Idiom translator
For people studying other languages, there is a new site which translates idioms, www.idiomizer.com/idioms/. I find that reviewing the literal translations of idioms in other languages curls the mind.
I entered, “You can’t have it both ways” and got the following responses:
Meaning in English: you cannot achieve inherently contradictory goals
Chinese: 魚和熊掌不可兼得
Literal translation in English:
you cannot get both the fish and the bear’s paw (served as a delicacy)
German:
Man kann nicht auf zwei Hochzeiten tanzen
Literal translation in English:
You can’t dance at two weddings
I could have specified other languages as well.
This is a new site and might have some bugs — it invites commentary from readers, so will undoubtedly develop over time. It could be very useful.
Awesome! I want to repost this on my technology round-up later!