Wednesday, June 16, 2010

"Must Learn" Phrases in Any Language

Ion Ţiriac, a former Romanian tennis player and agent of the tennis champion Boris Becker, is claimed to have remarked: “I have learned to defend myself in every language. To say, ‘I am innocent.’”  It was most likely said in jest, but I suspect there was also a smidgen of truth in it.

I make it a point to learn a few words and phrases in the native tongues of any country I am visiting.  I am innocent is not one of them; I go with I am sorry instead (Îmi pare rău, Ion.)  The primary reason to learn a few words and phrases is a matter of courtesy.  It shows you are respectful of the locals in the country you are visiting and of their language.  Being polite through language (as well as action) also helps foster a positive connection with people.

This posting presents:
  • My recommendations on the "must learn" words and phrases and reasons why I selected them
  • Tips on learning and using these words and phrases
  • The words and phrases in several different languages
I will add to the different languages as I meet more native language speakers and capture this information.  This posting is, of course, written in English and geared toward a native English speaker who is not familiar with the foreign language to be spoken.

RECOMMENDATIONS ON "MUST LEARN" WORDS AND PHRASES

I recommend learning the following ten words and phrases.  My selection criteria focuses on politeness (being respectful and considerate to others) and simple questions or answers.  Being able to actually conduct a conversation is not the purpose since you do not know the language.  To ask someone "How are you doing?" only to receive a response in a language you do not understand would not be helpful.

Phrase
Reason
Hello Universal greeting.
Say it whenever you meet someone.
Thank you Politeness.
Say it whenever someone helps you.  Say it when departing as a substitute for goodbye because any person you have spoken with is likely to have helped you in some way.
Please Politeness.
Say it whenever someone offers to help you.  You can use this word in conjunction with thank you and yes.
Yes Answer a yes/no question.
Follow it with please if appropriate.  Say it even if the question you are responding to was asked in English.
No Answer a yes/no question.
Follow it with thank you if appropriate.  Say it even if the question you are responding to was asked in English.
I am sorry Politeness.
Say it when you sense you may have done something wrong or inappropriate or feel an apology is appropriate.
Excuse me Politeness.
Say it before interrupting someone or doing anything that may potentially be considered inappropriate.
Where is the bathroom (toilet)? Get an answer to this important question.
This can be shortened to just Toilet? if the rest of the phrase is to difficult to learn.  Precede with please or excuse me if approaching someone to ask.  If the person responds in words and not by pointing in the direction of a toilet, follow with I am sorry, I do not understand and then with do you speak English?  Once you learn the answer, end with thank you before leaving.
I do not understand Politeness.
Say it when you do not understand.  Precede it with I am sorry and follow it with do you speak English?
Do you speak English? Get answers beyond your knowledge of the local language.
Say it when you need to carry on a conversation beyond the nine phrases above.  Use the phrase excuse me or I am sorry, I do not understand before asking this question.  It informs the local person that you do not speak the local language or have a grasp of the language.  There is also an additional element of politeness because you have asked this question in their local tongue and not in English.

This is my own list of "must know" words and phrases.  You may ask why I have omitted certain words or phrases that are typical in introductory foreign language courses.  Here is my reasoning.
  • The list should be manageable.  Ten phrases is just above the "7 plus or minus 2" rule of what is manageable for people to remember.  So while goodbye is a good word to use and learn, thank you can substitute well in most situations.
  • The purpose is not to carry on a conversation.  To be able to ask how someone is doing (how are you?) or ask their name (what is your name?) is beneficial if you have a large enough vocabulary to understand the response and to carry on a conversation.  But that is not the purpose of this list.
  • Certain words may be best said in your own language.  For example, Help! would be a good word to learn.  But panic usually accompanies the need for this word and a seldom-used word escapes memory in times of crisis.  It is best to yell and scream to get attention or scream Help!

TIPS ON LEARNING AND USING THESE WORDS AND PHRASES

The key is to practice before you arrive in the country and apply what you have learned the moment you arrive.  Say each word or phrase whenever you can and whenever it is appropriate.

