Learn a useful phrase in another language
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Dec 01, 2009 15:53 by sydtheskeptic -
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"Le grand garçon mange le croissant."
The tall boy eats the croissant. It's all I can remember from French class. lolNov 30, 2009 18:44 by hollyblitz -
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Italian: Per me è arabo
English Translation: It's Arabic to me ≅ It's all Greek to me
Spanish Translation in English: It's all Chinese to me. =o)
Nov 30, 2009 16:39 by leopicado -
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Kung Hei Fat Choi: Happy (Chinese) New Year. Am practicing for my Year of the Tiger. GRrrrrrrowl!
Nov 30, 2009 16:19 by lmnewman -
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"La mota?!"
Mota means weed in Spanish I think. It worked anyways when I went to Mexico we got weed like that :oNov 30, 2009 15:59 by soarkaios -
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Last time I went to Holland, I picked this up:
"Roken is dodelijk" - Smoking is deadly
(Possibly misspelled, I should point out)
Nov 30, 2009 14:56 by yadarfyn-
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Nope thats quite accurate actually :-)
Dec 01, 2009 04:25 by dezorian.
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"yo queiro una fajita por favor, con pollo y carne, y mucho sour cream"
i would like a fajita please, with chicken and beef, and lots of sour cream - nuff said =)Nov 30, 2009 14:44 by kandilquick -
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Ta gueule et laissez-moi seul.
French for "Shut up and leave me alone."
I would have added some vulgar obscenities to end the sentence nicely, but then decided against it.Nov 30, 2009 14:10 by pensandpencilsgalore-
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Ta gueule... one of my favorites
Nov 30, 2009 14:32 by coco-tidan.
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Basic Japanese: "Watashi wa [your name] desu" – I am [name]
Nov 30, 2009 12:53 by hilla-
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Japanese is very interesting, isn't it? The more literal (word for word) translation is: "As for me, I am [name]"
Nov 30, 2009 13:23 by athanie.
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"I don't want to play on the slide" which is 'Kindergarten language' for "I peed my pants".
Nov 30, 2009 12:48 by zippie-
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I'll remember to sue that one next time I'm passing parliament.
Nov 30, 2009 12:55 by rabbitdan. -
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I hear ya!
Nov 30, 2009 13:04 by jojo251. -
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I laughed pretty hard at this one.
Nov 30, 2009 13:08 by pensandpencilsgalore. -
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It's funny because it's true.
Nov 30, 2009 13:38 by joshandmeg. -
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That's the best one! hehe
Nov 30, 2009 17:56 by stephie.
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For about 6 months last year, I'd get 10-15 calls A DAY from Vietnam. When I picked up, a woman - or often several women - would be on the line trying to talk to me. Sometimes they'd put a baby on the phone too. When I stopped answering the phone, they'd leave long messages - including one that I believe was a serenade. The fact that it was my voice on the voicemail didn't deter them. What's worse is that, because of the time difference, most of these calls would come in between 2 and 5am. My only logical explanation was that some loved one had moved to the States and had given his/her family the wrong number.
Finally, I took to the internet and found a video on Youtube that taught useful phrases in the language. Unfortunately, "you have misdialed" was not one of the phrases. The closest I could get was "I have called the wrong number. I am sorry."
The next night, the phone rang, and I answered and said my newly learned phrase. They called back four times in a row, and each time I said it over and over. Either they got the message or I confused them enough - that was the last call I got.
This is phonetic: "Coll - a em dam yam sol."
Nov 30, 2009 11:44 by mandy716-
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this recently happened to a friend of mine but the caller was speaking arabic(possibly)... i can not repeat what he said in order to stop them calling!
Nov 30, 2009 13:48 by coco-tidan. -
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awesome story! I once got several texts on a new phone (seemed like a spurned lover trying super hard to be nonchalant, ouch) but nothing like this! Epic.
Nov 30, 2009 15:19 by merendis. -
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yea, I woulda just blocked the number
Dec 01, 2009 06:25 by cantfindagoodname.
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I cheated and googled a Japanese phrase, but it's still good. Not practical unless you normally walk around, spouting Japanese proverbs:
挨拶は時の氏神。
Aisatsu wa toki no ujigami.
Translation: Greetings are the people who turn up at the right moment.Nov 30, 2009 11:35 by athanie-
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I think I might say that to the next person I see.
Nov 30, 2009 12:14 by rabbitdan.
