Lexicon
Tap any card to reveal the pro tip.
In French, 'librairie' means bookstore, not library.
In French, 'attendre' means to wait, not to attend.
In French, 'actuel' means current, not actual.
In Italian, 'camera' means room/bedroom, not photo camera.
In Italian, 'parenti' means relatives, not parents.
In Italian, 'preservativo' means condom, not food preservative.
In German, 'bekommen' means to get/receive, not to become.
In German, 'Gift' means poison, not a present!
In German, 'fast' means almost, not quick.
In Portuguese, 'pasta' means folder or paste, not pasta/noodles.
In Portuguese, 'pretender' means to intend, not to pretend.
In Portuguese, 'constipado' means having a cold, not constipated!
In Turkish, 'pasta' means cake, not pasta/noodles.
In Turkish, 'sempatik' means likable or friendly, not sympathetic/compassionate.
In Turkish, 'aktüel' means current or topical, not actual/real.
In Dutch, 'willen' means to want, not the future 'will'.
In Dutch, 'bellen' means to call (phone) or ring, not to bark.
In Dutch, 'huren' means to rent/lease, not to hire a person.
In Spanish, 'embarazada' means pregnant, not embarrassed.
In Spanish, 'constipado' means having a cold, not constipated.
In Spanish, 'pretender' means to intend or expect, not to pretend.
In Spanish, 'introducir' means to insert, not to introduce a person.
In Spanish, 'carpeta' means folder, not carpet.
In Spanish, 'éxito' means success, not exit.
In Spanish, 'largo' means long, not large/wide.
In Spanish, 'discutir' usually means to argue, not just discuss.
In Spanish, 'ropa' means clothes, not rope.
In Spanish, 'recordar' means to remember, not to record audio/video.
In Spanish, 'firma' means signature, not a business firm.
In Spanish, 'vaso' means drinking glass, not a flower vase.
In Spanish, 'balón' means a sports ball, not a light party balloon.
In French, 'blesser' means to hurt or injure, not to bless.
In French, 'formidable' means wonderful or great, not fearsome.
In French, 'demander' means to ask, not to demand.
In French, 'journée' refers to the duration of a day, not a journey.
In French, 'location' means renting or leasing, not a place.
In French, 'monnaie' means loose change or currency, not general money.
In French, 'prétendre' means to claim or assert, not to pretend.
In French, 'sensible' means sensitive (emotional), not sensible.
In French, 'introduire' means to insert or enter, not to introduce a person.
In French, 'rester' means to stay or remain, not to rest.
In French, 'cantine' means cafeteria, not a wine cellar or tavern.
In Italian, 'camera' means room or bedroom, not a photo camera.
In Italian, 'caldo' means hot or warm, not cold.
In Italian, 'stanza' means room, not a poetry verse block.
In Italian, 'firma' means signature, not a business firm.
In Italian, 'largo' means wide/broad, not large or long.
In Italian, 'abito' means a suit or dress, not a habit.
In Italian, 'pretendere' means to demand or expect, not to pretend.
In Italian, 'sensibile' means sensitive (emotion/feelings), not sensible.
In Italian, 'curare' means to treat or take care of, not to cure.
In Italian, 'bravo' means good or skilled, not courageous.
Requests without 'please' sound rude in English.
It expects 'Fine, thanks' — not your life story.
Weather, weekend, traffic — light topics build trust.
Most workplaces drop titles after one meeting.
British English uses 'sorry' as apology, excuse me AND question marker.
In British English, 'not bad' often means excellent.
English speakers often say no without saying no.
Cutting a queue in Britain is a serious social offence.
Say 'Thank you' — don't reject it.
Direct requests can sound rude. Modals make you sound polite.
Tipping rules are vastly different between the US and the UK.
Soften your request when asking the waiter for the check or bill.
SINCE = a starting point. FOR = a duration.
First conditional: IF + present, WILL + base verb.
Feeling = -ED. Cause = -ING.
'People' is plural in English.
Never 'an information' or 'informations'.
The 'to' is a preposition, so use -ing.
MAKE = create/produce. DO = perform/carry out.
SAY something. TELL someone.
USED TO = past habit (no more). BE USED TO = accustomed to (now).
FEWER for countable. LESS for uncountable.
AT for specific times. IN for months/years/periods. ON for days/dates.
DESPITE + noun/-ing. ALTHOUGH + clause.
IT'S = it is / it has. ITS = belonging to it.
WILL = spontaneous / prediction. GOING TO = planned / evidence-based.
UK "lift" = US "elevator" — the box that moves you between floors.
UK "chips" = US "fries" — long, fried potato sticks.
UK "crisps" = US "chips" — thin, crunchy potato slices in a bag.
UK "petrol" = US "gas" — fuel for your car.
UK "petrol station" = US "gas station" — where you fill the car up.
UK "flat" = US "apartment" — a home inside a bigger building.
UK "lorry" = US "truck" — a big vehicle for cargo.
UK "boot" = US "trunk" — the storage space at the back of a car.
UK "bonnet" = US "hood" — the cover over a car's engine.
UK "pavement" = US "sidewalk" — the path beside a road for people.
UK "queue" = US "line" — a row of people waiting.
UK "rubbish" = US "trash" — things you throw away.
UK "biscuit" = US "cookie" — a small sweet baked snack.
UK "jumper" = US "sweater" — a knitted top for cold days.
UK "trainers" = US "sneakers" — soft sport shoes.
UK "trousers" = US "pants" — the clothes you wear on your legs.
UK "underground" = US "subway" — the city train that runs below ground.
UK "holiday" = US "vacation" — time off work or school for travel and rest.
UK "postcode" = US "zip code" — the short code for your address.
UK "mobile" = US "cell phone" — the phone you carry with you.
UK "autumn" = US "fall" — the season after summer.
UK "tap" = US "faucet" — the thing you turn for water at the sink.
UK "football" = US "soccer" — the sport played with feet and a round ball.
106 essentials for your course · 207 total catalog items ✦