Here is a list of common phrases in various 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 IPA. However, actual pronunciations of the pseudo-English spellings will vary from speaker to speaker. Enclose the "pronunciation 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.
See also Common phrases in constructed languages.
Examples
As a sample, here's English, according to British Received Pronunciation, followed by American English/Standard American English, if different:
| Translation
| Phrase
| IPA
|
| English
| English
|
|
| hello
| hello
| UK /hɛˈləʊ/
US /hɛˈloʊ/
|
| good-bye
| good-bye
| /ˌgʊdˈbaɪ/
|
| please
| please
| /pliːz/
|
| thank you:
| thank you
| /ˈθæŋk juː/
|
| sorry
| sorry
| UK /ˈsɒɹi/
US /ˈsɔːɹi/
|
| that one
| that one
| /ˈðæt wʌn/
|
| how much?
| how much
| /haʊ ˈmʌʧ/
|
| yes
| yes
| /jɛs/
|
| no
| no
| UK /nəu/
US /noʊ/
|
| I don't understand
| I don't understand
| UK /aɪ ˈdəʊnt ʌn.dəˈstænd/
US /aɪ ˈdoʊnt ʌn.dɚˈstænd/
|
| Where's the bathroom?
| Where's the bathroom
| UK /wɛəz ðə ˈbɑːθˌɹʊm/
US /wɛɹz ðə ˈbæθˌɹum/
|
| generic toast
| bottoms up!
| UK /ˈbɒ.təmz ˈʌp/
US /ˈbɑːɾəmz ˈʌp/
|
| Do you speak English?
| Do you speak English?
| /duː juː spiːk ˈɪŋglɪʃ/
|
| Translation
| Phrase
| IPA
|
| Afrikaans
| Afrikaans
| /aːfrɪkaːns/
|
| hello
| hallo
| /hɑloˌ/
|
| How are you?
| hoe gaan dit?
| /huˌ xaˌn dɪt/
|
| good day
| goeie dag
| /xuˌjə dɑx/
|
| good morning
| goeie more
| /xuˌjə mɔˌrə/
|
| good-bye
| totsiens
| /tɔʦiˌns/
|
| please
| asseblief
| /ɑsəbliˌf/
|
| thank you
| dankie
| /dɑŋkiˌ/
|
| sorry
| dit spyt my
| /dɪt spejt mej/
|
| that one
| daardie
| /diˌ/
|
| how much?
| hoeveel
| /huˌfeˌl/
|
| yes
| ja
| /jaˌ/
|
| no
| nee
| /neˌ/
|
| I don't understand
| ek verstaan nie
| /ɛk fərstaˌn niˌ/
|
| Where's the bathroom?
| waar is die toilet
| /βaˌr ɪs diˌ tojlɪt/
|
| generic toast
| gesondheid!
| /xəsɔntejt/
|
| English
| Engels
| /ɛŋgəls/
|
- Note: All the above sounds are in the Ogg Vorbis format.
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., the one preceding the last).
