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.
Pronounce gli [ʎ] and gn [ɲ] in Italian without confusing them.
Gli and gn look similar to the eye, but not to the ear. Here's how to position your tongue, recognize typical sequences, and practice with clear minimal pairs.
German compound words: read from right to left
In German, the last element of a compound word carries the main meaning. Learn to segment, pronounce, and guess useful Komposita for everyday use.
Word order in German: V2 and subordinate clauses
Verb in 2nd position in main clauses, final verb with dass, weil, wenn: here are the essential diagrams of word order in German, with clear examples and pitfalls to avoid.
Spanish diminutives: -ito, -cito, -illo without mistakes
In Spanish, diminutives are not just used to say “small.” -ito/-ita, -cito/-cita, -illo/-illa: emotional, attenuative, or ironic values and key spelling rules.
Will vs going to in English: decision, plan, arrangement
Will or going to in English? Spontaneous decision, pre-existing intention, prediction with a clue, or arrangement in the present continuous: here’s how to choose without hesitation.
Professional email phrases in English: greetings, requests, follow-ups
Greeting, requesting, following up, concluding: key phrases for professional emails in English, with natural alternatives to please and UK/US nuances.
Agreement of the past participle in French: rules and pitfalls
Être, avoir, direct object before, pronominal verbs, « en », infinitive… The agreement of the past participle in French seems capricious, but it follows some clear rules. Here is the practical guide.
The template of the Swahili verb: key prefixes and tenses
The Swahili verb is constructed in blocks: subject, tense/aspect, object, root, suffixes. Markers with na-, li-, ta-, me- and clear examples.
Open and closed vowels in Portuguese: é/ê, ó/ô
In Portuguese, the accent often changes the quality of the vowel: é/ê and ó/ô contrast open and closed. Minimal pairs, spelling hints, and BR/PT nuances for better pronunciation.