Survival Phrases in 30 Languages
The Observatory Almanac — Language & Communication
Language is the first bridge between strangers. Whether navigating a market in Istanbul, flagging down help in rural Japan, or simply expressing gratitude in Swahili, a handful of key phrases can transform you from a lost tourist into someone worthy of trust and assistance. This guide provides essential survival phrases in 30 languages, complete with romanization for non-Latin scripts and pronunciation guides to help you sound recognizable — if not fluent.
How to use this guide: - Romanizations appear in italics beneath native scripts - Pronunciation notes use simplified English approximations - Numbers follow each language's phrases - Bold = stress the syllable
1. Spanish
Spoken by: ~500 million people across Spain, Latin America, and the USA.
| Phrase | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hola | OH-lah |
| Goodbye | Adiós | ah-dee-OHS |
| Please | Por favor | por fah-VOR |
| Thank you | Gracias | GRAH-see-ahs |
| Yes | Sí | see |
| No | No | noh |
| Excuse me | Perdón / Disculpe | pehr-DON / dees-KOOL-peh |
| I don't understand | No entiendo | noh en-tee-EN-doh |
| Do you speak English? | ¿Habla inglés? | AH-blah een-GLAYS |
| Help! | ¡Ayuda! | ah-YOU-dah |
| Where is...? | ¿Dónde está...? | DON-deh es-TAH |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | KWAHN-toh KWES-tah |
| Water | Agua | AH-gwah |
| Food | Comida | koh-MEE-dah |
| Hospital/Doctor | Hospital / Médico | os-pee-TAHL / MEH-dee-koh |
| Police | Policía | po-lee-SEE-ah |
Numbers 1–10: uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez (OO-noh, dohs, trehs, KWAH-troh, SEEN-koh, says, see-EH-teh, OH-choh, noo-EH-veh, dee-EHS)
2. French
Spoken by: ~300 million people across France, Africa, Canada, and the Caribbean.
| Phrase | French | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjour | bohn-ZHOOR |
| Goodbye | Au revoir | oh reh-VWAHR |
| Please | S'il vous plaît | seel voo PLEH |
| Thank you | Merci | mehr-SEE |
| Yes | Oui | wee |
| No | Non | nohn |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi / Pardon | ex-koo-ZAY mwah / par-DOHN |
| I don't understand | Je ne comprends pas | zhuh nuh kohm-PRAHN pah |
| Do you speak English? | Parlez-vous anglais? | par-LAY voo ahn-GLAY |
| Help! | Au secours! | oh suh-KOOR |
| Where is...? | Où est...? | oo EH |
| How much? | Combien ça coûte? | kohm-BYEHN sah KOOT |
| Water | Eau | oh |
| Food | Nourriture / Manger | noo-ree-TOOR / mahn-ZHAY |
| Hospital/Doctor | Hôpital / Médecin | oh-pee-TAHL / mehd-SAN |
| Police | Police | poh-LEES |
Numbers 1–10: un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix (uhn, duh, twah, KAH-truh, sank, sees, set, weet, nuhf, dees)
3. German
Spoken by: ~100 million people in Germany, Austria, Switzerland.
| Phrase | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hallo / Guten Tag | HAH-loh / GOO-ten tahk |
| Goodbye | Auf Wiedersehen | owf VEE-der-zayn |
| Please | Bitte | BIT-teh |
| Thank you | Danke | DAHN-keh |
| Yes | Ja | yah |
| No | Nein | nine |
| Excuse me | Entschuldigung | ent-SHOOL-dee-goong |
| I don't understand | Ich verstehe nicht | ikh fehr-SHTAY-eh nikht |
| Do you speak English? | Sprechen Sie Englisch? | SHPREH-khen zee ENG-lish |
| Help! | Hilfe! | HIL-feh |
| Where is...? | Wo ist...? | voh ist |
| How much? | Wie viel kostet das? | vee feel KOS-tet dahs |
| Water | Wasser | VAH-ser |
| Food | Essen | ES-sen |
| Hospital/Doctor | Krankenhaus / Arzt | KRAN-ken-hows / artst |
| Police | Polizei | po-lee-TSAY |
Numbers 1–10: ein, zwei, drei, vier, fünf, sechs, sieben, acht, neun, zehn (eyen, tsvye, dry, feer, fuenf, zeks, ZEE-ben, ahkt, noyn, tsayn)
4. Italian
Spoken by: ~85 million people in Italy, Switzerland, and diaspora communities.
| Phrase | Italian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Ciao / Buongiorno | chow / bwon-JOR-noh |
| Goodbye | Arrivederci | ah-ree-veh-DEHR-chee |
| Please | Per favore | pehr fah-VOH-reh |
| Thank you | Grazie | GRAH-tsyeh |
| Yes | Sì | see |
| No | No | noh |
| Excuse me | Scusi / Mi scusi | SKOO-zee / mee SKOO-zee |
| I don't understand | Non capisco | non kah-PEES-koh |
| Do you speak English? | Parla inglese? | PAR-lah een-GLAY-zeh |
| Help! | Aiuto! | ah-YOO-toh |
| Where is...? | Dov'è...? | doh-VEH |
| How much? | Quanto costa? | KWAHN-toh KOS-tah |
| Water | Acqua | AH-kwah |
| Food | Cibo | CHEE-boh |
| Hospital/Doctor | Ospedale / Dottore | os-peh-DAH-leh / dot-TOH-reh |
| Police | Polizia | po-lee-TSEE-ah |
Numbers 1–10: uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque, sei, sette, otto, nove, dieci (OO-noh, DOO-eh, treh, KWAH-troh, CHEEN-kweh, say, SET-teh, OT-toh, NOH-veh, dee-EH-chee)
5. Portuguese
Spoken by: ~250 million in Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique.
