Whether you like it or not, foreign expressions represent an integral part of the English language (and of many other languages, too). Knowing the meaning and usage of the most used ones is very important. First of all because it will enable you to understand pieces of text that include them. Secondly, because you might also need to use those expressions on particular situations (avoid using them just to sound smart though). Below you will find 6 foreign expressions commonly used in English, enjoy!

無論你是否喜歡，外來語表達都是英語和許多其它語種的一部分。了解最常用的外來語表達都非常重要。首先，你能夠懂得包含這些表達的文章。其次，在某些場合，你可能需要用到它們(但不要為了炫耀聰明而使用它們)。下面是英語中常用的6個外來語表達。

1. De Facto

De facto is a Latin expression that means “actual” (if used as an adjective) or “in practice” (if used as an adverb). In legal terms, de facto is commonly used in contrast to de jure, which means “by law.” Something, therefore, can emerge either de facto (by practice) or de jure (by law).

拉丁語表達de facto用作形容詞時意味“事實上”，而用作副詞時意味著“實踐上”。在法律術語里，de facto通常和de jure(法律上)相對。因此，事物要么是“事實上的”(de facto)，要么是法律上的(de jure)。

And what of the plastic red bench, which has served as his de facto home for the last 15 years and must by now be a collector’s item? (NY Times)

2. Vis-à-Vis

The literal meaning of this French expression is “face to face”(used as an adverb). It is used more widely as a preposition though, meaning “compared with”or “in relation to.”

這一法語表達的字面意思是“面對面”(副詞)。它被更廣泛的用作介詞，意為“和…相比”或“與…有關”。

It’s going to be a huge catalyst in moving the whole process forward and it really strengthens the U.S. position vis-a-vis our trading partners (Yahoo! News)

3. Status quo

This famous Latin expression means “the current or existing state of affairs.”If something changes thestatus quo, it is changing the way things presently are.

這一著名的拉丁語表達意為“事件的現狀或存在的狀態”。如果某事改變了status quo，這意味著它改變了當前的事物。

Bush believes that the status quo — the presence in a sovereign country of a militant group with missiles capable of hitting a U.S. ally — is unacceptable. (Washington Post)

4. Cul-de-sac

This expression was originated in England by French-speaking aristocrats. Literally it means “bottom of a sack,” but generally it refers to a dead-end street. Cul-de-sac can also be used metaphorically to express an action that leads to nowhere or an impasse.

這一表達起源于英國那些說法語的貴族們。它的字面意思是“麻袋底部”，但通常它指死胡同。Cul-de-sac也用于比喻沒有結果或陷入絕境的行動。

But the code of omerta was in effect for two carloads of fans circling the cul-de-sac to have a look at the house. (Reuters.com)

A cul-de-sac of poverty (The Economist)

5. Per se

Per se is a Latin expression that means “by itself”or “intrinsically.”

Per se是拉丁文表達，意思是“它自己”或“本質上的”。

The mistake it made with the Xbox is that there is no game console market per se; there are PlayStation, GameCube, and Xbox markets. (PCMag.com)

6. Ad hoc

Ad hoc, borrowed from the Latin, can be used both as an adjective, where it means “formed or created with a specific purpose,”and as an adverb, where it means “for the specific purpose or situation.”

Ad hoc來自拉丁文，可以作形容詞和副詞。形容詞的ad hoc意為“為特定目的組建或創立的”，作為副詞時，它的意思是“為了特定的目的和情況”。

The World Bank’s board on Friday ordered an ad hoc group to discuss the fate of President Paul Wolfowitz (CNN)