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In Berlin, a city whose inhabitants come from 184 countries, I hear many different languages every day: from the Arabic-speaking kids I see in the mornings on their way to school to the Italian waiters chit-chatting under my window just before I fall asleep at night. I speak Swedish, English and German, so for the most part, these other languages feel more like background noise, or ambient music in a bar.

Until, that is, a word or phrase I recognize suddenly pops into an otherwise random stream of sounds. A mother scolding her child in Turkish suddenly says, in German, Und das kannst du einfach nicht machen, verstehst du? (“You simply can’t do that, understand?”). On the subway, a couple of Finnish twentysomethings insert an “I gotta make up my mind!” into their Finnish conversation. A Swabian colleague calls her mom, and suddenly speaks in a language that definitely isn’t the German I learned when I moved here from Sweden.

What do these people all have in common? They’re all practicing the fine art of code-switching — that uniquely linguistic habit of shifting between different languages, dialects or styles depending on the context, environment or social context.

What Is Code-Switching & Why Do People Code-Switch?

The classic definition of code-switching is changing seamlessly between two languages within a single conversation. It’s common in bilingual communities, such as Spanish and English speakers in North America, where people code-switch naturally as part of everyday discourse.

Bilingual speakers equally proficient in both languages often engage in code-switching like this account of my Puerto Rican co-worker’s night out: “La comida estaba bien delicious, we enjoyed it a lot! Pasamos una noche super nice!” People like myself, however, who speak one language better than the other, tend to code-switch less frequently.

In a broader sense, code switching also includes shifting between formal and informal speech, or between a regional dialect and a standardized version of a language. This practice of shifting isn’t random — it reflects how speakers adjust their language to align with cultural norms, societal expectations and the immediate environment.

Code-switching requires a high level of fluency, which makes it different from borrowing words. Borrowing happens because a language lacks a specific term; code-switching, on the other hand, is a choice. People code-switch because they can — and because it serves a purpose.

It might not seem obvious, as much of this switching happens unconsciously, but there are clear reasons people code-switch — from expressing identity to navigating workplace norms, or even avoiding stereotypes and bias.

Your Heart Speaks Your Mother Tongue

Often, our first language is tied to identity, safety and childhood — and to our most instinctive emotions. So when we live in a different linguistic environment, we rely on our native language to express strong feelings like anger, fear or excitement.

I, for instance, have inherited terrible road rage from my mother, and that road rage is definitely Swedish. Probably for the best, since if I were shouting those same things in German, I might be writing this from prison.

But it’s not always about emotional intensity. Sometimes, switching into a second language creates distance. In high school, my friends and I would switch to English when talking about vulnerable topics — not because it was secret, but because it felt less direct, less exposed. Saying I love you in English somehow felt easier than jag älskar dig in Swedish.

This is one of the subtler benefits and drawbacks of code-switching: it can help us express ourselves, but also alter how those expressions feel.

The Word Is Not Enough

Another common reason people code-switch is precision. Sometimes, the perfect word exists — just not in the language you’re currently speaking.

Instead of searching for a slightly off translation, you slip into a different language and say exactly what you mean. Whether it’s veröffentlicht, che disagio, or a perfectly placed English phrase like “making sense,” code-switching helps convey meaning more accurately.

This isn’t always about untranslatable words. Even when translations exist, they don’t always carry the same nuance, tone or cultural weight. So speakers naturally adopt the term that fits best.

Examples of Code-Switching: The Topic Decides The Language

Certain topics seem to belong to certain languages. Anyone who spends time online knows the dominance of English in areas like tech, social discourse or the workplace. Terms like “mansplaining” or “open source” often feel more natural than their translated equivalents.

Living abroad amplifies this effect. In Berlin, no one says “citizen office” instead of Bürgeramt. And when you say, “You have to go to the Amt,” you’re conveying more than just “authority” — you’re invoking a whole institutional experience.

This is one of the clearest examples of code-switching: the topic itself determines the language.

Experiences also shape this. A friend once told me she could only talk about giving birth in German, because that’s where the experience happened. Language, memory and context are deeply intertwined.

Code-Switching In The Workplace And Society

Code-switching isn’t just about language — it’s also about navigating professional settings, societal expectations and inclusion. In the workplace, people may code-switch to align with perceived norms, adopting standard American English, softening an accent, or downplaying cultural mannerisms.

This is especially true in institutional environments where professionalism is often narrowly defined. For some, like Black women, this can mean switching between African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and standard American English to avoid stereotypes or negative perception.

People may code-switch to fit in, avoid bias, or foster common ground with peers. But this constant adjustment can come with pressure, fatigue and even burnout. Psychologists note that prolonged code-switching can lead to feelings of inauthenticity, as individuals subconsciously conform to external expectations.

This raises important questions about equity and inclusivity. Should individuals have to alter their speech to be seen as competent? Or should workplaces foster more inclusive environments where diverse linguistic identities are accepted?

Code-switching can help navigate social spaces, but it also highlights where inclusion is still lacking.

Showing Off Or Showing Kinship

Of course, code-switching isn’t always about pressure. Sometimes, it’s playful — a way to show off linguistic skills or signal belonging.

