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TürkçeLearn languages, one article at a time
False friends, everyday phrases, painless grammar and habits that actually work, written for English speakers.
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Culture
15 Spanish expressions you won't get by translating word for word
Why would a Spaniard pull your hair or call you a goat? 15 everyday Spanish idioms, what they really mean and their closest equivalents in English.
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False friends
18 French false friends English speakers should know
Actuellement isn't actually and a librairie sells books. 18 French false friends that confuse English speakers, with examples and the right word.
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Useful phrases
20 basic Swedish phrases to get you started
From hej to fika, 20 essential Swedish phrases for beginners, with meanings, pronunciation tips and a bit of cultural context to use them well.
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False friends
22 Spanish false friends that trip up English speakers
Embarazada doesn't mean embarrassed and librería isn't a library. The 22 Spanish false friends English speakers mix up most, with examples.
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Levels
A1 to C2, the CEFR language levels explained simply
What do A1, B2 or C1 actually mean? A plain-English guide to the CEFR levels, what you can do at each one and roughly how long it takes to get there.
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For business
How to help an international team learn the local language
A practical HR guide to language support for international staff, with realistic goals, weekly time, what to measure and how to respect employee privacy.
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Habits
How to learn a language in 5 minutes a day (and why it works)
Can five minutes a day really teach you a language? Why short daily practice works, how to build the habit and the common mistakes that hold people back.
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Useful phrases
How to order in a Spanish café or restaurant (phrases that work)
Order coffee, tapas and the bill in Spanish without sounding like a textbook. Useful phrases, what the waiter will say and mistakes to avoid.
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Grammar
Le or la? How to get French noun gender right
Is it le or la? French gender confuses every English speaker. Learn the endings that predict gender, the main exceptions and habits that make it stick.
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Habits
Lost your streak? Why it's fine and how to get back on track
Missed a day and lost your language streak? Here's why it matters less than you think, how to restart without guilt and how to stay consistent from now on.
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Culture
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in 9 European languages
How to say Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holidays in Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Swedish and more, with the customs behind each greeting.
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Moving abroad
Moving to Spain? How to learn Spanish before and after you arrive
Planning a move to Spain? First steps with Spanish, the level you'll need for work and paperwork, regional languages and survival phrases for day one.
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Grammar
Ser vs estar, the clear guide for English speakers
Spanish has two verbs for to be, and English speakers mix them up constantly. A clear guide to ser and estar, with rules, examples and common traps.
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Useful phrases
Spanish phrases for your first day at work or in class
Introduce yourself, ask for help and make friends on your first day at a Spanish-speaking job or school. Useful phrases, with tips on tú and usted.
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Resources
The 100 most useful Spanish words for beginners (with table)
Start learning Spanish with the 100 words you'll use most, like greetings, key verbs, question words, time, food and places, grouped by topic.
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Which language?
The easiest language for English speakers to learn (honestly)
Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Italian, French, Portuguese, Catalan or German? An honest look at which European language is easiest for English speakers.
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Culture
Untranslatable European words and what they say about each culture
Fika, gezellig, sobremesa, Feierabend and saudade are untranslatable words from across Europe, what they mean and what they reveal about each culture.
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Levels
What is B1 Spanish? What you need to know and how long it takes
B1 Spanish is where the language starts working in real life. What you should be able to do, the grammar involved, how to test it and how long it takes.
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Moving abroad
Why and how to learn Catalan when you live in Catalonia
Living in Barcelona or elsewhere in Catalonia? Why learning Catalan is worth it, how to start alongside Spanish and the basic phrases you'll use every day.
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Which language?
Why Dutch is easier than it looks if you speak English
Dutch looks odd at first, but English speakers have a big head start. Shared words, simple verbs, no cases. Here's why Dutch is easier than you think.
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