Do not be shy or self-conscious.  It is not uncommon for people to feel uneasy speaking foreign words for fear of getting it wrong.  Don't worry.  You will sound like a foreigner and you will get it wrong at times.  But it is the thought that counts.  And as far as I know, none of the words contained below will be interpreted as "I want to marry your mother" if you pronounce it slightly wrong.

As noted, several of these words and phrases can be used together.  For example, it helps to combine words of politeness with the questioning and answering words.

If there are multiple ways of saying something, go with the recommended suggestion by native speakers on what is most appropriate.  If you cannot find that out, go with the formal rather than the informal.

Some countries or regions within a country may have their own vernacular.  If it is possible, learn the specific words and phases of the country or region you are visiting.  The words may be different or have a different connotation between countries even though the language is the same.  French French and Canadian French are slightly different.

You could write these words down on paper or use a phrasebook and point to the word or phase.  In addition, there are some good smartphone applications available with several written and spoken words and phrases.  For example, the iPhone has a free Talk Chinese app (see below) with several basic words and phrases spoken in Mandarin.  Touch a word or phrase and you can hear it spoken in Chinese by a native speaker.


I still recommend you learn and speak the ten words and phrases in your own voice.  But these types of tools can come in handy if the language is too difficult to pronounce or the person you want to communicate with does not know any English.  You are still showing interest in their language and being polite.

Many countries have more than one language spoken.  Keep that in mind as you travel.  You may need to learn more than one language depending on the region of the country you will be visiting.

And by all means learn more words and phrases or become proficient if that is your interest.  This list is intended to be the minimum you should learn.

WORDS AND PHRASES IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

The tables below list the ten words in several different languages.  NOTE:  This is a work in progress.  I will update as I get translations, confirmations, and help with pronunciation.

There are over 6900 languages currently spoken in the world according to the 2009 edition of the Ethnologue.  I have chosen to include at least the top ten languages based on the number of native speakers of that language (except for Bengali and Javanese until I find translations) and a few others of interest to me.

You, of course, will be interested in the language(s) of the place you are going.  If it is not listed below, search on the internet for an English dictionary in that language.  You can also use a tool like Google Translate to look up the words and phrases.  Just check the answer with a native speaker before or on arrival to confirm the translations.

The languages listed below are:
  • Mandarin Chinese
  • Spanish
  • Hindi
  • Urdu
  • Arabic
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Japanese
  • German
  • French
  • Malay
  • Italian
  • Vietnamese
  • Thai
  • Korean
  • Greek
  • Turkish
  • Gbagyi
  • Setswana
  • Irish

Mandarin Chinese
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
HelloNǐ hǎo
你好
knee how


Thank you Xièxiè
谢谢
sheh sheh
Please Qǐng
ching
Yes Shì de
是的
shur
No Méiyǒu or bùshì
没有     不是
boo shur
I am sorry Duìbùqǐ
对不起
dway boo chee
Excuse me Duìbùqǐ
对不起
dway boo chee
Where is the bathroom? Wèishēngjiān zài nǎlǐ?
卫生间在哪里?

I do not understand Wǒ bù míngbái
我不明白

Do you speak English? Nǐ huì jiǎng yīngyǔ ma?
你会讲英语?

Xièxiè to Dennis Chen, Taipei, Taiwan, for the spoken words

Spanish
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello Hola OH-​lah
Thank you Gracias GRAH-​syahss
Please por favor POHR fah-​BOHR
Yes SEE
No no NOH
I am sorry Lo siento loh SYEHN-​toh
Excuse me Perdón pehr-​DOHN
Where is the bathroom? ¿dónde está el baño? DOHN-​deh ehss-​TAH ehl BAH-​nyoh?
I do not understand No entiendo noh ehn-​TYEHN-​doh
Do you speak English? ¿Habla usted Inglés? AH-​blah oos-​TEHD een-​GLEHSS?
Gracias to Jairo Garcia, Bogota, Colombia, for the spoken words

Hindi
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello Namastē
नमस्ते
Na mas tey

Thank you Dhan'yavāda
धन्यवाद

Please Kr̥payā
कृपया

Yes Hāṁ
हां
haan
No Nahīṁ
नहीं
nahin
I am sorry











Māpha karanā
माफ करना
maafee chaahta
Excuse me Kshama keejeeae
क्षमा कीजिए

Where is the bathroom? Snānaghara kahām̐ hai?
स्नानघर कहाँ है?