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Russian (apparently): Просьба направить меня в маленькой хижине в центре Сибири, где я могу лежать в покое в течение следующих пяти с половиной лет.
English: Please direct me to a small shack in the middle of Siberia where I can lie in peace for the next five and a half years.
Nov 30, 2009 11:16 by rabbitdan from Flickr-
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The cabin's not in Siberia btw. It's in Cornwall. Just looks the part.
Nov 30, 2009 11:17 by rabbitdan. -
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nice! beer this week?
Nov 30, 2009 11:24 by a_noob. -
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@a_noob: Yes, please!
Nov 30, 2009 11:55 by kellydna. -
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@kellydna: ok I'll meet you for one too, say, 25 days?
Nov 30, 2009 12:01 by a_noob. -
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@a_noob: Why ever not? Which day? Oh, and I'll be able to meet up for a few this time : ) I'll bring my chess set.
Nov 30, 2009 12:04 by rabbitdan. -
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I'm not sure why this doesn't say "пожалуйста" anywhere...
I want a beer too....Nov 30, 2009 12:05 by merendis. -
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@merendis: What is пожалуйста?
I used Google translate so have no clue about the accuracy of the translation.
Oh, and why doesn't everyone come over to London for a beer?Nov 30, 2009 12:08 by rabbitdan. -
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@rabbitdan: I wish (in regard to the beer). Did you take this picture? It's rather neat and old looking.
Nov 30, 2009 12:32 by athanie. -
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@athanie: I took the picture on my ancient film camera that has range finder focus. Consequently everything comes out blurred because I've never figured out how to focus properly with it. I think that's part of why it looks old. Also I moosed about with the contrast a little. Too bad about the beer : ( One day though, eh? : )
Nov 30, 2009 12:49 by rabbitdan. -
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@rabbitdan: can I teleconference in for the beer?
Nov 30, 2009 15:20 by merendis. -
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@merendis: Blimey! Quite the hip happening we have going on here. I guess it depends on where and when we meet.
Nov 30, 2009 15:59 by rabbitdan. -
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@merendis: @rabbitdan I'm in on the teleconference, too! Doesn't matter if it's only noon! *hic* Assuming it were on Saturday or Sunday, that is. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until at least midnight for me :( Friday, if I plan ahead, it could be 10:30GMT. Crikey!
(And that last exclamation fits in with today's mission, because it's British, not American, and it was very useful in this context! Though it's kind of been usurped by the Australians, hasn't it? Or am I generalizing based on Steve Irwin?)
Nov 30, 2009 21:09 by kellydna. -
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@kellydna: We should plan ahead on that. I'm not sure about the best way of doing it as skype doesn't do multiple visual connections for some reason (I don't think). Hmmm. Hmmm, hmmm and hmmm.
Dec 01, 2009 06:55 by rabbitdan. -
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@rabbitdan: iChat does multiples. It's free to get an AIM username. https://reg.my.screenname.aol.com/_cqr/registration/initRegistration.psp?lang=en&locale=us&createSn=1&sitedomain=chat.aim.com&siteState=OrigUrl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fchat.aim.com&seamless=y&mcAuth=%2FBcAG0sVP70AAPd1EYA6JksVP%2FkItR1RQ38%2FynUAAA%3D%3D
Dec 01, 2009 08:10 by kellydna.
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"Jeg vil bare gerne lige gøre folk opmærksomme på, at der står en lyserød flamingodiller på klaveret."
And (loosely) in english: "I just want to direct people's attention to the pink polystyrene-willy on the piano."
Quote from a student here at our school.
Nov 30, 2009 09:36 by vraa-
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Hilarious. What language is it? I'm getting a northern Europe or Iceland vibe.
Nov 30, 2009 09:44 by nonlinear_time. -
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It's the wonderful language of danish! Icelandic sounds nothing like it, but they have the same roots, so you weren't completely off :D
Nov 30, 2009 09:53 by vraa. -
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what kind of school is it?
Nov 30, 2009 10:55 by coco-tidan. -
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is there a pink polystyrene willy on the piano?
Nov 30, 2009 10:56 by coco-tidan. -
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I like the word 'flamingodiller'. It should be incorporated in to English somehow.
Nov 30, 2009 11:12 by rabbitdan.
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I've spent some time in Albania, usually with English speakers though, so I have only picked up a few bits and pieces. (I have left off the accents, though)
Flis ni Anglisht? - Do you speak English?