A Milanese professional might throw in a bit of English to sound cosmopolitan. A manager might switch registers to engage different audiences. Among friends, switching languages can reinforce shared identity, ethnicity or cultural background.

It can also be deeply unconscious. We adapt our speech depending on who we’re talking to — a parent, a colleague, a peer — without even realizing it.

Let’s Keep Code-Switching!

“Aren’t you good enough at German?” “Why are you speaking English all the time?” These are familiar critiques for anyone who frequently engages in code-switching.

And yes, there’s value in fluency, in being able to stick to one language when needed. But code-switching isn’t a flaw — it’s a reflection of how we navigate complex social and linguistic environments.

Personally, I’ll admit that sometimes it’s laziness. Sometimes I switch because I can’t find the right word quickly enough, or because grammar gets in the way. But more often, it’s simply the most natural way to communicate.

As long as everyone in the conversation understands, what’s the harm?

Code-switching is part of identity. It reflects where we come from, where we are, and how we connect with others. So mach weiter — and keep on switching.

The post Code-Switching: The Weird And Wonderful Side Of Bilingual Communication appeared first on Babbel.

You’ve bought your plane tickets, done your hours of research, and planned your itinerary. You’re just about ready to go, but there’s one thing missing: You don’t speak French. Whether you’re heading off to Paris for some art and culture, Brittany for a breath of fresh Atlantic air, or Bordeaux for the wine tour you’ve always dreamed of, you’ll enjoy it even more if you have a bit of the language under your belt. But where should you begin? Luckily for you, here at Babbel, we have tons of courses to teach you everything you’ll need for your trip.

Learning some French words for your vacation will make it easier for you to get around, to order exactly what you want to eat or drink in a restaurant or café, and to really experience the culture by making connections with the local people. Here’s a little timeline we put together to get you speaking confidently in just a couple weeks!

Greetings and Polite Basic French Phrases

There are some pretty standard phrases every traveler should know how to say in the local language when traveling to a foreign country. They are also the most logical place to start when you learn French for any reason. Here are just a few:

• Hello
• How are you?
• Good morning / afternoon / evening
• Please
• Thank you
• Yes
• No
• Sorry: Desole
• I don’t understand
• How much is _______?:

To master these things in French, we suggest you start with our French beginner’s courses. They teach topics that range from introducing yourself and asking simple questions, all the way to booking a hotel and finding your way around a busy Parisian train station! You’ll also find a number of lessons focused on pronunciation, so you won’t have to worry about being misunderstood when you speak.

Hello/Good Day — Bonjour
Hello/Good Evening — Bonsoir
Please — S’il vous plaît
Thank you — Merci
Yes — Oui
No — Non
Sorry — Desolé
I don’t understand — Je ne comprende pas

Order Food in France

Ratatouille, bœuf bourguignon, crêpes, quiche … the list goes on! France is a veritable wonderland of food and flavor, and you’ll most likely be spending a fair amount of time in restaurants and cafés. That being said, you should plan to brush up on some useful words and phrases for dining out.

Here are some basic French phrases that will keep you from asking for an English menu:
The menu — le menu/la carte
I would like — Je voudrais
Do you have an available table? — Avez-vous une table disponible ?
I would like to make a reservation — Je voudrais faire une reservation
With — Avec
Without — Sans
Enjoy your meal! — Bon appetit !
It’s delicious — C’est delicieux

Learn French: Key Phrases for Getting Around

Getting lost in a place where you speak the language is bad enough. Now imagine being lost somewhere where you can’t communicate with anyone! Knowing how to ask for help will definitely lower your stress levels if you get turned around. Here are a few phrases to use to navigate in a French-speaking country.

I’m looking for — Je cherche
Where is? — Où est ?
The exit — La Sortie
Next to — À côté de
Across from — En face de
To the right — À droite
To the left — À gauche
Tout droit — Straight
Cross the street — Traversez la rue
At the corner of — Au coin de

Sightseeing in France

Whether you’re exploring the museums of Paris, the castles in the countryside, or the beaches of the Riviera, there’s so much to see and do on your trip to France. Learning a few key phrases for sightseeing will go a long way.

Downtown — Le centre-ville
The museum — Le musée
The castle — Le château
The cathedral — Le cathédrale
How much does it cost? — Ça coûte combien ?
Tickets — Les billets
What are the hours? — Quels sont les horaires ?
The Eiffel Tower — La Tour Eiffel
The French Riviera — La côte d’azur

Get Ready for an Unforgettable Travel Experience

With just a few days left before you leave, you’ll want to review everything you’ve learned so far so that it’s fresh in your mind and ready to be used! This is where the Babbel Review feature will come in handy. All of the core vocabulary and phrases you’ve picked up over the last two weeks have been stored there so you can easily go back over them and practice.

If you’re feeling confident with the basics, then now it’s time to have a little fun! We have a huge selection of courses with interesting cultural and linguistic content that you can find under the categories “Countries and Traditions” and “Specials.” With these lessons, you can get your French slang up to snuff (cimer !), find some ideas for sightseeing, learn a bit about true and false friends, and also pick up a few idioms to really impress the locals. We promise it won’t all be pour des prunes !

