Does English borrow words from other languages, and what are some common examples of loanwords with their origins and meanings?

Yes, absolutely. English is known for borrowing extensively from other languages. These are called **loanwords**—words taken directly from foreign languages that have become a standard part of everyday English vocabulary. Here are **10 common examples**, along with their origin and meaning: | Word | Language of Origin | Meaning in English | |---|---|---| | **Café** | French | A small restaurant serving coffee and light meals. | | **Kindergarten** | German | A class for young children (literally "children's garden"). | | **Déjà vu** | French | The sensation that a current event has happened before. | | **Guru** | Sanskrit / Hindi | An expert, influential guide, or master in a field. | | **Bungalow** | Hindi / Gujarati | A one-story house (derived from *bangla*, meaning "Bengali style"). | | **Status quo** | Latin | The existing state of affairs or current situation. | | **Tsunami** | Japanese | A massive sea wave caused by an underwater earthquake. | | **Rendezvous** | French | A planned meeting at an agreed time and place. | | **Kudos** | Greek | Praise, honor, and recognition for an achievement. | | **Bizarre** | French / Spanish | Extremely strange, unusual, or eccentric. | --- ### **Board Exam Tip:** In your objective papers (synonyms, antonyms, and vocabulary sections), examiners frequently test French- and Latin-derived loanwords like *status quo*, *rendezvous*, and *bizarre* because of their unique spellings and contextual meanings. Keep an eye on their correct spelling to avoid losing easy marks!