| Phrase | Portuguese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Olá / Oi | oh-LAH / oy |
| Goodbye | Tchau / Adeus | chow / ah-DEH-oosh |
| Please | Por favor | por fah-VOR |
| Thank you | Obrigado (m) / Obrigada (f) | oh-bree-GAH-doh/dah |
| Yes | Sim | seen |
| No | Não | nown |
| Excuse me | Com licença / Desculpe | kohn lee-SEN-sah / desh-KOOL-peh |
| I don't understand | Não entendo | nown en-TEN-doh |
| Do you speak English? | Fala inglês? | FAH-lah een-GLAYS |
| Help! | Socorro! / Ajuda! | soh-KOH-hoh / ah-ZHOO-dah |
| Where is...? | Onde fica...? | OHN-deh FEE-kah |
| How much? | Quanto custa? | KWAHN-toh KOOS-tah |
| Water | Água | AH-gwah |
| Food | Comida | koh-MEE-dah |
| Hospital/Doctor | Hospital / Médico | os-pee-TAHL / MEH-dee-koh |
| Police | Polícia | poh-LEE-syah |
Numbers 1–10: um, dois, três, quatro, cinco, seis, sete, oito, nove, dez (oong, doysh, trays, KWAH-troh, SEEN-koh, saysh, SEH-teh, OY-toh, NOH-veh, desh)
6. Russian
Spoken by: ~260 million in Russia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia.
| Phrase | Russian (Cyrillic) | Romanization | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | Привет / Здравствуйте | Privet / Zdravstvuyte | pree-VYET / ZDRAH-stvooy-tyeh |
| Goodbye | До свидания | Do svidaniya | doh svee-DAH-nyah |
| Please | Пожалуйста | Pozhaluysta | pah-ZHAH-loo-stah |
| Thank you | Спасибо | Spasibo | spah-SEE-boh |
| Yes | Да | Da | dah |
| No | Нет | Net | nyet |
| Excuse me | Извините | Izvinite | eez-vee-NEE-tyeh |
| I don't understand | Я не понимаю | Ya ne ponimayu | yah nyeh pah-nee-MAH-yoo |
| Do you speak English? | Вы говорите по-английски? | Vy govorite po-angliyski? | vy gah-vah-REE-tyeh pah-ahn-GLEE-skee |
| Help! | Помогите! | Pomogite! | pah-mah-GEE-tyeh |
| Where is...? | Где находится...? | Gde nakhoditsya...? | gdyeh nah-KHO-deet-sya |
| How much? | Сколько стоит? | Skol'ko stoit? | SKOHL-kah STOH-eet |
| Water | Вода | Voda | vah-DAH |
| Food | Еда / Пища | Yeda / Pishcha | yeh-DAH / PEESH-chah |
| Hospital/Doctor | Больница / Врач | Bol'nitsa / Vrach | bahl-NEE-tsah / vrach |
| Police | Полиция | Politsiya | pah-LEE-tsee-yah |
Numbers 1–10: один, два, три, четыре, пять, шесть, семь, восемь, девять, десять (ah-DEEN, dvah, tree, cheh-TY-reh, pyaht', shest', syem', VOH-syem', DYE-vyat', DYE-syat')
7. Mandarin Chinese
Spoken by: ~1.1 billion in China, Taiwan, Singapore.
| Phrase | Chinese (Characters) | Pinyin | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | 你好 | Nǐ hǎo | nee how (falling-rising tones) |
| Goodbye | 再见 | Zàijiàn | dzye jyen |
| Please | 请 | Qǐng | ching (rising tone) |
| Thank you | 谢谢 | Xièxie | syeh-syeh |
| Yes | 是 | Shì | shuh (falling tone) |
| No | 不 | Bù | boo (falling tone) |
| Excuse me | 对不起 / 劳驾 | Duìbuqǐ / Láojià | dway-boo-chee / low-jyah |
| I don't understand | 我不明白 | Wǒ bù míngbái | woh boo ming-bye |
| Do you speak English? | 你会说英文吗? | Nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma? | nee hway shwoh ying-wen mah |
| Help! | 救命! | Jiùmìng! | jyoh-ming |
| Where is...? | ...在哪里? | ...zài nǎlǐ? | dzye nah-lee |
| How much? | 多少钱? | Duōshǎo qián? | dwoh-show chyen |
| Water | 水 | Shuǐ | shway |
| Food | 食物 / 吃的 | Shíwù / Chī de | shuh-woo / chuh duh |
| Hospital/Doctor | 医院 / 医生 | Yīyuàn / Yīshēng | ee-ywen / ee-shung |
| Police | 警察 | Jǐngchá | jing-chah |
Numbers 1–10: 一二三四五六七八九十 Yī, èr, sān, sì, wǔ, liù, qī, bā, jiǔ, shí (ee, ar, sahn, suh, woo, lyoh, chee, bah, jyoh, shuh)
Tone note: Mandarin has 4 tones. When in doubt, speak clearly and let context do the work.
8. Japanese
Spoken by: ~125 million primarily in Japan.
| Phrase | Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | こんにちは | Konnichiwa | kon-nee-chee-WAH |
| Goodbye | さようなら | Sayōnara | sah-yoh-NAH-rah |
| Please | お願いします | Onegaishimasu | oh-neh-guy-shee-MAH-soo |
| Thank you | ありがとうございます | Arigatō gozaimasu | ah-ree-GAH-toh goh-ZAH-ee-mahs |
| Yes | はい | Hai | hi |
| No | いいえ | Iie | ee-eh |
| Excuse me | すみません | Sumimasen | soo-mee-mah-SEN |
| I don't understand | わかりません | Wakarimasen | wah-kah-ree-mah-SEN |
| Do you speak English? | 英語を話せますか? | Eigo o hanasemasu ka? | ay-goh oh hah-nah-seh-mahs kah |
| Help! | 助けて! | Tasukete! | tah-soo-KEH-teh |
| Where is...? | ...はどこですか? | ...wa doko desu ka? | ...wah DOH-koh des kah |
| How much? | いくらですか? | Ikura desu ka? | ee-koo-rah DES kah |
| Water | 水 | Mizu | mee-zoo |
| Food | 食べ物 | Tabemono | tah-beh-moh-noh |
| Hospital/Doctor | 病院 / お医者さん | Byōin / O-isha-san | byoh-een / oh-ee-shah-san |
| Police | 警察 | Keisatsu | kay-sah-tsoo |
Numbers 1–10: 一二三四五六七八九十 ichi, ni, san, shi/yon, go, roku, shichi/nana, hachi, ku/kyū, jū (ee-chee, nee, sahn, shee/yon, goh, roh-koo, shee-chee/nah-nah, hah-chee, koo/kyoo, joo)
9. Korean
Spoken by: ~80 million in South and North Korea.