After these two weeks, you should be more than ready to communicate effectively during your next trip. Our final tip for you is, of course, to have fun!

The post Common French Phrases for Travelers to Learn Before You Visit France appeared first on Babbel.

For the most part, the English name for a country is similar to the English name for the people who live there. The French live in France, Indonesians live in Indonesia, Rwandans live in Rwanda and so on. That’s not always the case, however. The people who live in the Netherlands are not Netherlandish or Netherlandians—they’re Dutch.

While it’s not too difficult to figure that out, the difference in terminology can reveal some interesting historical and linguistic insights. Add in the difference between Holland and the Netherlands, and there’s even more complexity.

Here, we’ll take a closer look at the history behind each of these terms and where they came from.

First, Where Does “The Netherlands” Come From?

The meaning of “Netherlands” isn’t too hard to guess. “Nether” means “low” and “lands” means “countries” (or, more simply, “lands”). The modern Dutch equivalent is Nederland, which means the same thing.

The name has been around for a long time, though the region wasn’t always officially known as the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The area that now includes both the Netherlands and Belgium—often referred to as the Low Countries—has changed hands many times.

One common thread in its naming, however, is its geography. Much of the land lies below sea level, shaped by canals, dikes and polders, and proximity to the North Sea. Back when it was a Roman territory in the first century CE, the area was called Germania Inferior, to contrast with Germania Superior. When the Kingdom of Germany took over the territory in the 10th century, it became Lower Lorraine.

It wasn’t until the 15th century that Nederlandsch appears in the historical record, and at that point it referred to the language spoken by the people in the region. It also existed alongside the more common term Duytsch (more on that below).

It took a few hundred more years for Nederlandsch to take hold as the name for the entire country. In the 19th century, Belgium split off, and the name gradually replaced other variants like Nederduytsch.

Today, the country is made up of 12 provinces, including regions like Friesland, Zeeland, Limburg and Gelderland.

Why the People Are Called Dutch

The word Dutch comes from a Proto-Germanic root meaning “of the people.” It shares the same origin as the German word Deutsch, which helps explain the connection to Deutschland.

Dutch and German are both Germanic languages, and historically, English speakers used variations of the word “Dutch” more broadly. Over time, the meaning narrowed, and it became associated specifically with the Netherlands and its people.

As mentioned above, the Netherlands was at one time referred to as Nederduytsch, meaning “of the lower people.” Today, however, the Dutch people and Dutch government refer to their language as Nederlands, and most other languages follow that pattern.

English is the exception. It’s the only language that consistently uses “Dutch” for both the people and the language spoken in the Netherlands.

One lingering example of this broader usage is “Pennsylvania Dutch,” which actually refers to a variety of German spoken in North America—not the language spoken in the Netherlands.

Holland vs. The Netherlands

The use of Holland to refer to the entire country is another common point of confusion—and central to the difference between the Netherlands and Holland.

The term “Holland” originally comes from Old Dutch holt land, meaning “wood land.” It refers specifically to just two provinces: North and South Holland.

Calling the Netherlands “Holland” is a bit like calling the United Kingdom “England.” It’s widely understood, but not technically accurate. Holland is part of the Netherlands – not the other way around.

There was a brief period from 1806 to 1810 when the country was officially called Holland under Napoleon Bonaparte, who installed his brother as ruler. But that’s not why the name stuck.

Instead, Holland became associated with the entire country because it was historically one of the most powerful and economically important regions—particularly during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century. Cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague helped shape global perceptions of the country.

Even today, Holland is often used as shorthand for the whole country, especially in tourism and international contexts (I wouldn’t be surprised if “Holland” is the first thing you think after you hear tulip or windmill). Still, if you want to be precise, it’s best to refer to the country as the Netherlands.

So, What Should You Actually Call The Country and Its People?

If all of this feels a little confusing, you’re not alone. The mix of history, geography and language has left English with a few overlapping terms – Dutch, Holland and the Netherlands – that don’t always line up neatly.

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

• The Netherlands is the official name of the country
• Holland refers only to two provinces within the country (North Holland and South Holland)
• Dutch describes the people, language and culture

In most everyday situations, people will understand what you mean no matter which term you use. Referring to the entire country as Holland is still very common, especially abroad and in tourism. But if you want to be accurate—particularly when speaking with Dutch people—it’s better to use “the Netherlands.”

The same goes for the language. While English speakers say people speak Dutch, the language is called Nederlands within the country itself.

This overlap in naming is ultimately the result of centuries of linguistic evolution, political change and cultural influence. From the Low Countries to the rise of powerful trading regions like Holland, each term reflects a different part of the region’s past.

Today, the Kingdom of the Netherlands is a modern European nation known for its canals, cycling culture, and cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht. But the legacy of its names—Dutch, Holland and the Netherlands—continues to tell a deeper story about how language and history shape the way we describe the world.

The post Why Are People From The Netherlands Called Dutch? appeared first on Babbel.

