Here is a list of common phrases in different languages.
It is possible for tourists in a country whose language they do not understand to get along with a surprisingly short list of phrases, combined with pointing, miming, and writing down numbers on paper.
You are invited to add more languages to the list. Please use the minimum number of words that would be understandable and put the pronunciation in slashes according to IPA transcription if possible. If desired, also add a pseudo-English pronunciation guide for those not familiar with SAMPA or IPA. However, actual pronunciations of the pseudo-English spellings will vary from speaker to speaker. Enclose the "spelling guide" in parentheses, separate syllables with dashes, use English words that sound like the syllables if possible, and render the stressed syllable in ALL CAPS.
The language family of every language is listed in parentheses.
Examples
As a sample, here's English, according to British Received Pronunciation, followed by American English/Standard American English:
- English: English /ˈiŋlɪʃ/, /ˈɪŋglɪʃ/
- hello: hello /ˈhɛləʊ/, /ˈhɛlow/
- good-bye: good-bye /gʊd ˈbaɪ/, /gʊd ˈbaj/
- please: please /pliːz/, /pliz/
- thank you: thank you /ˈθ榡mp;#331;k juː/, /θɶŋk ju/
- that one: that one /ˈ wʌn/, /𦡭p;#630;t wʌn/
- how much?: how much /haʊ ˈmʌʧ/, /haw mʌʧ/
- yes: yes /jɛs/, /jɛs/
- no: no /nəu/, /noʊ/
- sorry: sorry /ˈsɔɻi/
- I don't understand: I don't understand /aɪˈdəʊnt ʌndəːsˈt殤/
- where's the bathroom?: where's the bathroom? /wɛəz 𦡭p;#601; ˈbɑ:θ ɻʊm/, /wɛɻz 𦡭p;#601; bɶθ ɻum/
- generic toast: bottoms up! /'bɑ təmz ˈʌp/, /bɑ təmz ʌp/
- Do you speak English? /duː juː spiːk ˈɪŋliʃ/, /du ju spik ɪŋglɪʃ/
Afrikaans (Germanic)
- Afrikaans: Afrikaans /a:frIka:ns/
- hello: hallo /hAlo./
- how are you? hoe gaan dit? /hu. xa.n dIt/
- good day: goeie dag /xu.j@ dAx/
- good morning: goeie more /xu.j@ mO.r@/
- good-bye: totsiens /tOtsi.ns/
- please: asseblief /As@bli.f/
- thank you: dankie /dANki./
- that one: daardie /di./
- how much? hoeveel? /hu.fe.l/
- English: Engels /ENg@ls/
- yes: ja /ja./
- no: nee /ne./
- sorry: dit spyt my /dIt spejt mej/
- I don't understand: ek verstaan nie /Ek f@rsta.n ni./
- where is the restroom? waar is die toilet? /Ba.r Is di. tojlIt/
- generic toast: gesondheid! /x@sOntejt/
Albanian (Albanian)
Note: if your computer fails to play these sound files, consult How to play Ogg files.
- Albanian: shqip /ʃkʲip/ (shkEEp) (listen)
- hello: tungjatjeta /tungʲatjɛta/ (tUhn-ngIAt-IEta) (listen)
- good-bye: mirupafshim /mirupafʃim/ (mEEr-Uh-oA-fshEEm) (listen)
- please: ju lutem /ju lutɛm/ (iU LU-tehm) (listen)
- thank you: faleminderit /faʟɛmindɛrit/ (fAh-leh-mEE-nde-rEEt) (listen)
- that one: at맧 /atə/ (ATEH) (listen)
- how much? sa 볨t뿧' /sa əʃtə/ (sAh ush-te) (listen)
- English: anglisht /angliʃt/ (ahn-GLEE-sht) (listen)
- yes: po /po/ (POE) (listen)
- no: jo /jo/ (IOH) (listen)
- sorry: m렦al /mə fal/ (mUh FAL) (listen)
- I don't understand: nuk kuptoj /nuk kuptoj/ (nUhk KUP-toi) (listen)
- where's the bathroom?: ku 볨t렢anjoja? /ku əʃtə baɲoja/ (kuh ush-tEh bA-nio-jA) (listen)
- generic toast: g뺵ar /gəzuar/ (gUh-zuh-ar) (listen)
- Do you speak English?: flisni Anglisht? /flisni angliʃt/ (flee-snEE ahn-GLEE-sht) (listen)
Arabic (Semitic)
Note that this is relevant only to Modern Standard Arabic and not to the colloquial forms of Arabic spoken in daily life, which vary from place to place. Also, some of the following expressions were written only to suit a male speaker.
Pronunciation guide: Stress in Arabic is most often on the penult syllable (i.e. one preceding the last).
- Arabic: العربيّة /alʔaraˈbiːjja/ (ahl-ah-rah-bee-yyah)
- hello: مرحبًا /marħaba/ (mar-hhah-bah)
- good-bye: إلى اللّقاء /ilalliˈqa/ (ila-lliqah)
- please: من فضلك
- thank you: شكرًا /ʃukran/ (shoe cran)
- that one: ذلك
- how much?: كمّ؟ /kam/ (cam)
- English: الإنجليزيّة /alʔinʒliːˈzijja/ (formal), /alʔinʤliːˈzijja/ (formal), /alʔingliːˈzijja/ (colloquial) (ahl-in-glee-zee-yyah)
- yes: نعم /naʕam/ (nah-ahm)
- no: لا /laː/ (laah)
- Where's the bathroom?: أين الحمّام؟ /ʔajnalħammaːm/ (ah-ee-nahl-hham-maahm)
- What is your name?: ما إسمك؟ /ˈmaː ʔismuk/
- Goodbye: مع السلام. /maʕa ssaˈlaːma/
- I don't know: لا أعرف. /la: ˈʔaːrifu/
- I don't understand: لا أفهم. /laː ˈʔafħam/
- I don't remember: لا أتذكر. /laː ʔataˈ𡫫ar/
- Welcome: أهلاً وسهلاً بكم /ahlan waˈsahlan bikum/
- I am sick: أنا مريض. /ʔanaː maˈriːdˁ/
- Hello: لسلام عليكم! /assalaam alajkum/
- Hello (response), how are you?: وعليكم السلام! كيف الحال؟ /waʕalajkumu ssalaːm. kajfa lħaːl/
- Fine, and you?: بخير، الحمد لله. وكيف أنت؟ /bixajrin, alħamdu lilˁlˁahi. wakajfa ʔant/
- Basque: Euskara /ewskara/
- hello: kaixo /kajʃ̺o/
- good-bye: agur /aguɾ/
- please: mesedez /mesedes̺/
- thank you: Eskerrik asko /eskerikasko/
- that one: hori /hoɾi/
- how much?: zenbat /s̺enbat/
- English: ingelesa /ingelesa/
- yes: bai /baj/
- no: ez /es̺/
- generic toast:
Belarusian (Slavic)
- Belarusian: Беларускі (bye-lah-ROOH-skee)
- hello: прывітанне (pree-vee-TAHN-nye)
- good-bye: да пабачэння (duh puh-buh-CHEN-nyuh)
- please: калі ласка (kuh-LEE LUS-kuh)
- thank you: дзякуй (DZYUH-kooy)
- sorry: выбачайце (vee-buh-CHUY-tsye)
- that one: той, тая, тое (TOY, TUY-uh, TOY-eh)
- how much?: колькі? (KOL-kee)
- yes: так (TUHK)
- no: не (NYE)
- I don't understand: Не разумею (nye ruh-zoo-MEY-ooh)
- where's the bathroom?: дзе туалет? (dzye too-uh-LET)
- generic toast: за здароуе (zuh zduh-ROW-yeh)
- Do you speak English?: Ці размауляеце па-англійску? (tsee ruz-muw-LYUY-et-eh puh un-GlEEY-skoo)
- Breton: breton /"bʁetɔ̃n/
- hello: salud /"saːlyt/
- good-bye: kenavo /kenaˈvoː/
- please: mar plij /maʁ pliʃ/
- thank you: trugarez /tʁyˈgaːʁɛs/
- that one: hennezh /ˈennɛs/
- how much?: pegement ? /peˈgemɛn/
- yes: ya /ja/
- no: nann /n㮯
- sorry: digarez /diˈgaʁɛs/
- I don't understand: ne gomprenan ket /ne gɔ̃mpʁen㮠ket/
- where's the bathroom?: pelec'h emañ ar sal dour ? /peˈlɛx ema aʁ zal duʁ/
- generic toast: yec'hed mat ! /jehɛt mat/
- Do you speak English? kaozeal a rit saozneg ? /kozeal a ʁit saoznɛk/
- здравей (zdravei) - hello
- здрасти (zdrasti) - hello (informal)
- Добро утро (dobro utro) - good morning
- Добър ден (dober den) - good day
- Добър вечер (dober vecher) - good evening
- Лека нощ (leka nosht) - good night
- Довиждане (dovijdane) - good bye
- Как си (kak si) - how are you
- Добре съм (dobre sum) - I'm fine
- Къде е тоалетната? (k'deh e twaletnata?) - Where is the toilet?