| Phrase | Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | 안녕하세요 | Annyeonghaseyo | ahn-nyong-hah-SEH-yoh |
| Goodbye | 안녕히 가세요 | Annyeonghi gaseyo | ahn-nyong-hee gah-SEH-yoh |
| Please | 부탁드립니다 | Butakdeurimnida | boo-tahk-duh-rim-nee-dah |
| Thank you | 감사합니다 | Gamsahamnida | gahm-sah-hahm-NEE-dah |
| Yes | 네 / 예 | Ne / Ye | neh / yeh |
| No | 아니요 | Aniyo | ah-NEE-yoh |
| Excuse me | 실례합니다 | Sillyehamnida | shill-yeh-hahm-NEE-dah |
| I don't understand | 이해를 못하겠어요 | Ihaereul mot hagesseoyo | ee-heh-reul mot hah-ges-uh-yoh |
| Do you speak English? | 영어 하세요? | Yeongeo haseyo? | young-uh hah-SEH-yoh |
| Help! | 도와주세요! | Dowajuseyo! | doh-wah-joo-SEH-yoh |
| Where is...? | ...어디에 있어요? | ...eodie isseoyo? | ...uh-dee-eh EE-suh-yoh |
| How much? | 얼마예요? | Eolmayeyo? | ul-mah-YEH-yoh |
| Water | 물 | Mul | mool |
| Food | 음식 | Eumsik | eum-sheek |
| Hospital/Doctor | 병원 / 의사 | Byeongwon / Uisa | byong-won / ui-sah |
| Police | 경찰 | Gyeongchal | gyong-chahl |
Numbers 1–10: 일, 이, 삼, 사, 오, 육, 칠, 팔, 구, 십 il, i, sam, sa, o, yuk, chil, pal, gu, sip
10. Arabic
Spoken by: ~420 million across the Middle East and North Africa. Note: Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) used here; dialects vary significantly.
| Phrase | Arabic (Script) | Romanization | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | مرحبا / السلام عليكم | Marhaba / As-salamu alaykum | mar-HAH-bah / as-sah-LAH-moo ah-LAY-koom |
| Goodbye | مع السلامة | Ma'a as-salama | mah-ah as-sah-LAH-mah |
| Please | من فضلك | Min fadlik | min FAD-lik |
| Thank you | شكراً | Shukran | SHOOK-ran |
| Yes | نعم | Na'am | nah-AM |
| No | لا | La | lah |
| Excuse me | عفواً / من فضلك | Afwan / Min fadlik | AF-wan / min FAD-lik |
| I don't understand | لا أفهم | La afham | lah AF-ham |
| Do you speak English? | هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟ | Hal tatakallam al-ingleeziyya? | hal tah-TAH-kal-lam al-een-glee-ZEE-yah |
| Help! | ساعدني! | Sa'idni! | sah-EE-d-nee |
| Where is...? | أين...؟ | Ayna...? | AY-nah |
| How much? | كم السعر؟ | Kam as-si'r? | kahm as-SI'r |
| Water | ماء | Ma' | mah |
| Food | طعام | Ta'am | tah-AHM |
| Hospital/Doctor | مستشفى / طبيب | Mustashfa / Tabib | moos-TASH-fah / tah-BEEB |
| Police | شرطة | Shurta | SHOOR-tah |
Numbers 1–10: واحد، اثنان، ثلاثة، أربعة، خمسة، ستة، سبعة، ثمانية، تسعة، عشرة wahid, ithnan, thalatha, arba'a, khamsa, sitta, sab'a, thamaniya, tis'a, ashara
11. Hindi
Spoken by: ~600 million in India (Hindi belt) and diaspora.
| Phrase | Hindi (Devanagari) | Romanization | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | नमस्ते | Namaste | nah-MAH-stay |
| Goodbye | अलविदा / नमस्ते | Alvida / Namaste | al-VEE-dah / nah-MAH-stay |
| Please | कृपया | Kripaya | kree-PAH-yah |
| Thank you | धन्यवाद | Dhanyavad | DHAN-yah-vahd |
| Yes | हाँ | Haan | hahn |
| No | नहीं | Nahin | nah-HEEN |
| Excuse me | माफ़ करें | Maaf karein | mahf kah-RAIN |
| I don't understand | मैं समझा नहीं | Main samjha nahin | mayn SAM-jhah nah-HEEN |
| Do you speak English? | क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं? | Kya aap angrezi bolte hain? | kyah ahp ahn-GRAY-zee BOL-teh hayn |
| Help! | मदद करो! | Madad karo! | mah-DAD kah-ROH |
| Where is...? | ...कहाँ है? | ...kahan hai? | ...kah-HAHN hay |
| How much? | कितने का है? | Kitne ka hai? | KIT-neh kah hay |
| Water | पानी | Pani | PAH-nee |
| Food | खाना | Khana | KHAH-nah |
| Hospital/Doctor | अस्पताल / डॉक्टर | Aspataal / Doctor | as-pah-TAHL / DOK-ter |
| Police | पुलिस | Police | poo-LEES |
Numbers 1–10: एक, दो, तीन, चार, पाँच, छह, सात, आठ, नौ, दस ek, do, teen, char, paanch, chheh, saat, aath, nau, das
12. Turkish
Spoken by: ~85 million in Turkey, Cyprus, and diaspora.
