Forget GPS! 20 Guiding Common Phrases in Different Languages

Forget GPS! 20 Guiding Common Phrases in Different Languages Forget GPS! 20 Guiding Common Phrases in Different Languages So youve planned a trip abroad.You want to be able to blend with the locals, so you try to master a new language before take-off.But there are just So. Many. Words.Your head feels like it might explode.You dont know which way is up anymore and you want to throw your studies down and forget the whole thing.Well, no need for that.Sometimes you just have to take it all back to the beginning.If you want to get familiar with a new language then you need to get comfortable with common words and phrases.But that wont make me fluent! you say. No. It wont. But it will get you there.Before you get nominated for Linguist of the Year, youre going to have to start with the easy stuff. It may not be glamorous, but youll thank yourself in the long run. Why You Should Bother with Learning Common PhrasesNot quite sure when this happened, but at some point during the last few years the word basic became something of a swear word. Ya basic, has become a go-to joke or insult in movies, television and casual conversation. However, we shouldnt be so quick to dismiss basic-ness, especially within the world of language learning. In fact, the basics are your foundation and you need to know them if you plan on building your proficiency in a language.You Need to Embrace Getting By FirstIts difficult to think that youre going to have to struggle to make it through learning a language. Everyone wishes they could become fluent overnight, because the learning process can be tough. Just remember this: You werent born learning how to speak English or any other native language that you may speak. You were born a blank slate and it took you  years to get to a level of proficiency where people could actually understand you.Of course, you dont remember that learning process so its easy to think that speaking was just something you always knew how to doâ€"but it isnt. You struggled. You made mistakes. You probably even made up words. Luckily, there was someone there guiding you, correcting your m istakes and teaching you how to say things. And guess what? You learned!Remember, when youre learning a language youre going to have to struggle a little bit. Youre going to make mistakes, and you may even have to make up some words in the process. However, nowadays you have access to so many people who can correct you when you make mistakes. Let the world be your language guide. Dont be afraid to ask for help.And once youve accepted the struggle, you should try to make things as easy on yourself as possible. Yes, it will be difficult, but you should give yourself as much mileage as you can by breaking out the big guns first: Learn the phrases youll use every day. Learn the phrases that will help you navigate introductions and basic survival. Being realistic will take you far.Small Talk Takes You to Big TalkLets go back to the baby metaphor. Any time someone gets frustrated when trying master something new, others may tell them, You have to learn to crawl before you walk. Well, this is as true with language learning as with anything. You have to crawl, meaning, you have to learn basic, common phrases and vocabulary. This is the part that many people try to skip, because its not that fun, and maybe you already know a few words. So why bother?Well, think of these common phrases as a launch pad. Common phrases get you started with having basic conversations. Theyll do wonders for you if youre traveling or encounter other situations where youre forced to speak an unfamiliar language.First, theyll help you learn to get comfortable speaking. Speaking is usually the biggest hurdle in language learning, especially if youre in a place where most people know at least some English.However, if you commit to learning a few common phrases, youll have identified yourself as someone who wants to learn. And thats the second thing! People appreciate the effort. Sadly, Americans in particular have a reputation for being unwilling to learn new languages, but make the effort and y oull see that people will be charmed by your attempt to assimilate.So are you convinced that learning some basic phrases is good for your mind, body and soul? Great! Weve got five different languages to get you started. And dont worry if you dont see your target language. You can still look up these phrases in whatever that language may be. And if you have any pronunciation doubts or questions, try Forvo.To follow up with these phrases in context and to start moving on to big talk, try FluentU. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.Forget GPS! 20 Guiding Common Phrases in Different Languages1. HelloIts always nice to greet people when meeting for the first time. An easy hello is the simplest way to get it done.Spanish: HolaFrench: SalutPortuguese:  OláGerman:  HalloMandarin: ??  (ni hao)2. How are you?You dont have to save this for friends and acquaintances. Even strangers ap preciate when someone asks them about their well-being. You may not want to just approach someone in the street with this question, but maybe use it when youre at a restaurant, grocery store or even the bank.Spanish: ¿Cómo está?  (formal) /   ¿Cómo estás?  (informal)French:  Comment allez-vous ? (formal) /  Comment ça va ? (informal)Portuguese:  Como você está?German:  Wie geht es dir?Mandarin:  ???? (ni hao ma)3. Im doing wellThis is a common response in almost every language. Its polite and brief, especially when speaking to a stranger. You can elaborate if youre more familiar with a person.Spanish: Estoy bienFrench:  Ã‡a va bienPortuguese:  Tudo bemGerman:  Mir geht es gut!Mandarin: ??? (wo hen hao)4. My name isThis is another common introductory phrase. Basic phrases like these are short and simple and can help you get used to how words and letters are supposed to sound without stumbling over your speech too much.Spanish:  Me llamo  / Mi nombre esFrench:  Je mappellePort uguese: O meu nome éGerman:  Mein Name istMandarin:  ?????  (wo de míng zì shì)5. Whats your name?If youre sharing your name then, of course, the cordial thing to do would be to ask a person theirs. Again, its a great way to start small conversations and let people know that youre making an effort.Spanish:   ¿Cómo se llama usted? (formal)  / ¿Cómo te llamas? (informal)French:  Comment vous appelez-vous ?  (formal) / Comment tappelles-tu ? (informal)Portuguese:  Qual é o seu nome?German:  Wie heißen Sie? (formal) / Wie heißt du? (informal)Mandarin: ???? (guì xìng ne)6. Its nice to meet youMany cultures are similar in how they meet and greet. You want to put your best foot forward, so telling someone that its nice to meet them will at least show that youve got some manners.Spanish:  Un placer conocerle  / Un placer conocerteFrench:  Enchanté(e)Portuguese:  Prazer em conhecê-loGerman:  Nett, Sie kennenzulernen  (formal) / Nett, dich kennenzulernen  (informal)Mandarin:  ?? ???? (hen gao xìng jiàn dào ni)7. Im fromThis is a great conversation starter! People are always curious to know about where youre from.Spanish:  Yo soy deFrench:  Je viens dePortuguese:  Eu sou deGerman:  Ich komme ausMandarin:  ???  (wo lái zì…)8. Where are you from?In the same vein, its always interesting to hear where others are from. Maybe youre from the same place, maybe youve traveled to their home country, maybe you have friends or family from their town or country. The where are you from question almost always sparks a fun and interesting conversation.Spanish: ¿De dónde es usted? (formal) / ¿De dónde eres tú? (informal)French:  Doù êtes-vous ? (formal)  /  Doù es-tu ? (informal)Portuguese:  De onde você é?German:  Wo kommen Sie her? (formal) / Woher kommst du? (informal)Mandarin:  ??????  (ni cóng na li lái)9. What time is it?Practicalities always come into play during travel, and depending on your itinerary, you may be on a schedule. If you find yourself without a watch or phone, this question is handy when youre racing against the clock.Spanish:   ¿Qué hora es?French:  Quelle heure est-t-il ?Portuguese:  Que horas são?German:  Wie spät ist es?Mandarin:  ????  (ji dian le)10. Where is?This phrase is good to know because its versatile. You could be talking about a person, place or thing. Where is Mindy? Where is my phone charger? Where is the Taj Mahal?Spanish:   ¿Dónde está…?French:  Où se trouve ?Portuguese:  Onde é?German:  Wo ist…?Mandarin: ???? (… zài  na li?)11. How do I get to?This question is very place specific. If youre trying to get around and you dont have access to Wi-Fi or GPS, most locals will be able to tell you how to get where youre going if you just ask.Spanish: ¿Cómo llego a?French:  Comment puis-je arriver à ?Portuguese: Como faço para chegar até?German:  Wie komme ich nach?Mandarin:  ?????  (wo zen me qù…)12. Left, Right, StraightIf youre going to ask how to get somewhere then it might hel p if you understand directions. At least learning the most basic ones will get you where you need to go.Spanish:  Izquierda, Derecha, DerechoFrench:  Gauche, Droite, Tout droitPortuguese: Esquerda, Direita, RetaGerman: Links, Rechts, GeradeausMandarin:  ?, ?, ? (zuo, yòu, zhí)13. Im lostThis one is definitely important to know. Sometimes you get turned around. Especially when youre in an unfamiliar area. Seek out a safe place and let someone know that youre lost so they can help you get back on track.Spanish: Yo estoy perdido(a)French:  Je suis perdu(e)Portuguese:  Estou perdido(a)German:  Ich habe mich verlaufenMandarin:  ???? (wo mí lù le)14. Pardon meAgain, its always good to have manners. Whether youve had a tiny collision or youre trying to get through a crowd, its good to be able to throw out an excuse me or a pardon me so that you can avoid a confrontation.Spanish:  Perdóneme (formal) / Perdóname (informal)French: Excusez-moi (formal) / Excuse-moi (informal)Portuguese: DesculpeGerman: Verzeihung (more formal) / Entschuldigung (informal)Mandarin:  ??? (duì bù qi)15. Sorry, I dont understandYou can master your basic phrases so well that you sound fluent. When that happens, locals will start speaking to you as if youre fluent. Thats a good time to let them know that you dont understand so that they can switch gears.Spanish:  Lo siento, pero no entiendoFrench:  Pardon, je ne comprends pasPortuguese:  Desculpe, eu não entendoGerman: Verzeihung/entschuldigung, ich verstehe Sie (formal)/dich (informal) nichtMandarin: ???, ???? (duì bù qi, wo bù míng bái)16. Can you speak more slowly please?Switching gears usually means going slower. Let the person know that youre still learning and you need them to slow it down. Most people will be happy to oblige!Spanish: ¿Puede hablar más lento, por favor?French:  Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement sil vous plaît ? (formal) / Peux-tu  parler plus lentement sil te plaît ?  (informal)Portuguese:  Você pode fa lar mais devagar, por favor?German:  Könnten Sie (formal)/Könntest du (informal) ein bisschen langsamer sprechen, bitte?Mandarin:  ????????? (ni néng shuo dé màn yi dian ma)17. I would likeThis one is great for when youre out at a restaurant or a cafe or really anywhere that you have options. Instead of using a harsh sounding phrase like I want, its better to take the politer route.Spanish:  Yo quisieraFrench:  Je voudraisPortuguese:  Eu gostariaGerman:  Ich möchteMandarin: ??? (wo xiang yào)18. Im allergic toSadly, allergies dont go away when were abroad. Dont compromise your health. Let a person know if youre allergic to certain foods or animals. Its better to be safe than sorry.Spanish:  Soy alérgico aFrench:  Je suis allergique àPortuguese:  Sou alérgico aGerman:  Ich bin allergisch gegenMandarin:  ???? (wo duì guò min)19. Thank you  If nothing else, a thank you is always the way to go. Its the most basic form of polite conversation, and really, if its the only phras e you know in 100 languages, then youve done all right for yourself.Spanish: GraciasFrench: Merci  Portuguese:  Obrigado(a)German:  DankeMandarin:  ?? (xiè xie)20. GoodbyeFarewell, friends. Hopefully this list of basic phrases will help you get started on the language learning adventure of your dreams!Spanish:  AdiósFrench:  Au  revoirPortuguese:  TchauGerman:  Auf Wiedersehen (formal) / Tschüss (informal)Mandarin:  ?? (zài jiàn)