- Всичко най-хубаво (vsichko nai-hubavo) - all the best
- Поздрави (pozdravi) - regards
- Благодаря (blagodaria) - thank you
Catalan (Romance)
- Catalan: Català /kətəˈlɑ/
- hello: hola /ˈɔlə/
- good-bye: adéu /əˈ𦡭p;#603;w/
- please: si us plau /sisˈplɑw/
- thank you: gràcies /ˈgrɑsjəs/; merc賧' /mərˈsɛs/
- sorry: perdó /pərˈ𦡭p;#596;/
- that one: aquest /əˈkɛt/ (masc.); aquesta /əˈkɛstə/ (fem.)
- how much?: quant val? /ˈkwɑmˈbɑl/; quant es? /ˈkwɑnˈtəs/
- yes: sí /ˈsɪ/
- no: no /ˈno/
- I don't understand: No ho entenc /ˈno wənˈteŋ/
- where's the bathroom?: On és el bany? /ˈonˈezəlˈβaɲ/; on es el lavabo? /ˈonˈɛzəlˈləˈβɑβu/
- generic toast: Salut! /səˈlut/;
- Do you speak English?: Que parla anglès? /kə ˈpɑrlə ənˈglɛs/
- Do you speak Catalan?: Que parla català? /kə ˈpɑrlə kətəˈlɑ/
Chinese, Mandarin (Chinese)
Note: tone 1 (e.g. mā) is high and level; 2 (e.g., m is rising; 3 (e.g., mǎ ) is dipping; 4 (e.g., m is falling. For more info, see pinyin. Also note that the first set of characters preceding the slashes are in simplified Chinese characters and the ones following the slashes are in traditional characters.
- Mandarin Chinese: 普通话 / 普通話 (pǔtōnghu১) /pʰ?amp;#688;ʊ̋ŋ xwɑ̂/ (poo-toong-hwa) or 国语 / 國語 (gump;#468;) /kwɔ̌ jỳ/ (gwo yoo)
(Usage Note: The first term is used in mainland China, while the second term is used on Taiwan.)
- hello: 你好 / 你好 (n ǎo) /nǐ x෯ (knee-how)
- good-bye: 再见 / 再見 (z੪i') /ts ʨjɛ̂n/ (dzai-jyen)
- please: 请 / 請 (qǐng) /ʨʰ즡mp;#331;/ (cheeng)
- thank you: 谢谢 / 謝謝 (xi踩e) /ɕjɛ̂-ɕjɛ̂/ (shyeh-shyeh)
- that one: 那个 / 那個 (n詧e) /nêj gə/ (nay guh)
(Usage Note: The second syllable of "n詧e" is actually a generic measure word; it is replaced by the appropriate measure word for the noun it refers to. You may therefore hear a number of different syllables after the initial n詮 In many parts of southern China, n is also pronounced nன
- how much?: 多少 / 多少 (duōshǎo) /dwɔ̋ ʂ෯ (dwo shahw)
- English: 英文 / 英文 (Yīngw鮧') /jɪ̋ŋ wə̌n/ (ing one)
- yes: 是 / 是 (sh짧) /ʂɻ̂/ (sher as in sherpa) or 好 (hao)
- (Usage Note: "sh" actually means "it is" and can only be used in an answer to a question about a fact. Often the word "hao" (good) is used to mean "affirmative," or "understood."
- no: 不 / 不 (b?/pǔ/ (boo)
- where's the bathroom?: 厕所在那里 / 廁所在哪裏 (c賵ǒ z nᬦamp;#464;?) /tsʰɤ̂ swɔ̀ ts nɑ̌ l (tsuh swo dzai nah lee?) -- Not the politest, but you'll get your point across!
- generic toast: 干杯 / 乾杯 (gān bēi) /ka̋n pe̋j/ (gahn bay)
- Croatian: hrvatski
- hello: bog (bok), dobar dan
- good-bye: doviđenja
- please: molim
- thank you: hvala
- that one: to, taj
- how much: koliko?
- English: engleski
- yes: da
- no: ne
- generic toast: u zdravlje (to your health), živjeli ([may you] live)
- I don't understand: Ne razumijem
- Where is the bathroom: Gdje je WC?
- Do you speak English: Govorite li engleski?
- Czech: Česky (CHEHskee) /ʧɛski/
- hello: dobry' den (DObree den) /dobri dɛn/ Literal translation: good day
- good-bye: na shledanou (nas KHLEdanow) /nas xlɛdano/
- please: prosím (PROseem)
- thank you: děkuji vam (DYEkooyi vam)
- that one: tam ten (tam ten)
- how much?: kolik (KOlik)
- English: anglicky (anglyscy)
- yes: ano /ɑno/
- no: ne /ne/
- generic toast: Na zdraví //
Danish (Germanic)
- Danish: dansk /dansk/
- hello: hej /hi/
- good-bye: farvel /fah-vel/
- please: 1 (Be understood. A matter of course, if not Vær venlig)
(Usage Note: No word directly corresponds to the word "please". Danish and Finnish express the concept of politeness in a request in various ways.)
- thank you: tak /tack/
- that one: denne /DEN-neh/
- how much?: hvor meget koster det? /vo MY-it/
- English: engelsk /ENG-uhlsk/
- yes: ja /ya/
- no: nej /nigh/
- can I take your picture?: Må jeg tage et billede af dig?
- Where is the bathroom?: Hvor er der et toilet? /toiˈlett/
- where do you come from?: Hvor kommer du fra?
- do you speak English?: Taler du engelsk?
- generic toast: skål /skål/
- I don't understand: Jeg forstrikke
Dutch (Germanic)
- Dutch: Nederlands /nedərlɑns/ (NAY-der-lahnds)
- hello: hallo /hɑlo/ (hah-LOW)
- good-bye: tot ziens /tɔt zins/ (tott-ZEENS)
- please: alstublieft /ɑlstyblift/ (AHL-stu-BLEEFT)
- thank you: dankjewel /dɑŋkjəwɛl/ (DAHNK-ya-WELL)
- that one: die /di/ (dee)
- how much?: hoeveel /huːvel/ (who-VEIL)
- English: Engels /ɛŋəls/ (ENGels)
- yes: ja /ja/ (ya)
- no: nee /ne/ (ney)
- generic toast: proost /prost/ (prohw-st)
Estonian (Finno-Ugric)
- Estonian: eesti
- hello: tere
- good-bye: head aega
- please: palun
- thank you: aitäh
- you're welcome: palun
- that one: see
- how much?: kui palju
- English: inglise
- yes: jah
- no: ei
- sorry: vabandage
- I don't understand: Ma ei saa aru
- generic toast: terviseks
- Do you speak English?: Kas te räägite inglise keelt?
- Where is the bathroom/toilet? Kus on WC? Kus on vannituba?
