Visiting a country without knowing the local language can be daunting. When you need to ask for directions, order food, or even say “thank you,” it’s frustrating when you can’t communicate the simplest requests. For Travel Tip Tuesday this week, we’ve made you a cheat sheet! Below are 10 common phrases you can learn in ten common languages.
1. Where is the restroom?
French: Où sont les toilettes?
Hindi: Vishraamagrh kahaan hai?
Arabic: ‘ayn alhamam?
Japanese: O tearai wa dokodesu ka?
Chinese: Wèishēngjiān zài nǎlǐ?
Filipino: Nasaan ang banyo?
Portuguese: Onde é o banheiro?
Punjabi: Raisaṭarūma kithē hai?
Swahili: Msalani ni wapi?
Spanish: ¿Donde esta el baño?
2. Hello
French: Bonjour
Hindi: Namaskaar
Arabic: Marhabaan
Japanese: Kon’nichiwa
Chinese: Nǐ hǎo
Spanish: Hola
Swahili: Hujambo
Portuguese: Olá
Filipino: Kamusta
Punjabi: Sata srī akāla
3. Good bye
French: Au revoir!
Hindi: Alavida
Arabic: Wadaeaan
Japanese: Sayōnara
Chinese: Zàijiàn
Filipino: Paalam
Portuguese: Tchau
Punjabi: Alavidā
Swahili: Kwaheri
Spanish: Adiós
4. Thank you
French: Merci!
Hindi: Dhanyavaad
Arabic: Shukraan jazilaan
Japanese: Arigatōgozaimashita
Chinese: Xièxiè
Filipino: Salamat
Portuguese: Obrigado
Punjabi: Tuhāḍā dhanavāda
Swahili: Kwaheri
Spanish: Gracias
5. I would like…
French: Je voudrais
Hindi: Main pasand karoonga
Arabic: ‘awadu
Japanese: O onegaishimasu
Chinese: Wǒ xiǎng yào
Filipino: Gusto ko
Portuguese: eu gostaria
Punjabi: Maiṁ cāhāṅgā
Swahili: Ningependa
Spanish: Me gustaría
6. How much?
French: Combien?
Hindi: Kitana?
Arabic: kam althamana?
Japanese: Ikura?
Chinese: Duōshǎo?
Filipino: Magkano?
Portuguese: Quantos?
Punjabi: Kinē hō’ē?
Swahili: Kiasi gani?
Spanish: ¿Cuánto?
7. Help!
French: Aidez-moi!
Hindi: madad!
Arabic: musaeadat!
Japanese: Tasukete!
Chinese: Jiùmìng!
Filipino: Tulong!
Portuguese: Socorro!
Punjabi: Madada karō!
Swahili: Msaada!
Spanish: ¡Ayuda!
8. Excuse me
French: Pardon
Hindi: Maaf keejiyega
Arabic: Efu
Japanese: Sumimasen
Chinese: Láojià
Filipino: Pakiulit
Portuguese: Desculpe
Punjabi: Mainū māfa karō
Swahili: Samahani
Spanish: Perdóneme
9. I’m sorry
French: Je suis désolé
Hindi: Mujhe maaph kar do
Arabic: ‘ana asif
Japanese: Gomen’nasai
Chinese: Duìbùqǐ
Filipino: patawad
Portuguese: Eu sinto Muito.
Punjabi: Mainū mu’āpha karō
Swahili: Samahani
Spanish: Lo siento
10. I don’t understand
French: Je ne comprends pas
Hindi: mujhe samajh nahin aa raha hai.
Arabic: ‘ana la ‘afham
Japanese: Wakaranai
Chinese: Wǒ bù míngbái
Filipino: Hindi ko maintindihan
Portuguese: Eu não entendo
Punjabi: Mainū samajha nahīṁ ā’undī
Swahili: Sielewi
Spanish: No entiendo
Pro Tip
Carry a notebook and pencil with you. If you’re trying to convey a more complicated message, you can draw a picture. Also, it’s great for haggling in local shops and markets. You avoid confusing different numbers because once you know how much something is, you can write down what you’re willing to pay for it
Ready to test out your new linguistic abilities? Call Jaya Travel!