When you hear the term Romance languages, what comes to mind? Perhaps the flowing elegance of French or the passionate expressiveness of Italian? In our latest blog post, we explored the melodic beauty of Romance languages. They are indeed music to the ears.

From French to Spanish, Italian, Romanian, Portuguese and even the enchanting Galician, these languages share a common ancestry: Latin. Their lyrical quality and captivating rhythm have earned them the reputation of being some of the most romantic-sounding languages in the world.

But now it’s your turn to step into the spotlight. Think you have what it takes to decipher these languages? Below, you’ll find a series of image each containing a phrase in one of these Romance languages. Can you match the phrase to the correct language?

Let’s see how well you know the world of Romance languages.

Answers await at the end, but no peeking!

Answers:

Picture 1 – Galician

• Bo día! – Good morning!
• Grazas! – Thank you!
• Como estás? – How are you?
• Ben feito! – Well done!
• Ata logo! – See you later!

Picture 2 – Italian

• Non lo so. – I don’t know.
• Ho fame. – I’m hungry.
• Non ci credo! – I don’t believe it!
• Meglio tardi che mai. – Better late than never.
• Che peccato! – What a shame!

Picture 3 – French

• Bonjour ! – Good morning/Hello!
• Merci ! – Thank you!
• Comment ça va ? – How are you?
• Bien joué ! – Well done!
• À bientôt ! – See you soon!

Picture 4 – Portuguese

• Faz sentido. – It makes sense.
• Estou com fome. – I’m hungry.
• Não acredito! – I can’t believe it!
• De jeito nenhum. – No way.
• Que pena! – What a pity!

Picture 5 – Romanian

• Bună ziua! – Good afternoon!
• Mulțumesc! – Thank you!
• Ce faci? – How are you?
• Foarte bine! – Very good!
• La revedere! – Goodbye!

Picture 6 – Spanish

• ¡Eso es increíble! – That’s incredible!
• Tengo sueño. – I’m sleepy.
• Vale la pena. – It’s worth it.
• No me importa. – I don’t care.
• ¡Qué suerte! – How lucky!

How did you do? Tell us in the comments.

Here are the answers:

Picture 1: Afrikaans

• Goeie more! – Good morning!
• Dankie! – Thank you!
• Hoe gaan dit? – How are you?
• Mooi so! – Well done!
• Tot siens! – Goodbye!

Picture 2: Icelandic

• Engar áhyggjur. – No worries.
• Alveg rétt. – Exactly right.
• Frábært! – Great!
• Ég er til. – I’m in.
• Takk fyrir mig. – Thank you (for having me).

Picture 3: Dutch

• Ik snap het. – I get it.
• Ik heb honger. – I’m hungry.
• Dat kan niet waar zijn! – That can’t be true!
• Het maakt niet uit. – It doesn’t matter.
• Wat jammer! – What a shame!

Picture 4: German

• Das ist mir egal. – I don’t care.
• Ich habe Hunger. – I’m hungry.
• Wirklich? – Really?
• Das macht Sinn. – That makes sense.
• So ist das Leben. – That’s life.

Picture 5: Norwegian

• Det ordner seg. – It will work out.
• Så spennende! – How exciting!
• Jeg gleder meg. – I’m looking forward to it.
• Ikke sant? – Right?
• Helt enig. – Totally agree.

Picture 6: Swedish

• Det låter bra. – That sounds good.
• Så klart! – Of course!
• Inga problem. – No problem.
• Jag förstår. – I understand.

How many did you get correct? Tell us in the comments.

Here are five (5) more essential tips to take your foreign language learning tips to the next level:
 
1. Leverage Technology
Make the most of technology by integrating language apps, online courses and tools into your learning routine. Podcasts, YouTube videos and audiobooks are also great for improving listening comprehension and pronunciation. Don't forget to use language settings on your phone or computer to immerse yourself even more.
 
2. Be Consistent
Consistency is key to language learning. Devote a set amount of time daily, even if it’s just 15-20 minutes, to practice. Regular exposure helps reinforce memory and build familiarity. Consider setting a specific time each day for language practice, whether it's during your morning routine or lunch break. Use reminders and calendar apps to stay on track and celebrate small milestones to keep yourself motivated.
 
3. Think and Write in the Language
Shift your mindset by thinking and writing in your target language. Start by translating simple thoughts and sentences in your head throughout the day. You may even keep a journal where you jot down daily activities, ideas or reflections in the new language. This practice encourages you to apply vocabulary and grammar rules, strengthens recall and helps you develop the ability to think naturally in the language without constant translation.
 