Finnish (Finno-Ugric)
- Finnish: suomi /'suo mi/ (SUE-o-mi)
- hello: p䩶䤧' /'p檶榡mp;#720;/ (pay-vaeh) (except the vowels are like "pay" with the vowel from "cat" followed by the vowel from "tick"; the syllable "vaeh" has the long syllable from "bad")
- good-bye: n䫥miin /'n櫥miːn/ (NACK-eh-MEAN)
- please: 1
- thank you: kiitos /'kiːtos/ (key-toss)
- that one: tuo /'tuo/ (to-oh)
- how much?: kuinka paljon /'kujnka 'paljon/ (kuyn-kah pal-yon)
- English: englanti /'ɛŋlanti/ (ENG-lan-TEH)
- yes: kyll䧧 /'kylː毠(kul-laeh)
- no: ei /ej/ (ey)
- sorry: anteeksi /'anteːksi/ ("On take see")
- where is the toilet?: miss䠯n vessa? /'misː栯n 'vesːa/(MIS-sah on VEHS-sah)
- generic toast: kippis /'kipːis/ (KIP-pis)
- do you speak English?: puhutko englantia? /'puhutko 'ɛŋlantia/ (poo-hoot-koh eng-lawn-tia)
- I don't understand: en ymm䲲䧧 /ɛn 'ymː沦amp;#720;毠(en um-mar-ra)
- I don't know: en tied䧧 /ɛn 'tiɛd毠(en tee-eh-da)
- French: français /frɑ̃sɛ/ ("fraw(n)-SAY")
- hello: bonjour /bɔ̃ʒuʁ/ ("boh(n)-zhure")
- good-bye: au revoir /o ʁəvwaʁ/ ("oh-reh-VWA")
- please: s'il vous plaît /sil vu plɛ/ ("seal vuh play")
- thank you: merci /mɛʁsi/ ("mare-SEE")
- that one: cela /səla/ ("SEH-lah")
- how much?: combien /kɔ̃bjɛ̃/ ("ko(n)m-BYEN")
- English: anglais /ɑ̃glɛ/ ("ah(n)-GLAY")
- yes: oui /wi/ ("wee")
- no: non /nɔ̃/ ("nah(n)")
- sorry: pardon /paʁdɔ̃/ ("pahr-do(n)"), excusez-moi /ɛkskyzemwa/ ("ex-KYU-say-mwa")
- I don't understand: Je ne comprends pas /ʒə nə c?amp;#641;ɑ̃ 'pa/ ("ZHE ne CO(N)M-pro(n) Pah")
- where's the bathroom?: Où sont les toilettes? /u sɔ̃ le twa lɛt/ ("ooh SO(N) lay twa-LET)8
- generic toast: Santé! /sɑ̃te/ ("sahn-TAY")
- Do you speak English?: Parlez-vous anglais? /paʁ le vu ɑ̃ glɛ/ ("PAR-lay voo zah(n)-GLAY")
- I don't know: Je ne sais pas /ʒə nə sɛ 'pa/ ("ZHE ne Sa(i) Pah")
Frisian (Germanic)
The translations provided following W: are in West Frisian,
those following N: are in North Frisian (Mooring dialect).
W: Frysk /fri.sk/ (freask)
N: Friisk /fri:sk/ (freask)
W: a goeie /ɑ gujə/ (ah gooye)
N: moin /mOIn/ (moin)
W: oant sjen /ɔnt ʃɛn/ (ont shen)
N: adjiis /Adji:s/ (a-jease)
W: asjeblyft /ɑʃəbli.ft/ (ashebleaft)
N: weeseg?' /ve:z&g? (veisegud-y)
W: tige tank /'tiːɣə tɑnk/ (teaghe tank)
N: foole tunk /fo:l&tunk/ (foughle toonk)
W: dy /di./ (dea)
N: di /dI/ (dih)
W: hoefolle? /hufolə/ (who folle)
N: h?? /h^fo:l&/ (huh foughle)
W: Ingelsk /iŋəlsk/ (ingelsk)
N: Aingelsch /&j:p;lS/ (ayngelsh)
W: ja /ja/ (yaah)
N: joo /jo:/ (yo)
W: nee /ne./ (nay)
N: n奮 /nO:n/ (nawn)
W: W겠is hjir it h? /Wɛːr ɪs jɪrət hy.skə/ (where is yirret hewske)
N: Weer as heer et h?n? /wI:R &s hI:r &t hy.S&n/ (vere is heret hewshen)
W: tsjoch /ʧoX/ (chokh)
N: s? /s?Id/ (sun-heyd)
W: Kinne jo Ingelsk? /kɪnə jo. ɪŋəlsk/ (kinne yo ingelsk?)
N: Koost d?elsch? /ko:st?mp;j/ (coastuh ayngelsh)
W: Ik begryp it net /ɪk bəgri.pət nɛt/ (ick begreapet net)
N: Ik begrip et ai /Ik b&grIp&t&j/ (ick begripet ay)
W: Pardon /pədɔn/ (p'donn)
N: Fertr?' /ftr^t me/ (f-trut meh)
- German: Deutsch /dojʧ/ (listen)
- hello: hallo /hə'loː/ (listen)
- good-bye: auf Wiedersehen /awf 'viːdəzeːn/ (listen)
- please: bitte /'bɪtə/ (listen)
- thank you: danke /'daŋkə/ (listen)
- that one: das /dɑs/ (listen)
- how much?: wie viel? /vi fiːl/ (listen)
- English: Englisch /'ʔɛŋlɪʃ/ (listen)
- yes: ja /ja/ (listen)
- no: nein /najn/ (listen)
- where's the bathroom?: Wo ist die Toilette? /vo ʔɪst diː toi'lɛtə/ (listen)
- generic toast: prosit /pʁo'zit/ (listen) or prost /pʁoːst/ (listen)
- Do you speak English?: Sprechen Sie Englisch? /'ʃpʁɛ禡mp;#601;n ziː 'ʔɛŋlɪʃ/ (listen)
- I don't understand: Ich verstehe nicht. /ɪ砦ə'ʃteːə nɪ累 (listen)
- Sorry: Entschuldigung /ʔɛnt'ʃʊldɪgʊŋ/ (listen)
- I don't know: Ich weiss nicht
Greek (Greek)
- Greek: Ελληνικά /ɛlini'ka/ (el leen ee KA)
- hello: Γειά σας /ja sas/ (YA sas)
- please: παρακαλώ /paraka'lɔ/ (puh rah kah LOW)
- thank you: Ευχαριστώ /ɛfxarɪ'stɔ/ (eff kha reess TOE)
- that one: εκείνο /e'kinɔ/ (e KEE no)
- how much: Πόσο κάνει; /'pɔsɔ 'kani/ (POSS o kah knee)
- English: Αγγλικά /aŋgli'ka/ (ang glee KA)
- yes: ναι /nɛ/ (neh) (this is a faux amis for many European language speakers)
- no: όχι /'ɔ穯 (AW hee)
- sorry: συγγνώμη /siŋ'nɔmi/ (sig NOE mee / sing NOE mee)
- I don't understand: Δεν καταλαβαίνω /𦡭p;#603;n katala'vɛnɔ/ (THEN cut a la VENN oh)
- where's the bathroom?: Πού είναι οι τουαλέτες; /pu 'inɛ i tua'lɛtɛs/ (poo EE neh ee too uh LET tess)
- generic toast: Γειά μας! /'ja mas/ (YAH mass)
- Do you speak English?: Μιλάτε αγγλικά; /mi'latɛ aŋgli'ka/ (mee LAH teh ang glee KA)
Hawaiian (Malayo-Polynesian)
- Hawaiian: Hawai`i /oːlelo hawaiʔi/ (ha why ee)
- hello: aloha /aloha/ (a low ha)
- good-bye: A hui hou. /ahuihou/ (a hoo-ee hoe)
- please: e `olu `olu `oe /eʔoluʔoluʔoe/ (ey owe-loo owe-loo owe-ay)
- thank you: mahalo /mahalo/ (ma ha low)
- yes: `ae /ʔae/ (ah ay)
- no: `a`ole /ʔaʔole/ (uh-oh lay)
- how much?: `ehia? /ʔehia/ (ay hee uh)
- Where is the restroom?: Aia i hea ka lumi ho`opaupilikia? /aiaiheakalumihoʔopaupilikia/ (ah ee ah ee ka loo mee hoe owe pow pee lee kee uh)
- generic toast: Ola /ola/ (Oh la)
(Other useful words in Hawaiian:)
- foreigner: haole /haole/ "how-lay"
Hebrew (Semitic)
- Hebrew: עברית ivrit /ɪv'ʁɪt/
- hello/peace: שלום shalom/ʃʌ'lom/
- good-bye: להתראות lehitraot /lɛhitʁʌ'ot/
- please/you're welcome: בבקשה bevakasha /bɛvʌkʌ'ʃʌ/
- thank you: תודה toda /to'dʌ/
- that one: את זה et ze /ɛt zɛ/
- how much? כמה kama /'kʌmʌ/
- English: אנגלית anglit /ʌn'glɪt/
- yes כן ken /kɛn/
- no/not: לא lo /lo/
- generic toast: לחיים le-chaim /lɛ'Xaim/
- good morning: בוקר טוב; Boker Tov
- what's up?: ?מה קורה; Ma Kore?