I do not understand Mujhē samajha nahīṁ ātā
मुझे समझ नहीं आता
Mujhey samajh mein nahi aataa
Do you speak English? Kyā āpa aṅgrēzī bōlatē haiṁ?
क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं?

Dhan'yavāda to Sucheta Rawal, Chandigarh, India, for the spoken words

Urdu
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello

ہیلو


Thank you
آپ کا شکریہ 

Please
براہ مہربانی

Yes
جی ہاں

No
نہیں

I am sorry
میں معافی چاہتا ہوں

Excuse me
معاف کرنا

Where is the bathroom?
باتھ روم کہاں ہے؟

I do not understand
مجھے سمجھ نہیں آتا

Do you speak English?
کیا آپ انگریزی بولتے؟



Arabic
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello marhaban
مرحبا
mar-haba - the 'n' is not pronounced
Thank you shukran
شكرا 

Please min fadlak (m) OR min fadliki (f)
من فضلك 

Yes na'am
نعم 

No laa
لا 

I am sorry ana asif (m) OR ana asifa (f)
أنا آسف 

Excuse me ismahli
معذرة 

Where is the bathroom?
أين الحمام؟ 

I do not understand la afham
أنا لا أفهم 

Do you speak English? Hal tetakallem al-​inglizia?
هل تتكلم الانجليزية؟ 

Shukran to the woman at the Persian restaurant.

Portuguese
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello Olá O-​lá
Thank you Obrigado ob-​ree-​GAH-​doo
Please Por favor pohr fa-​VOHR
Yes Sim SEEN
No Não NOWNG
I am sorry Desculpe desh-​KUL-​pay
Excuse me Desculpe desh-​KUL-​pay-​me
Where is the bathroom? Onde é o banheiro? OND-​de eh o bahn-​YAIR-​row?
I do not understand Não entendo NOWNG kom-​pre-​EN-​doo
Do you speak English? Você fala Inglês? fah-​lah ing-​GLEZH?


Russian
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello
Privet
Привет
pree-VYET

Thank you
Spasibo
Спасибо
spa-​SEE-​ba
Please
Pozhaluĭsta
Пожалуйста
pa-​ZHAL-​uy-​sta
Yes
Da
Да
DA
No
Net
Нет
NYET
I am sorry
Mne ochenʹ zhalʹ
Мне очень жаль
prah-​STEET-​yeh
conf?
Excuse me
Izvinite
Извините
prah-​STEET-​yeh
conf?
Where is the bathroom?
Gde nahodit·sya tualet?
Где находится туалет?
GDYE too-​ah-​LYET?
I do not understand
Ne ponimayu
Не понимаю
YA NYE pah-​nee-​MIGH-​yoo
Do you speak English?
Vy govorite po-angliĭski?
Вы говорите по-английски? 
vih ga-​va-​REET-​ye pah an-​GLEE-​skee?


Japanese
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello
Kon'nichiwa
こんにちは
kon-​nee-​chee-​WAH

Thank you
Arigatō gozai masu
ありがとうございます
ah-​ree-​GAH-​toh
Please
Te kudasai
てください。

Yes
Hai
はい
HIGH
No
ノー

I am sorry
Mōshiwake ari mase nga
申し訳ありませんが
goh-​men-​nah-​sigh
conf.
Excuse me
Sumimasen
すみません
soo-​mee-​mah-​sen
Where is the bathroom?
Toire wa doko?
トイレはどこ?

