Definition of an idiom An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meaning of its individual words. Instead, the meaning is figurative and often culturally specific. Idioms are a common feature of natural language and are used in both spoken and written communication. Here are some key characteristics of idioms: Figurative Meaning: The most defining characteristic is that the overall meaning is not a direct sum of the meanings of its parts. For example, "kick the bucket" doesn't literally mean to kick a bucket; it means to die. Non-Literal Interpretation: You cannot interpret an idiom literally. If you try, it often sounds nonsensical or humorous. Cultural Specificity: Many idioms are tied to the culture or history of a language. An idiom in English might not make sense or have an equivalent in another language. Fixed Structure: Idioms often have a relatively fixed word order and grammatical structure. Changing the words or their order can alter or destroy the idiomatic meaning. Common Usage: They are frequently used by native speakers and are an integral part of everyday conversation. Learning Challenge: They can be challenging for language learners because their meanings cannot be deduced logically and must often be learned through exposure and memorization. Here are some examples of common English idioms: "Bite the bullet": To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation. "Break a leg": Good luck! (Used especially in theater). "Spill the beans": To reveal a secret. "Under the weather": Feeling unwell. "Hit the road": To leave. In essence, idioms add richness and colour to language, allowing for more concise and expressive communication, but they require familiarity with the specific nuances of the language.

Hi everyone! 😊 I recorded myself to hear how I sound 🙈#shadowing Could you please give me some feedback? Did you understand everything I said? Were there any words I mispronounced? Do I have a strong Russian accent? How do I sound overall? Thank you in advance

Choose the correct asnwer.

I ___ these horrible roads, but I love the places they take you.

What Does “Koszulka” Mean in Polish? The word “koszulka” in Polish has several meanings, depending on context. It’s most often used to describe clothing, but it can also refer to sportswear or office supplies. 1. Clothing Primarily, koszulka means a light shirt, such as a T-shirt, tank top, or undershirt. Example: Lubię nosić bawełnianą koszulkę. (I like wearing a cotton T-shirt.) 2. Sports In sports, koszulka refers to a jersey or team shirt. Example: Zawodnik ma koszulkę z numerem 10. (The player is wearing a jersey with number 10.) 3. Office Use It can also mean a plastic document sleeve, used to protect papers. Example: Włóż dokument do koszulki. (Put the document into a sleeve.) Summary Koszulka is a flexible word in Polish, used for shirts, sports jerseys, and even office supplies.

Polish Word of the Day: "wolny" The adjective "wolny" in Polish has several meanings depending on the context. It’s a great example of how one word can shift meaning quite a lot — from free to slow to single. Here's a breakdown: 1. Free (in the sense of freedom) Used to describe liberty or independence. Polska jest wolnym krajem. – Poland is a free country. Chcę być wolny! – I want to be free! 2. Available / Not occupied Common in everyday situations — cafés, transport, planning events. To miejsce jest wolne. – This seat is free. Masz wolny czas jutro? – Do you have free time tomorrow? 3. Slow "Wolny" can also mean slow. The adverb form is "wolno". On jest wolnym biegaczem. – He is a slow runner. Samochód jedzie wolno. – The car is moving slowly. 4. Single / Not in a relationship When talking about relationship status, "wolny" (for men) or "wolna" (for women) is used. Jesteś wolny, czy masz dziewczynę? – Are you single or do you have a girlfriend? Jesteś wolna, czy masz chłopaka? – Are you single or do you have a boyfriend? Note: "Jesteś wolny/wolna?" can also mean “Are you free?”, so context matters. Bonus: Related words wolność – freedom uwolnić – to free / to release zwolnić – to slow down or to fire someone spowolnić – to slow something down wolno – slowly or "it is allowed" Examples: Wolno palić? – Is smoking allowed? Idzie wolno. – He walks slowly. In summary: "Wolny" is a versatile word that pops up in many situations in Polish. Always pay attention to the context

Did you know that children can listen and absorb sounds more easily than adults? This is because their language portion of their brain is still developing, and it does not identify language as foreign until teenage years/ the critical period. Kids have an advantage over adults to learn sounds and speech when it comes to learning foreign languages.

Can you guess the right verb form?

Let's work in Japanese!（日本語を使って、働こう） B1:中級～C1:上級／JLPT N3~N1　（Level: B1: Intermediate ~ C1: Advanced / JLPT N3~N1） Title: The Role and Absolute NO-GO Rules of "Otsukaresama Desu" in Japanese Business Culture エピソードの概要：Episode Summary 日本の職場で毎日使う「お疲れ様です」。 意外と奥が深いあいさつ。今回のエピソードでは、ビジネス日本語教師Mayukoが、この言葉が持つ真の意味と、あなたが職場で信頼を失わないための大切なルールを解説します。 "Otsukaresama Desu," an expression used daily in Japanese workplaces, is surprisingly profound. In this episode, business Japanese teacher Mayuko explains the true meaning of this phrase and the crucial rules you must follow to maintain trust in your workplace. 【クイズ】 Q.　日本の職場で、相手が疲れていないときに「お疲れ様です」というのは失礼ですか？ A.　はい、失礼です。／ いいえ、失礼ではありません。 【Quiz】 Q. Is it impolite to say "Otsukaresama Desu" to someone in a Japanese workplace even if they are not tired? A. Yes, it is impolite. / No, it is not impolite. このあいさつが単なる“ねぎらい”ではなく、チームの一員としての貢献をお互いに認め合うためのポジティブなコミュニケーションツールであることを解き明かします。I will unveil how this greeting is not just a mere "acknowledgement of fatigue" (ねぎらい), but a positive communication tool for mutually recognizing one another's contributions as part of a team. Understanding how and when to use this greeting will allow you to use "Otsukaresama desu" actively. ※ねぎらい＝相手の労力に感謝すること ✅ 切り替えルール：「おはようございます」から「お疲れ様です」に変わる、多くの会社での時間的なデッドライン（午前11時頃） ✅ Switching Rule: Explanation of the typical time deadline (around 11:00 AM) when the greeting changes from "Ohayou Gozaimasu" to "Otsukaresama desu" in many companies. ✅ 絶対NG：目上の人には絶対に使ってはいけない要注意フレーズ「ご苦労様です」のルーツと理由。 ✅ Absolute NO-GO: The roots and reasons behind the phrase "Gokurou-sama desu," which must never be used for superiors. ✅ 社外ルール：取引先やお客様など、社外の人には何を使うのが正解か？ ✅ External Rule: What is the correct phrase to use for external parties such as business partners or clients? あいさつの使い方で、あなたの協調性や信頼度は大きく変わります。 「お疲れ様です」を適切に使い、日本のビジネス文化に根付くコミュニケーションをマスターしましょう！ The way you use greetings can significantly impact your sense of teamwork and credibility♪