| Phrase | Turkish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Merhaba | mehr-HAH-bah |
| Goodbye | Hoşça kal / Güle güle | hosh-cha KAHL / goo-leh GOO-leh |
| Please | Lütfen | LOOT-fen |
| Thank you | Teşekkür ederim | teh-shek-KOOR eh-deh-reem |
| Yes | Evet | EH-vet |
| No | Hayır | hah-YUR |
| Excuse me | Affedersiniz / Pardon | ahf-feh-dehr-see-NEEZ / par-DON |
| I don't understand | Anlamıyorum | ahn-lah-muh-YOR-oom |
| Do you speak English? | İngilizce biliyor musunuz? | een-gee-LEEZ-jeh bee-lee-YOR moo-soo-NOOZ |
| Help! | İmdat! / Yardım edin! | EEM-daht / yar-DUM eh-DEEN |
| Where is...? | ...nerede? | ...neh-REH-deh |
| How much? | Ne kadar? | neh kah-DAR |
| Water | Su | soo |
| Food | Yemek | yeh-MEK |
| Hospital/Doctor | Hastane / Doktor | hahs-TAH-neh / dok-TOR |
| Police | Polis | poh-LEES |
Numbers 1–10: bir, iki, üç, dört, beş, altı, yedi, sekiz, dokuz, on (beer, ee-kee, ooch, durt, besh, ahl-TUH, yeh-dee, seh-keez, doh-kooz, on)
13. Greek
Spoken by: ~13 million in Greece, Cyprus, and diaspora.
| Phrase | Greek (Script) | Romanization | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | Γεια σου / Γεια σας | Geia sou / Geia sas | YAH soo / YAH sahs |
| Goodbye | Αντίο | Andio | ahn-DEE-oh |
| Please | Παρακαλώ | Parakalo | pah-rah-kah-LOH |
| Thank you | Ευχαριστώ | Efharisto | ef-hah-ree-STOH |
| Yes | Ναι | Nai | neh |
| No | Όχι | Ochi | OH-hee |
| Excuse me | Συγγνώμη | Signomi | see-GNOH-mee |
| I don't understand | Δεν καταλαβαίνω | Den katalaveno | den kah-tah-lah-VEH-noh |
| Do you speak English? | Μιλάτε Αγγλικά; | Milate Anglika? | mee-LAH-teh ahn-glee-KAH |
| Help! | Βοήθεια! | Voitheia! | voh-EE-thya |
| Where is...? | Πού είναι...? | Pou einai...? | poo EE-neh |
| How much? | Πόσο κάνει; | Poso kanei? | POH-so KAH-nee |
| Water | Νερό | Nero | neh-ROH |
| Food | Φαγητό | Fagito | fah-yee-TOH |
| Hospital/Doctor | Νοσοκομείο / Γιατρός | Nosokomio / Giatros | noh-so-koh-MEE-oh / yah-TROHS |
| Police | Αστυνομία | Astynomia | ahs-tee-noh-MEE-ah |
Numbers 1–10: ένα, δύο, τρία, τέσσερα, πέντε, έξι, επτά, οκτώ, εννέα, δέκα ena, dyo, tria, tessera, pente, exi, epta, okto, ennea, deka
14. Dutch
Spoken by: ~25 million in the Netherlands, Belgium, Suriname.
| Phrase | Dutch | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hallo / Dag | HAH-loh / dahkh |
| Goodbye | Tot ziens / Dag | tot zeens / dahkh |
| Please | Alstublieft (formal) / Alsjeblieft (informal) | ahl-stoo-BLEEFT / ahls-yuh-BLEEFT |
| Thank you | Dank u wel / Dank je | dahnk oo vel / dahnk yuh |
| Yes | Ja | yah |
| No | Nee | nay |
| Excuse me | Pardon / Excuseer me | par-DON / ex-koo-ZAYR muh |
| I don't understand | Ik begrijp het niet | ik buh-GRAYP het neet |
| Do you speak English? | Spreekt u Engels? | spraykt oo ENG-uhlz |
| Help! | Help! | help |
| Where is...? | Waar is...? | vahr is |
| How much? | Hoeveel kost het? | HOO-vayl kost het |
| Water | Water | VAH-ter |
| Food | Eten | AY-ten |
| Hospital/Doctor | Ziekenhuis / Dokter | ZEE-kun-hows / DOK-ter |
| Police | Politie | poh-LEET-see |
Numbers 1–10: een, twee, drie, vier, vijf, zes, zeven, acht, negen, tien (ayn, tway, dree, veer, veyf, zes, ZAY-ven, ahkht, NAY-gen, teen)
15. Polish
Spoken by: ~50 million in Poland and diaspora.
| Phrase | Polish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Cześć / Dzień dobry | cheshch / jen DOB-reh |
| Goodbye | Do widzenia | doh vee-DZEN-yah |
| Please | Proszę | PROH-sheh |
| Thank you | Dziękuję | jen-KOO-yeh |
| Yes | Tak | tahk |
| No | Nie | nyeh |
| Excuse me | Przepraszam | psheh-PRAH-shahm |
| I don't understand | Nie rozumiem | nyeh roh-ZOO-myem |
| Do you speak English? | Czy mówi pan/pani po angielsku? | chih MOO-vee pahn/pah-nee poh ahn-GYEL-skoo |
| Help! | Pomocy! | poh-MOH-tsih |
| Where is...? | Gdzie jest...? | gdjeh yest |
| How much? | Ile to kosztuje? | EE-leh toh kosh-TOO-yeh |
| Water | Woda | VOH-dah |
| Food | Jedzenie | yed-ZEN-yeh |
| Hospital/Doctor | Szpital / Lekarz | SHPEE-tahl / LEH-kash |
| Police | Policja | poh-LEETS-yah |
Numbers 1–10: jeden, dwa, trzy, cztery, pięć, sześć, siedem, osiem, dziewięć, dziesięć (YEH-den, dvah, tshih, CHTE-reh, pyench, sheshch, SHEH-dem, OH-shem, JEH-vench, JEH-shench)
16. Swedish
Spoken by: ~10 million in Sweden, Finland.
