Let’s find out.
By Elin Asklöv
What are the differences and similarities between Swedish, Danish and Norwegian? If you know one of the languages, do you know them all? Let’s have a look!
We’ve collected idioms about food for any situation.
A short list of five different US cities with unique ways of celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day.
Russian is hard, rough and ugly — so say the outdated clichés. In reality, the Russian language offers many beautiful words.
Language speakers the world over indicate the gender of nouns hundreds of times per day. How does this practice impact the way we perceive our world?
By James Lane
"A drink, or I kill the dog!", “as bored as a dead rat” and other weird and wonderful French animal idioms.
Thinking of moving to Germany? Be prepared to acquire some unexpected new habits. An Italian in Berlin gives us his perspective on how Germany changed him.
Impress your Valentine this year by professing your love in 10 languages. Yes, we really, really love language learning. Can you tell?
This Valentine’s Day, try expressing your love in French with these romantic phrases from France, Cameroon, Canada, Haiti, Senegal and other countries.
Babbel makes it easy to access what you learned years ago
It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it — especially when it comes to romance. Find out which accent you were meant to have.
Desperate to dump your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day? Soften the blow by doing it in the sultry tones of a foreign language.
Babbel’s resident polyglot Matthew Youlden recently traveled to San Francisco to present a course on language learning for Creative Live. Here’s his travel diary.
How to learn Spanish, German, French, or any other language on your own. Use these 7 tips to stay focused and learn independently.
By Ryan Eyers
Emoji are a fast and fun way to add emotional nuance to emails, texts and chats — but can they be more than that? Will emoji become a universal language?
By Luca Vullo
An expert on nonverbal communication shares his 7 favorite Italian hand gestures. Can you guess what they mean? The answers are not always obvious.
By James Lane
"The Awful German Language" is Mark Twain’s humorous account of his frustrations with the German language. 136 years later, let’s see how German has changed.
From opera singers belting out Verdi, to auctioneers speaking a mile a minute to shepherds whistling the latest local news, we profile jobs with wildly different linguistic skill sets.
Looking for one good reason to learn a foreign language? How about seven? Advice from our resident expert on why picking up another language is a good idea.
We surveyed how people behave in supermarkets around the world and what annoys them the most. Would we all get along in a hypothetical “global supermarket?”
Does growing up with multiple languages delay cognitive development or enhance it? We dig into some scientific studies on bilingualism to separate fact from fiction.
The earthbound origins of the names, cultures and languages in the Star Wars universe.
Want to finally learn a foreign language, but can't decide which one? Here are our top 5 reasons to consider learning Spanish.
Old-school language learning can be painful, but there’s a better way to learn! Find out how technology can make learning easy.
Language learners: forgetting a word (or simply not knowing it) doesn’t have to mean communication breakdown. Five tips to keep any conversation flowing.
Some of our bilingual colleagues discuss their pet peeves about having more than one mother tongue. Wait, there’s a disadvantage to bilingualism?
Studies show that we have different personalities when we speak different languages. I've experienced this phenomenon first-hand — and so has my English alter-ego.
What is being Brazilian all about? These 10 habits and behaviors are a good starting point for anyone who wants to visit Brazil and get “Brazilianized”.
By Ed M. Wood
Want to finally learn a foreign language, but can't decide which one? Here are our top 5 reasons to consider learning French.
By Nele Lenz
Witches, black cats, pumpkin carving, and trick or treating: — the pagan origins and modern traditions of Halloween.
What goes on in the brain of a bilingual person, and what are the effects of being raised in two languages? In this video and article, we discuss different perceptions of what it means to be bilingual.
By Ed M. Wood
Handshakes, fist bumps, high fives and kisses. Our guide to greetings and small talk in different countries.
We chose the most difficult German words we could find and asked people learning German to pronounce them. Here's what happened, with pronunciation tips.
By Ed M. Wood
Want to finally learn a foreign language, but can't decide which one? Here are our top 5 reasons to consider learning Italian.
By Ed M. Wood
The US supposedly suffers from a foreign language deficit, but on my first visit to New York I discovered a city immersed in foreign languages, where the ability to understand languages is a prerequisite for understanding one’s immediate environment. What’s the language landscape in New York, and how can you navigate it?
By James Lane
Follow these tips for a low-impact, hassle-free approach to making a new language a part of your daily life.
By Mara Zatti
We’ve got you covered for Oktoberfest. Read on to discover essential tips, fun facts and helpful vocab for this legendary celebration of all things beer.
By James Lane
Egyptian pharaohs with British accents, foreign settings where everyone speaks English—why are accents and dialects in Hollywood so reliant on stereotypes?
