Living'n'learning

One of the biggest challenges of becoming fluent, native-like of another language is having an in-depth knowledge of common, everyday words and phrases, specially the ones that reflect deeply rooted socio-cultural aspects of the language and which are often difficult or impossible to translate. Examples: how do you translate these expressions into English? 1- Abacaxi Literal:Pineapple A problem, a hot potato, a hard nut to crack 2- Encher o saco Literal: To fill the bag To bore, annoy, irritate 3- Cara de pau Lit: face of wood Bold, unashamed, shameless, cheeky 4- Baita Huge, enormous, great 5- Mormaço Hot, sultry weather a)You know some expressions, concepts and customs in one language, but you don´t know if they exist in the other: 6- Mão de vaca Lit: hand of cow Tight-fisted person, cheapskate, tightwad(US) 7- Vá plantar batatas! Lit.: go plant potatoes! Take a hike (US) b) you don´t know expressions, concepts, and customs because they don´t exist in your native language or culture ...

Idioms: a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words "Let the cat out of the bag"- to tell a secret by mistake "Be in the same boat"- to be in the same difficult situation "To catch someone red-handed" - Catch sb in the act of doing sth wrong "It's raining cats and dogs" - It's raining very much "To be saved by the bell" "The crux of the matter/the heart of the matter" (O x da questão) "To play dumb" (dar uma de bobo) "A hot potato" ( a problem) "To end in smoke" ( acabar em pizza) "Wake up and smell the coffee" ( cai na real!)

A proverb is a short well-known expression that states a general truth or gives advice. A saying is a well-known expression, or a remark often made, also known as a proverb "A friend in need is a friend indeed"- a friend who gives you help when you need it( is a true friend). "Better late than never". "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"- it's better to keep sth you already have than risk losing it by trying to get much more "The proof of the pudding is in the eating"- you can only judge if sth is good or bad when you have tried it.

Put in the verbs in brackets and form Conditional sentences type I or type II. Mind the underlined verb forms. Example: If they learn the poem, they ________ (to get) a good mark. Answer: If they learn the poem, they will get a good mark. 1) If you come with me, I _________(to do) the shopping with you. 2) Walter________ (to help) his mother in the garden if she reads him a story this evening. 3) If it __________(to rain), I will stay at home. 4) Our teacher will be happy if we __________(to learn) the poem by heart. 5) If they had enough money, they __________(to buy) a new car. 6) We____________ (to pass) the exam if we studied harder. 7) If Pat__________ (to repair) his bike, he could go on a bicycle tour with us. 8) She would get 100 pounds if she_________ (to sell) this old shelf. 9) If I were you, I ___________(to invite) Jack to the party. 10) If the weather ____________(to be) fine, the children can walk to school. Put in the verbs in brackets and form Conditional sentences - t...