--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only way to learn a language…" description: "\"The only way to learn a language properly, in fact, is to marry a man of that nationality. You get what they call in Europe a 'sleeping dictionary.' Of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f03/zsa-zsa-gabor-7026_been_the-only-way-to-learn-a-language-properl_692895.jpg" --- # The only way to learn a language properly, in fact, is to… ![“The only way to learn a language properly, in fact, is to marry a man of that nationality. You get what they call in Europe a 'sleeping dictionary.' Of course, I have only been married five times, and I speak seven languages. I'm still trying to remember where I picked up the other two.” quote by Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f03/zsa-zsa-gabor-7026_been_the-only-way-to-learn-a-language-properl_692895.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f03/zsa-zsa-gabor-7026_been_the-only-way-to-learn-a-language-properl_692895.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f03/zsa-zsa-gabor-7026_been_the-only-way-to-learn-a-language-properl_692895.jpg) > “The only way to learn a language properly, in fact, is to marry a man of that nationality. You get what they call in Europe a 'sleeping dictionary.' Of course, I have only been married five times, and I speak seven languages. I'm still trying to remember where I picked up the other two.” [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Learning a language through intimate cultural immersion accelerates fluency and authentic understanding. **In simple terms:** Immersion via marriage speeds language learning. Key Takeaway Seek deep cultural experiences to master languages. Themes language learning culture immersion relationships humor Mood playful reflective Type anecdotal humorous When to use this quote - travel - marriage - language exchange - expatriate life - multilingual education Key Concepts cultural immersion social integration learning strategies Questions to Reflect On - Is cultural immersion always ethical? - How can one learn respectfully without marriage? A Different Perspective May overlook ethical concerns and personal autonomy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dictionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dictionary/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Languages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/languages/) [Learn A Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learn-a-language/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Spanish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spanish/) ## Related quotes > [I'd love to master another language properly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-dahl/i-d-love-to-master-another-language-properly/) [Sophie Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-dahl/) > [I always say to young people, "Get the hell out of the United States." Especially if you're young, like if you're 21 or something.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/i-always-say-to-young-people-get-the-hell-out-of-the-united-states/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [“My love for languages and my love for travel really go hand in hand and feed off of each other. There’s no better way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-werneth/my-love-for-languages-and-my-love-for-travel-really-go-hand-in-hand/) Wendy Werneth > [Learn a language of another country and then you can go to that country: a place where the problems of your family will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/learn-a-language-of-another-country-and-then-you-can-go-to-that-2/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [“Would-be writers often ask me, do I ever get writer's block! I tell them, you get writer's block when you're imprisoned in one language…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/would-be-writers-often-ask-me-do-i-ever-get-writer-s-block-i-tell/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [We learn a language through its song, and even if you don't have music you have the song of people you love's voice, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/we-learn-a-language-through-its-song-and-even-if-you-don-t-have-music/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [The best way to learn a language may be an episode of jail in a foreign country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/the-best-way-to-learn-a-language-may-be-an-episode-of-jail-in-a/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [Learn a language of another country and then you can go to that country: a place where the problems of your family will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-barton/learn-a-language-of-another-country-and-then-you-can-go-to-that/) [Karina Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-barton/) > [I think it's harder to learn a language without having a goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romain-duris/i-think-it-s-harder-to-learn-a-language-without-having-a-goal/) [Romain Duris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romain-duris/) > [“You don’t know a language, you live it. You don’t learn a language, you get used to it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benny-lewis/you-don-t-know-a-language-you-live-it-you-don-t-learn-a-language-you/) [Benny Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benny-lewis/) > [There are very few places in the world where you have to learn a language with no language in common. It's called a monolingual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-everett/there-are-very-few-places-in-the-world-where-you-have-to-learn-a/) [Daniel Everett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-everett/) > [Never too late to learn a language. And the good literature to come with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sa-a-stani-i/never-too-late-to-learn-a-language-and-the-good-literature-to-come/) [Sasa Stanisic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sa-a-stani-i/) > [“When you learn a language, you don't just learn to speak and write a new language. You also learn to be open-minded, liberal, tolerant,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/when-you-learn-a-language-you-don-t-just-learn-to-speak-and-write-a/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [I'm terrible at languages. I'm trying to learn Spanish. I tried to learn French as a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-j-adams/i-m-terrible-at-languages-i-m-trying-to-learn-spanish-i-tried-to/) [Patrick J. Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-j-adams/) > [“Well, science and religion are not competitors, they’re two different languages trying to tell the same story. There’s room in this world for both.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-brown/well-science-and-religion-are-not-competitors-they-re-two-different/) [Dan Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-brown/) ## More by Zsa Zsa Gabor > [I deserve attention not because of any talent, but just because of who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zsa-zsa-gabor/i-deserve-attention-not-because-of-any-talent-but-just-because-of-who/) [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) > [Parisian men make love all day and have no time to work; American men work all day and have no time for love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zsa-zsa-gabor/parisian-men-make-love-all-day-and-have-no-time-to-work-american-men/) [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) > [Being jealous of a beautiful woman is not going to make you more beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zsa-zsa-gabor/being-jealous-of-a-beautiful-woman-is-not-going-to-make-you-more/) [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) > [I don't accept gifts from perfect strangers - but then, nobody's perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zsa-zsa-gabor/i-don-t-accept-gifts-from-perfect-strangers-but-then-nobody-s-perfect/) [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) > [You must be independent and able to do for yourself. Then you do not have to marry a rich man; you can marry a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zsa-zsa-gabor/you-must-be-independent-and-able-to-do-for-yourself-then-you-do-not/) [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) > [I never hated a man enough to give him diamonds back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zsa-zsa-gabor/i-never-hated-a-man-enough-to-give-him-diamonds-back/) [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) > [When I'm alone, I can sleep crossways in bed without an argument.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zsa-zsa-gabor/when-i-m-alone-i-can-sleep-crossways-in-bed-without-an-argument/) [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) > [We were both in love with him. I fell out of love with him, but he didn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zsa-zsa-gabor/we-were-both-in-love-with-him-i-fell-out-of-love-with-him-but-he-didn/) [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) > [How many husbands have I had? You mean apart from my own?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zsa-zsa-gabor/how-many-husbands-have-i-had-you-mean-apart-from-my-own/) [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) > [I believe in large families: every woman should have at least three husbands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zsa-zsa-gabor/i-believe-in-large-families-every-woman-should-have-at-least-three/) [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) > [It's not hard to find a new husband, but someone who is, for an example, a good bridge partner for you comes along once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zsa-zsa-gabor/it-s-not-hard-to-find-a-new-husband-but-someone-who-is-for-an-example/) [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) > [When in trouble, take a bath and wash your hair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zsa-zsa-gabor/when-in-trouble-take-a-bath-and-wash-your-hair/) [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) > [I never hated any of my ex-fiances enough to return the rings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zsa-zsa-gabor/i-never-hated-any-of-my-ex-fiances-enough-to-return-the-rings/) [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) > [I think breeds of dogs and breeds of men are quite a bit alike. If you think it’s insulting that I compare people with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zsa-zsa-gabor/i-think-breeds-of-dogs-and-breeds-of-men-are-quite-a-bit-alike-if-you/) [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) > [You never really know a man until you have divorced him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zsa-zsa-gabor/you-never-really-know-a-man-until-you-have-divorced-him/) [Zsa Zsa Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) [Explore all 93 Zsa Zsa Gabor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zsa-zsa-gabor/) ## More Been quotes > [When I was trying to come up with a stage name, I thought 'Lord' was super rad, but really masculine - ever since I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/when-i-was-trying-to-come-up-with-a-stage-name-i-thought-lord-was/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. 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Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/i-would-have-done-well-as-a-gypsy-child-i-think-a-circus-baby-i/) [Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/) > [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/) [Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [Well, I've been politically involved for a really long time. Growing up in the segregated South, it was a very painful experience for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cybill-shepherd/well-i-ve-been-politically-involved-for-a-really-long-time-growing-up/) [Cybill Shepherd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cybill-shepherd/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [I have always been a big meta guy because I think the way journalism is practiced in Washington, and the way everyone sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-have-always-been-a-big-meta-guy-because-i-think-the-way-journalism/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [Windmills and solar cells are carbon-free sources of electricity. But they are costly. If you've been investing in those, give it up. 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