There are currently over 3,000 endangered languages in the world on the brink of extinction, and the rate at which languages and dialects are dying is alarming. According to National Geographic, one language vanishes from the face of the earth every 14 days, and few leave any recognizable traces. The least spoken languages in the world tend to only be spoken by a few elders of small communities, and — since learning a dying language rarely appeals to people trying to secure their place in a global economy — younger generations aren’t typically learning these languages from their parents or grandparents. Most of these at-risk languages also lack a writing system, making their preservation an even more daunting challenge.

So what are the most vulnerable languages and language families on Earth—from small branches of larger families like Austronesian to isolated languages with no known relatives—and what’s being done to save them?

The Rarest and Least Spoken Languages In The World

There are too many languages on the brink of extinction to name in this article. Currently, the UNESCO Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger lists 1,078 languages with fewer than 1,000 speakers. Here’s a closer look at four languages that are under threat of completely disappearing within a few generations, as well as the names of the 18 languages with only one speaker still alive.

Khanty: Less Than 10,000 Speakers

Divided into three main group dialects and spoken mostly in Western Siberia, Khanty (also known as Hanti) is a language in survival mode: its native speakers now number less than 10,000.

Khanty has an evidentiality system, which requires the speaker to indicate grammatically whether they have witnessed something themselves or acquired the knowledge through hearsay. This fascinating feature gives Khanty speakers a unique perception of facts and reality, something particularly relevant in the current era of fake news. Other endangered languages, like Ainu in Japan, face similar challenges, with only a small number of speakers working to preserve the language today.

Ongota: 10 Speakers

Ongota is spoken in Southwest Ethiopia by 10 elders. It is a dying language, and chances are that it will be replaced by its closest competitor, the Tsamai language. There is already a lot of code switching between Ongota and Tsamai — but Tsamai is clearly dominant. As the indigenous Ongota men married into the Ts’amakko tribe, Ts’amakko mothers would teach the next generation their language, Tsamai. Kids wouldn’t learn Ongota from their fathers — they had stopped speaking it to avoid scorn from Ts’amakko, who look down on the Ongota way of life, as they do not own cattle and subsist mostly as hunter-gatherers.

It’s fascinating to realize that affluence affects the level of prestige attributed to a language in so many disparate world cultures.

Chung: 10 Speakers

The vertiginous linguistic disappearance proceeds in Cambodia, a country where 19 languages are vulnerable or facing extinction this century. One of them, Chung (also known as Sa’och), has only 10 fluent speakers left in a small village in Cambodia. This once stable culture was decimated by the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. The communist regime snatched them from their land and locked them up in labor camps, forbade them from speaking their own language and killed their culture and religion in the process, breaking the animist bond they themselves perceived to celebrate with the land. The survivors fled to the coast to sell their labor. The denigration of their language and traditions has been assimilated by the members of the group, and they mostly show no desire for language maintenance, since their own tongue has no prestige.

Njerep: 6 Speakers

The Mambila village of Somié, located along the Nigeria-Cameroon border, is home to a small handful of people who can utter a few words and sentences in Njerep. They are no longer “semi-speakers,” but “rememberers” of a language, which, in its dying stages, has been used mostly for greetings, songs, jokes and the sharing of secrets. Documentation made public in the year 2000 found that only four people in the late 1990s used Njerep at home, and only one elderly person in the group, Mial, could converse in it.

In a song documented by researchers, Mial veered from the usual, traditional themes — historical events passed down orally — to complain that the youth show contempt and disdain for Njerep, laughing whenever Mial uses it to communicate. This explains the constant code switching observed by researchers, with the language used sparsely by speakers who now favor other languages. The last fluent speaker, Wajiri Bi, died in 1998.

Languages With Only One Speaker Left: From Taushiro to Tanema

Some languages float in limbo. UNESCO has identified a number of languages with only one known speaker, though the exact number of speakers can change as documentation improves or communities are reassessed. Among them are Apiaká, Diahói and Kaixána in Brazil; Chaná in Argentina; Pémono in Venezuela; Taushiro in Peru; Tinigua in Colombia; Yahgan in Chile; Patwin, Tolowa and Wintu-Nomlaki in the USA; Dampelas in Indonesia; Lae, Yarawi and Laua in Papua New Guinea; Volow in Vanuatu; and Bikya and Bishuo in Cameroon — these last two haven’t been documented since 1986, so their current status is unknown.

Other critically endangered languages exist in similarly fragile conditions. Lemerig, once spoken in Vanuatu, now has only a handful of remaining speakers, while Ainu, an Indigenous language of northern Japan, is maintained by a small and aging speaker community. Another case is Tanema, from the Solomon Islands, which is now considered nearly extinct, with no fully fluent speakers and only limited documentation preserving what remains.

Efforts to Revive Endangered Languages

In this landscape of stunning loss, hope keeps surfacing in institutions and projects that try to salvage what is left. In the mid-1990s, linguists scrambled to document languages in the face of a frightening rate of extinction. Alarmed by the imminent demise of so many languages — and armed with new digital technology able to register, collect, archive, analyze and disseminate information efficiently — they proceeded to raise funds, create projects, pressure lawmakers and build institutions to avoid and repair as much damage as possible.

