Speak of the devil Meaning in English
expression
SPEEK-uhv-thuh-DEV-uhl
SPEEK-ov-thuh-DEV-uhl
Definition
People say this when someone you are talking about suddenly appears. It's a playful expression.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, light-hearted; often said when the person appears while being discussed. Not literal – does not refer to evil or religion.
Spanish: hablando del rey de Roma (y él que se asoma) - hablando del diabloPortuguese (BR): falando no diaboPortuguese (PT): falando do diaboChinese (Simplified): 说曹操，曹操到Chinese (Traditional): 說曹操，曹操到Hindi: जिसका नाम लो, वो हाज़िरArabic: نتحدث عن الشيطانBengali: কে বলা হয়, শয়তান! - যার কথা বলছিলাম, সে এসে গেছেRussian: легок на поминеJapanese: 噂をすれば（影）Vietnamese: nhắc Tào Tháo, Tào Tháo đếnKorean: 호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다Turkish: itiş kakış derken biri geldi - lafını açınca gelirUrdu: جسے بات کی جائے، وہ آ موجود ہواIndonesian: baru disebut, sudah datang
Example Sentences
Oh, speak of the devil! There he is now.
basic
We were just talking about Sarah when, speak of the devil, she walked in!
basic
Speak of the devil, John just called you.
basic
Well, speak of the devil—I was just telling everyone about your new job!
natural
You know, speak of the devil—Maria just texted me as we mentioned her.
natural
Guess who just walked in? Speak of the devil!
natural