| Translation
| Phrase
| IPA
| Pronunciation
|
| Arabic | العربيّة | /alʕaraˈbijja/ | (al-ara'bijja)
|
| Hello | مرحبًا | /marˈħaba/ | (mar'Haba)
|
| Good-bye | إلى اللقاء | /ilalliˈqaʔ/ | (ila-lli'qa')
|
| Please | من فضلك | /min ˈfadˁlak/ | (min 'fad/lak)
|
| Thank you | شكرًا | /ˈʃukran/ | ('Sukran)
|
| That one | ذلك | /ˈðalika/ | ('Dalika)
|
| How much? | كمْ؟ | /kam/ | (kam)
|
| English | الإنجليزيّة | /alʔinʤliˈzijja/ (formal),
/alʔingliˈzijja/ (colloquial)
|
| Yes | نعم | /ˈnaʕam/ | ('na-am)
|
| No | لا | /laː/ | (la:)
|
| Where's the bathroom? | أين الحمّام؟ | /ʔejnalħamˈmaːm/ | (einal-Ham'ma:m)
|
| What is your name? | ما إسمك؟ | /ˈmaː ˈʔismuk/ | ('ma: 'ismuk)
|
| Goodbye | مع السلام | /maʕa ssaˈlaːma/ | (ma-a ssa'la:ma)
|
| I don't know | لا أعرف | /laː ˈʕarifu/ | (la: 'aarifu)
|
| I don't understand | لا أفهم | /laː ˈʔafham/ | (la: 'afham)
|
| I don't remember | لا أتذكر | /laː ʔataˈðakkar/ | (la: ata'Dakkar)
|
| Welcome | أهلاً وسهلاً بكم | /ˈahlan waˈsahlan ˈbikum/ | ('ahlan wa'sahlan 'bikum)
|
| I am sick | أنا مريض | /ʔana maˈriːdˁ/ | ('ana ma'ri:d/)
|
| Hello | لسلام عليكم! | /assaˈlaːm ʕaˈlejkum/ | (assa'la:m aa'lejkum)
|
| Hello (response), how are you? | وعليكم السلام! كيف الحال؟ | /waʕaˈlejkumu ssaˈlaːm. kejfa lħaːl/ | (wa-a'lejkumu ssa'la:m. kejfa lHa:l)
|
| Fine, and you? | بخير، الحمد لله. وكيف أنت؟ | /biˈxejrin, alˈħamdu lilˁˈlˁahi. waˈkejfa ʔint/ | (bi'xejrin, al'Hamdu lil/'l/ahi. wa'kejfa int)
|
Pronunciation guide: Small letter t and d represent unaccented t and d pronunciations as in French. Capital letter T and D represent accented pronunciations in English. 'a' is pronounced as /a/ in 'father'. Small letter 'o' represents /o/ as in 'old'. Capital letter 'O' is /o/ as in 'log'.
| Translation
| Phrase
| IPA
| Pronunciation
| Remarks
|
| hello | | | assalamwalaikum
nOmoshkar | (Muslims)
(Hindus)
|
| good morning | | | suprobhat | (not commonly used)
|
| greetings | | | shubhech-chha
|
| how are you? | | | (apni) kemon achhen?
|
| how is it going? | | | ki khobor?
|
| good-bye | | | khoda hafez
nOmoshkar
|
| see you later | | | pOre dekha hObe
|
| talk to you later | | | pOre kOtha hObe
|
| see you again | | | abar dekha hObe
|
| adieu | | | biday
|
| please | | | dOya kore
onugroho purbok |
(very formal)
|
| thank you | | | dhonnobad
|
| sorry | | | duk-khito
|
| English | | | ingreji
|
| nice/good | | | bhalo / besh
|
| bad | | | baje
|
| that one | | | oiTa/oTa
|
| how much does this cost? | | | eiTar dam kOto?
|
| how much does that cost? | | | oiTar dam kOto?
|
| what is your name? | | | apnar nam ki?
|
| I can't understand | | | ami bujhte parchhi na
|
| can you help me? | | | apni ki amake shahaj-jo korte paren?
|
| I don't know | | | ami jani na
|
| I don't speak Bangla | | | ami bangla bolte pari na
|
| I don't understand Bangla | | | ami bangla bujhi na
|
| do you speak English? | | | apni ki ingreji bolte paren?
|
| could you repeat what you just said? | | | doya kore abar bolben ki?
doya kore arekbar ektu bolun
|
| yes | | | hai
ji / ji hai | (informal)
(formal)
|
| no | | | na
ji na | (informal)
(formal)
|
| what? | | | ki?
|
| how? | | | kibhabe?
|
| Translation
| Phrase
| IPA
|
| Basque:
| Euskara
| /ewskaɾa/
|
| hello:
| kaixo
| /kajʃ̺o/
|
| good-bye:
| agur
| /aguɾ/
|
| please:
| mesedez
| /mesedes̺/
|
| thank you:
| eskerrik asko
| /eskerikasko/
|
| that one:
| hori
| /hoɾi/
|
| how much?:
| zenbat
| /s̺enbat/
|
| yes:
| bai
| /baj/
|
| no:
| ez
| /es̺/
|
| English:
| Ingelesa
| /ingelesa/
|
| Translation
| Phrase
| IPA
| Pronunciation
|
| 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-GLEE-skoo)
|
| Translation
| Phrase
| IPA
| Pronunciation
| Remarks
|
| Bosnian | bosanski
|
| hello | zdravo, merhaba, selam
|
| good-bye | doviđenja, alahimanet
|
| please | molim
|
| thank you | hvala
|
| sorry | oprostite
|
| that one | to, taj
|
| how much | koliko?