Une nuk flas Shqip. - I don't speak Albanian.
Shum faleminderit. - Thank you very much.
Eshte nuk electricitet. - There is no electricity. (a rather common occurrence in Albania)Nov 30, 2009 09:19 by nonlinear_time -
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I don't know how to spell it so this is spelled phonetically:
"See deeshoe nee mangotica"
A friend talk me this Malligasi phrase which means it never hurts to askNov 30, 2009 08:57 by chris2x -
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attention! Nous Sommes Blessés
Nov 30, 2009 08:56 by a_noob-
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this is what follows the very important phrase we had to learn for washing dishes at french camp- "ATTENTION! ATTENTION! J'AI UN GRAND COUTEAU!"
Nov 30, 2009 09:15 by merendis. -
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ta gueule!
;)Nov 30, 2009 10:51 by coco-tidan.
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Faute de beouf, on fait labourer par son âne.
For lack of the ox, one ploughs with one's donkey
Nov 30, 2009 08:46 by coco-tidan-
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A phrase with many applications. Have you tried saying it at completely random points to see how it sounds. I'm sure if you sighed deeply enough you could make it a phrase for all seasons, occasions and events.
Nov 30, 2009 11:14 by rabbitdan. -
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@rabbitdan: be sure to say it in black and white whilst smoking french cigarettes.
Nov 30, 2009 11:19 by coco-tidan. -
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@rabbitdan: @coco-tidan: I guess that's kind of true--if you sigh deeply enough and speak slowly enough, you can make anything seem applicable. Maybe I will use this phrase next time I get a speeding ticket.
Nov 30, 2009 11:28 by athanie. -
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@athanie: I think you should drive 90kph in an 80 kph zone purely for the privilege. In fact, you know those '1000 things you absolutely have to do before you die or you are a right loser' books? This is a new entry at, ooh, number 326. Hey, that gives me an idea for a mission! Just a sec...
Nov 30, 2009 11:59 by rabbitdan.
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"ik hou van jou" which is flemish for "I love you".
My girlfriend's half-belgian so I say it every day.
Nov 30, 2009 08:30 by glozboy-
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der ist geen beterie manier am die dag beginnt den met ein glimlach!
(there's no better way to start the day then with a smile)
Nov 30, 2009 08:54 by a_noob. -
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@a_noob: if i remember rightly ;)
Nov 30, 2009 09:58 by a_noob. -
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Flemish and Dutch are similar I guess...at least for that phrase.
Nov 30, 2009 10:10 by stephie. -
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I think there's a bit too much german in that phrase :-) But i can't be too certain because i am dutch, but i live in Brabant so thats practically flemish :-P
Dec 01, 2009 04:29 by dezorian.
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¡Qué casualidad!
What a coincidence! en españolNot a phrase that has much practical use like the tea and toilets ones, but I've always felt that a phrase in another language creates a slightly different impact in a given situation. This is one of them.
Nov 30, 2009 08:17 by kellydna-
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Do you mean to say that certain foreign language phrases just sound better no matter what the language of the conversation is? Living in Montreal with lots of friends from foreign language classes created the really pretentious habit of sprinkling conversations with words from other languages. "Tristesse" "Ach Schade" "Heiss!! Heiss!" and for some reason "bez/без" linger... they sometimes just feel better for what I want to say.
Or... do you mean that even though it's a literal translation it's different in its lingual context... I can't word things today. Hmph.Nov 30, 2009 09:33 by merendis.
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I don't know about everyone else, but I'm gearing up for Christmas! So, as the Irish would say, "Nollaig shona duit!"
Nov 30, 2009 07:49 by notanotherskye -
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My husband is from Taiwan and most of his family still lives there. Our kids have been taking Mandarin Chinese lessons from their grandfather, so I've picked up some things here and there. Important ones:
dui bu qi, cesuo zai nar (nali) = excuse me, where is the toilet?
ni hao = hello
zai jian = good bye
xie xie = thank you
wo ting bu dong = I don't understand (what you said)
wo ai ni = I love youNov 30, 2009 07:31 by jenaissance-
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: ) Nice.
Nov 30, 2009 11:31 by athanie.
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"Meu fiică dragoste Twilight şi trec.de la will asemănător la spre adunare un vampire. A face tu a vinde TruBlood?"
Which is Romanian for "My daughter loves Twilight and would like to meet a vampire. Do you sell TruBlood?"
You can never be too careful.