4. Explore the Culture
Understanding the culture of a language makes learning more meaningful and enjoyable. Dive into cultural aspects such as music, movies, food, traditions and social norms. Watch films and series with subtitles to understand idioms and everyday speech. Cook traditional recipes and learn the words for the ingredients and instructions. Attend local festivals or online events celebrating the culture, which will give context to the words you learn and make them stick better.
 
5. Read and Think in the Language
Reading exposes you to new vocabulary, grammar structures and cultural references. It is always best to start with children's books or simple articles and then move to more complex material like novels, newspapers or blogs. As you read, pause to reflect in the language. Try summarising paragraphs mentally or discussing the content with yourself in the target language. This habit will train your brain to process and express ideas naturally, boosting fluency.
 
Combine these strategies, and you’ll create a holistic approach to language learning that’s both effective and engaging.

Portuguese 
Global Presence: Portuguese is the official language of Portugal and Brazil, the latter being home to the majority of its speakers. It is also spoken in several African countries and parts of Asia due to colonial history. One of the distinctive traits of Portuguese, particularly the Brazilian variant, is that it has a rhythmic, almost musical quality. It features nasal vowels and diphthongs which add to its distinct sound. European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese are the two main dialects, with notable differences in pronunciation, vocabulary and certain grammatical structures.

French 
Widely known as the language of love, French is not only the official language of France but also holds significant status in parts of Belgium, Switzerland, Canada (particularly Quebec) and numerous African countries. Over 275 million people speak French worldwide. A few unique features of the French language is that it is known for its complex nasal sounds, silent letters and a variety of verb conjugations. Its grammar is intricate as it features gendered nouns and many irregular verbs. French language is no doubt incredibly influential and has long been associated with diplomacy, fashion, art and cuisine, giving it an enduring presence on the world stage.
 
Italian 
Often considered the closest living language to Latin, Italian is spoken by about 65 million people, primarily in Italy and parts of Switzerland. Italian is famed for its expressive intonation and vowel-ending words which contributes to its reputation as one of the most beautiful spoken languages. Italy is home to various regional dialects such as Sicilian, Venetian and Neapolitan, which differ significantly from standard Italian but share the same Latin origins.

Lesser-Known Romance Languages
 
Several other languages, while not as widespread, contribute to the Romance language family’s diversity:

• Galician: spoken in the northwest region of Spain, it shares many similarities with Portuguese.
• Occitan: predominantly spoken in southern France, Occitan has numerous dialects such as Provençal.
• Sardinian: native to the Italian island of Sardinia, Sardinian is considered one of the closest living relatives to Latin.

Common Features of Romance Languages
Despite their differences Romance languages share some common features:

• Latin-based Vocabulary: a significant portion of their lexicon is derived from Latin.
• Gendered Nouns: most Romance languages have masculine and feminine nouns.
• Verb Conjugations: verb forms often vary by tense, mood, and person, which can make learning them complex but rewarding.

​Conclusion
Romance languages offer a rich tapestry of history, culture and linguistic beauty. Whether you’re enchanted by the allure of French, the musicality of Portuguese, or the deep heritage of Italian, exploring these languages can be a gateway to deeper cultural connections and global understanding. Each Romance language tells its own story, reflecting centuries of development and influence while maintaining its bond to the ancient Latin roots that first gave them life.
 
What’s Next?
Curious to test your knowledge of Romance languages? In our next post, we’ll share examples and phrases from some of these beautiful languages for you to identify and explore. Stay tuned for a fun and interactive way to deepen your understanding of the Romance language family.

Want to take your language learning to the next level? Here’s how to make the most of these 5 essential tips:
 
1. Immerse Yourself: make the language a part of your daily routine. Change your phone and social media settings to the target language, watch TV shows, movies and read articles or books. This exposure helps you pick up context, colloquial phrases and cultural nuances. 

2. Build Vocabulary: dedicate time each day to learning new words. Use flashcards, language apps or make a habit of jotting down new words you come across. Group words by themes (e.g. food, travel, work) and practice them regularly to build stronger associations. 

3. Learn Grammar: while vocabulary is essential, understanding grammar gives you the framework to form coherent sentences. Study basic structures and gradually progress to more complex rules. Practice by writing sentences or short paragraphs to apply what you’ve learned. 

4. Listen Actively: passive listening helps, but active listening is key. Watch videos or listen to podcasts with transcripts so you can follow along. Pay attention to intonation, pronunciation and the way native speakers connect words naturally. 

5. Speak with a Native Speaker or Find a Tutor: put your learning into practice by conversing with native speakers. This boosts your confidence, sharpens your speaking skills and provides real-time feedback. Join language exchange programs, online communities or find a language partner to make speaking a habit. 

Combine these strategies, and you’ll create a holistic approach to language learning that’s both effective and engaging!