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Travel Question – What Phrases Do You Use Most While Traveling?

Posted by on July 1, 2010 .

Travel Question – What Phrases Do You Use Most While Traveling?

This week we received a question from Hannah – Hey guys! I’ve got a question of the week for you – What phrases have you used the most when traveling?

Hey Hannah! Good question. It makes me think back on when we moved to Switzerland last winter.

The little village we went to spoke a very rare language that we didn’t understand at all, and Swiss German was complicated – especially since we didn’t speak any German what so ever.

We learned a few basic phrases the first week, and only that made it so much easier. I started mixing German, English and Swedish and got my message through fine.

When traveling we became so aware of how important it is with body language, especially when one gesture can mean two different things depending on where you are..!

We have some fun memories of interacting with people using purely body language. We probably look ridiculous, but it works and you can both understand – mostly…

I think we use our body language a lot when we communicate with people, but we try to learn the basic phrases when going somewhere, or at least some words.

We will make sure to write them down on a piece of paper / notebook and keep it in our pocket.

You will find these phrases in our travel notebook:

  • How Much?
  • Hello
  • Bye
  • Excuse me
  • Goodnight
  • Where is …?
  • I would like that one
  • No
  • Thank you
  • Beautiful/Nice

Knowing these words you can create some sentences, maybe they’re not always correct but you will get the message across: Hello! I would like that one – no, THAT one… How much is it? OK, thank you – bye!

But in the end, a honest big smile goes a long way… What phrases do you find yourself using the most when traveling?

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  • DavenDeb

    I love this series. I think that you came up with all the right phrases. It is late where I am so I am going to have to think about others and get back to you.

  • http://www.wanderlass.com wanderlass

    i find out how to say “it's expensive!” to make fun of the local sellers especially in the market place. :)

    what i carry with me on my travels specially to countries where English is difficult like Japan or Thailand is [Point it: Traveller Language Kit]. Its a picture dictionary that has many things you may need: from fork to a hospital to a telephone booth. this was introduced to me by a couchsurfer i hosted a couple of years back.

  • Sofia

    Oh yeah I totally forgot about that one, being able to say “it's expensive” is like you say really good when bargaining, I often find that they treat you differently after that :)

    A picture dictionary, sound interesting! Does it work for building sentences as well, or do you have to be very 'creative' to make a sentence of the pictures? ;)

    Thanks for sharing your tips!

  • GavS

    If you're doing Oz East Coast (to fellow travellers)…

    “So, you going up or down?”

    • Sofia

      Haha I heard that one quite a few times :P

  • http://twitter.com/RunawayJuno Jiyeon Juno Kim

    I guess, “Hello I'm Juno. Nice to meet you”. in the hostel..mostly. :-)
    Well English is not my strong point so I struggle sometimes but that's okay. I got Body Language! :D
    Nice question and article Nathan & Sofia! :)

    • Sofia

      Thanks Juno!
      Body language is often all you really need, it’s the universal language! It’s amazing how much you can actually say by just using your body language, I think it would be great if we all practiced it more often :)

  • http://www.MyBeautifulAdventures.com/ GlobalButterfly

    Smiles are a must when traveling!!! I also think it's really sad and rude if a traveler doesn't at least learn “hello” and “thanks” in the language of the country they're in. I don't care how much you suck at languages. It's about respect!

    • Sofia

      I agree Andi, learning those two words are the least you can do to show respect and interest in the people, their culture and country.
      Smiling, however, takes you a looooong way ;)

  • http://www.woodruffinns.com/luray-va-bed-and-breakfast-rivercabin.htm Honeymoon Bed Breakfast

    It’s expensive, leave it. Try some other thing. These are some common phrases I use while on traveling.

    • Sofia

      Yeah that’s true, “it’s expensive” is a common phrase I use too, or “that’s too much”. Thanks for sharing your phrases!