I do not understand
Watashi wa rikai shite i nai
私は理解していない
wah-​kah-​ree-​mah-​sen
conf.
Do you speak English?
Eigo o hanase masu ka?
英語を話せますか?
AY-​goh oh hah-​nah-​seh-​moss-​KAH?


German
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello
Hallo
hah-LOH
Thank you
Danke
DAN-​keh
Please
Bitte
BIT-​tuh
Yes
Ja
yah
No
Nein
nine
I am sorry
Es tut mir leid
es toot meer light
Excuse me
Entschuldigen Sie
ent-​SHUL-​di-​gen zee
Where is the bathroom?
Wo ist die Toilette?
voh ist dee twah-​LET-​uh?
I do not understand
Ich verstehe das nicht
ikh fur-​SHTAY-​uh dahs nikht
Do you speak English?
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
shprekhen zee ENG-​lish?


French
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello
Bonjour
bohng-​ZHOOR

Thank you
Merci
mehr-​SEE
Please
S'il vous plaît
seell voo PLEH
Yes
Oui
WEE
No
Non
NOH
I am sorry
Je suis désolé
zhuh swee day-​zoh-​LAY
Excuse me
Excusez-moi
ehks-​kuu-​zay MWAH
Where is the bathroom?
Où sont les toilettes?
OOH sohng lay twa-​LEHT?
I do not understand
Je ne comprends pas
ZHUH nuh kohm-​PRAHNG pah
Do you speak English?
Parlez-vous anglais?
PAHR-lay voo zahn-GLAY?


Malay
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello
Selamat
Apa kabar

Thank you
Terima kasih

Please
Sila
see-​LUH-​kunn
Yes
Ya
YUH
No
Tidak
TEE-​duck
I am sorry
Saya minta ma'af

Excuse me
Permisi

Where is the toilet?
Di mana tandas?
DEE muh-​nuh TAHN-das?
I do not understand
Saya tidak faham

Do you speak English?
Awak chakap bahasa "English"?

Termina kasih to Grace C., Penang, Malaysia, for the spoken words

Italian
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello
Ciao
chow

Thank you
Grazie
GRAHT-​tsyeh
Please
Per favore
PEHR fah-​VOH-​reh
Yes
SEE
No
No
NOH
I am sorry
Mi dispiace

Excuse me
Mi scusi
mee SKOO-​zee
Where is the toilet?
Dov'è il bagno?
doh-​VEH eel BAH-​nyoh?
I do not understand
Non capisco
NOHN kah-​PEES-​koh
Do you speak English?
Parla inglese?
PAHR-​lah een-​GLEH-​zeh?


Vietnamese
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello
Xin chào


Thank you
Cảm ơn bạn

Please
Xin

Yes
Vâng

No
Không

I am sorry
Tôi xin lỗi

Excuse me
Xin lổi

Where is the toilet?
Ở đâu là phòng tắm?

I do not understand
Tôi không hiểu

Do you speak English?
Bạn có nói được tiếng Anh?




Thai
Note: Males should also say krap, and females ka, at the end of each of these words and phrases to be polite.
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello
สวัสดี
S̄wạs̄dī
sa-wat dee
Thank you
ขอบคุณ
K̄hxbkhuṇ
korp khun
Please
กรุณา
Kruṇā
ga-ru-nah
Yes
ใช่
Chı̀
chai
No
ไม่
Mị̀
mai or mai chai
I am sorry
ฉันขอโทษ
C̄hạn k̄hxthos̄ʹ
kor toht
Excuse me
ประทานโทษ
Prathānthos̄ʹ

Where is the toilet?
ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน
H̄̂xngn̂ả xyū̀ thī̀h̄ịn

I do not understand
ฉันไม่เข้าใจ
C̄hạn mị̀ k̄hêācı
mai kao jai
Do you speak English?
คุณพูดภาษาอังกฤษ
Khuṇ phūd p̣hās̄ʹā xạngkvs̄ʹ
kun poot pahsah angrit dai mai
K̄hxbkhuṇ to Paun M., Chiang Rai, Thailand, for the spoken words

Korean
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello
안녕하세요
annyeonghaseyo

Thank you
감사합니다
gamsahabnida

Please
하겠습니다
(or for yes, please)
네, 주십시오

Yes

ye

No
아니
ani

I am sorry
미안 해요
mian haeyo

Excuse me
실례합니다
sillyehabnida

Where is the toilet?
화장실은 어디에 있지?
hwajangsil-eun eodie issji?