|
| English | engleski
|
| yes | da
|
| no | ne
|
| I don't understand | ne razumijem
|
| Where is the bathroom | gdje je WC?
|
| generic toast | na zdravlje | | | (to our health)
|
| Do you speak English | govorite li engleski?
|
| Translation
| Phrase
| IPA
|
| Breton:
| Breton
| /"bʁetɔ̃n/
|
| hello:
| salud
| /"saːlyt/
|
| good-bye:
| kenavo
| /kenaˈvoː/
|
| please:
| mar plij
| /maʁ pliʃ/
|
| thank you:
| trugarez
| /tʁyˈgaːʁɛs/
|
| sorry:
| digarez
| /diˈgaʁɛs/
|
| that one:
| hennezh
| /ˈennɛs/
|
| how much?:
| pegement
| /peˈgemɛn/
|
| yes:
| ya
| /ja/
|
| no:
| nann
| /nãn/
|
| I don't understand:
| Ne gomprenan ket
| /ne gɔ̃mpʁenãn 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/
|
| Translation
| Phrase
| IPA
| Pronunciation
| Remarks
|
| hello | здравей | | (zdrávei)
|
| hello | здрасти | | (zdrásti) | (informal)
|
| good morning | Добро утро | | (dóbro útro)
|
| good day | Добър ден | | (dóbŭr den)
|
| good evening | Добър вечер | | (dóbŭr véčer)
|
| good night | Лека нощ | | (léka nošt)
|
| goodbye | Довиждане | | (doviždáne)
|
| how are you? | Как си? | | (kák si)
|
| I'm fine | Добре съм | | (dóbre sŭm)
|
| Where is the toilet? | Къде е тоалетната? | | (k'de e toalétnata?)
|
| all the best | Всичко най-хубаво | | (vsíčko nai-hubávo)
|
| regards | Поздрави | | (pozdraví)
|
| thank you | Благодаря | | (blagodariá)
|
| happy birthday | Честит рожден ден! | | (čestít roždén den)
|
| Bulgarian language | Български език | | (bŭlgárski ezík)
|
| yes | да | | (da)
|
| no | не | | (ne)
|
| of course | разбира се | | (razbíra se)
|
| Please, enter! | Влезте, моля! | | (vlézte mólia) | (formal [2nd p. plural])
|
| Enter! | Влез! | | (vlez) | (informal [2nd p. singular])
|
| Translation
| Phrase
| IPA
|
| Catalan:
| Català
| /kətəˈlɑ/
|
| hello:
| hola
| /ˈɔlə/
|
| good-bye:
| adéu
| /əˈðɛw/
|
| please:
| si us plau
| /sisˈplɑw/
|
| thank you:
| gràcies; mercès
| /ˈgrɑsjəs/; /mərˈsɛs/
|
| sorry:
| perdó
| /pərˈðɔ/
|
| that one:
| aquest (m.); aquesta (f.)
| /əˈkɛt/; /əˈkɛstə/
|
| how much?:
| quant val; quant és
| /ˈkwɑmˈbɑl/; /ˈkwɑnˈtes/
|
| yes:
| sí
| /ˈsɪ/
|
| no:
| no
| /ˈno/
|
| I don't understand:
| No ho entenc
| /ˈno wənˈteŋ/
|
| Where's the bathroom?:
| On és el bany?; on és el labavo?
| /ˈonˈezəlˈβaɲ/; /ˈonˈezəlˈləˈβɑβu/
|
| generic toast:
| Salut!
| /səˈlut/
|
| Do you speak English?:
| Que parla anglès?
| /kə ˈpɑrlə ənˈglɛs/
|
| Do you speak Catalan?:
| Que parla català?
