When planning to travel abroad, it's a good idea to conduct some research on the various places you'd like to visit, the best ways to get around, and some highlights of your destination's culture. But in order to really get to know anything at all about your host nation, it's essential to learn a few words in their language.
Knowing a few key words in another language is a sign of respect for those whose country you're visiting. If you ever get lost, want to ask a specific question, or just want to be polite to the native speakers, there are a few phrases that will really come in handy. Here's a short list of useful words and phrases in different languages.
1. "Hello" / "Goodbye"
Spanish: Hola / Adiós
Swahili: Jambo / Kwa heri
Chinese: Nǐ hǎo / Zàijiàn
Hindi: Namastē / Alvidā
Icelandic: Halló / Bless
Portuguese: Olá / Adeus
Arabic: Marḥaban / Ma’a salama
2. "Please"/ "Thank you"
Spanish: Por favor / Gracias
Swahili: Tafadhali / Asante
Chinese: Qǐng / Xièxiè
Hindi: Kr̥payā / Dhan'yavāda
Icelandic: Vinsamlegast / Takk
Portuguese: Por favor / Obrigado
Arabic: min fudlika (male) or min fudliki (female) / Shokran
3. "Do you speak English?"
Spanish: Habla ingles?
Swahili: Unazungumza kiingereza?
Chinese: Nǐ huì jiǎng yīngyǔ ma?
Hindi: Kyā āpa aṅgrēzī bōlatē haiṁ?
Icelandic: Talarðu ensku?
Portuguese: Você fala Inglês?
Arabic: Hal tatahadath Al Englyzeyah?
4. "Yes" / "No"
Spanish: Si / No
Swahili: Ndiyo / Hapana
Chinese: Shì de / Bú
Hindi: Haan / Nahi
Icelandic: Já / Nei
Portuguese: Sin / Não
Arabic: Naam / Laa
5. "Where is the bathroom?"
Spanish: Dónde está el baño?
Swahili: Choo kiko wapi?
Chinese: Cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?
Hindi: Tāyalet kahāṁ haiṅ?
Icelandic: Hvar er klósettið?
Portuguese: Onde é o banho?
Arabic: Ayn al-ḥammām?
Even if you are unsure of your pronunciation, try to speak the native language anyway. People appreciate it when visitors try their best to at least attempt speaking the language, and will generally be more willing to help you. Besides, the ability to speak Swahili is a neat party trick.