- how are you?: מה נשמע? ;Ma Nishma?
- good: טוב; Tov
- Where is the restroom?: איפה השרותים?; Eipho hasheirutim?
Hindi (Indo-Iranian)
- Hindi: ' //
- hello: namaste'
- good-bye: phir milenge
- please: meherbani seh
- thank you: dhanya-waad
- that one: woh wala
- how much?: kitna
- English: angrezi
- yes: hanji
- no: ji nahi
- sorry: maaf karna
- what?: kya?
- how?: kaise?
- generic toast: '
Hungarian (Finno-Ugric)
Note: gy (ɟ) is pronounced like in would you; ny (ɲ) like in can you; ö and ő (?ke in fur; a (ɑ) like in hot; s (ʃ) like in ship; sz (s) like in sun; j (j) like in yes; cs (ʧ) like in chip; 駧 (e) like in eight.
- Hungarian: magyar /'mɑɟɑr/ ('MA-dyar)
- hello: Jpot knok /'joː nɑpot 'kivaːnok/ ('JOH nup-ot 'KEEH-vaa-nock)
- szia, /'siɑ/ ('SEE-ya) is common amongst friends
- good-bye: viszontlᴡsra /'visontˌlaːtaːʃrɑ/ ('WE-sont-LAAH-taash-ro)
- please: legyen szs /'lɛɟɛn 'sivɛʃ/ ('LEH-dyen 'SEE-vesh)
- thank you: köszönöm /'k?m/ ('KEHR-ser-nerm)
- that one: az /ɑz/ (OZ)
- how much?: mennyi? /'mɛɲːi/ ('ME-nyi)
- I'd like...: k鲥k... /'keːrɛk/ (KAY-reck)
- yes: igen /'igɛn/ ('EE-ghen)
- no: nem /nɛm/ (NEM)
- sorry: bocsᮡt /'boʧaːnɑt/ ('BOH-chaa-not)
- I don't understand: nem 鲴em /'nɛm eːr'tɛm/ (NEM ayr-tem)
- where's the bathroom?: Hol van a mosd /'hol vɑn ɑ 'moʃdoː/ ('HOLE von o MOSH-doh)
- generic toast: eg鳺s駥dre /'ɛgeːʃːeːgɛdrɛ/ ('EH-gay-shay-ged-re)
- Do you speak English?: Besz鬠angolul? /'bɛseːl 'ɑŋgolul/ ('BEH-sayl 'ON-goh-lool)
Icelandic (Germanic)
- Icelandic: enska /iːslenska/ (EES-len-ska)
- hello: gp;eth;an dag /gouː𡮤aːG/ (GOH-than dahg)
- good-bye: bless /blɛsː/
- please: gjörðu svo vel /gj? sɔ vɛːl/ (GYUHR-thuh so vel)
- thank you: takk fyrir /tahk fɪːrɪr/ (tahk FEER-eer)
- that one: þetta /Te tːa/ (thetta)
- how much?: hversu miki𧧠/xversY mɪːcɪ勺KVAIR-suh mickith)
- English: enska /enska/ (enn skah)
- yes: já /jauː/ (yow)
- no: nei /nej/ (nay)
- generic toast: skᬡ /skauːl/ (scowl)
Indonesian (Malayo-Polynesian)
(note: N is pronounced like ng in king)
- Indonesian: bahasa Indonesia /ba-ha-sa in-do-ne-sia/
- hello:
- halo /ha-lo/ (casual and on telephone)
- selamat pagi /suh-la-mat pa-gi/ (morning)
- selamat siang /... si-aN/ (around midday and in the early afternoon)
- selamat sore /... so-re/ (late afternoon)
- selamat malam /... ma-lam/ (after dark)
- good-bye:
- dadah /dah-dah/ (usual, informal)
- selamat tinggal /... tiN-gal/ (said by person leaving)
- selamat jalan /... ja-lan/ (said by person staying)
- please: tolong /toe-loN/
- thank you: terima kasih /tree-ma ka-sih/
- that one: itu /i-too/
- how much? berapa /buh-ra-pa/
- English: bahasa Inggris /ba-ha-sa iN-gris/
- yes: ya /ya/
- no: tidak /ti-da'/
- generic toast: selamat minum /suh-la-mat mi-noom/ (cheers)
- excuse me: maaf /ma-af/
- I don't understand: saya tidak mengerti /sa-ya ti-da' muh-Nur-ti/
- Do you speak English?: bisa bahasa Inggris? /bi-sa .../
- Where is the restroom?: di mana toilet? /di ma-na toy-let/
- Irish: Gaeilge /geləgɛ/ (GWAY-lih-geh)
- welcome: fᩬte /faːltʲə/(FALL-cha)
- good-bye: slᮧ' /slaːn/ (slawn)
- please: le do thoil /lɛ dɔ hil/ (leh duh hill)
- thank you: go raibh maith agat /gə rɛv mah agət/ (guh rev MAH a-gut)
- sorry: tᠢrrm (taː broːn urm)
- that one: 頳in /eʃin/ (a:shin)
- how much?: c頭h顤 /keː veːd/ (kay-vade)
- English: B顲la /beːr lə/ (BARE-lah)
- yes: 2sea /ʃa/ (shah)
- no: 3nea /niː ha/ (knee-ha)
- I don't understand: nhuigim /niː higim/
- Where's the bathroom?: cᠢhfuil an leithreas? (kaː vil un lehras)
- generic toast: slᩮte /slaːntʲə/ (SLAWN-tye)
- Italian: italiano /ita'ljano/ (ee-tah-lee-AN-oh)
- hello: ciao /'ʧao/ (chah-ow)
- good-bye: arrivederci /arːive'derʧi/ (a-ree-veh-DARE-chi)
- please: per favore /per fa'vore/ (per fa-VOAR-ay)
- thank you: grazie /'gratsje/ (GRAT-zee-eh)
- that one: quello /'kwelːo/ (KWEL-low) (masculine); quella /'kwelːa/ (KWEL-lah) (feminine)
- how much? quanto /'kwanto/ (KWAN-tow)
- English: inglese /iŋ'gleze/ (in-GLAY-say)
- yes: sì /si/ (see)
- no: no /no/ (no)
- sorry: scusa /'skuza/ (SKOO-za); scusi /'skuzi/ (SKOO-zee) (polite treatment)
- I don't understand: non capisco /noŋ ka'pisko/ (non kuh pee skow)
- where's the bathroom?: dov'è il bagno? /do'vɛ il 'baɲo/ (do veh eel bah nyoh)
- generic toast: salute /salute/ (sall-OO-teh); cincin /ʧin'ʧin/ (cheen cheen)
Japanese
- Japanese: 日本語 (にほんご, nihongo) /ni ho n go/ or /ni hoŋ go/ (nee-hon-go)
- hello:
- good day: 今日は (こんにちは, konnichiwa) /ko n:i ʧi wa/ (kohn-nee-chee-wa)
- good evening: 今晩は (こんばんは, konbanwa) /ko n. ba n. wa/ (kon bahn wah)
- good morning: おはよう御座います (おはようございます, ohayou gozaimasu) /ohajo: gozaimass/ (oh ha yoh go zigh mahss) sometimes shortened to おはよう (ohayou)
- hello on telephone: もしもし (moshi-moshi) /moʃimoʃi/ (mow she mow she)
- good-bye: さようなら (sayōnara) /sajo: na ɾa/ (sigh oh na ra)
- please:
- 下さい (ください, kudasai) /kudasa i/ (cuda-sigh) (as part of a sentence, ie, "Please sit down.")
