15 Must-Know Phrases for Travelers to Unlock Any Language Abroad

Managing Language Barriers S1 E4

For purposes of this broadcast, assume you only speak English.

Reality:

• Reality is that English is understood in most major cities
• Yes, you can use translation software some of the time, but it will get cumbersome, but it can be tedious, time consuming, and you might not have a great signal, your phone might be out of battery, or you’ve blown through your data plan
  • Best thing is to have just a few phrases at the ready.
• English becomes less frequently used and understood the further away from the major city you go.
• You can do a lot with pointing etc., but knowing a few phrases will go a long way to helping you be understood, and most of all, earning the respect of your destination’s residents
• Manners count in many places more than they do in the US
  • Japan
  • Europe

Really, there are some universal phrases you should master before traveling to another country.  

15 Phrases that are Non negotiable:

1. Hello and Goodbye
2. Good morning and Good afternoon
   • • Particularly for shopkeepers and hotel workers
3. Please and Thank YOU!
4. Excuse me, and I’m sorry (you’ll need to say that a lot)
5. Where is the….
   • • Train station?, name of hotel? And most importantly, the bathroom
6. I would like….
   • • Common names of food, x number of tickets- bus, train, admission
7. Numbers one through 20
   • • Bonus if you know all tens to 100, 100, 1000, 2000…
8. How much is…?
9. I have… but Do you have is even more useful…
10. The bill, please…
11. I need help.
12. I need medical help.
13. I am allergic to… very important!
14. I have a medical condition (consider wearing a medic alert bracelet as well if needed)
15. (Of course)....Do you speak English?