this post was submitted on 12 May 2026
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Are there words that you know in the second language, that you don't know in your native language? (lemmy.dbzer0.com)
submitted 6 days ago by Gumus@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/languagelearning@sopuli.xyz
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Can you think of a word or a thing that you know the name of in a second language, but don't know in your native language? And I don't mean grammatical constructs, past tenses and stuff like that. I mean nouns, names of objects, verbs, etc.

My examples (Czech native, English is my second language):

  • Some tools, since I watch a lot of makers: auger, router, mill (as in a milling machine)
  • A lot of math/physics/programming terms: algebraic constructs (groups and the whole hierarchy), sub-atomic particles and terms from quantum theory... So many original english terms in IT are generally used "as-is" that I don't even know if some of them have a czech equivalent. I know some do, but I'd never use them in a conversation.
  • Some exotic animals, but I can't think of any right now...

I know I could easily find the translations. However, I don't usually get into a context where such words would appear in other language than English. And it feels like I've mastered the language when there's a thing I fully understand the meaning of, while only learning abou it in English without the need to translate.

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[–] dragontamer@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

You don't have to go very far in German before you find words that simply don't exist in English.

ausgeshildert -- to have been marked well with signposts.

Ex in English: Don't worry about the guests getting lost. The subway to here is ausgeshildert.