| /kə ˈpɑrlə kətəˈlɑ/
|
Note: Cantonese is a tonal language. Pronunciations provided below include numbers indicating tone. Tone 1 is high and level/falling; 2 is medium and rising; 3 is medium and level; 4 is low and falling; 5 is low and rising, 6 is low and level. For more info, see Standard Cantonese. The characters shown are Traditional Chinese characters. Pronunciation is given using Jyutping and IPA.
| Translation
| Phrase
| Jyutping
| IPA
|
| Cantonese:
| 廣東話
| gwong2 dung1 waa2
| /kwɔːŋ2 tʊŋ1 wɑː2/
|
| hello
| 你好
| nei5 hou2
| /nei5 hou2/
|
| good-bye
| 再見
| zoi3 gin3
| /tsɔːi3 kiːn3/
|
| bye-bye
| 拜拜
| baai1 baai3
| /pɑːi1 pɑːi3/
|
| please
| 唔該
| m4 goi1
| /m̩4 kɔːi1/
|
| thank you (for gifts)
| 多謝
| do1 ze3
| /tɔː1 tsɛː3/
|
| thank you (for services rendered)
| 唔該
| m4 goi1
| /m̩4 kɔːi1/
|
| sorry
| 對唔住
| deoi3 m4 zyu6
| /dɵy3 m̩4 tsyː6/
|
| this one
| 呢個
| ni1 go3
| /niː1 kɔː3/
|
| that one
| 嗰個
| go2 go3
| /kɔː2 kɔː3/
|
| how much?
| 幾多
| gei2 do1
| /kei2 tɔː1/
|
| yes
| 係
| hai3
| /hɐi3/
|
| no
| 唔係
| m4 hai3
| /m̩4 hɐi3/
|
| I don't understand
| 我唔明白
| ngo5 m4 ming4 baak6
| /ŋɔː5 m̩4 mɪŋ4 bɑːk6/
|
| Where's the bathroom?
| 洗手間喺邊度呀？
| sai2 sau2 gaan1 hai2 bin1 dou6 aa3
| /sɐi2 sɐu2 kɑːn1 hɐi2 piːn1 tou6 ɑː3/
|
| Do you speak English?
| 你識唔識講英文呀？
| nei5 sik1 m4 sik1 gong2 jing1 man2 aa3
| /nei5 sɪk1 m̩4 sɪk1 kɔːŋ2 jɪŋ1 mɐn2 ɑː3/
|
Note: Cantonese, like most of the other Chinese languages, do not actually have words for "yes" and "no." Translations for "yes" and "no" given above actually mean "it is" and "it is not" and can be used for questions asking for confirmation. However, for certain yes/no questions, one would normally respond with the verb or the negation of the verb. For instance, to respond to a question such as "do you want to go?" one would respond with "go" or "not go."
Note || tone 1 (e.g. mā) is high and level; 2 (e.g., má) is rising; 3 (e.g., mǎ) is low dipping; 4 (e.g., mà) 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. If the simplified- and traditional-character versions of a phrase are identical, only one phrase is shown.
| Translation
| Phrase
| Pinyin
| IPA
| Pronunciation
| Remarks
|
| Mandarin Chinese | 普通话 / 普通話 or
国语 / 國語 | (pǔtōnghuà)
(guóyǔ) | [pʰù tʰʊ̋ŋ xwɑ̂]
[kwɔ̌ jỳ] | (poo-toong-hwa)
(gwo yew)
|
| hello | 你好 | (ní hǎo) | [nǐ xàw] | (knee-how)
|
| good-bye | 再见 / 再見 | (zàijiàn) | [tsâj ʨjɛ̂n] | (dzai-jyen)
|
| please | 请 / 請 | (qǐng) | [ʨʰìŋ] | (cheeng)
|
| thank you | 谢谢 / 謝謝 | (xièxie) | [ɕjɛ̂-ɕjɛ̂] | (shyeh-shyeh)
|
| that one | 那个 / 那個 | (nèige) | [nêj gə] | (nay guh) | See Usage Note 1
|
| how much? | 多少 | (duōshǎo) | [twɔ̋ ʂàw] | (dwo shahw)
|
| English | 英文 | (Yīngwén) | [jɪ̋ŋ wə̌n] | (ing one)
|
| yes | 是 | (shì) | /ʂɻ̂/ | (sher as in sherpa) | See Usage Note 2
|
| no | 不 | (bù) | [pû] | (boo)
|
| where's the toilet? | 厕所在哪里 / 廁所在哪裏 | (cèsuǒ zài nálǐ?) | [tsʰɤ̂ swɔ̀ tsâj nɑ̌ lì] | (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)
|
Usage Notes
- The second syllable of "nèige" 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 nèi. In many parts of southern China, nèi is also pronounced nà.
