English has borrowed a large number of words and phrases from foreign languages. Here are some of them:
Rubric (Latin) a set of instructions or an explanation in a book or examination paper
Ruckrack (German) a knapsack
The rucksacks were piled up in a corner of the room.
Rumba (Spanish) a Cuban style ballroom dance or music written to accompany it
Sabbath (Hebrew) the seventh day of the week, traditionally a time of rest and worship (Sunday among Christians and Saturday among Jews)
Sabotage (French) a deliberate damage that is done to equipment or vehicles in order to prevent an enemy or opponent from using them
The terrorists were planning acts of sabotage to destabilise the country.
Saboteur (French) someone who deliberately damages, destroys or spoils someone else’s property or activities in order to prevent them from doing something
Sadhu (Sanskrit) a Hindu holy man or sage
Safari (Kiswahili) a trip to see or hunt wild animals, especially in Africa
We went on safari in Kenya.
Saga (Old Norse) a long and complicated series of events or a description of it
The whole saga began in May.
Sahib (Hindi) used in India, especially during the period of British rule, when talking to a man in authority
Good morning, sahib!
Sake (Japanese) a Japanese alcoholic drink made from fermented rice
Salaam (Arabic) a salutation or ceremonial greeting used in the East
Saliva (Latin) the secretion of the salivary glands which moistens the mouth, prepares food for swallowing and aids digestion
Salon (French) a place where you can get your hair cut and have beauty treatments
Salsa (Spanish) a type of Latin American dance music or a sauce made from onions, tomatoes and chillies
Samba (Portuguese) a fast dance from Brazil or the type of music played for the dance
Samosa (Persian / Urdu) a type of Indian food made from meat or vegetables covered in thin pastry and cooked in hot oil
Samurai (Japanese) a member of a powerful military class in Japan in the past
Sanatorium (Latin) a type of hospital for sick people who are getting better after a long illness but still need rest and a lot of care
Sanctum (Latin) an inner sanctum is a private place or room that only a few important people are allowed to enter
Occasionally, Amanda would be allowed into the inner sanctum of his office.
Sangfroid (French) courage and the ability to keep calm in dangerous or difficult situations
Sans (French) without – usually used humourously
Bryan came to the party sans shirt.
Sari / saree (Hindi) a long piece of cloth that you wrap around your body like a dress, worn usually by women in India and Sri Lanka
Sarong (Malay) a loose skirt consisting of a long piece of cloth wrapped around your waist, worn especially by people in Malaysia and Indonesia
Satan (Hebrew) the devil, considered to be the main evil power and God’s opponent
Satyagraha (Sanskrit) a policy of passive resistance
Satyr (Greek) a god in ancient Greek stories, represented as half human and half goat