The Endangered Languages Documentation Programme

The ELDP was founded in 2002 with the aim of preserving languages threatened by extinction. It not only funds individual projects developed by scholars, it also provides training in London and around the world to help prepare the methodology required for research work. It has funded over 300 different projects, most of them in Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America.

One of those projects was Graziano Sava’s documentation of Ongota. Sava arrived at the village only speaking the contact language, Ts’amakko. His research, recording live audio of Ongota, even inspired a documentary which shows Sava interacting with — and being chastised by! — the speakers who patiently attempt to communicate with him.

The Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages

This initiative began its work in 2005 and has developed projects in 15 different countries. Their methodology includes training native speakers to record words and phrases in their own languages. This information is used to create “Talking Dictionaries” with thousands of words and images. Empowering locals, the institute provides them with skills allowing them to become research assistants and representatives of their own languages.

The institute believes in community ownership of intellectual property. They send copies of the material collected to the communities they research, and allow them to make the final decision on what can be disclosed publicly. They also make their dictionaries available online (there are more than 100 to browse for free!).

Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services

The U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services is responsible for this federal program. This initiative provides funding to tribes, villages, corporations and organizations, helping to sustain traditions, knowledge and critically endangered languages. One project funded by the program is the digitization of a dictionary with audio recordings for the Quinault Indian Nation. Another is the development of a permanent interactive exhibition in the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum named “Thanksgiving Address,” including audio recordings of Seneca Nation members speaking the Seneca language.

Recovering Voices

This program, created by the Smithsonian, develops the same kind of initiatives, which also include an annual film festival with films representing different global languages and the efforts to revitalize them. Their attempts have triggered positive results, such as the revitalization of the language spoken by the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma through written documentation collected a century ago.

The Endangered Language Alliance

Headquartered in New York City, the ELA focuses on linguistic communities in New York itself — home to more than 800 languages. You can read our extensive interview with the ELA’s Assistant Director, Ross Perlin.

Wikitongues

Wikitongues is a volunteer movement to educate the world about linguistic diversity and equip communities with the tools to revitalize and sustain languages on the brink of extinction. For someone who works so intimately with languages and cultural lifeways that are teetering on the edge of extinction, director and co-founder Daniel Bögre Udell is a lot more hopeful and optimistic than you might expect. Here’s what he had to say about this interesting crossroads we’re at as a species in an episode of our podcast, Multilinguish.

A Success Story: Revitalizing Hawaiian

This bears the question: are there any success stories in the revitalization efforts of language preservation? Well, yes indeed! Here is an uplifting example.

Hawaiian’s story is intimately linked with colonization. The language remained unwritten until 1814, when a native Hawaiian living in England wrote his own spelling book, grammar and dictionary for the language. By the 1820s, a standardized form of the written language was widely adopted in Hawaii. Soon enough, Hawaii was printing its own newspaper and publishing its own translation of the Bible. In the 1840s, day schools were inaugurated and the Hawaii Department of Education was established.

This institutionalized systematization of reading and writing led to a very high level of literacy in Hawaii in a short amount of time — but it also triggered damaging racial and class divisions. English, the language of the educated, gained prestige, and Hawaiian gradually lost cultural influence. A succession of events led to Hawaiian being outlawed in 1896, culminating in the annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898. The situation reached bizarre proportions when Hawaiian was introduced as a foreign language in the new University of Hawaii in 1922!

But academics, teachers and scholars started reevaluating the language in 1950s, studying the culture and traditions of the Hawaiian people, compiling an extensive dictionary, inspiring students in schools to learn the language (which was still spoken by their grandparents), motivating university students to enroll in Hawaiian language courses, broadcasting radio shows and many other efforts — culminating in Hawaiian’s return to official language status, alongside English, in 1978. Schools teaching in Hawaiian were subsequently founded, and new laws were passed to further the official use and dissemination of the language. By the 1990s, websites in Hawaiian began to surface and, after a 100-year hiatus, students once again graduated high school with Hawaiian as their first language.

The 21st century has seen MAs and Doctorates in Hawaiian Language and Literature, written in both English and in Hawaiian. The State of Hawaii’s Board of Education is now fully committed to the promotion of the Hawaiian language through immersion. Hawaiian has fully resurfaced!

Other Minority Languages On Their Way To Becoming Widely Spoken Languages

Hawaiian is not the only language that has been revitalized. Maori in New Zealand and Hebrew in Israel have also been resounding successes, while Cornish in England shows promising growth as a “reawakening” language – with the number of speakers increasing every year.

The Significance of Losing a Language – And Why It’s Important To Save Them

The purpose of documenting indigenous languages must not simply be to pin them to the wall like butterflies. Linguistic diversity is seen by linguists as akin to biodiversity. The extinction of numerous species of flora and fauna leaves us less fit for survival, just like the extinction of a language yet to be studied closes the gateway to knowledge of our shared history.

The preservation of knowledge signifies the possibility of successfully revitalizing declining or abandoned cultures. Consequently, we shouldn’t talk about “dead” languages once they’re documented extensively. They’re only momentarily in a coma or frozen cryogenically, waiting for a more enlightened time when their uniqueness and beauty will be celebrated instead of scorned.