- This actually means "it is" and can only be used in an answer to a question with the verb "to be". Languages like Chinese, Irish, Toki Pona, and Welsh do not have words for "yes" or "no". Instead you repeat the main verb of the question in your answer. However, shaking your head in affirmation or negation works as expected, with the exception of answers to negative questions, in which usage is inverted — answering in the negative to "You don't like him?" would indicate that you do like him.
| Translation
| Romanization A
| Romanization B
| IPA
|
|
| Shanghainese:
| Zanheëwo (English z)
| Shanghaieau
| /zɑ̃hɛ ɛ̤ʊ̤/}
|
| please
| tschin
| cin
| /ʧʰin/
|
| thank you
| jaja non (French j)
| jaja non
| /ʒaja nõ/
|
| sorry
| teiverchi
| deivecie
| /tɛvɐˑʧʰi/
|
| that one
| étzach
| éze
| /ˈɛtsɐʔ/
|
| over there
| émitach
| émiedag
| /ˈɛmitɐʔ/
|
| how much?
| Cidi?
| Giedied?
| /ʧidi/
|
| yes
| éh
| ai
| /ˈɛ/
|
| no:
| mmer, vio
| mme, vio
| /m̩mɐʔ/, /viɔ/
|
| home:
| Ollishan
| Ogliechan
| /oˑɺiʃɑ̃/
|
| Where's the bathroom?:
| Tsisuke laeler älitach?
| Cysougei legle aliedag?
| /tsʰlsɯkɛ ɺɐˑɺɐʔ a̤ɺitɐʔ/
|
| English
| Ínven
| Engven
| /ˈinvən/
|
| Do you speak English?:
| Non Ínven weiter kanre va?
| Non Engven weide ganre va?
| /nõ ˈinvən wɛtɐʔ kãː va/
|
| I love you
| Wo ei non
| Au aire non
| /ʊ̤ ɛː nõ/
|
| I adore you:
| Wo eimor non
| Au aimor non
| /ʊ̤ ɛmoʔ nõ/
|
| I adore you so
| Wo eimosser non
| Au aimorsag non
| /ʊ̤ ɛmoˑsɐʔ nõ/
|
| I like you a lot
| Wo lo héushi non äch
| Au lo heuchie non e
| /ʊ̤ ɺɔː ˈhøʃi nõ ɐ̤ʔ/
|
Unlike Mandarin and Cantonese, Shanghainese actually has the direct "yes" (éh/ai) similar to English.
The Han characters provided below are for reference only. They are not necessarily standard.
| Translation
| Characters
| Romanization
| Remarks
|
| Taiwanese | 臺灣話 | Tâi-oân-oē, Hō-ló-oē
|
| hello | 食飽未 | Chia̍h pá boeh? | (literally, Have you eaten yet?
|
| goodbye | 平安 | pêng-an | (literally, Peace, can also be used as a greeting. Note this is primarily Christian usage.)
|
| please | 拜託 | pài-thok
|
| thank you | 多謝 | To-siā
|
| that one | 彼個 | hit-ê
|
| how much? | 若濟 | goā choē?
|
| yes | 是 | sī
|
| no | 唔是 | m̄-sī
|
| sorry | 歹勢
失禮 | pháiⁿ-sè
sit-le | (literally means, embarrassed
(more formal)
|
| I don't understand what is said | 我聽無 | Goá thiaⁿ bô
|
| where's the bathroom? | 便所佇叨 | 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?
