In English, many things are named after a particular country – but have you ever wondered what those things are called in those countries?
adjetivokeenest, keener
1
(enthusiastic)(supporter/photographer) entusiasta(student) aplicado(student) que muestra mucho interésto be keen to + inf- he was keen to start work — tenía muchas ganas de empezar a trabajar
- she wasn't keen to commit herself — no quería comprometerse
- they are very keen to hear from people with similar interests — tendrían sumo interés en establecer contacto con personas que tengan intereses afines
- she's terribly keen that he should take part — tiene mucho interés en que él participe
- to be keen on sth/-ing
- I'm keen on travel/golf — me encanta viajar/el golf
- he didn't seem too keen on the idea — no parecía gustarle mucho la idea
- they're keen on joining the club — tienen muchas ganas de hacerse socios del club
- to be keen on sb
- she's very keen on him — le gusta muchísimo
- I'm not too keen on their sister — su hermana no me cae muy bien
- The community includes some ex-offenders and takes referrals from the prison service, but charity chiefs were keen to point out that a whole range of people live there.
- I asked him why he thinks Kiwis are so keen for life on the edge.
- By all accounts it was the usual huge success, with keen gardeners coming from all around to stock up on plants and gardening paraphernalia.
- The competition is not just for keen gardeners.
- The band were keen to promote some of their newer singles but snuck them in between old favourites to keep the crowd satisfied.
- They are keen to receive some tips on toilet training for Emily, who's three.
- Since we were keen to try their range of fish, we avoided ordering directly from the menu and instead asked for a special platter to be made up.
- This will be a unique opportunity for keen gardeners to buy rare and unusual plants, many of which are not obtainable from local garden centres.
- Jamie, who has been a keen rally enthusiast since his early teens, is said to be making good progress despite the extensive injuries he sustained.
- He was an ardent fisherman, a keen gardener, and an active naturalist.
- The record was mostly recorded in a residential studio, as the band were keen to distance themselves from the distractions of everyday life.
- The areas round the house, where the borders are filled with herbaceous plants, were the territory of his wife, Elisabeth, an equally keen gardener, who died last year.
- Hamish and his wife, Lesley, were expert fly fishers and keen gardeners.
- He was very keen and enthusiastic about learning.
- Many of you reading this will know that I am a keen player of that fine old brass instrument, the French Horn.
- Mr Henry is also a computer enthusiast and a keen motorcyclist.
- The keen gardener, who has had an allotment for nearly seven years, said his plot had vegetables ripped up, tools thrown around and specialist plant frames smashed.
- As well as being a keen rambler, Mrs Kirby, who lived on her own following the death of her husband, liked to stay fit and was also a keen gardener.
- ‘I've given up my allotment and the school job,’ said Mick, who is a keen gardener.
- She is a keen gardener, bird watcher, photographer and swimmer.
2
2.1(sharp)
(blade/edge) afilado(blade/edge) filoso América Latina(blade/edge) filudo Perú Chile(breeze/wind) cortante- The dagger followed after and she leaned back to escape its bite but its keen edge sliced along her cheek, doing minimal damage.
- This is quality steel that takes and holds a keen edge.
- Seizing an opportunity, he slashed upwards with his knife, the keen edge of his blade taking grip on the dog's neck.
- After many modifications, the end result is an extremely tough, durable and sturdy blade that retains a keen edge over many years.
- The day was blessed with bright sunshine, although a keen wind cut through Windsor's streets.
- The long blades were keen and the handles were sky blue with a silver pommel and cross-guard.
- The keen edge cut through his glove easily and into his hand, blood seeping from the cut and dripping onto the pavement.
- But the treasure was in the blades - made of the finest bronze, honed to a keen edge.
- He swept his black blade around in a flat, horizontal arc, watching in satisfaction as the keen edge drew nearer and nearer to Anya's midsection.
- Gone was Friday's bright sunshine, replaced by cloud and a keen wind that made hardy souls of those camped out overnight outside Westminster Abbey or along The Mall.
- Emma remembered when Rae had pressed the keen edge of the sword against her throat.
- I stared at the knife in my hand for a long time, turning it over and over in my hands, admiring the keen edge and the gleaming metal that made the blade.
