7 Ways to Say “SEVEN”

Mike Peake learns some new languages

GERMAN

“SIEBEN”

The Magnificent Seven, according to our ever-reliable internet translator, is “Die Ausgezeichneten Sieben”, although translated back it becomes “The Excellent Seven”, which doesn’t sound like something Yul Brynner would have signed up for. Anyway, drop the following phrase into Germanic conversation any time from September—June, and stand well back: “Ist die Temperatur hier je über sieben Grad?” It means: “Is the temperature here ever more than seven degrees?”

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FRENCH

“SEPT”

It’s pronounced “set”, “setuh”, “setah” and even “suht”, depending on where you are. If you’re in Paris, a good line to know is “Sept euros pour une tasse de café?”, meaning: “Seven euros for a cup of coffee?” It should be said with total indignation, even if they’re throwing in a free croissant.

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DUTCH

“ZEVEN”

Not hard to remember, this one, even if you’ve been visiting one of Amsterdam’s famously liberal coffee shops. “Als ze al alles voor tien doet, wat krijgen we dan voor zeven?” Which our web translator tells us means: “If she does everything for 10, what do we get for seven?” But it probably doesn’t mean that. Really.

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ITALIAN

“SETTE”

“Guardi! È Berlusconi con i suoi sette nuovi amici speciali!” Berlusconi with seven special new friends? Well, libel lawyers, no one will be needing this as it’s obviously untrue.

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SPANISH

“SIETE”

Admittedly, you may not get a chance to use it, but imagine if you did? “Le ha estado dando patadas al burro durante siete minutos.” Or: “He’s been kicking that donkey for seven minutes now.”

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SWEDISH

“SJU”

To really ingratiate yourself with the Swedes, you could talk about their bracing countryside – or you could say: “På väg till hotellet passerade vi sju Ikea butiker.” Meaning: “On the way to the hotel we passed seven Ikea stores.”

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HUNGARIAN