Discus Blog

Learning a language, a thousand small stories.

Counting in Swahili, mastering the subjunctive, surprising facts about German — we dive into everything that makes a language interesting.

Clear diagram of the German cases written in a notebook

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GermanGrammar

The 4 German cases: nominative, accusative, dative, genitive

Nominative, accusative, dative, genitive: functions, key questions, short examples, and mnemonic devices to quickly remember them. Includes a simple exercise.

May 2, 2026Read article

Plate of pasta with eggs on a checkered table — illustration of essential Italian kitchen words for ordering at a restaurant.

ItalianVocabulary

15 essential Italian cooking words (+ order of dishes)

In a restaurant in Italy, you read antipasto, primo, secondo, contorno, dolce. Here are 15 Italian cooking words with example sentences and the order of dishes to order with confidence.

May 1, 2026Read article

Close-up of a mouth and nose — illustration of the pronunciation techniques for nasal vowels in Portuguese.

PortuguesePronunciation

Pronouncing nasal vowels in Portuguese: ã, õ, ãe, õe

Why is "pão" not "pao"? The Portuguese nasal vowels ã, õ, ãe, õe require precise breath control and a good ear. Explanations, IPA, and pitfalls.

May 1, 2026Read article

A person waiting alone at a café, missed appointment

FrenchIdiom

To stand someone up: origin, meaning, and examples in French

“To stand someone up” means to miss an appointment without notifying. The expression, which originated in the 19th century, initially referred to money before shifting to absence. Here’s the story and usage.

April 30, 2026Read article

Gym with a volleyball court and wooden bleachers — illustration of false friends between German and French, such as 'Gymnasium'.

GermanFalse friends

German-French false friends: Gymnasium, Diele, Karton

Gymnasium is not a gym, Diele is not a slab, and the 't' in Cabriolet is pronounced in German. Here are 6 German-French false friends explained clearly, with nuances of usage and examples.

April 29, 2026Read article

Traditional boat on a beach in Zanzibar with fishermen — an illustration of the differences between coastal and inland Swahili, essential for vocabulary and pronunciation.

SwahiliCulture

swahili-cotier-vs-interieur

April 29, 2026Read article

Two people greet each other on a street in Zanzibar, Swahili atmosphere.

SwahiliVocabulary

10 greetings in Swahili beyond 'jambo'

Saying 'jambo' is not enough. Here are 10 useful Swahili greetings, with IPA and context (formal/informal, times of the day) to sound natural from the very first exchanges.

April 28, 2026Read article

Close-up of a mouth working on the Spanish rr in vibration

SpanishPronunciation

The rolled 'rr' in Spanish: /r/ vs /ɾ/ and tips

Two key sounds in Spanish: the flap /ɾ/ and the rolled /r/. Tongue placement, exercise 'tara-tara-tara', softer Caribbean variations, and support with IPA.

April 28, 2026Read article

Sign pole pole written in Swahili on a street in East Africa

SwahiliIdiom

The Swahili expression “pole pole”: meaning and uses

“Pole pole” means “slowly” in Swahili, but it’s also a little philosophy for everyday life. Origin, examples, nuance with “hakuna matata,” and tips for using it naturally.

April 27, 2026Read article

English vocabulary notebook with French translations written in pen

EnglishFalse friends

10 English-French false friends that are the most misleading

Actually, eventually, library, sensible… Ten false friends FR/EN that trip up even advanced learners. Exact meaning, typical misunderstandings, and mini-examples to reinforce the right reflexes.

April 27, 2026Read article