- The steering arm thrums under their hand, the deck heaves beneath their feet and the keen salt wind cuts like a knife through even a good sealskin cloak.
- The knife was at her throat, its keen edge pressed against her larynx.
- Overhead a keen, high altitude wind hauls thin streaks of cirrus across the bright, clear blue sky.
2.2(acute)
(hearing) muy fino(sight) agudo(sight) muy bueno(intelligence/wit) agudoa keen sense of smell — un agudo sentido del olfato- she has a keen eye for business — tiene mucha visión para los negocios
- we need somebody with a keen eye for detail — necesitamos una persona observadora y detallista
- a keen understanding of the problem — una comprensión cabal del problema
- keen observers of the political scene — perspicaces observadores de la escena política
- To her friends she is Karen, the self-assured and bright young woman, with a keen wit and plenty to say.
- His quick imagination, his keen humor, and his gentleness made his visits occasions for celebration.
- In her latter years she suffered from failing eyesight and hearing but her other faculties remained keen and right to the end Mrs Rawlings retained an amazing memory of her life.
- Like a sharp pair of fangs, quick forelegs, or keen hearing, our adept mind has insured the survival of our species.
- Reyes is old-school but not old-fashioned, and has a keen sense for the highs and lows of a jazz tune.
- Elves were known for their grace, beauty, keen eyesight, and sharp hearing.
- She was a very bright pupil of very keen intellect which stood her in good stead all through her long life.
- I was pleased with the fact that the court appeared to me to have a keen sense of understanding of what I thought were the critical issues.
- The new leader will have to display strength of character, sturdiness of will, a keen intellect, a sense of humour and an ability to relate to the people of Scotland.
- His quick and strong wrists, his reflex action, and keen eyesight all figured in his ability to succeed as a hitter.
- She also developed a keen sense of the future of research.
- We will miss his keen mind, his insight, his gentle, gracious manner, his caring nature, his mischievous sense of humour and his support.
- So it followed naturally that she would later use her sharp eye, keen intelligence, and inquisitive nature to create stories about the people and things she observed.
- Deer are extremely cautious animals with keen senses of smell and hearing.
- He is powerfully built, but lithe and well balanced, with a light footed, smooth and graceful gait, has a keen sense of smell and is well able to point, set and retrieve.
- His sharp intellect, keen wit and urbane presence have been an asset of varying value to the Labour Party for almost 40 years.
- With their poor eyesight and keen sense of smell, they can get dangerously close.
- In addition this animal has an exceptionally keen sense of smell.
- Cover scents hide the hunter from an animal's keen sense of smell.
- Most ray-finned fishes have keen hearing ability and sound production is common but not universal.
- Like most owls, Great Horned Owls have keen hearing and keen vision in low light, both adaptations for hunting at night.
- Readers of my diary will recognise me as a wise, avuncular figure with a keen mind and big heart.
- They have keen hearing and good senses of vision and smell.
- He's made it to the top of his profession on his own terms, armed with a sharp intellect, a rakish charm, keen wit and passionate belief in justice.
- Harriet has the keen judgment and discerning intellect necessary to be an outstanding Counsel.
- ‘Feminine reason’ was about common sense and a keen perception of the everyday.
- Quick intervention begins with keen sensitivity and sharp observation.
- The sense of smell is keen and the snout is used to probe when searching for food.
- Of course, it takes a keen military intellect to understand the strategic importance of blowing up empty buildings.
- Its sight is marvellously keen, hearing exceedingly acute, and sense of smell wonderfully perfect.
- He had a gentle, kindly manner, twinkling eyes and quick smile, a keen sense of humour and a penetrating wit.
- His sharp insights are conveyed through keen intelligence, humor, and wit.
2.3(intense, strong)
(competition) muy reñido(desire/interest) vivohe has a keen appetite — tiene muy buen apetito- Energy specialists project keen competition in Hungary by several foreign enterprises.
- While the number of competing clubs was down on last year's entry the competition was, nevertheless, keen with some excellent individual scoring.
- For the participating companies, of which there will be over 400, the keen competition and fun will help foster team spirit.