| Phrase | Swedish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hej / God dag | hey / goo DAHG |
| Goodbye | Hej då / Adjö | hey daw / ah-YUH |
| Please | Snälla / Tack (often used for please too) | SNEHL-ah / tahk |
| Thank you | Tack | tahk |
| Yes | Ja | yah |
| No | Nej | nay |
| Excuse me | Förlåt / Ursäkta | fur-LAWT / OOR-sek-tah |
| I don't understand | Jag förstår inte | yahg fur-STAWR IN-teh |
| Do you speak English? | Talar du engelska? | TAH-lar doo ENG-el-skah |
| Help! | Hjälp! | yelp |
| Where is...? | Var är...? | var air |
| How much? | Hur mycket kostar det? | hoor MIK-eh KOS-tar deh |
| Water | Vatten | VAH-ten |
| Food | Mat | maht |
| Hospital/Doctor | Sjukhus / Läkare | SHOOK-hoos / LEH-kah-reh |
| Police | Polis | POH-lees |
Numbers 1–10: ett, två, tre, fyra, fem, sex, sju, åtta, nio, tio (et, tvaw, treh, FEE-rah, fem, sex, shoo, OH-tah, NEE-oh, TEE-oh)
17. Thai
Spoken by: ~70 million in Thailand.
Note: Thai is tonal. "Khrap" is used by male speakers; "Kha" by female.
| Phrase | Thai (Script) | Romanization | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | สวัสดี | Sawatdi | sah-wah-DEE |
| Goodbye | ลาก่อน | La kon | lah GAWN |
| Please | กรุณา | Garuna | gah-ROO-nah |
| Thank you | ขอบคุณ | Khob khun | kohp-KOON |
| Yes | ใช่ / ครับ/ค่ะ | Chai / Khrap/Kha | chye / khrap/kha |
| No | ไม่ใช่ | Mai chai | my chye |
| Excuse me | ขอโทษ | Kho tho | koh-TOHT |
| I don't understand | ไม่เข้าใจ | Mai khao jai | my kow jai |
| Do you speak English? | คุณพูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม? | Khun phut phasa Angkrit dai mai? | koon poot pah-SAH ang-GRIT dy my |
| Help! | ช่วยด้วย! | Chuay duay! | choo-ay DOO-ay |
| Where is...? | ...อยู่ที่ไหน? | ...yuu thi nai? | ...yoo tee nai |
| How much? | เท่าไหร่? | Thao rai? | tow rye |
| Water | น้ำ | Nam | nahm |
| Food | อาหาร | Ahan | ah-HAHN |
| Hospital/Doctor | โรงพยาบาล / หมอ | Rong phayaban / Mo | rohng pah-yah-BAHN / moh |
| Police | ตำรวจ | Tamruat | tam-ROO-at |
Numbers 1–10: หนึ่ง, สอง, สาม, สี่, ห้า, หก, เจ็ด, แปด, เก้า, สิบ nueng, song, sam, si, ha, hok, chet, paet, kao, sip
18. Vietnamese
Spoken by: ~95 million in Vietnam and diaspora.
| Phrase | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Xin chào | sin CHOW |
| Goodbye | Tạm biệt | tahm byet |
| Please | Làm ơn | lahm un |
| Thank you | Cảm ơn | gahm un |
| Yes | Vâng / Có | vuhng / gaw |
| No | Không | khong (soft kh) |
| Excuse me | Xin lỗi | sin loy |
| I don't understand | Tôi không hiểu | toy khong hyew |
| Do you speak English? | Bạn có nói tiếng Anh không? | bahn gaw noy tyeng anh khong |
| Help! | Cứu tôi! / Giúp tôi! | goo toy / yoop toy |
| Where is...? | ...ở đâu? | ...uh dow |
| How much? | Bao nhiêu? | bow nyew |
| Water | Nước | nook |
| Food | Đồ ăn | doh un |
| Hospital/Doctor | Bệnh viện / Bác sĩ | beng vyen / bahk see |
| Police | Cảnh sát | ganh saht |
Numbers 1–10: một, hai, ba, bốn, năm, sáu, bảy, tám, chín, mười (moht, hai, bah, bohn, nahm, show, bay, tahm, chin, moo-ee)
19. Indonesian/Malay
Spoken by: ~270 million in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore.
| Phrase | Indonesian/Malay | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Halo / Selamat pagi (morning) | hah-LOH / seh-lah-MAHT PAH-gee |
| Goodbye | Selamat tinggal / Sampai jumpa | seh-lah-MAHT ting-GAHL / sahm-PIE JOOM-pah |
| Please | Tolong / Silakan | toh-LONG / see-lah-KAHN |
| Thank you | Terima kasih | teh-REE-mah KAH-see |
| Yes | Ya | yah |
| No | Tidak / Bukan | tee-DAHK / boo-KAHN |
| Excuse me | Permisi / Maaf | per-mee-SEE / mah-AHF |
| I don't understand | Saya tidak mengerti | SAH-yah tee-DAHK meng-er-TEE |
| Do you speak English? | Apakah Anda berbicara bahasa Inggris? | ah-pah-KAH ahn-DAH ber-bee-CHAH-rah bah-HAH-sah ING-gris |
| Help! | Tolong! | TOH-long |
| Where is...? | Di mana...? | dee MAH-nah |
| How much? | Berapa harganya? | beh-RAH-pah har-GAH-nyah |
| Water | Air | AH-eer |
| Food | Makanan | mah-KAH-nahn |
| Hospital/Doctor | Rumah sakit / Dokter | ROO-mah SAH-kit / DOK-ter |
| Police | Polisi | poh-LEE-see |
Numbers 1–10: satu, dua, tiga, empat, lima, enam, tujuh, delapan, sembilan, sepuluh (SAH-too, DOO-ah, TEE-gah, em-PAHT, LEE-mah, eh-NAHM, TOO-joo, deh-LAH-pahn, sem-BEE-lahn, seh-POO-loo)
20. Swahili
Spoken by: ~200 million in East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, DRC).
