Loanword Legends | English Language Quiz

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Loanwords quiz challenge

Gm quizzers! 👋 English isn’t just a language; it’s a cultural blend, constantly adopting words from every corner of the globe and making them its own.

From the dishes we devour to the fashion trends we follow, from philosophical debates to viral catchphrases, loanwords have become part of our everyday chatter. Some you might say without a second thought, while others might leave you wondering, “Where did that come from?”

Now’s your chance to put your knowledge to the test! Let’s see if you’re fluent in the borrowed brilliance of global English or if you need a little refresher. 🌍🧠

Tap to reveal the answer and see if you got it right!

Q1: Which Persian snack word sounds like something you’d enjoy while binge-watching Netflix, but actually refers to a small meal or snack?

A) Meze
B) Hors d'oeuvres
C) Tapas
D) Tiffin

D) Tiffin is a term borrowed from Hindi and refers to a light meal.

Q2: From which language does the term "kindergarten," meaning "children's garden," originate?

A) Dutch
B) German
C) Swedish
D) French

B) German. Kindergarten is a compound of the German words for "children" and "garden."

Q3: What does the word "sushi" mean in its original language?

A) Rice
B) Fish
C) Roll
D) Seaweed

A) Rice. Sushi comes from Japanese, meaning vinegared rice.

Q4: Which language gave us the term "doppelgänger," meaning "look-alike"? Because let’s face it, we all have at least one celebrity twin.

A) Dutch
B) German
C) Austrian
D) Finnish

B) German.

Q5: Which word in Swahili means "journey"?

A) Safari
B) Trek
C) Troupe
D) Walk

A) Safari.

Q6: What word in Arabic means "the art of mathematics involving symbols"?

A) Geometry
B) Trigonometry
C) Algebra
D) Arithmetic

C) Algebra is derived from the Arabic word "al-jabr," referring to a branch of mathematics.

Q7: What Danish word describes those moments that make you say, “Ahh, this is the life” – usually with a hot drink and fuzzy socks?

A) Sisu
B) Kaffe
C) Fika
D) Hygge

D) Hygge is a Danish word that describes a feeling of coziness and contentment, often shared with others.

Q8: Which word in Chinese means "enthusiastic" or "work together"?

A) Tai chi
B) Kung fu
C) Gung ho
D) Feng shui

C) Gung ho.

Q9: "Avatar" as a digital persona comes from which ancient language? Spoiler: It’s not the name of the blue aliens from that movie, but it’s equally ancient!

A) Sanskrit
B) Latin
C) Hebrew
D) Greek

A) The Sanskrit word “avatāra” refers to the earthly descent of a deity.

Q10: What is the origin of the English word “curry”?

A) Hindi
B) Tamil
C) Bengali
D) Punjabi

B) “Kari” in Tamil means sauce — and gave rise to the English “curry.”

Check your score

Now that you've uncovered all 10 answers — how did you do?

9–10 correct – Language Legend 🌍 Your knowledge of loanwords is nothing short of legendary! You’ve mastered the art of linguistic borrowing and cultural fusion. Fluent in global English, you are! 🏆

6–8 correct – Wordsmith in the Making ✍️ Impressive! You’ve got a strong grasp on loanwords, but there’s always room for more. Keep up the fantastic learning, and soon you'll be a language pro! 🎓

0–5 correct – Word Explorer 🌱 Looks like you're just starting your journey into the world of loanwords! No worries – every new word you learn brings you closer to becoming a linguistic expert. Keep exploring! 🔍

And that’s your Loanwords fix complete, thanks for playing along! See you next time, I Eat Quizzes - Out! 👋

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How did you get on? Got thoughts, scores, or reckon you’ve spotted something? Drop your comments below! ✍️

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