- どうぞ (dōzo) /do:zo/ (Often used when offering or allowing something to someone else. Similar to "go ahead" or "feel free")
- お願いします (おねがいします, onegaishimasu) /onegaiʃimass/ (oh-ne-gai she-mahss)
- thank you: 有り難う (ありがとう, arigatō) /a ɾi ga toː/ (ah-ri-ga-toe)
- sorry: ご免 (ごめん, gomen) /go me n/ (go men) inf. or 御免なさい (ごめんなさい, gomennasai) /go me n na sa i/ (go men nah sigh)
- excuse me: 済みません, すみません (sumimasen) /su mi ma se n/ (sue mee mah sen)
- that one: それ (sore) /soɾe/ (so reh)
- how much? いくらですか。 (ikura desu ka) /i ku ɾa/ (i-ku-ra des ka)
- English: 英語 (えいご, eigo) /eː go/ or /ej go/ (ay-go)
- yes: はい (hai) /ha i/ or /haj/ (high)
- no: いいえ (iie) /iːe/ (ee-eh)
- thanks before eating: いただきます (itadakimasu)
- to be excused after eating: ごちそうさまでした (gochisousamadeshita)
- where's the bathroom?: お手洗いはどこですか (おてらいはどこですか, otearai wa doko desu ka) or just お手洗いどこ (おてらいどこ, otearai doko) /oteaɾai wa doko des ka/ /otearai doko/ (o-tay-a-rye wa do-ko dess-ka) (o-tay-a-rye do-ko)
- generic toast: 乾杯 (かんぱい, kampai) /kampaj/ (kam-pie)
- can you speak English?: 英語が話せますか, (eigo ga hanasemasu ka, えいごがはなせますか) /e i go ga ha na se mas ka/ (ay-go ga ha-na-say-mas-ka)
- foreigner: 外国人 (がいこくじん, gaikokujin) /ga i ko ku ji n/ or /gaj ko ku jin/ (informally 外人 (がいじん, gaijin) ["guy jean"])
Korean
Note: Hangul Revised Romanization of Korean'
'
- Korean: 한국어 hangugeo /hankukʌ/
- hello: 안녕하세요 annyeonghaseyo/anːjʌŋhasejo/ (ah nyuhng ha say yo), 안녕 annyeong /aːnjʌŋ/ (ah nyuhng)
- good-bye: 안녕히가세요 annyeonghigaseyo /anːjʌŋhikasejo/ (ah nyuhng hee ga say yo), 안녕 annyeong /anːjʌŋ/ (ah nyuhng)
- please: ??
- thank you: 고맙습니다 gomapseupnida /komapsɯmnita/ (go mahp s'm nee dah), 고마워 gomawo /komawʌ/ (go mah woe)
- that one: 저것 jeogeot /cʌkʌt/ (juh gut)
- how much?: 얼마예요? eolmayeyo /ʌlmajɛjo/ (uhl ma eh yo)
- yes: 네 ne /nɛ/ (neh) or 예 ye /jɛ/ (yeh)
- no: 아니오 anio /anio/ (ah nee oh)
- sorry: 미안합니다 mianhamnida /mianhamnita/ (mee ahn hahm nee dah)
- I don't understand: 모르겠습니다 moreugesseumnida /morɯkes'ɯmnita/ (mow l' guess 'im nee tah)
- where's the bathroom?: 화장실이 어디예요? hwajangsili eodiyeyo /hwacaŋsili ʌtijɛjo/ (hwah jahng see lee uh dee ay yo)
- generic toast: 건배! geonbae /kʌnpɶ/ (gun beh) (2nd vowel is same as in English "bat"), 위하여! wihayeo /wihajʌ/ (wee hah yuh)
- Do you speak English?: 영어 할 줄 아세요? yeongeo hal jul aseyo /jʌŋʌ hal cul asɛjo/ (young uh hall jool a say yo)
Pronunciations given are the Ecclesiastical Pronunciation (Based on Italian, and used in some ceremonies by the Catholic church)
- Latin: Latina /la'tina/ ("lah-TEE-nah")
- hello: ave! /'ave/ ("Ah-vay")
- goodbye: vale! /'vale/ ("vah-lay")
- please: si placet /si 'plaʧet/ ("see PLAH-chet")
- thank you: gratias tibi ago /'gratias 'tibi 'ago/ ("GRAH-tee-as TI-bee AH-goh")
- that one: ille, illa, illud /'ilːe, 'ilːa, 'ilːud/ ("ILL-lay, ILL-lah, ILL-lud)"/
- how much?: quot? /kwot/ ("quote")
- yes: certe /'ʧerte/ ("CHAIR-tay")
- no: non, nullo modo /'non, 'nulːo 'modo/ ("noan, NUL-loh MO-doh")
- sorry: ignosce mihi /i'ɲoʃe 'mihi/ ("een-YOH-shay MEE-hee")
- I don't understand: non comprehendo /noŋ kompre'hendo/ ("noan com-pray-HEN-doh")
- where's the bathroom? ubi sunt latrinae /'ubi sunt la'trin毠("OO-bee sunt lah-TREE-nay")
- generic toast: salutem! /sa'lutem/ ("sah-LOO-tehm")
- Do you speak English? loqueris anglice? /lo'kweris aŋ'gliʧe/ ("loh-quay-riss awn-glee-chay?")
Lithuanian (Baltic)
- Lithuanian: Lietuviškai ("lietu'vishkai")
- hello: labas ("lA-bas")
- goodbye: ate! ("ateh'")
- please: prašau("prashau")
- thank you: ačių ("Ahchjooh")
- that one: tas(masculine), ta(feminnine) ("tas, ta)"
- how much?: kiek? ("kjEk")
- yes: taip ("taIp")
- no: ne ("ne'")
- sorry: atsiprašau ("Atsiprashau")
- I don't understand: nesupratau
- toast: į sveikatą! ("EE sveikAtA!")
- Do you speak English? kalbate angliškai?
Low Saxon (Germanic)
- Low Saxon: Plattd? /"Plutt deech/
- hello: moin /moyn/
- good-bye: tschüss /'chuss/
- please: bidde /bidde/
- thank you: danke /"𦦡mp;#331;ka/
- that one: düssen /"an/
- how much?: wo veel /vo "Fayl/
- yes: jou /yow/
- no: nee /nay/
- sorry: tschulligung /'choo-lee-goonk/
- I don't understand: Ik vörstah nich / eek forstaa nix /
- where's the toilet?: wo is de tante Meyer? /vow is day tanne migher/
- generic toast: nich lang snacken - kopp in'n nacken! /neex lung snuckan 'kopp inAkan/
- Do you speak English?: snacks du ingelsch? /snucks doo engalsh/
Maltese (Semitic)
- Maltese language: Il-lingwa maltija /il lingwa ma:lti:ja/
- hello: merħba /merhba/
- good day: bonġu /bondZu:/
- bye: ċaw /tSaw/, saħħa /sahha/
- please: jekk jogħġbok /jekk jo:dZbok/
- thank you: grazzi /grattsi/
- that one: dak /da:k/
- how much?: kemm? /kemm/
- yes: iva /i:va/
- no: le /le/
- sorry: jiddispjaċini /jiddispjatSi:ni/
- I don't understand: ma nifhimx /ma: nifimS/
- where is the toilet?: fejn it-tojlit? /fejn it tojlit/
- generic toast: saħħa! /sahha/
- do you speak English?: titkellem bl-ingliż? /titkellem bliNli:s/
- Malta is a beautiful island: Malta hija ġżira sabiħa /ma:lta hi:ja dZzi:ra sabi:ha/
See also
Malay (Malayo-Polynesian)
- Malay language: Bahasa Melayu /ba-ha-sa me-la-yu/
- hello:
- selamat pagi /sə-la-mat pa-gi/ (morning)
- selamat tengah hari /... təŋah ha-ri/ (around midday and in the early afternoon)
- selamat petang /... pə-taŋ/ (late afternoon)
- selamat malam /... ma-lam/ (after dark)
- good-bye:
- selamat tinggal /... tiŋ-gal/ (said by person leaving) (lit. Safe living (tinggal has connotations of residence, stay))
- selamat jalan /... ʤa-lan/ (said by person staying) (lit. Safe travelling)
- please: tolong /tɔ-lɔŋ/
- thank you: terima kasih /tə-ri-ma ka-sih/
- that one: itu /i-tʊ/
- how much?: berapa /bə-ra-pa/
- English language: Bahasa Inggeris /ba-ha-sa iŋ-gəris/
- yes: ya /ja/
- no: tidak /ti-dak/
- excuse me: maaf /ma-af/
- I don't understand: saya tidak faham /sa-ja ti-dak fa-ham/
- Can you speak English?: bolehkah cakap bahasa Inggeris? /bo-leh-kah ʧakap .../
- Where is the restroom?: di mana tandas? /di mana tan-das/
Maori (Malayo-Polynesian)
- Maori: Māori /maːoɾi/
- hello: tēnā koe /teːnaː koe/ (to one person), tēnā kōrua /teːnaː koːɾua/ (to two people), tēnā koutou /teːnaː koutou/
- good-bye (to those who are staying): e noho rā /e noho ɾaː/
- good-bye (to those who are leaving): haere rā /haeɾe ɾaː/
- please: koa /koa/
- thank you (or "good day" - literally "be well"): kia ora /kia oɾa/
- how much?: pēhea? /peːhea/
- yes: ae /ae/
- no: kaore /kaoɾe/
Marathi (Indian languages)
- Marathi: maraaThee
- hello: '
- good-bye: achhaa
- please: krupah yaa
- thank you: aa bhaar
- how much?: kitee
- yes: ho
- no: naa hee
- English: ingrajee
Nigerian pidgin (English-based pidgin)
- Nigerian pidgin:
- hello: How now
- good-bye: A go dey see yu now
- please: A beg
- thank you: Thank yu
- that one:
- how much?:
- English: Oyinbo
- yes: Yes
- no: No
- generic toast:
Norwegian (Germanic) - [[Bokm嬝]
- Norwegian: norsk /'nɔʃk/ (norsk)
- hello: hallo /hɑ'luː/
- hi: hei /h橯
- good-bye: farvel /fɑɾ'wel/ (far well)
- please: v沠s堳nill /'w榡mp;#720;r so snil/
- thank you: takk /tɑk/ (takh)
- that one: den /den/ (den)
- how much?: hvor mye /wuɾ myːə/
- English: engelsk /'eŋelsk/
- yes: ja /jɑː/ (yah)
- no: nei /n檯 (nay)
- can I take your picture?: kan jeg ta bilde av deg?