Want to finally learn a foreign language, but can't decide which one? Here are our top 5 reasons to consider learning Portuguese.
By James Lane
Do you like traveling? Do you like drinking? If the answer to the first two questions is yes, read on. If you’re drunk right now, just look at the pictures.
Do you wish you possessed more south-of-the-border flavor, flair and passion? Forget the stereotypes and check out this light-hearted look at what it takes to "mexicanize" yourself.
How often have you tried to learn a language and given up? Maybe you unconsciously committed a few “strategic” mistakes.
So you’ve decided to learn a new language! Whether it’s your first adventure into this realm or you’re already a veteran in the area of foreign languages, the path to your goal will take you through a wide range of emotions.
Want to finally learn a foreign language, but can't decide which one? Here are our top 5 reasons to consider learning German.
In this video two savvy felines, Cool Cat and Fat Cat, share some of the cat-themed idioms they’ve picked up from humans.
By Ed M. Wood
Do you end up in overpriced tourist traps when you travel abroad? In this article we discuss how knowing a bit of the native language can both save you money and enrich your experience.
What are swear words, and why do we use them? What happens in your brain when you drop an F-bomb? Straight from Brooklyn, NY: the science of swearing.
Learning a country’s language is only half of fitting in. You’ll also need to learn about local customs and behaviors: here’s what it takes to be Spanish.
By Nuno Marques
Portuguese spoken in Brazil and Portugal: two different languages or two sides of the same coin? To find out, we consulted a very reputable source: puppets
Want to learn a new language, but don't have the time? Here are a few simple tricks to make your journey into a new language a success.
By Ed M. Wood
The super polyglot bros, Matthew and Michael Youlden, took it upon themselves to learn Turkish in one week in Berlin, their city of residence. Find out how they did here.
By Ed M. Wood
Nowadays you can adapt and personalize the way you learn more than ever before, depending upon preferences, motivations and time.
Wish you could be more Italian? Follow these 10 tips, and you’ll be mistaken for a resident of Roma or Milano in no time!
Even on my first day in Istanbul, a handful of Turkish words and phrases unlocked situations that would otherwise have remained off-limits to me.
An English actor divulges his favored approach to language learning and how he’s wielded words in foreign countries.
By James Lane
We’d all like to have things both ways, but common sense – and these funny idioms from around the world – suggest otherwise.
Illustrators and animators at the Pictoplasma Festival in Berlin tell us about art, language, empathy and visual versus verbal communication.
Here’s a wake-up call for all those who dream of becoming multilingual: just do it! Luca Lampariello talks about his motivation for learning 11 languages.
French has many “why don’t we have a word for that?” words and even more that are just plain beautiful. Here’s a short list of my 9 favorite French words.
By Ed M. Wood
What is an untranslatable word? There are many words in foreign languages that encapsulate concepts for which we English speakers require a whole sentence to describe. This is what we call an untranslatable word. Such words open doors to new worlds and new ideas. Take our quiz and obtain the keys to a few more doors!
By Matt Hormann
They say once you learn a language, it never goes away. It can, however, take a long hiatus. How I re-learned French after forgetting it all
By James Lane
How good is your English? As good as Shakespeare’s? Well, even he may have had trouble identifying collective nouns. See how far you get in our quiz.
By James Lane
Have you ever wondered why fish swim in schools, stairs are measured in flights or worms come in cans? As with so many things, the French are to blame...
By Ed M. Wood
Can two guys learn Turkish in 7 days? It sounds impossible, but the Super Polyglot Brothers have a few tricks up their sleeves. Follow their journey here!
What does it take to be German? A love of Wurst, rules and unpretentious clothing? The author of MAKE ME GERMAN 'adds his mustard' on becoming ‘germanized’
Tune in to Spanish. I learned to speak Spanish (long after I had given it up for dead) once it dawned on me that I was constantly surrounded by a living language, not a compulsory school subject. Spanish is a parallel world within reach!
Advice on how to learn Spanish and never forget it. Check out these 5 tips on how to speak Spanish with confidence and make it part of your life!
By Ray Pham
Happy Valentine’s Day! Join us as we take a look at five unusual Valentine’s Day tales from countries around Europe. How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?
By Ed M. Wood
Bilingual relationships can be challenging, but they’re also huge opportunities to learn: I learned German whilst my girlfriend improved her English.
What does it really mean to be French? More romantic, sophisticated and cool? Forget all the stereotypes, and follow these 11 steps to Frenchify yourself!
By James Lane
Nine classic tongue-twisters in different languages, beautifully animated. Watch the video and then practice your pronunciation!
Secret languages, twin languages, idioglossia, and cryptophasia. Insights from a set of twins who transformed their secret twin-speak into a constructed language.
OK buckaroos, if you live in the United States, you probably say a lot of these Spanish words every day – even if you don't speak Spanish!
By Noah Harley
How should we measure fluency in a foreign language? The answer is not so clear-cut, but there are some persistent myths that need to be busted.
Hello? Oh, you must be calling to learn how to answer the phone in 14 different languages. Check out these original illustrations from James Chapman, and don't hang up!
Minority languages are making a comeback all over the world. Here’s why I love learning languages like Catalan, Breton and Cornish
My New Year’s resolution? Learn two new languages. Here’s my advice on making a resolution to learn a language – and how to stick to it!
Planning to learn a language? Studying with a partner is helpful, but having a rival is really motivating! How to let your competitive streak be your guide
10 steps to swedify yourself. Learning Swedish? Planning to visit Sweden one day or even live there? Follow these 10 steps to blend in with the natives.
By Noah Harley
Want to travel without a guidebook? Language is your most important resources. It’s also the key to unlocking worlds you could not have imagined
By Ed M. Wood
My favorite Italian words, like chiacchierone and mozzafiato, are sonorous, playful and really fun to say!
By James Lane
Babbel’s recent My Favourite Word competition reveals some interesting patterns of which words are popular, and why.
Learning a foreign language means making lots of mistakes, but it's nothing to get embarrassed about. It's just part of the process, and there's nothing wrong with having some funny stories to share
Our ability to learn a second language is a magnificent phenomenon unique to humanity. It’s a disguise, in a way, a cloak that allows you to be part of something you’d otherwise never see
By Aaron Garcia
The Day of the Dead is about airing grief colorfully, creatively, exuberantly; the living honoring the dead with decorated graves and shrines. It's a time to bridge the gap across generations, languages and the afterlife.
This Halloween, get a lesson in supernatural scare tactics from the Boogeyman and 14 of his cousins.
By Matt Hormann
Ever since the 19th century, Paris has been the ultimate city for the aimless stroller, or flâneur. Even today, walking with no destination in mind is the only way to stumble upon the secrets hidden in plain sight.
In purely economic terms, what's the return on investment for learning another language? And does language acquisition carry some value besides the opportunity to earn more?
Why Learn Spanish? Because it's the language of America's other melting pot. Embrace your place in los Estados Unidos!
By Matt Hormann
French was just another school subject until I was exposed to French music and film. After discovering François Truffaut I actually wanted to learn French.
The Rosetta Stone was the key to unlocking our understanding of an entire ancient world and to learning their language.
Untranslatable Words Video and Infographic. Every language has words that exist in no other language. Here are our 8 favorite words that defy straightforward translation.
Old Norse Words in English. Without the Vikings, English would be missing some awesome words like berserk, ugly, muck, skull, knife, die, and cake!
By James Lane
Learning to eat like an Italian means learning the difference between antipasti and primo, and how to order your caffè.
By Ed M. Wood
8 of the best Spanish words as you've never seen them before: my eight favorite Spanish words, illustrated with awesome GIFs, offer a window into the Spanish language and the people's mindset.
Why do people really learn languages? We conducted a survey to find out. Some of the answers may surprise you.
Polyglots Matthew & Erika turn their skills into a game where they quickly switch between languages. We also profile other notable online polyglots
Are you trying to learn a language, but need some inspiration? These 5 kernels of wisdom are sure to motivate!
Every language borrows from other languages, but often uses the words incorrectly. When German (Deutsch) borrows from English you get some funny Denglish.
What’s a pigeon without wings? What’s a cow dribble? Learn Brazilian soccer terms with this video – just in time for the World Cup in Brazil!
Can you guess what a STINK ANIMAL is? How about a SHIELD TOAD? This video explains the wonderful logic behind how to name animals in German by combining words.
By Ed M. Wood
My favorite seven German words, illustrated with funny GIFs. These unique words offer a window into the German mindset.
Two polyglots discuss different methods for learning another language. Try it yourself with a free lesson from Babbel!
A polyglot explains how playing music helps her learn new languages. Here are her five best techniques.
Advice for learning languages from a guy who speaks nine. Let this master guide you through the easy and fun way to learn multiple languages.
What’s a pigeon without wings? What’s a cow dribble? Learn Brazilian soccer terms with our infographic – just in time for the World Cup in Brazil!
Learn the beautiful logic behind German compound words; name any animal just by sticking smaller words together. See how with our handy flowchart
Matthew Youlden speaks nine languages fluently. Check out this video in which he speaks English, Irish, German, French, Hebrew, Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese, and Italian