|
| Translation
| Phrase
|
| 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?
|
| Translation
| Phrase
| Pronunciation
| IPA
| Remarks
|
| Czech | Česky | CHEHskee | /'ʧɛski/
|
| hello | dobrý den | DObree den | /'dobriː dɛn/ | Literal translation: good day
|
| good-bye | na shledanou | na sKHLEdanow | /na 'sxlɛdanou/
|
| please | prosím | PROseem | /'prosiːm/
|
| thank you | děkuji vám | DYEkooyi vam | /'ɟɛkuji vaːm/
|
| that one | tamten | tamten | /tamten/
|
| how much? | kolik | KOlik | /'kolik/
|
| English | anglicky | anglytskee | /angliʦki/
|
| yes | ano | | /ɑno/
|
| no | ne | | /ne/
|
| sorry | promiňte | | /promiɲte/
|
| generic toast | Na zdraví | | /na zdraviː/
|
| I don't understand | Nerozumím | | /nɛrozumiːm/
|
| Where's the bathroom? | Kde je toaleta? | | /gdɛ jɛ toaleta/
|
| Do you speak English? | Mluvíte anglicky? | | /mluviːtɛ angliʦki/
|
| I don't speak Czech | Nemluvím česky | | /nɛmluviːm 'ʧɛski/
|
| Do you speak Czech? | Mluvíte česky? | | /mluviːtɛ 'ʧɛski/
|
| Where can i find a restaurant? | Kde najdu restauraci? | | /gdɛ najdu rɛstauraʦi/
|
| Where is the nearest hospital? | Kde je nejbližší nemocnice? | | /gdɛ jɛ nejbliʃiː nɛmoʦniʦɛ/
|
- 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? /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 forstår ikke
- 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: dank je wel /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)
- English: Englisc /'ɛŋglɪʃ/
- hello (to one person): wes hál /wɛz haːl/; (to more than one): wesaþ hál /'wɛzaθ haːl/
- good-bye: God þé mid síe /gɔd ðeː mɪd 'siə/
- please: (be understood. A matter of course, if not ic bidde /ɪtʃ 'bɪdːə/ )
(Usage Note: No word directly corresponds to the word "please". Old English expressed the concept of politeness in a request in various ways.)
- thank you: ic þancie þé /ɪtʃ 'θaŋkiə ðeː/
- that one: geon /jɔn/
- how much?: hú fela? /huː 'fela/
- yes: gése /jeːsə/
- no: nó /noː/
- Where is the bathroom?: Hwǽr is þæt gangsetl? /ʍær ɪz ðæt 'gaŋsetl/
- where do you come from?: Hwanon cymst þu? ? /'ʍanon cymst ðuː/
- do you speak English?: Spricst þu Englisce? /sprɪtʃəst ðuː 'ɛŋglɪʃə/
- I don't understand: Ic ne understande /ɪtʃ ne ʊndɛr'standə/
- hello: saluton /sa'luton/
- good-bye: ĝis revido /ʤis re'vido/
- please: mi petas /mi 'petas/
- thank you: dankon /'dankon/
- you're welcome: bonvenon /bon'venon/
- that one: tiu /'tiu/
- how much?: kiom /'kiom/
- English: Anglo /'anglo/
- yes: jes /jes/
- no: ne /ne/
- sorry: pardonon /par'donon/
- I don't understand: mi ne komprenas /mi ne kom'prenas/
- Where's the toilet?: kie estas la necesejo? /'kie estas la neʦe'sejo/
- generic toast: Je via sano /je 'via 'sano/
- Do you speak English?: Ĉu vi parolas la anglan? /ʧu vi pa'rolas la 'anglan/
- Excuse me, I don't speak very good Esperanto: Pardonu min, mi ne bone parolas Esperanton /par'donu min mi ne 'bone pa'rolas espe'ranton/
- I don't know: Mi ne scias /mi ne 'sʦias/
- 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?
- Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year! Häid Jõule ja õnnelikku uut aastat!