- where is the bathroom?: hvor er badet?
- where do you come from?: hvor kommer du fra?
- do you speak English?: kan du snakke engelsk?
- generic toast: sk嬧' /skoːl/
- where can i find a restaurant?: hvor kan jeg finne en restaurant?
- where is the nearest hospital?: hvor er det n沭este sykehuset
Pennsylvania German, Pennsylvania Dutch (Germanic)
(dialects may vary)
- Pennsylvania Dutch: Pennsilfaani(isch)-Deitsch
- hello: hiya
- good-bye: bis schpeeder
- please: please
- thank you: danki schee
- that one: da do
- how much: Wie viel
- English: Englisch
- yes: Ya
- no: nee
- Can I take your picture?: Kann ich dei Pikder nemme?
- Where is the washroom?: Wu is die Baadschtupp?
- Sorry I don't understand.: Sorry, Ich verschteh dich net.
- Polish: polski (POL-skee)
- hello: dzień dobry (jien DOHB-rih) Literal translation: good day
- good-bye: do widzenia (doh vee-DZEH-nya) Literal translation: until seeing
- please: proszę (PROH-sheh)
- You're welcome: proszę bardzo (PROH-sheh BAHR-dzoh)
- thank you: dziękuję (jien-KOO-ye) (almost a false cognate)
- that one: ten (ten) (masculine), ta (tah) (feminine), to (toh) (neuter)
- how much?: ile? (EE-leh)
- English: angielski (ahn-GHIEL-skee)
- yes: tak (tahk)
- no: nie (nye)
- generic toast: na zdrowie (nah ZDROH-vye) Literal translation: to (our) health
- I don't understand: nie rozumiem (nye roh-ZOO-myem)
- Do you speak English? Czy pan/pani mpo angielsku? (Chih pahn/PAH-nee MOO-vee poh ahn-GHIEL-skoo) Pan means sir, pani means Mrs./miss/lady.
- Where is the bathroom?: Gdzie są toalety? (g'jyeh sah toh-ah-LEH-tih) The g (like gum) should be pronounced, with a j (like jet) sound immediately following it.
- Portuguese: português /portu'ges/
- hello: olá /o'la/
- good-bye: adeus /a'dews/ or tchau /tʃau/
- please: por favor /pur fa'vor/
- thank you: obrigada (feminine) /ubri'gada/ or obrigado /ubri'gado/(masculine)
- sorry: perdoe /per'doi/ or desculpe /diskulp/
- that one: aquele (masculine) /akeli/; aquela (feminine) /a'kɛla/
- how much?: quanto? /kw㴵/
- English: inglês /ĩg'les/
- yes: sim /sĩ/
- no: não /naũ/
- I don't understand: Não compreendo /naũ c?amp;#603;̃t/
- where's the bathroom?: Onde fica a casa de banho? (Portugal) or Onde fica o banheiro? /ũd fik o b㧥iro/ (Brazil)
- generic toast: à vossa! /栶ɒs/ or "Saúde!"
- Do you speak English?: Fala inglês? /fal ĩg'leʃ/
Romanian (Romance)
- Romanian: rom⮥şte /romɨ'neʃte/, limba rom⮦amp;#259; /'limba ro'mɨnə/
- hello: Bună ziua /'bunə 'ziwa/
- good bye: La revedere /la reve'dere/
- please: Vă rog /və 'rog/
- thank you: Mulţumesc /multsu'mesk/
- how much?: Cⴠcostă? /kɨt 'kostə/
- English: englezeşte /engle'zeʃte/, limba engleză /'limba en'glezə/
- do you speak English?: Vorbiţi englezeşte? /vor'bitsi_0 engle'zeSte/
- yes: da /da/
- no: nu /nu/
- I don't understand: Nu amp;#355;eleg /nu ɨntse'leg/
- generic toast: Noroc! /no'roc/
- where's the bathroom?: Unde e toaleta? /'unde je twa'leta/
- Russian: Русский /russkij/ (listen)
- hello: Здравствуйте /zdrastvujtʲe/ (listen) Literal translation: (be) healthy (imperative 2nd person plural/singular out of respect)
- good-bye: До свидания /dɔ svidanja/ (listen) Literal translation: until seeing
- please: Пожалуйста /pɔʒalsta/ (listen)
- thank you: Спасибо /spasib^/ (listen)
- that one: тот /tot/ (listen)
- how much?: Сколько (listen)
- English: Английский /aŋgliskij/ (listen)
- yes: Да /da/ (listen)
- no: Нет /nyet/ (listen)
- sorry: извините /izvinitye/
- I don't understand: не понимаю /nye ponimayu/
- generic toast: За здоровье (listen) Literal translation: for health
- Do you speak English?: Вы говорите по-английски? /vy gɔvɔritʲe pɔ.aŋgliskij/ (listen)
- where's the bathroom?: где здесь туалет? /gdye zdyes' tualet/
Sanskrit (Indo-Iranian)
- Sanskrit: sanskrta (also samskrta) /san (nasal n) skrr tuh/
- hello: namo namah //
- good-bye: ' //
- please: ' //
- thank you: anugurihiitosumi //
- that one: ' //
- how much?: ' //
- English: ' //
- yes: ava //
- no: ' //
- generic toast: ' //
Sardinian (Romance)
- Sardinian: sardu /'sarDu/ "sar-doo"
- hello: bona die "bon-a dee-a"
- good-bye: adiosu /a'Djosu/ "ah-dhyohsoo"
- bye-bye: a nos bidere /anos'biDere/ "a-nohss-BI-dere"
- please: pro piaghere /'pro pja'Gere/ "pro pee-ah-gh-er-ay"
- thank you: grassias /'grasias/ "GRAHSS-yahss"
- that one: cussu /'kusu/ "KU-hssoo"
- how much?: cantu /'kantu/ "KAHN-too"
- English: Ingresu /in'gresu/ "in-GRAY-soo"
- yes: eia /'eja/
- no: no /'no/
- sorry:
- I don't understand:
- where's the bathroom?:
- hello, and generic toast: salude /sa'luDe/ "saw-LOODHE"
Scots (Germanic)
- Scots: Scots /skots/
- hello: awricht /A'rIxt, a'rIxt/
- good-bye: see ye /si: ji:/
- thank you: ta /ta:/
- that one: that ane /Dat en, at en, at in, Dat jIn/
- no: nae /ne:, na, nA/
- yes: ay /Ai/
- sorry: sairy /se:ri/
- I don't understand: A dinna unnerstaund /a dIna Vn@rstAn(d), a dIne Vn@rstAn(d), a dIni Vn@rstAn(d)/
- where's the bathroom?: whaur's the cludgie? /WA:rz D@ klVdji, fA:rz -/
- generic toast: cheers! /tSi:rz/
- Do you speak English?: Dae ye speak English?" /de: ji spek INlIS, di: ji spIk INlIS,//
- Gaelic: Ghlig (GAH-lick)
- welcome: f੬te (FAL-tyuh)
- good-bye: mar sin leat (mar SHIN let)
- please: mas e do thoil e (mah SHEH daw HOL eh)
- thank you: tapadh leat (TAH-pah let)
- sorry: tha mi duilich (hah mee DOO-leekh)
- that one: am fear sin (am fer SHIN)
- how much?: cia mheud (kah VIT)