Nov 30, 2009 07:17 by demander -
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Dove posso ottenere una tazza di tè caldo?
Where can I get a hot cup of tea?That would be essential for me every day.....anywhere I go...
Nov 30, 2009 07:09 by redd141 -
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"Hotowai hapungu chirara"...Which is Tobian for "Don't suck on that bone!"
You never know when something like that could be useful.Nov 30, 2009 05:40 by dontmindmanda -
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A couple of the most important phrases to know in ANY language...
Nov 30, 2009 05:34 by jdproductions -
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This is one I hope I never have to use when I finally take a culinary vacation to Tuscany ...
In cui si trova l'ospedale? Io sono il sanguinamento.
Where is the hospital? I am bleeding.Nov 30, 2009 05:26 by saxchik -
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나는 무엇을 먹고 있는가?
Korean for "What am I eating?"
Sometimes its good to ask.Nov 30, 2009 04:44 by thebradymachine-
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And sometimes it's better not to know heheh
Nov 30, 2009 06:43 by stephie.
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"Hvar get ég fundið hollenska sendiráðsins? "
"Where can I find the Dutch embassy?" in Icelandic. Too bad I won't be able to understand the answer though. So maybe this is better, although I'm not sure Google Translate translated all of it:
"Ekki tókst að sýna mér einhvern sem talar ensku?" (Could you show me someone who speaks English? Too bad I don't know how to pronounce this, so I better write it down.)Nov 30, 2009 04:01 by chaomancer-
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Not sure how that's useful unless you're planning a secret trip to Iceland. Is there a Dutch Embassy there?
Nov 30, 2009 06:41 by stephie. -
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There is one: http://www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-in/Iceland#6171 so I guess I can now unlearn this phrase :) I figure I may need this, since sometimes my flights pass over/near Iceland and it wouldn't be the first time I end up stranded along the way.
Nov 30, 2009 08:33 by chaomancer.
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¿Dónde está el cuarto de baño -Spanish
Waar is de W. C. - DutchUsually the first thing I try to learn. Good to know.
(where is the bathroom)Nov 30, 2009 03:23 by stephie-
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Very useful question :)
Nov 30, 2009 04:02 by chaomancer.
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"Pro meo lingua graeca est"
("It's all Greek to me")
Nov 30, 2009 02:46 by passepartout-
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Should be helpful the next time you're in the Vatican!
Nov 30, 2009 03:16 by merendis. -
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... or when that time machine your neighbor is building in his basement accidentally sends you back to Rome in the year 50 A.D.
Nov 30, 2009 09:39 by nonlinear_time.
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Σ 'αγαπώ ψυχή μου
Greek for 'I love you my soul... even when you're drunk out of your mind'Nov 30, 2009 01:32 by merendis-
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wow that guy looks pretty drunk!!
Nov 30, 2009 08:55 by a_noob. -
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Weird that translating "Σ 'αγαπώ ψυχή μου" back to English translates to "I love my soul"
Sweet pic of you two.
Nov 30, 2009 10:29 by stephie. -
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@a_noob: I bet he had trouble staying awake on the way home, even.
Nov 30, 2009 11:58 by kellydna. -
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@stephie: yes some of the beauty of it is lost in translation, but I think "I love my soulmate" would be a more fitting phrase.
Nov 30, 2009 12:01 by a_noob. -
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@kellydna: or indeed the next day...
Nov 30, 2009 12:01 by a_noob. -
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@kellydna: nah, after http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2528/4104341782_a714b80b46.jpg he was pretty much awake- stumbly, emotional, and mono-syllabically demanding, but awake.
Nov 30, 2009 12:11 by merendis. -
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@merendis: Oh, I saw the photos from that night!
Nov 30, 2009 12:53 by kellydna. -
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I saw them too. Guess they were not "staged" as I thought.
Nov 30, 2009 13:04 by stephie. -
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@stephie: oh if only that were true...
Nov 30, 2009 13:20 by merendis.
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On my very first visit to Warsaw (one of many, I hope!) my guide/partner taught me an important phrase when dealing with speakers of this most complicated language :
Nie mowie po polsku
(sorry, I don't speak Polish.)
Nov 30, 2009 00:14 by a_noob-
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actually.... you left out the word you can't say. "Przepraszam" is "sorry"
Nov 30, 2009 01:57 by merendis. -
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@merendis: wonder why I left that out ;)
Nov 30, 2009 02:25 by a_noob.
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