>On 9/26/07, René Uittenbogaard <ruittenb@...> wrote:
> > Do many languages have a "wildcard" verb? I was struck by the Swahili
> > usage of _kupiga_ (to hit) in many idioms like e.g. _kupiga picha_ (to
> > take a picture) and _kupiga simu_ (to call by phone).
>
Maybe Spanish _hacer_....
hace frio/calor 'it's cold/hot'
hace 3 años que vivo aqui 'I've lived here for 3 years'
3 años hace... 'three years ago...'
hacer una foto 'take a picture' (IIRC)
and probably others that slip my mind.....
This Indonesian turn of phrase always amused me: minum rokok 'to smoke a
cigarette" (lit, drink a...)