- English: Beurla (BYER-luh)
- yes: 2tha (hah)
- no: 3chan eil (chan YIL)
- I don't understand: chan eil mi a' tuigsinn (khan YIL mee uh TOOK-shin)
- Where's the bathroom?: cੴ a bheil an taigh beag? (KATCH-uh vil an TUH-eeh bik)
- generic toast: sl੮te (SLAN-tyuh)
- Serbian: српски (srpski) /srp-skee/ (srpskee)
- hello: здраво (zdravo) /zdrA-vO/ (z like in zebra) Literal translation: healthy
- good-bye: довиђења (dovidjenja) /dOvidʲɛnʲɑ/ Literal translation: until we see again
- please: молим (molim) /mO-lim/ (moleam)
- thank you: хвала (hvala) /hvA-la/ Literal translation: praise
- that one: то (to) /tO/ (not as english to)
- how much?: колико? (koliko?) /ko-lɛ-ko/ (coleeco, co-, -co => cup)
- English: енглески (engleski) /ɛn-glɛ-ski/ (-skee)
- yes: да (da) /dA/
- no: не (ne) /nɛ/
- generic toast: живели! (živeli!) /ʒi-vɛ-li/ (zhivelee) Literal translation: live! (imperative 1st person plural)
- Slovak (adjective): slovensk?LOvenskii) /slɔvɛnskiː/
- Slovak (adverb): po slovensky (POslovenski) /pɔslovɛnski/
- hello: dobr?mp;#328; (DObree dyeniy) /dɔbriː dj, 'ɛɲ/ Literal translation: good day
- good-bye: dovidenia (DOvidyeniya) /dɔ-vi-dj, 'ɛ-ɲʌ/
- please: pros(Vᳩ (PROseem vaas) /p4ɔsi:m vʌːs/
- thank you: ďakujem (V᭩ (DYAkooyem vaam) /dj, 'ʌkujɛm vʌːm/
- that one: tamten (TAMten) /tʌmtɛn/
- how much?: koľko (KOlioko) /kɔlj, '-kɔ/
- English (adjective): anglick?Nglytscyy) /ʌŋglickiː/
- English (adverb): po anglicky (POanglytscy) /pɔʌŋglicki/
- yes: ᮯ (AANO) /ʌ: nɔ/ or hej (HEY) /hɛj/
- no: nie (niye) /ɲɛ/
- generic toast: Na zdravie (NAzdravye) /nʌzdɾʌvjɛ/
- sorry: Prepᦡmp;#269;te (PREpaachtye) /pɾɛpʌːʧtj, 'ɛ/
- I don't understand: Nerozumiem /NYɛrozoomyem/ (ɲɛ-ɾOzu-mjɛm/
- Where is [the bathroom (toilet)]?: Kde je [zᣨod]? (KDYE YE ZAA-khod) /gdɛ jɛ zʌːxɔd/
- Do you speak [English]?: Hovor [po anglicky]? (HOvoriitye POanglytscy) /hɔvoɾiːtj'ɛ pɔʌŋglicki/
- Slovene: slovensko /slɒ'venskɒ/
- hello: zdravo /'zdrɑvɒ/ Literal translation: healthy
- hello: živijo /'ʒɪʊjɒ/
- good-bye: nasvidenje (also na svidenje) /na'svɪdɛnjɛ/
- please: prosim /'prɔsim/
- thank you: hvala /'hvɑla/
- that one: tisti /'tɪstɪ/ (ti-, -ti => Tibet)
- how much?: koliko? /'kɔlɪkɒ/ (co-, -co => cup)
- English: angleško /ɑn'gleʃkɒ/
- yes: da /dʌ/
- no: ne /nɛ/
- generic toast: na zdravje /nɑ zdrɑʊjɛ/ Literal translation: to (our) health
- Spanish: castellano /kaste'ʎano/, /kaste'ʝano/ (kass-teh-LYA-naw), (kass-teh-JA-naw); espa' /espa'ɲol/ (ess-pahn-YOHL)
- hello: hola /'ola/ (OH-la)
- good-bye: adi /a'𦡭p;#798;jos/ (ah-THYOHS)
- please: por favor [por fa'β̞or] (pour fah-VOAR)
- thank you: gracias /'graθjas/, /'grasjas/ (GRAHTH-yahss), (GRAHSS-yahss)
- sorry: perd [per'𦡭p;#798;on]
- that one: 鳥 /'ese/ (EH-seh) (masculine); 鳡 /'esa/ (EH-sah) (feminine)
- how much?: cu᮴o /'kwanto/ (KWAHN-taw)
- English: ingl鳧' [iŋ'gles] (ing-GLESS)
- yes: s /'si/ (see)
- no: no /'no/ (no)
- I don't understand: no comprendo [nokom'prendo], no entiendo [noen'tjendo]
- where's the bathroom?: ?D estᠥl ba' ['dondes'tael'β̞aɲo] (DON day esTAH el BA-nyaw)
- generic toast: salud [sa'lu𦡭p;#798;] (sah-LOOTHE)
- Do you speak English?: ?Habla usted ingl鳿 [ˈaβ̞lawsˈte𦡭p;#798;iŋˈgles] (AH blah OOS ted ing-GLESS)
Swahili (Bantu)
Usage Note: Greetings in Swahili are a crucial aspect of Swahili culture; it is not uncommon for a conversation to last five minutes before it actually moves beyond saying "Hello". There is no generic word for "Hello" in the language, rather there are numerous options depending on the relative ages and/or race of the people involved, as well as singular and plural forms. A non-comprehensive list would include "hujambo" (reply "sijambo") for two people of similar age and race, "jambo" (reply "jambo") for between white and black people, "Shikamoo" (reply "Marahaba") for a young person to an elderly person, "Hodi" (reply "Karibu") when in the doorway of a house. There are additionally numerous informal greetings such as "Mambo", "Safi", and many more. Farewells are abrupt or even non-existent.
- Swahili: Kiswahili /ki swa hi li/ (kee-swa-HEE-lee)
- hello: Jambo (ja m boh) or (ya m boh)
- good-bye: kwa heri /kwa he ri/ (kwa HAY-ree)
- please: tafadhali /ta fa 𡠬i/ (tah-fah-tha-lee)
- thank you: asante /a san te/ (ah-SAHN-tey)
- that one: yule /ju le/ (YOO-lay)
- how much?: ngapi /ŋa pi/ (ng-AH-pee)
- English: Kiingereza /ki iŋe re za/ (kee-ing-reza)
- yes: ndiyo /n di jo/ (nn-DEE-yoh)
- no: hapana /ha pa na/
- generic toast: //
Swedish (Germanic)
- Swedish: svenska
- hello: hej /hey/
- good-bye: hej då (HEY-doh)
- please: tack (tahck) or sn䬬a (snella)
- thank you: tack (tahck)
- that one: den där (den dehr)
- how much?: hur mycket (huwr MICK-eh)
- English: engelska (ENG-el-skah)
- yes: ja /ja/ (yah)
- no: nej /nEj/ (neigh)
- generic toast: skål /skOl/ (skal or skol)
Tagalog / Filipino (Malayo-Polynesian)
- English: Inggl鳧' /ʔɪŋ"glɛs/ (ing-GLES)
- Filipino: Pilipino /%pili"pino/ (pih-lih-PIH-noh)
- Tagalog: Tagalog /tɐ"galog/ (tah-GAH-log)
- hello: kumust᧧ /kumus"ta/ (koo-mus-TAH)
- good-bye: paalam /pɐ"ʔalam/ (pa-AH-lam)
- please: Depending on the nature of the verb, either pak' /pɐ"ki/ (pah-KEE) or mak' /mɐ"ki/ (mah-KEE) is attached as a prefix to a verb. ng⧧ /ŋaʔ/ (ngah) is optionally added after verb to increase politeness.
- thank you: salamat /sɐ"lamat/(sah-LAH-mat)
- that one: iyan /ʔi"jan/ (ee-YAN)
- how much?: magkano? /mɐg"kano/ (mag-KAH-noh?)
