Calque

In linguistics, a calque ([kælk]) or loan translation consists of the borrowing of a phrase from one language into another, in the process of which individual words native to the borrowing language semantically match the individual words in the source language.

Thus:

• English Superman calques German Übermensch
• English Governor-General calques French gouverneur général
• English Commonwealth calques Latin res publica (which has also become Republic)
• English breakfast calques French déjeuner (which now means lunch).

See also

• Loanword