The post What Are The Rarest and Least Spoken Languages In The World? appeared first on Babbel.

Are you worried about getting lost in translation while traversing the glorious expanses of Australia? Down Under, you’ll find yourself immersed in a very unique variety of English called ‘Strayan (a.k.a. Australian). Don’t get your panties in a bunch (or your knickers in a twist) just yet, because this article will help you navigate the ins and outs of this fascinating Aussie vernacular.

It’s pretty simple really — there are only a couple of rules to remember and no dictionary required. First, abbreviate everything you can: football is “footy,” and you watch it on the “telly.” Second, swearing improves everything. Got it? Good. Here are the most essential Australian phrases.

Welcome to Aussieland: The Most Commonly Used Australian Slang Phrases 1. Good on ya!

Meaning: well done; good stuff

A general term of appreciation directed at people who’ve done something well or nice, like buying another round of drinks or cooking dinner. Add “mate” or “love” to the end for extra points.

2. You little ripper/You little beauty

Meaning: that’s terrific; how excellent

This phrase is typically roared at the TV upon seeing that your betting horse has won the race, or after finding out that your last meeting of the day has been cancelled.

3. To crack onto somebody

Meaning: to try to kiss someone; to try to pick someone up

“She’s been cracking onto him all night” is an example of how you might use this Aussie expression. Expect to hear it in pubs and at barbies (barbecues). If two people pash — that’s Aussie for kissing passionately — then the operation is generally considered a success. If not…

4. Having a whinge

Meaning: to complain

The rejected party from above may end up in a corner nursing an alcoholic beverage and “having a whinge” (or a sook). You can whinge about anything, really — the weather or your boss are always good targets. Australians like to consider themselves fairly happy-go-lucky people, though, so complaints are typically flung at the following group below.

5. Pom

Meaning: a derogatory word for a British person

A Pom, often a Whinging Pom (sometimes also Pommy or Pome), is a British person. Although it was thought to be an acronym for Prisoner Of Mother England, etymologists now believe this to be false. It more likely came from “pomegranate,” which was adapted from the rhyming slang for immigrant, “Jimmy Grant.” This Australian expression may have been inspired by the color English people turn under the harsh Antipodean sun.

6. It’s chockers in here

Meaning: it’s crowded in here

The full word is “chockablock,” which is clearly one syllable too many. “Jeez, it’s chockers in here,” is as Australian as meat pie (i.e. very Australian!).

Food And Drink 7. Crack open a tinny

Meaning: to open a can of beer

Aussie slang phrases related to alcohol are many and varied. A tinny is a can, while a stubby is a little bottle. You’ll need to put them in an esky (cooler) when you go camping or picnicking. It goes without saying that you’ll then need to buy an entire slab (crate/case) so there’s enough for everyone. You can buy everything from the bottle-o (liquor store) down the road.

Just practice this sentence: “Hey, could you pop down to the bottle-o and pick up a couple of slabs? And chuck one in the esky. Good on ya!”

8. To chunder

Meaning: to throw up

This one is most easily explained in practice: “Jacko had a couple too many drinks and he couldn’t quite make it to the dunny — ended up chundering all over the living room.” (Dunny = outdoor toilet.)

9. Barbie

Meaning: a barbecue

Australian barbecues are more than just a meal — they’re a statement of purpose and a way of life. Many things can be thrown on the barbie: prawns, snags (sausages), steaks, hamburgers, kebabs, veggie skewers, fish and so on (nowadays, tofu is also acceptable).

Beverage pairings include as many tinnies or stubbies as you can handle, plus champers (champagne) and of course Cab-Sav (cabernet sauvignon) — a very cultured selection.

Short And Sweet Aussie Slang: Our Favorite Abbreviations 10. Arvo

Meaning: the afternoon

As in: “Saw Tommo at the pub this arvo, he must’ve been chucking a sickie” (an Australian expression for pretending to be ill to skip work).

11. Ciggie

Meaning: a cigarette

Although prohibitively expensive, ciggies — also known as durries or darts — are somehow still around in Australia.

12. Mozzie

Meaning: a mosquito

As in: “Mate, these mozzies are killing me.”

13. Brekky/brekkie

Meaning: breakfast

Breakfasts in Australia tend to be large and heart attack-inducing. They often include eggs, bacon, avo (avocado), beans, sausages or toast.

14. Chuck on some tracky dacks

Meaning: to put on some tracksuit pants

Tracky dacks are excellent for wearing around the house. In fact, if you’re at home and you’re not wearing any, do yourself a favor and go chuck on a pair.

Terms Of Endearment/Abuse 15. Wanker

Meaning: an idiot or arrogant person (literally, a “masturbator”)

This list of Australian slang words would not be complete without wanker, a general word for the kind of people who think they’re better than everyone else. This includes overdressed yuppies or hipster showoffs. Classic usage: “What a wanker.” Tosser is also acceptable.