- Finnish: suomi /'suo mi/ (SUE-o-mi)
- hello: päivää /'pæjvæː/ (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: näkemiin /'nækemiːn/ (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: kyllä /'kylːæ/ (kul-laeh)
- no: ei /ej/ (ey)
- sorry: anteeksi /'anteːksi/ ("On take see")
- where is the toilet?: missä on vessa? /'misːæ on 'vesːa/(MIS-sah on VEHS-sah)
- generic toast: kippis /'kipːis/ (KIP-pis)
- do you speak English?: puhutteko englantia? /'puhutko 'ɛŋlantia/ (poo-hoot-teh-koh eng-lawn-tia)
- I don't understand: en ymmärrä /ɛn 'ymːærːæ/ (en um-mar-ra)
- I don't know: en tiedä /ɛn 'tiɛdæ/ (en tee-eh-da)
- French: français /frɑ̃sɛ/ ("fraw(n)-SAY")
- hello: bonjour /bɔ̃ʒuʁ/ ("boh(n)-JHURE")
- good-bye: au revoir /o ʁəvwaʁ/ ("oh-reh-VWAR")
- please: s'il vous plaît /sil vu plɛ/ ("seal voo PLAY")
- thank you: merci /mɛʁsi/ ("mare-SEE")
- you're welcome "bienvenue" (Canada) (bi-EHN ven-eu), "de rien" ("de ree-an") (Rest of the world)
- that one: cela /səla/ ("say-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-ku-say-MWA")
- I don't understand: Je ne comprends pas /ʒə nə cõ'pʁɑ̃ '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") (Literally: Health)
- Do you speak English?: Parlez-vous anglais? /paʁ le vu ɑ̃ glɛ/ ("par-lay voo zah(n)-GLAY")
- Excuse me, I don't speak French very well.: "Pardonnez-moi, mais je ne parle pas très bien français ." (par-dohn-ay MWAH may zheu neuh parl pah tray byen frahn-SAY)
- I don't know: Je ne sais pas /ʒə nə sɛ 'pa/ ("dju neh say PAH")
The translations provided following W: are in West Frisian,
those following N: are in North Frisian (Mooring dialect).
- Frisian:
- W: Frysk /fri.sk/ (freask)
- N: Friisk /fri:sk/ (freask)
- hello:
- W: a goeie /ɑ gujə/ (ah gooye)
- N: moin /mOIn/ (moin)
- good-bye:
- W: oant sjen /ɔnt ʃɛn/ (ont shen)
- N: adjiis /Adji:s/ (a-jease)
- please:
- W: asjeblyft /ɑʃəbli.ft/ (ashebleaft)
- N: weesegödj /ve:z&gödj/ (veisegud-y)
- thank you:
- W: tige tank /'tiːɣə tɑnk/ (teaghe tank)
- N: foole tunk /fo:l&tunk/ (foughle toonk)
- that one:
- W: dy /di./ (dea)
- N: di /dI/ (dih)
- how much?:
- W: hoefolle? /hufolə/ (who folle)
- N: hüfoole? /h^fo:l&/ (huh foughle)
- English:
- W: Ingelsk /iŋəlsk/ (ingelsk)
- N: Aingelsch /&j:ñ&lS/ (ayngelsh)
- yes:
- W: ja /ja/ (yaah)
- N: joo /jo:/ (yo)
- no:
- W: nee /ne./ (nay)
- N: nåån /nO:n/ (nawn)
- where's the bathroom?:
- W: Wêr is hjir it húske? /Wɛːr ɪs jɪrət hy.skə/ (where is yirret hewske)
- N: Weer as heer et hüüschen? /wI:R &s hI:r &t hy.S&n/ (vere is heret hewshen)
- generic toast:
- W: tsjoch /ʧoX/ (chokh)
- N: sünhäid /sönhEId/ (sun-heyd)
- Do you speak English?:
- W: Kinne jo Ingelsk? /kɪnə jo. ɪŋəlsk/ (kinne yo ingelsk?)
- N: Koost dü Aingelsch? /ko:stö &jñ@lS/ (coastuh ayngelsh)
- I don't understand:
- 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)
- Sorry:
- W:
