Are you a travel vlogger? Or are you a globetrotter? If travelling interests you a lot, you might have come across situations where you failed to express that you were just hungry and needed a bowl of hot soup. Or the times when you wished to compliment a person, only to end up saying something that means nothing, or something so bad that you somehow managed to run from the situation.
Well, having wanderlust myself, I know how it feels to be unheard or misunderstood. But recently, when watching “Can This Love Be Translated?” I realised that people might not be multilingual like Joo Ho-jin, but can learn a few sentences like Hiro Kurosawa, so we can at least communicate a little.
So, let’s begin!
The Art of Greeting
When we reach a place or visit a Latin country, the first thing we look up or translate online using our not-so-personal PAPAGO is How Are You in Spanish. While the translation is simple, “¿Cómo estás?” Our pronunciation might fall off. So, we all need to practice speaking a few more sentences.
Now, if you are travelling to Australia, you will need the simple “How are you?” in English. But if you do not wish to sound too formal or robotic, then you need to expand your vocabulary.
Essential English Greetings:
- ‘How’s it going?’ – The standard, friendly casual greeting.
- ‘What’s up?’ – Very informal, best for making friends at a hostel.
- ‘How are things?’ – A warm way to ask someone about their life.”
Essential Spanish Greetings:
- ‘Hola’ (Hello/Hi) – The universal greeting. It works in almost every situation, whether you are entering a shop or meeting a friend.
- ‘¿Cómo estás?’ (How are you?) – The standard question travellers usually look for when searching for ” How Are You in Spanish. It is polite and commonly used.
- ‘¿Qué tal?’ (What’s up?) – A more casual alternative. You will hear this often among friends or in relaxed settings; it’s similar to saying “How’s it going?”
- ‘Buenos días’ (Good morning) – A polite way to greet shopkeepers or hotel staff before noon. Showing this extra bit of effort goes a long way.
Mastering Gratitude and Respect
Once you have greeted someone, the next important thing is to learn how to show gratitude properly. If you are backpacking through Southeast Asia, you must know how to say Thank You in Thai, Japanese, or Korean. Furthermore, in these countries, you need to learn the gestures that are integral to communication. Therefore, you must learn to bow and say “Khop Khun Khrup/Ka” because you know respect opens doors.
Essential English Gratitude Phrases:
- ‘I really appreciate it.’ – Use this when someone goes out of their way to help you (like carrying your luggage).
- ‘That’s very kind of you.’ – A polite, slightly formal way to thank a stranger.
- ‘Cheers!’ – If you are travelling in the UK or Australia, use this for small interactions like getting a coffee.
Essential Thai Gratitude Phrases:
- ‘Khop Khun Khrup/Ka’ (Thank you) – The standard thank you. Use Khrup if you are male and Ka if you are female.
- ‘Khop Khun Mak’ (Thank you very much) – Use this when someone has been incredibly helpful.
- ‘Mai Pen Rai’ (You’re welcome / No worries) – The Thai philosophy of “it’s okay.” It’s the equivalent of “No problem.”
Dining and Ordering without Being Rude
Remember the scenarios mentioned in the beginning about the time when you failed to communicate about your hunger? Well, statistics show that more than 34% of people misinterpret words and phrases at the dining table. Therefore, dining tables around the world have witnessed numerous linguistic mishaps.
For instance, if you are thirsty and say, “I want water”, people might think of you as a toddler. Instead, use could, would, and please to sound like a gentleman!
Essential English Dining Phrases:
- ‘Could I please have…?’ – The gold standard for ordering. Never say “I want,” instead, say “I would like” or “Could I have.”
- ‘Do you have any recommendations?’ – A great phrase to start a conversation with the server and find the best local dishes.
- ‘Could we get the bill, please?’ – In the US, ask for the “check.” In the UK, Australia, and most of Europe, ask for the “bill.”
Essential French Dining Phrases:
If you are visiting the culinary capital of the world, a little French goes a long way. Waiters in Paris appreciate effort more than perfection.
- ‘Une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît’ (A table for two, please) – Always wait to be seated; never just walk in and sit down.
- ‘L’addition, s’il vous plaît’ (The bill, please) – Crucial to know, as French waiters will rarely bring the bill until you ask for it, considering it rude to rush you.
- ‘Bon appétit’ (Enjoy your meal) – You will hear this everywhere. It is polite to say it to your dining companions before you start eating.
Handling Misunderstandings
Even after knowing these phrases, you might end up in an unfavourable situation. That might happen because your accent is thick, or maybe because you messed up your tone. In tonal languages like Chinese and Thai, tonal confusion often leads to misunderstandings. In these scenarios, the worst thing you can do is nod and pretend you understand and board a bus to the wrong city.
For instance, in English, if you need people to repeat something, you should say more than just “What?” because that sounds aggressive. Therefore, you need to learn a few phrases to buy yourself some time.
Essential English Phrases for Clarity:
- ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.’ – The polite way to say “I didn’t hear you.” It puts the blame on you, not their speaking skills, which is more polite.
- ‘Could you speak a little slower, please?’ – Essential when dealing with fast-talking locals or complex directions.
- ‘Does anyone here speak English?’ – Your emergency parachute. Use this when you have completely hit a wall.
Essential Japanese Phrases for Misunderstandings:
- ‘Sumimasen’ (Excuse me / I’m sorry) – This is the Swiss Army Knife of Japanese phrases. Use it to apologise for not understanding or to get someone’s attention before asking for help.
- ‘Wakarimasen’ (I don’t understand) – Say this clearly if you are lost in the conversation. It saves time for both parties.
- ‘Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?’ (Do you speak English?) – A polite way to switch the channel. Most Japanese people will appreciate it if you ask in Japanese first, then switch to English.
Conclusion
Travelling is more than just exploring new places; it’s about connecting with people from around the world and embracing their cultures and languages. While learning a phrase does not mean learning a complete language, it is a good start! Though you can always depend on translation apps like Papago or Google Translate, nothing beats the effort of a person who tries to speak a native language, showing love and respect for the people.
Until you become a polyglot, pack your bags, practice your “Could I please,” and get ready to explore. Happy travels!