16. Mate

Meaning: friend

If this word originally came from Britain, it’s unmistakably Australian now. Many books have been written about the concept of “mateship.” Its usage extends far beyond friends, and is a no-risk way to address a stranger, regardless of their age or gender.

17. Bludger

Meaning: a lazy person

Long before J.K. Rowling decided it was the name of a Quidditch ball, Aussies were using bludger to describe people who never leave their couches. It’s been specifically adapted as a term of abuse for those who are considered welfare cheats, or dole bludgers.

18. Bogan

Meaning: an uneducated person, often from a low-income family; similar to a chav in Britain

Bogans are… well, bogans. They may also be westies (people who live in the west) and they are definitely not down with the latest craft beers. You may also hear about Cubs, who are Cashed Up Bogans. It’s not a very polite Australian saying, but it can also be quite endearing, depending on the situation.

Don’t be a Bogan: American Tourists Beware 19. To be pissed

Meaning: to be drunk

Some Australians visiting other English-speaking countries, like the US, might be horrified by the following sentence: “My grandma was driving down the road and man was she pissed.” In Australia, pissed means drunk. Pissed off means angry.

20. Fanny

Meaning: a vagina

If you ever pay a visit to Sydney, you may find that Aussies occasionally stifle a giggle when Americans talk about how sore their fannies are.

21. Thong

Meaning: flip flops; sandals

Now, you might be thinking about a g-string. But in Down Under lingo, thongs go on your feet. They’re an important part of the national ‘Strayan dress code.

Bonus: Some More Essential Australian Sayings: From Brolly to Nah

• Ute — a pickup truck
• Sunnies — sunglasses
• Budgie smugglers — Speedos, a rather revealing kind of swim suit
• Brolly — umbrella
• (To have a) bun in the oven — to be pregnant or preggers
• Fair dinkum — genuine; true; really? It can mean something is authentic (“That’s a fair dinkum Aussie pub”), or it can be used as a question to express surprise (“Fair dinkum?”)
• Nah — no; also used conversationally to soften or reshape a response (often paired with “yeah” as in “nah, yeah” for agreement or “yeah, nah” for disagreement)

The post 21 Essential Aussie Expressions: Australian Slang Phrases Everyone Should Know appeared first on Babbel.

So you’re super motivated to learn French, but also kind of intimidated by the sheer volume of new words you have to learn? Don’t worry, that’s normal. There’s no reason to feel overwhelmed when you have a good strategy: Start by getting your head around the most common verbs. No matter the context, these 20 verbs will pop up everywhere, making them easy to learn, memorize and practice.

To give you a head start, here are the 20 verbs you will need most often when speaking French, plus their present-tense conjugation and a practical sentence to use in everyday conversation. First, though, you can check out our helpful infographic for the five most common French verbs.

The 20 Most Common French Verbs 1. être — to be je suis (“I am”) nous sommes (“we are”) tu es (“you [singular informal] are”) vous êtes (“you [plural informal/singular formal] are”) il, elle, on est (“he, she, it is”) ils, elles sont (“they are”)

Example: Je suis devant le cinéma. (“I am in front of the movie theater.”)

Heads up: être (like avoir) is one of the most common French verbs because you use it in combination with a past participle to form the passé composé, like in the sentence: La semaine dernière, nous sommes allés à la mer. (“Last week, we went to the ocean.”)

2. avoir — to have j’ai nous avons tu as vous avez il, elle, on a ils, elles ont

Example: J’ai envie de manger une glace. Et toi ? (“I feel like [lit. have desire for] eating ice cream. What about you?”)

3. faire — to make, to do je fais nous faisons tu fais vous faites il, elle, on fait ils, elles font

Example: Tu fais toujours de la danse ? (“Are you still practicing [lit. doing] dancing?”)

4. pouvoir — to be able to, can je peux nous pouvons tu peux vous pouvez il, elle, on peut ils, elles peuvent

Example: Tu peux me passer le café ? (“Can you pass the coffee to me?”)

5. dire — to say, to tell je dis nous disons tu dis vous dites il, elle, on dit ils, elles disent

Example: Je te dis que c’est vrai ! (“I am telling you that it’s true!”)

6. aller — to go je vais nous allons tu vas vous allez il, elle, on va ils, elles vont

Example: Tu vas à la fête ce soir ? (“Are you going to the party tonight?”)

7. voir — to see je vois nous voyons tu vois vous voyez il, elle, on voit ils, elles voient

Example: Tu vois où est la crêperie ? J’habite juste à côté. (“Do you know [lit. see] where the crêperie is? I live next to it.”)

8. savoir — to know je sais nous savons tu sais vous savez il, elle, on sait ils, elles savent

Example: Vous savez si la gare est loin ? (“Do you know if the station is far away?”)

9. vouloir — to want je veux nous voulons tu veux vous voulez il, elle, on veut ils, elles veulent

Example: Tu veux m’accompagner au concert ? (“Do you want to come along with me to the concert?”)

10. venir — to come je viens nous venons tu viens vous venez il, elle, on vient ils, elles viennent

Example: Ils viennent nous rendre visite le week-end prochain. (“They will come visit us next weekend.”)