I do not understand
난 이해가 안 돼요
nan ihaega an dwaeyo

Do you speak English?
당신은 영어 하실줄 아세요?
dangsin-eun yeong-eo hasiljul aseyo?

감사합니다 to Youngsoo Kim, Seoul, South Korea, for the spoken words

Greek
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello
Γεια σας
Geia sas
YA-soo
Thank you
Σας ευχαριστώ
Sas ef̱charistó̱
Ef-hari-STO
Please
Παρακαλώ
Parakaló̱
para-kalo
Yes
Ναί
Naí
ne
No
Όχι
Óchi
O-shee
I am sorry
Λυπάμαι
Lypámai

Excuse me
Με συγχωρείτε
Me syncho̱reíte

Where is the toilet?
Πού είναι η τουαλέτα;
Poú eínai i̱ toualéta?

I do not understand
Δεν καταλαβαίνω
Den katalavaíno̱
then katala VE no
Do you speak English?
Μιλάτε αγγλικά;
Miláte angliká?
mi LA te Angli KA
Σας ευχαριστώ to CNN Fellow, Athens, Greece, for the spoken words

Turkish
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello
MerhabaMEHR-hah-bah
Thank you
Teşekkür ederimteh-sheh-kewr-LEHR
Please
LütfenLEWT-fehn
Yes
Eveteh-VEHT
No
HayırHAH-yuhr
I am sorry
Üzgünüm
Excuse me
Afedersinizaf-feh-DEHR-see-neez
Where is the toilet?
Nerede tuvalet nedir?
I do not understand
Anlamıyorum
Do you speak English?
İngilizce biliyor musunuz?
Teşekkür ederim to Onur Tan, Istanbul, Turkey, for the spoken words

Gbagyi
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello


Thank you


Please


Yes


No


I am sorry


Excuse me


Where is the toilet?


I do not understand


Do you speak English?


Thank you to Jonathan Zamani, Karu, Abuja, Nigeria, for the spoken words

Setswana
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello
Dumela / DumelangDo mela
Thank you
Ke a lebogaKay ah lay bow ha
Please
Tswee tsweeTsway tsway
Yes
EeAi
No
NnyaaN nya
I am sorry
IntshwareleIn tswa relly
Excuse me
Intshwarele fooIn tswa relly fo’
Where is the toilet?
Ntlwana e kae?In tla wanna A ki
I do not understand
Ga ke tlhaloganyeHa kay tla low han E
Do you speak English?
A o bua sekgoa?Ah O boo ah sekhoa
Ke a leboga to Mavis Boshwaen, Gabarone, Botswana, for the spoken words


Irish
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello
Dia duit
Thank you
Go raibh maith agat
Please
Le do thoil
Yes
Is ea
No
Ni ha
I am sorry
Tá brón orm
Excuse me
Gabh mo leithscéal
Where is the toilet?
Cá bhfuil an leithreas?
I do not understand
Ní thuigim
Do you speak English?
An bhfuil bearla agat?
Go raibh maith agat to Colin Hamell, County Meade, Ireland, for the spoken words


YOU CAN HELP

If you have information on another language that you would like added to this list, please use the Feedback page.  You may also send an e-mail to daniel at danielsklar.com .

Below is the information you can provide.  If you are a native speaker, adding a sound file where you pronounce the words would be a bonus, and I will add it to the information.

Your language
English Word
As Spelled
Phonetic Help
Sound?
Hello



Thank you


Please


Yes


No


I am sorry


Excuse me


Where is the toilet?


I do not understand


Do you speak English?



Happy speaking!

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"Must Learn" Phrases in Any Language ~ DANIEL SKLAR