Top 10 Travel Phrases to Learn in ANY Language
Here’s a breakdown of the Top 10 Travel Phrases to Learn in Any Language, with examples and context to show why each one matters:
1. Do you speak English?
Why it matters: Around 1 in 4 people worldwide speak English, at least as a second language. This phrase quickly clarifies if you can continue in English or need gestures.
Examples:
Vietnamese: Bạn có nói tiếng Anh không? — (bahn kaw noy tee-eng ang khong?)
Mandarin Chinese: Nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma? (你会说英语吗？) — (nee hway shwoh ying-yoo mah?)
Hindi: Kya aap angrezi bolte hain? (क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं?) — (kyaa aap ang-gray-zee bol-tay hain?)
2. Hello & Goodbye
Why it matters: Greetings show respect and friendliness. In some cultures, skipping a greeting can seem rude.
Examples:
French: Bonjour / Au revoir — (bon-zhoor / oh ruh-vwar)
Spanish: Hola / Adiós — (oh-lah / ah-dee-ohs)
Tagalog: Kumusta / Paalam — (koo-moos-tah / pah-ah-lahm)
Japanese: Konnichiwa (こんにちは) / Sayonara (さようなら) — (kon-nee-chee-wah / sah-yo-nah-rah)
3. Please
Why it matters: Politeness opens doors and softens requests.
Examples:
Spanish: Por favor — (por fah-vor)
French: S’il vous plaît — (seel voo pleh)
Thai: Karuna (กรุณา) — (kah-roo-nah)
Hindi: Kripya (कृपया) — (krip-ya)
4. Thank you
Why it matters: Gratitude is universal.
Examples:
Spanish: Gracias — (grah-syahs)
French: Merci — (mehr-see)
Vietnamese: Cảm ơn — (gahm un)
Thai: Khop khun (ขอบคุณ) — (kop koon)
Mandarin: Xièxiè (谢谢) — (shay-shay)
5. I would like... (then point)
Why it matters: Practical for ordering or asking for things. Add pointing and you’re set.
Examples:
French: Je voudrais un croissant — (zhuh voo-dray uh krwah-sahn)
Italian: Vorrei una pizza — (vor-ray oo-nah peet-za)
Japanese: Kore o kudasai (これをください) — (koh-reh oh koo-dah-sigh)
6. How much is this?
Why it matters: Key for shopping and bargaining.
Examples:
Spanish: ¿Cuánto cuesta? — (kwahn-toh kwes-tah)
French: Combien ça coûte? — (kohm-byan sah koot)
Vietnamese: Cái này bao nhiêu tiền? — (gai nai bao nyew tee-en?)
Tagalog: Magkano ito? — (mag-kah-no ee-toh?)
7. Where is...?
Why it matters: Navigation and directions are essentials.
Examples:
French: Où est la gare? — (oo eh lah gar?)
Spanish: ¿Dónde está el baño? — (don-day es-tah el bahn-yo?)
Mandarin: ... zài nǎlǐ? (...在哪里) — (... zai nah-lee?)
8. Cheers!
Why it matters: Sharing a drink is a universal way to bond. I can’t tell you how far it goes in hostels when you’re at a table of many countries and you know the cheers in each language — it makes people feel seen, included, and instantly more connected.
Examples:
Vietnamese: Một, hai, ba, dô! — (moat hi bah yo!) — meaning “One, two, three, drink!” (all at once!)
German: Prost! — (prohst)
Swedish: Skål! — (skohl)
French: Santé! (sahntay) — meaning "to your health" (I recommend making eye contact)
Spanish: Salud! — (sah-lood) — also meaning "to your health" (In Spain, just tap the table after tapping glasses)
Japanese: Kanpai! (乾杯) — (kahn-pie) — meaning "dry the cup"
Turkish: Şerefe! (sheh-reh-FEH)
Chinese: Gānbēi! (干杯) — (gahn-bay) — also meaning "dry the cup"
9. Yes / No
Why it matters: Simple, but crucial.
Examples:
Spanish: Sí / No — (see / noh)
French: Oui / Non — (wee / noh)
Vietnamese: Vâng / Không — (vuhng / khong)
Hindi: Haan (हाँ) / Nahi (नहीं) — (haan / nah-hee)
10. Help!
Why it matters: Rarely needed, but vital in emergencies.
Examples:
Spanish: ¡Ayúdame! — (ah-yoo-dah-may)
French: À l’aide! — (ah led!)
Vietnamese: Giúp tôi! — (zoop toy)
Tagalog: Tulong! — (too-long)
Mandarin: Jiù mìng! (救命) — (jyo ming)
Wrapping Up… with a smile :)
These 10 phrases touch on the essentials: greetings, food, directions, safety, and social connection. While gestures and context will often get you by, knowing even a handful of local words — especially with phonetics to guide you — breaks down barriers, shows respect, and sparks meaningful exchanges across cultures.
Yes, these phrases help, but absolutely nothing beats putting on a genuine smile and just trying to put yourself out there. Most people in the world are kind and want to help. Don’t let the small fact that neither of you may speak the other’s language get in the way of connecting without words.