11. devoir — to have to, must je dois nous devons tu dois vous devez il, elle, on doit ils, elles doivent

Example: Nous devons y aller. (We must go.)

12. falloir — to be necessary (used in il form only)

• il faut

Example: Il faut que nous réservions une table pour samedi. (“It is necessary that we book a table for Saturday.”)

13. croire — to believe je crois nous croyons tu crois vous croyez il, elle, on croit ils, elles croient

Example: Je crois que le magasin est fermé. (“I believe the shop is closed.”)

14. prendre — to take je prends nous prenons tu prends vous prenez il, elle, on prend ils, elles prennent

Example: Je prends le train à la Gare du Nord. (“I take the train at the Gare du Nord.”)

15. mettre — to put, to place je mets nous mettons tu mets vous mettez il, elle, on met ils, elles mettent

Example: Tu mets la table ? (“Do you set [lit. place] the table?”)

16. trouver — to find je trouve nous trouvons tu trouves vous trouvez il, elle, on trouve ils, elles trouvent

Example: Je trouve cette langue très difficile. (“I find this language very difficult.”)

17. donner — to give je donne nous donnons tu donnes vous donnez il, elle, on donne ils, elles donnent

Example: On se donne rendez-vous sur la place principale ? (“Let’s meet [lit. give appointment] at the main square?”)

18. parler — to speak, to talk je parle nous parlons tu parles vous parlez il, elle, on parle ils, elles parlent

Example: Nous parlons cinq langues. (“We speak five languages.”)

19. aimer — to like j’aime nous aimons tu aimes vous aimez il, elle, on aime ils, elles aiment

Example: J’aime aller au marché le week-end. (“I like going to the market on the weekend.”)

20. passer — to spend time, to pass by je passe nous passons tu passes vous passez il, elle, on passe ils, elles passent

Example: Je passe te voir avant de partir. (“I pass by to see you before leaving.”)

Why These Common French Verbs Matter So Much

If you look closely at everyday French, you’ll notice something interesting: a small group of verbs carries an enormous amount of meaning.

These common verbs show up in almost every conversation. They help you express actions, opinions, needs, possibilities and emotions – often in multiple tenses and moods. That’s why learning how each verb behaves in real-life contexts matters more than memorizing long vocabulary lists.

Every French verb begins in its infinitive form (This is the version you’ll see in a dictionary, like être, avoir, or aller). But that basic form is only the starting point. Once you build a sentence, the form of a verb shifts.

A verb can change depending on:

• The pronoun (who is doing the action)
• The tense (when it happens)
• The mood (how certain or hypothetical it is)

For example, with a regular -er verb like aller, the present tense changes for each subject:

• je vais
• tu vas
• il/elle va
• nous allons
• vous allez
• ils/elles vont

Here, the verb changes dramatically – and this is why so many high-frequency verbs in French grammar are considered irregular verbs.

But not all verbs are unpredictable. Many follow consistent patterns. These are called regular verbs, including typical -er verbs. In those cases, the stem often stays recognizable while the ending shifts to match the subject.

The important takeaway? When you understand how a verb moves from its infinitive to different forms, you unlock dozens of real-world expressions in French. And because these verbs appear constantly, mastering their conjugation makes it significantly easier to speak French with confidence.

How French Verbs Work Across Tenses And Moods

Once you’re comfortable using these verbs in the present tense, you’ll start encountering them in other time frames.

In French grammar, verbs show action, yes, but they can also indicate time and perspective. The form of the verb changes to reflect different tense and mood combinations.

Some of the most common include:

• Present (what’s happening now)
• Imperfect (ongoing or repeated past actions)
• Compound past forms (completed actions)
• Conditional (what would happen)
• Subjunctive (doubt, emotion, necessity)

Each tense requires a different type of conjugation. Some forms are simple. Others are compound, meaning they combine more than one verb.

For example:

J’ai eu une idée.
I had an idea.

Here, the past is built using a helping verb plus a participle – a structure that differs from standard English word order.

The subjunctive is often used to express uncertainty or emotion:

Il faut que tu sois prêt.
It’s necessary that you be ready.

Meanwhile, the conditional helps you express hypothetical situations:

Je voudrais partir.
I would like to leave.

As you progress in your French lesson, you’ll see that verbs are the engine of the language. Whether regular or irregular, their ending, spelling, and structure shift according to the subject – singular or plural – and the grammatical context.

A Simple Tip For Learning Regular And Irregular Verbs

Here’s one practical tip: focus on usage before perfection.

Instead of trying to memorize every possible variation of every verb, pay attention to how these high-frequency verbs appear in real conversation. Notice the pronoun, the tense, and the situation.

A short exercise to try: Take one verb from this list — for example, faire — and write one sentence in the present and one in the conditional. Pay attention to the infinitive, the form of the verb, and how the meaning shifts.By revisiting these verbs in multiple contexts, you reinforce both vocabulary and grammar naturally.

The more exposure you get to how a verb adapts across tenses, the more intuitive the system becomes, and the easier it is to build real communication skills in French.

The post The 20 Most Common French Verbs (And How To Use Them) appeared first on Babbel.