- The horsemen looking on with the keen anticipation of those about to be mightily entertained paid me the compliment of rapidly becoming bored.
- This belief gave rise to a keen resentment which propelled many young people into political activism, and brought Duplessis to power in 1936.
- Lara will again lead the team in this weekend's encounter, which promises to provide keen competition.
- Cricket was my keen interest, my passion and my everlasting love.
- Fewer, larger farms, low prices and keen competition have made the economic services of many cooperatives redundant.
- I await the outcome of this potentially interesting conference with keen anticipation.
- Graham forces the viewer to experience, at one and the same time, two intensely contrary feelings - deadpan irony and keen longing.
- Anticipation is keen, excitement is not far away, people are living for the moment.
- The military, of course, took a keen interest in ensuring that all news was published ‘in the spirit of nationalism’.
- Once again a very keen and competitive atmosphere was enhanced by the good weather.
- Competition is keen, and price increases tend to be modest.
- The early exchanges were keen and only excellent defending by Castlecomer prevented Tralee capitalising on a number of offensive moves.
- Auction results consistently show that there is a keen demand here in Ireland for contemporary art at affordable prices by both Irish and international artists.
- Among Earnhardt's many passions was a keen love of deer hunting, fishing, and recreational activities.
- The league is set to provide a lot of interest and keen competition among the enthusiasts.
2.4British (competitive)
competitivo- Prices are keen, starting at €19,500 for the 1.4 litre saloon and an extra €200 for the estate body.
- And then there is the possibility of tasting, and buying wines direct from the source, which may involve keen prices and/or acquiring rarities.
- However, these markets will be highly competitive, and consumers will demand keen prices.
- Prices will be announced closer to launch date but if the new 1.6 litre diesel can be sold at a keen price, it will be the clear winner.
- If they offer the car at a keen price, it should prove extremely popular with Irish buyers.
- Buying locally where possible, combined with unpackaged fruit and veg, enables the company to sell its organic produce at keen prices.
- Ex-company cars at two to three years old can represent very good value for money if bought at keen prices, as they will have been serviced regularly under a lease plan.
- If they find it impossible to source local Irish produce at keen prices, they must ship in much of their supplies from England and the continent.
- It makes no bones about offering reasonable food, at a keen price with friendly service.
- Most well-run companies will have mainstream costs under control and will have professional buyers negotiating keen prices for all raw materials.
- Many Italian merchants ship internationally and at keen prices so it pays to do some leg work.
- Whether they will be able to keep offering such keen prices if the banks become more cautious about property lending remains to be seen.
- Prices are keen but beware that entry models have neither sun roof nor air conditioning.
- It combines an attractive compact unit with all the multimedia features needed for home use at a keen price.
- They will stock a huge range of toys at keen prices.
- I particularly like getting shops to match Internet-only prices, which combines the convenience of shopping on the high street with the Web's keen price tags!
- Their main aim is quality and value with keen prices.
- Although their wines require a little extra effort to find, they boast an obvious authenticity and have huge rarity appeal and keen prices.
- You get the opportunity to enter a short description and you can see what other people are selling their copies for, giving you the opportunity to set a keen price if you want.
- All artworks are on sale at very keen, competitive prices, so come along and enjoy the wonderful display.
3EEUU anticuado, argot
(very good)genialchévere Cono Sur América Latinafetén España argot
verbo intransitivo
anticuado
1
lamentar- They keened and wailed outside the gates for hours.
- Act Three ends powerfully, with the village in flames, good Soviet citizens hanging by their necks, and keening women, including one who is given a ‘mad scene’ of sorts.
- They cried, they keened, they wailed.
- She could hear voices speaking in soothing tones, but Anna keened and wailed, and Kathleen tried not to imagine the scene on the other side of the door.
- When another daughter died in infancy she keened and mourned over the body for hours until the body finally had to be taken from her.
Further reading

12 ways to say goodbye in other languages
Find out moreEnglish has borrowed many of the following foreign expressions of parting, so you’ve probably encountered some of these ways to say goodbye in other languages.

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Find out moreMany words formed by the addition of the suffix –ster are now obsolete - which ones are due a resurgence?