Useful Foreign Language Words and Phrases

After researching cheaptravel options such as cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, and cheap vacation packages,English speaking travelers who plan on traveling to non-English speakingcountries should try to understand a little of those countries languagesbefore departing.

The following are recommended words and phrases that canhelp make your trip much smoother and gain the locals respect, according toAshley Rossi:

• It isimportant to know basic phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thankyou, how are you? and most critically I do not speak your language, or Ido not understand.

• Understandingbasic food groups such as entrees, starters, and desserts will help makereading menus easier. Learning wordssuch as meat, poultry, vegetables, pasta, and salads are useful when navigatinga foreign menu. If you have any dietaryrestrictions, make sure you can communicate words should as without or Doesit have ______ in it?

• Airlineterminology such as landing, take off, meal options, seatbelt, and turbulencehelp travelers understand what is going on during their flights.

• Travelingtends to result in tourists asking for things from others. It is important to do so politely. Learn the formal way to ask forsomething. Also make a point to learnsome compliments.

• Locationand direction phrases are important. Travelers often want to be able to go to cab stands, touristattractions, ATMs, public transportation and restrooms. Words such as left, right, above, below, andhow to say the names of important streets are particularly useful.

• Knowingnumbers in order to determine prices for things allows you to barter whenshopping in markets and ensure that you do not inadvertently overpay.

• Understandinghow to ask the time, when something starts, and how to say minutes and hours isinvaluable.

• Ifever in an emergency situation, knowing how to say police station,hospital, and embassy is valuable when requesting assistance. Make a point to learn local emergency numbersand know where the U.S. Embassy is located.

• Youcan have a basic conversation with a local if you can say your name, where youare from, why you are traveling, and how long you will be traveling. When going through customs you often will beasked some common questions about your trip, so it is helpful to be able tohave a brief and simple response in the countrys native language.

• Knowingworks such as train, metro, train station, cab stand, ferry, andairport can prove useful. If you wantto rent a car abroad, be sure you can follow street signs and traffic signals.