| Phrase | Swahili | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Jambo / Habari | JAM-boh / hah-BAH-ree |
| Goodbye | Kwaheri | kwah-HEH-ree |
| Please | Tafadhali | tah-fah-DHAH-lee |
| Thank you | Asante (sana) | ah-SAHN-teh (SAH-nah) |
| Yes | Ndiyo | ndee-YOH |
| No | Hapana | hah-PAH-nah |
| Excuse me | Samahani | sah-mah-HAH-nee |
| I don't understand | Sielewi | see-EH-leh-wee |
| Do you speak English? | Unazungumza Kiingereza? | oo-nah-ZUNG-oom-zah kee-in-geh-REH-zah |
| Help! | Saidia! / Msaada! | sah-EE-dee-ah / m-SAH-ah-dah |
| Where is...? | ...iko wapi? | ...EE-koh WAH-pee |
| How much? | Bei gani? / Ni shilingi ngapi? | BAY gah-nee |
| Water | Maji | MAH-jee |
| Food | Chakula | chah-KOO-lah |
| Hospital/Doctor | Hospitali / Daktari | hos-pee-TAH-lee / dahk-TAH-ree |
| Police | Polisi | poh-LEE-see |
Numbers 1–10: moja, mbili, tatu, nne, tano, sita, saba, nane, tisa, kumi (MOH-jah, m-BEE-lee, TAH-too, n-NEH, TAH-noh, SEE-tah, SAH-bah, NAH-neh, TEE-sah, KOO-mee)
21. Hebrew
Spoken by: ~9 million in Israel.
| Phrase | Hebrew (Script) | Romanization | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | שלום | Shalom | shah-LOM |
| Goodbye | להתראות | Lehitraot | leh-hee-trah-OT |
| Please | בבקשה | Bevakasha | beh-vah-kah-SHAH |
| Thank you | תודה | Toda | toh-DAH |
| Yes | כן | Ken | ken |
| No | לא | Lo | loh |
| Excuse me | סליחה | Slicha | SLEE-khah |
| I don't understand | אני לא מבין (m)/מבינה (f) | Ani lo mevin/mevina | ah-NEE loh meh-VEEN/meh-vee-NAH |
| Do you speak English? | אתה מדבר אנגלית? | Ata medaber Anglit? | ah-TAH meh-dah-BER ahng-LEET |
| Help! | עזרה! | Ezra! | EZ-rah |
| Where is...? | ?...איפה | Eifo...? | AY-foh |
| How much? | כמה זה עולה? | Kama ze ole? | KAH-mah zeh OH-leh |
| Water | מים | Mayim | MAH-yeem |
| Food | אוכל | Ochel | OH-khel |
| Hospital/Doctor | בית חולים / רופא | Beit holim / Rofeh | bayt hoh-LEEM / roh-FEH |
| Police | משטרה | Mishtara | meesh-tah-RAH |
Numbers 1–10: אחת, שתיים, שלוש, ארבע, חמש, שש, שבע, שמונה, תשע, עשר akhat, shtayim, shalosh, arba, chamesh, shesh, sheva, shmone, tesha, eser
22. Farsi/Persian
Spoken by: ~110 million in Iran, Afghanistan (Dari), Tajikistan (Tajik).
| Phrase | Persian (Script) | Romanization | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | سلام | Salaam | sah-LAHM |
| Goodbye | خداحافظ | Khodahafez | khoh-dah-HAH-fez |
| Please | لطفاً | Lotfan | lot-FAHN |
| Thank you | ممنون / متشکرم | Mamnun / Motashakeram | mahm-NOON / moh-tah-SHAK-er-ahm |
| Yes | بله / آره | Bale / Are | bah-LEH / ah-REH |
| No | نه | Na/Nah | nah |
| Excuse me | ببخشید | Bebakhshid | beh-bakh-SHEED |
| I don't understand | نمیفهمم | Nemifahmam | neh-mee-FAH-mam |
| Do you speak English? | آیا انگلیسی صحبت میکنید؟ | Aya Englysi sohbat mikonid? | ah-yah eng-LEE-see soh-baht mee-koh-NEED |
| Help! | کمک! | Komak! | koh-MAK |
| Where is...? | ...کجاست؟ | ...Kojast? | koh-JAH-st |
| How much? | چقدر است? | Cheghadr ast? | cheh-GHAH-dr ahst |
| Water | آب | Ab | ahb |
| Food | غذا | Ghaza | ghah-ZAH |
| Hospital/Doctor | بیمارستان / دکتر | Bimarestan / Doktor | bee-mah-res-TAHN / dok-TOR |
| Police | پلیس | Polis | poh-LEES |
Numbers 1–10: یک، دو، سه، چهار، پنج، شش، هفت، هشت، نه، ده yek, do, se, chahar, panj, shesh, haft, hasht, noh, dah
23. Tagalog/Filipino
Spoken by: ~90 million in the Philippines.
