Uploaded March 2018 | Updated September 2026, 37 minutes ago
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The 5 Best Phrases To Learn Before Traveling To A New Country!
Imagine someone coming up to you in your country and rapidly speaking a foreign language at you. Even if you understood it, you may be disinclined to speak to them. Whenever Joe and I travel to a new country, we always like to know a few key phrases in the local language. In my opinion, it’s polite, shows respect for the locals and their country, and really helps to have an overall more enjoyable travel experience.
1. Hello and Goodbye!
I hope this one doesn’t come as a surprise to you and is most likely self-explanatory. One of my favourite greetings that we learned was, “Ahoj!” in the Czech Republic! I felt like a sailor every time so it was really easy to remember. Just be cautious about not sounding TOO GOOD. I didn’t think this would cause any problems, but apparently, my Greek accent when I say, “Hello” is too good. 5 or 6 times locals would hear me say Hello and assume that I was fluent because of my apparently very good Greek accent. Who knew!? They would begin speaking to me in rapid fire Greek and only my startled and blank stare would clue them in to the fact that I wasn’t understanding a word they said.
2. Excuse Me
This one is obviously a little bit different than, “Hello”, but is probably fits better in more professional circumstances. When you’re the first one initiating contact with a shop salesclerk, server, or even if you’re just looking for directions, “Excuse me” is a good one to know. Hopefully this one is the same phrase for when you’re trying to move passed someone, but double check on that one first because in Italian, for example, “Mi scuzi” and “Permeso” are used in different circumstances.
3. Thank you
This is the last phrase that’s purely about good manners. Be a nice, polite tourist and represent your country well by using them. Because the fact of the matter is, if you behave like a jerk your behavior could affect other tourists experiences in the future. When you’re at a restaurant, you really don’t need to speak the language in order to point to the menu and hold up the proper number of fingers, but by adding a, “Thank you” to the end of your order, you’ll show them that you’re trying and it’ll make a big difference.
4. Can I get the bill?
Now this one is a bit more difficult to convey without knowing the language. I mean, you may be able to show money or make a motion like signing a check or something, but it’s probably easier, and less embarrassing for everyone to just know this one. Because this is the first phrase that’s a longer sentence, I’d like to share with you the fact that I’d usually keep a little cheat sheet with these phrases on my phone so I could pull it out, study it, and maybe practice this one a bit before asking for the bill.
5. Do you speak English?
For any more complicated interaction with someone, it’s best to find someone who can speak your language too. But I’d NEVER recommended asking someone if they speak English IN English! Say Hello or Excuse me and ask in their language. They’ll so appreciate your effort and you’re more likely to get someone to at least try to meet you in the middle. If all else fails, using a translator app like Google Translate can be a life-saver, but we mainly use that as a last resort.
Now I want to hear from you! Are there any key phrases that I should add to this list? Do you have any funny or interesting stories of trying to speak with someone like a mime or something like that? Please comment with them below!
Music:
Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400054
Artist: incompetech.com
FOLLOW ME! (^_^):
*On Twitter: @SonnieTravels
*On Instagram: @SonnieTravels
The 5 Best Phrases To Learn Before Traveling To A New Country!
Imagine someone coming up to you in your country and rapidly speaking a foreign language at you. Even if you understood it, you may be disinclined to speak to them. Whenever Joe and I travel to a new country, we always like to know a few key phrases in the local language. In my opinion, it’s polite, shows respect for the locals and their country, and really helps to have an overall more enjoyable travel experience.
1. Hello and Goodbye!
I hope this one doesn’t come as a surprise to you and is most likely self-explanatory. One of my favourite greetings that we learned was, “Ahoj!” in the Czech Republic! I felt like a sailor every time so it was really easy to remember. Just be cautious about not sounding TOO GOOD. I didn’t think this would cause any problems, but apparently, my Greek accent when I say, “Hello” is too good. 5 or 6 times locals would hear me say Hello and assume that I was fluent because of my apparently very good Greek accent. Who knew!? They would begin speaking to me in rapid fire Greek and only my startled and blank stare would clue them in to the fact that I wasn’t understanding a word they said.
2. Excuse Me
This one is obviously a little bit different than, “Hello”, but is probably fits better in more professional circumstances. When you’re the first one initiating contact with a shop salesclerk, server, or even if you’re just looking for directions, “Excuse me” is a good one to know. Hopefully this one is the same phrase for when you’re trying to move passed someone, but double check on that one first because in Italian, for example, “Mi scuzi” and “Permeso” are used in different circumstances.
3. Thank you
This is the last phrase that’s purely about good manners. Be a nice, polite tourist and represent your country well by using them. Because the fact of the matter is, if you behave like a jerk your behavior could affect other tourists experiences in the future. When you’re at a restaurant, you really don’t need to speak the language in order to point to the menu and hold up the proper number of fingers, but by adding a, “Thank you” to the end of your order, you’ll show them that you’re trying and it’ll make a big difference.
4. Can I get the bill?
Now this one is a bit more difficult to convey without knowing the language. I mean, you may be able to show money or make a motion like signing a check or something, but it’s probably easier, and less embarrassing for everyone to just know this one. Because this is the first phrase that’s a longer sentence, I’d like to share with you the fact that I’d usually keep a little cheat sheet with these phrases on my phone so I could pull it out, study it, and maybe practice this one a bit before asking for the bill.
5. Do you speak English?
For any more complicated interaction with someone, it’s best to find someone who can speak your language too. But I’d NEVER recommended asking someone if they speak English IN English! Say Hello or Excuse me and ask in their language. They’ll so appreciate your effort and you’re more likely to get someone to at least try to meet you in the middle. If all else fails, using a translator app like Google Translate can be a life-saver, but we mainly use that as a last resort.
Now I want to hear from you! Are there any key phrases that I should add to this list? Do you have any funny or interesting stories of trying to speak with someone like a mime or something like that? Please comment with them below!
Music:
Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400054
Artist: incompetech.com