- yes: oo /"oʔo/(O-awe) [o has neutral pronunciation]
- no: hind /hɪn"dɛʔ/ (hin-DEH)
- sorry: pasensya p?/pɐ"sɛnʃa poʔ/ (pah-SEN-shah PO)
- I don't understand: Hindo maintindihan /hin'di ko mɐʔɪn%tɪndi"han/ (hin-DEE koh ma-in-TIN-dih-HAN)
- Where's the bathroom?: Nasaᮠang banyo? /%nasɐʔan ʔaŋ "banjo/(NA-sa-AN ang BAN-yoh?)
- generic toast: Mabuhay! /mɐ"buhaɪ/ (mah-BOO-high) [literally - "long live"]
- Do you speak English? Marunong ka bang magsalit⠮g Inggl鳿 /mɐ"runɔŋ ka baŋ mɐgsali"ta naŋ ʔɪŋ"glɛs/ (mah-ROO-nohng kah bang mag-sah-li-TAH nahng eeng-GLESS?)
Taiwanese
- Taiwanese: T⩭o⮭oē, Hō-lamp;#275;
- hello: Chiah pá boeh? (literally, Have you eaten yet?)
- goodbye: pêng-an (literally, Peace)
- please: pài-thok
- thank you: To-siā
- that one: hit-ê
- how much?: goā choē?
- yes: sī
- no: m̄-sī
- sorry: pháiⁿ-sè
- I don't understand what is said: Goá thiaⁿ bô
- where's the bathroom?: Piān-só· tī toh?
- cheers!: Hō· ta lah! (literally, Let it [the cup/glass] be dry [empty]!)
- do you speak English?: Lí kám kóng Eng-bûn?
Tamil (Dravidian)
- Tamil: Tamizh /tamiɮ/
- hello: Vanakkam /vanakːam/
- good-bye: poit varen /poit varen/
- please: dayavu koorndu /tajavu koːnʕtu/
- thank you: nandri /nantʕi/
- that one: adhu /a tʰu/
- how much?: evvalavu /evːalavu/
- English: aangilam /aːŋilam/
- yes: aamam /aːmam/
- no: illai /ilːaj/
- generic toast: poriyal /porijal/
Telugu (Dravidian)
- Telugu: Andhra Bhasha /andʰra bʰaʃa/
- hello: namaskaaram /namaskaːram/
- good-bye: Selavu /selavu/
- please: Daya chesi /daja ʧesi/
- thank you: Dhanyavadamulu /dʰanjavadamulu/
- that one: mari ado /mari ado/
- how much?: Enta /enta/
- English: Aanglam /aːŋlam/
- yes: Avunu /avunu/
- no: Kaadu /kaːdu/
- generic toast: Kakarakaaya vepudu /kakarakaːja vepudu/
Tok Pisin (Neo-Melanesian English creole)
- Tok Pisin: Tok Pisin
- hello: gut de
- good-bye: gut bai
- please: plis
- thank you: tenkyu
- that one: em
- how much?: haumas
- English: Inglis
- yes: yes
- no: nogat
Turkish (Ural-Altaic)
- hello: merhaba
- good-bye: grşrz
- please: ltfen
- thank you: teşekkr ederim
- that one: o, şu
- how much?: ne kadar?
- English: İngilizce
- yes: evet
- no: hayır
- sorry: zr dilerim
- where is the toilet?: tuvalet nerede?
- generic toast: Şerefe
- do you speak English?: İngilizce biliyor musunuz?
- I don't understand: anlamadım
- I don't know: bilmiyorum
- Ukrainian: Українська (Ukrayins`ka)
- hello: Здоровенькі були (Zdoroven`ki buly) Literal translation: (may we) be healthy
- good-bye: до побачення (Do pobachennya) Literal translation: until seeing
- please: Будь-ласка (Bud` laska) Literal translation: be kind
- thank you: Дякую (Dyakuyu)
- that one: Цей (Tcey)
- how much?: скільки (Skil`ky)
- English: Англійська (Angliys`ka)
- yes: Так (Tak)
- no: Ні (Ni)
- generic toast: За кохання (Za kohannya)
Vietnamese (Mon-Khmer)
- Vietnamese: Tiếng Việt
- hello: ch௧' (᭬?/ᬯ/ on the telephone)
- good-bye: ch௧'
- please: xin /sin/
- thank you: c᭠ơn
- that one: đ*how much?: bao nhi굧'
- yes: v⮧ (northern), dạ (southern), c(when answering questions with "cot; in them)
- no: kh?' /koN/
- sorry: xin lỗi
- I don't understand: T?h?hiểu
- where's the restroom?: Phcầu ti굠ở đ⵿
- Do you speak English? Ԯg biết niếng Anh kh? (Ԯg to a man, B১ to a woman, Con to a child)
- Welsh: Cymraeg /'kUmrajg/ KUHM-ryeg
- hello: s'mae? /smaI/ s'my
- good-bye: hwyl /'hu.il/ HOO-il
- please: os gwelwch yn dda /os 'gwelu:x @n Da/ os GWELookh uhn thah
- thank you: diolch /'di:.olx// DEE-olkh
- that one: honno /hon'no/ (feminine); hwnnw /hu:n'nu:/ (masculine). hoNO, hooNOO
- how much?: faint? /vaInt/ vigh-nt
- English: Saesneg /'saIsneg/ SIGHS-neg
- yes: 2ie /je/ Note: This is a false friend for Japanese speakers. yay
- no: 3na /na:/ nah
- generic toast: iechyd da /'jexId da:/ YEKH-id dah
Xhosa language (Nguni languages, Bantu)
- Xhosa: isiXhosa /isiǁʰosa/ (ee see kho sa)
- hello: Molo /molo/ (mow low)
- good bye: sala kakuhle /salakakuɬe/ (sa la ka koo hlay)
- please: enkosi /ŋkosi/ ('ng ko see)
- thank you: enkosi kakhulu /ŋkosi kakʰulu/ ('ng ko see kuh coo loo)
- that one: le, lo, olu, oku, yona, yena, etc. (depends on noun class)
- English: isiNgesi /isiŋesi/ (ee seeng ay see)
- yes: ewe /ewe/ (ay way)
- no: hayi /haji/ (ha yee)
Yiddish (Germanic)
- Yiddish: ייִדיש /ˈjidəʃ/ (yiddish)
- hello: א גוטן טאָג /ʔa ˈɡʊtn̩ tɔg/ (ah gooten tawk)
- good-bye: זײַט געזונט /zajt ɡəˈzʊnt/ (zite gezoont)
- please: איך בעט אײַך /ʔɪx bɛt ʔajx/ (ikh bet eye-kh)
- thank you: א דאנק /ʔa daŋk/ (a dank)
- that one: דאָס /dɔs/ (dos)
- how much?: װיפל /vifl̩/ (veefle)
- yes: יאָ /jɔ/ (yaw)
- no: נײן /nejn/ (nayn)
- sorry: זײַט מױכל /zajt mɔjxl̩/ (zite moykhle)
- I don't understand: כ׳האָב ניט פארשטאנען /xhɔb nɪt faʀˈʃtanən/ ('kh hob nit farshtanen)
- Where's the bathroom?: װ איז דער טואלעט /vo ʔɪz dɛʀ tuaˈlɛt/ (voe iz dair tooalet)
- generic toast:לחיים /lɛˈxajəm/ (luh-khime)
- Do you speak English?: צי רעט איר ענגליש /ʦɪ ʀɛt ʔɪʀ ˈʔɛngləʃ/ (tsi ret eer ehnglish)
Usage notes
1No word directly corresponds to the word "please". Danish and Finnish express the concept of politeness in a request in various ways.
2This actually means "it is" and can only be used in an answer to a question with the verb "to be". Languages like Chinese, Irish, Scottish, Toki Pona, and Welsh do not have words for "yes" or "no". Instead you repeat the main verb of the question in your answer.
3This actually means "it is not". See note 2 above.
General
In many countries, the abbreviation W.C., for the British "Water Closet", may be used instead of the local word for "toilet(s)", "bathroom" or "restroom". In U.S. English "toilet" refers primarily to the fixture (the toilet itself) rather than the room which contains it. In German, "W.C." is pronounced with the German names of the letters, and the informal "Klo" for "Klosett" can refer to either the fixture or the room.
Related articles
External link