English has borrowed a large number of words and phrases from foreign languages. Here are some of them:
Ramadan (Arabic) the sacred ninth month of the Muslim year, during which the faithful fast and observe other restrictions between the hours of sunrise and sunset
Rapport (French) a relationship in which those concerned are in harmony
The two strangers soon established an easy rapport.
Rapporteur (French) someone who communicates reports of a meeting
Rapprochement (French) the establishment of a good relationship between two countries or groups of people
Rationale (Latin) a reasoned statement of principles
Realpolitik (German) practical politics or political realism
Reconnaissance (French) the military activity of sending soldiers and aircraft to find out about the enemy’s forces
Rector (Latin) the person in charge of certain colleges and schools
Referendum (Latin) an occasion when everyone in a country votes in order to make a decision about a particular subject
Regime (French) a particular government in power
Regimen (Latin) a special plan of food and exercises intended to improve your health
Reiki (Japanese) a natural-healing system originating in Japan.
Renaissance (French) a new interest in a particular form of art or music that has not been fashionable
Rendezvous (French) an arrangement to meet at a particular time and place
Repartee (French) conversation which is very fast and full of clever amusing remarks
Repertoire (French) all the plays, pieces of music that a performer has learned and can perform
Requiem (Latin) a mass for the dead
Reservoir (French) a lake, especially an artificial one, where water is stored
Resume' (French) a short account of something such as an article or speech. In American English it is a short written account of your education and your previous jobs that you send to an employer when you are looking for a new job.
Reverie (French) a state of imagining or thinking pleasant things
Revue (French) a show in a theatre that includes songs, dances and jokes about recent events
Rickshaw (Japanese) a small vehicle used in South East Asia for carrying one or two passengers that is pulled by someone walking or riding a bicycle.
Ricochet (French) if a moving object such as a bullet or stone ricochets, it changes direction and hits a surface of an angle
Rigor mortis (Latin) the stiffening of the body that takes place after someone’s death
Riviera (French) a coastal resort area
Rostrum (Latin) a small platform that you stand on when you are making a speech or conducting musicians
Rouge (French) pink or red powder or cream that women put on their cheeks
Rubella (Latin) German measles
Rubicon (Latin) Cross the Rubicon means to do something that will have extremely important effects in the future.