The Sims might be a game that builds itself around the concepts of reality, but the language Sims characters use during a playthrough is as nonsensical as the language Minions use in the Despicable Me franchise.
"Simlish" is a language specifically created for the Sims series. Although the Sims script is not available for the public, many fan-based sites -- such as Day Translations -- use their platform to dissect the Sim language and create unofficial vocabulary lists to help other players learn what their Sims are trying to say. The language is absurd, but some Simlish phrases come across as hilarious when read or heard outside of the game's context.
"Za Woka Geneva"
If players read the quote in a normal tone, they probably won't remember when it was spoken during their last Sims play-through. However, if players read the above sentence again in a more flirtatious tone, they'll realize how often it's actually said during the course of the game.
Arms swaying side-to-side, eyes lowered, posture leaning forward: it's all a part of "Za Woka Geneva." This usually means that a Sim informing another Sim that they think they're attractive, and someone they could potentially fall in love with.
"Choo Wagga Choo Choo"
Out of the context of the game, the above quote sounds like someone trying to imitate a train. And in the context of the game, that assumption still makes sense. Just like a train is always moving forward on the track and blowing its whistle to warn others to stay off its path, the Sims use the phrase "Choo Wagga Choo Choo" to let the player know that something is blocking their path and preventing them from moving forward.
"Whippna Choba Dog"
This is a phrase that's just as fun to say as it is to hear. It may initially seem that a Sims character is saying something about a dog when this phrase is seen out of the context of the game.
However, veteran Sims players know the truth: Simlish never utilizes the real word for things -- which will still be the case even after the release of Sims 5. What this phrase is actually used for in-game is to express how neat or interesting something is.
"Gerb Woof Em"
This is another phrase that sounds like it should be related to a pet-raising Sim. And this one can be. "Gerb Woof Em" is used by Sims to command another Sim or a pet to join the character wherever they are. But, when spoken aloud, the phrase sounds more like a strange encouragement or a command for a person named "Gerb."
"Bum Bum"
The quote sounds like it could potentially lead into the popular score from the movie Jaws when the shark is about to attack. However, that's far from the true meaning of this Simlish phrase. Sims express this phrase when they are having a good time. (Perhaps putting the phrase back in context makes it all the more humorous to say?)
"Boobasnot"
It's difficult to say "Boobasnot" out loud and keep a straight face, but when the Sims says it in-game, they are not joking around.
"Boobasnot" is what one Sims says to another Sim when they are not getting along. Players might find themselves tempted to use the insult in their everyday lives from here on out.
"Renato! Renato!"
Another phrase that sounds silly but means trouble for the Sims characters is "Renato!" The phrase is usually repeated when used by a Sim character, illustrating a Sim's strong discomfort toward a social situation.
"Renato" has been speculated to translate to "Go away." This is an impolite notion for a Sim to express, but there are worse things that could be done to a Sim aside from forcing them to leave an area.
"Nash Na Poof?"
If someone were to ask a person "Nash Na Poof?" in real life with zero context, non-Sims players would probably dismiss it because they have no idea what this means. Sims players, however, have heard this phrase from their characters when a Sim is trying to figure out if another Sim is home.
"Deesh, Deesh, Deesh"
If a player wants to know what a Sim is trying to say in the above quote, all they have to do is turn to Winnie The Pooh's popular phrase: "Think, think, think." "Deesh," out-of-context, sounds more like a meme in the making - or the newest Tiktok-inspired phrase that expresses shock and awe toward another idea or person. In a Sims' reality, however, it just means a Sim is pondering something out loud.
"Turkey Nurbler?"
This isn't an item served for Thanksgiving dinner, although it sounds like it could be. This Simlish question is used when one Sim is asking another Sim if they are feeling better. The correlation between someone's wellbeing and turkey is difficult to distinguish - especially when the word "Nurbler" is added to make everything all the more humorous.