| Phrase | Tagalog | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Kamusta / Mabuhay | kah-MOO-stah / mah-BOO-hay |
| Goodbye | Paalam | pah-AH-lahm |
| Please | Pakiusap / Please | pah-kee-OO-sahp |
| Thank you | Salamat | sah-LAH-maht |
| Yes | Oo / Oho | oh-OH / oh-HOH |
| No | Hindi | HEEN-dee |
| Excuse me | Excuse me / Pasensya na | pah-SEN-syah nah |
| I don't understand | Hindi ko naiintindihan | HEEN-dee koh nah-een-teen-dee-HAHN |
| Do you speak English? | Nagsasalita ka ba ng Ingles? | nahg-sah-sah-LEE-tah kah bah nang ING-gles |
| Help! | Saklolo! / Tulong! | sahk-LOH-loh / TOO-long |
| Where is...? | Nasaan ang...? | nah-sah-AHN ahng |
| How much? | Magkano? | mahg-KAH-noh |
| Water | Tubig | TOO-big |
| Food | Pagkain | pahg-kah-EEN |
| Hospital/Doctor | Ospital / Doktor | os-pee-TAHL / dok-TOR |
| Police | Pulis | POO-lees |
Numbers 1–10: isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima, anim, pito, walo, siyam, sampu (ee-SAH, dah-LAH-wah, TAHT-loh, ah-PAHT, LEE-mah, ah-NEEM, PEE-toh, WAH-loh, SYAHM, SAHM-poo)
24. Czech
Spoken by: ~11 million in Czech Republic.
| Phrase | Czech | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Ahoj / Dobrý den | ah-HOY / DOH-bree den |
| Goodbye | Na shledanou | nah SKHLEH-dah-noh |
| Please | Prosím | PROH-seem |
| Thank you | Děkuji | DYEH-koo-yee |
| Yes | Ano | AH-noh |
| No | Ne | neh |
| Excuse me | Promiňte / Pardon | PROH-min-teh / par-DON |
| I don't understand | Nerozumím | neh-ROH-zoo-meem |
| Do you speak English? | Mluvíte anglicky? | mloo-VEE-teh AHN-glits-ky |
| Help! | Pomoc! | POH-mots |
| Where is...? | Kde je...? | gdeh yeh |
| How much? | Kolik to stojí? | KOH-lik toh STOH-yee |
| Water | Voda | VOH-dah |
| Food | Jídlo | YEED-loh |
| Hospital/Doctor | Nemocnice / Lékař | neh-MOTS-nit-seh / LEH-karzh |
| Police | Policie | POH-lits-yeh |
Numbers 1–10: jedna, dvě, tři, čtyři, pět, šest, sedm, osm, devět, deset (YED-nah, dvyeh, tshee, CHTEE-shee, pyet, shest, SEH-dm, ohsm, DEH-vyet, DEH-set)
25. Hungarian
Spoken by: ~13 million in Hungary, Romania, Slovakia.
| Phrase | Hungarian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Helló / Jó napot | HEL-loh / yoh NAH-pot |
| Goodbye | Viszontlátásra | VEE-sont-lah-TAHSH-rah |
| Please | Kérem | KAY-rem |
| Thank you | Köszönöm | KUH-suh-nuhm |
| Yes | Igen | EE-gen |
| No | Nem | nem |
| Excuse me | Elnézést | EL-nay-zaysht |
| I don't understand | Nem értem | nem AYR-tem |
| Do you speak English? | Beszél angolul? | BEH-sayl ON-go-lool |
| Help! | Segítség! | SHEH-geet-shayg |
| Where is...? | Hol van...? | hol vahn |
| How much? | Mennyibe kerül? | MEN-nyee-beh KEH-rool |
| Water | Víz | veez |
| Food | Étel / Kaja | AY-tel / KAH-yah |
| Hospital/Doctor | Kórház / Orvos | KOR-hahz / OR-vosh |
| Police | Rendőrség | REN-dur-shayg |
Numbers 1–10: egy, kettő, három, négy, öt, hat, hét, nyolc, kilenc, tíz (ej, KET-tuh, HAH-rom, nayj, uht, hot, hayt, nyolts, KEE-lents, teez)
26. Romanian
Spoken by: ~24 million in Romania, Moldova.
| Phrase | Romanian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bună / Salut | BOO-nuh / sah-LOOT |
| Goodbye | La revedere | lah reh-veh-DEH-reh |
| Please | Vă rog | vuh rog |
| Thank you | Mulțumesc | mool-tsoo-MESK |
| Yes | Da | dah |
| No | Nu | noo |
| Excuse me | Scuzați / Pardon | skoo-ZAH-tsee / par-DON |
| I don't understand | Nu înțeleg | noo uhn-TSEH-leg |
| Do you speak English? | Vorbiți engleză? | vor-BEETS en-GLEH-zuh |
| Help! | Ajutor! | ah-zhoo-TOR |
| Where is...? | Unde este...? | OON-deh ES-teh |
| How much? | Cât costă? | kuht KOS-tuh |
| Water | Apă | AH-puh |
| Food | Mâncare | muhn-KAH-reh |
| Hospital/Doctor | Spital / Doctor | spee-TAHL / dok-TOR |
| Police | Poliție | poh-LEET-syeh |
Numbers 1–10: unu, doi, trei, patru, cinci, șase, șapte, opt, nouă, zece (OO-noo, doy, tray, PAH-troo, chinch, SHAH-seh, SHAHP-teh, opt, NOH-uh, ZEH-cheh)
27. Finnish
Spoken by: ~5 million in Finland.
| Phrase | Finnish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hei / Moi | hey / moy |
| Goodbye | Näkemiin / Moikka | NAH-keh-meen / MOY-kah |
| Please | Ole hyvä / Kiitos (also means please in context) | OH-leh HOO-vuh / KEE-tos |
| Thank you | Kiitos | KEE-tos |
| Yes | Kyllä / Joo | KUL-luh / yoh |
| No | Ei | ay |
| Excuse me | Anteeksi | AHN-tayk-see |
| I don't understand | En ymmärrä | en OOM-mur-ruh |
| Do you speak English? | Puhutko englantia? | POO-hoot-koh ENG-lahn-tee-ah |
| Help! | Apua! | AH-poo-ah |
| Where is...? | Missä on...? | MEES-suh on |
| How much? | Paljonko maksaa? | PAHL-yon-koh MAK-sah |
| Water | Vesi | VEH-see |
| Food | Ruoka | ROO-oh-kah |
| Hospital/Doctor | Sairaala / Lääkäri | SAI-rah-ah-lah / LAH-kuh-ree |
| Police | Poliisi | POH-lee-see |
Numbers 1–10: yksi, kaksi, kolme, neljä, viisi, kuusi, seitsemän, kahdeksan, yhdeksän, kymmenen (OOK-see, KAK-see, KOL-meh, NEL-yuh, VEE-see, KOO-see, SAYT-seh-muhn, KAH-dek-san, OO-dek-suhn, KOOM-meh-nen)
28. Norwegian
Spoken by: ~5 million in Norway.
| Phrase | Norwegian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hei / God dag | hey / goo dahg |
| Goodbye | Ha det / Adjø | hah deh / ah-YUH |
| Please | Vær så snill / Takk | vair saw sneel / tahk |
| Thank you | Takk | tahk |
| Yes | Ja | yah |
| No | Nei | nay |
| Excuse me | Unnskyld | OON-shuld |
| I don't understand | Jeg forstår ikke | yay for-STAWR IK-keh |
| Do you speak English? | Snakker du engelsk? | SNAK-ker doo ENG-elsk |
| Help! | Hjelp! | yelp |
| Where is...? | Hvor er...? | vor air |
| How much? | Hvor mye koster det? | vor MEE-eh KOS-ter deh |
| Water | Vann | vahn |
| Food | Mat | maht |
| Hospital/Doctor | Sykehus / Lege | SEE-keh-hoos / LEH-geh |
| Police | Politi | poh-lee-TEE |
Numbers 1–10: en/ett, to, tre, fire, fem, seks, syv, åtte, ni, ti (en/et, toh, treh, FEE-reh, fem, seks, suv, OH-teh, nee, tee)
29. Danish
Spoken by: ~6 million in Denmark.
| Phrase | Danish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hej / God dag | hi / goh dah |
| Goodbye | Farvel / Hej hej | far-VEL / hi hi |
| Please | Vær venlig / Tak | vair VEN-lee / tahg |
| Thank you | Tak | tahg |
| Yes | Ja | yah |
| No | Nej | nay |
| Excuse me | Undskyld | OON-skool |
| I don't understand | Jeg forstår det ikke | yay for-STAWR deh IK-keh |
| Do you speak English? | Taler du engelsk? | TAH-ler doo ENG-elsk |
| Help! | Hjælp! | yelb |
| Where is...? | Hvor er...? | vor air |
| How much? | Hvor meget koster det? | vor MY-et KOS-ter deh |
| Water | Vand | vahn |
| Food | Mad | mahd |
| Hospital/Doctor | Sygehus / Læge | SEE-eh-hoos / LEH-eh |
| Police | Politi | poh-lee-TEE |
Numbers 1–10: en, to, tre, fire, fem, seks, syv, otte, ni, ti (en, toh, treh, FEE-reh, fem, seks, suv, OH-deh, nee, tee)
30. Urdu
Spoken by: ~230 million in Pakistan, India.
| Phrase | Urdu (Script) | Romanization | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | السلام علیکم | As-salamu alaykum | as-sah-LAH-moo ah-LAY-koom |
| Goodbye | خدا حافظ | Khuda hafiz | khoo-DAH HAH-fiz |
| Please | برائے مہربانی | Baraye meherbani | bah-RAH-yeh meh-her-BAH-nee |
| Thank you | شکریہ | Shukriya | shook-REE-yah |
| Yes | ہاں | Haan | hahn |
| No | نہیں | Nahin | nah-HEEN |
| Excuse me | معاف کیجیے | Maaf kijiye | mahf KEE-jee-yeh |
| I don't understand | مجھے سمجھ نہیں آئی | Mujhe samajh nahin aayi | moo-JHEH sah-MAHJ nah-HEEN ah-ee |
| Do you speak English? | کیا آپ انگریزی بولتے ہیں؟ | Kya aap Angrezi bolte hain? | kyah ahp ahn-GRAY-zee BOL-teh hayn |
| Help! | مدد! | Madad! | mah-DAD |
| Where is...? | ...کہاں ہے؟ | ...Kahan hai? | kah-HAHN hay |
| How much? | کتنے کا ہے؟ | Kitne ka hai? | KIT-neh kah hay |
| Water | پانی | Pani | PAH-nee |
| Food | کھانا | Khana | KHAH-nah |
| Hospital/Doctor | اسپتال / ڈاکٹر | Aspatal / Doctor | as-pah-TAHL / dok-TOR |
| Police | پولیس | Police | poh-LEES |
Numbers 1–10: ایک، دو، تین، چار، پانچ، چھ، سات، آٹھ، نو، دس ek, do, teen, char, paanch, chheh, saat, aath, nau, das
Universal Tips for Cross-Language Communication
When all else fails: 1. Slow down — faster doesn't help; clearer does 2. Point — gesture toward what you need 3. Write it — show your phone with the phrase 4. Smile and apologize — goodwill crosses every border 5. Learn the local greeting first — it signals respect 6. Numbers are universal — hold up fingers; show prices on a calculator
Emergency strategy: In any country, "hospital," "police," and "doctor" are often understood in their local near-cognate form, or you can show this guide.
Cultural note: Greetings matter enormously. A heartfelt namaste, a proper Guten Tag, or an As-salamu alaykum in the right context opens doors that no amount of fluent second-language grammar can. Lead with respect.
Part of The Observatory Almanac — Language & Communication section