List of common phrases in various languages

(Redirected from Common phrases in different languages)

Categories: Language comparison | Lists of phrases

For other specific lists of common phrases, see Common phrases (disambiguation)

This is a list of common phrases in various languages, for a general overview of ten to fifteen basic phrases in all of the major world languages, and certain interesting minor ones.

Tourists to a foreign country often get along with a surprisingly short list of phrases, combined with pointing, miming, and writing down numbers on paper. This list is intended to serve as a comprehensive basic introduction to those languages.

Note: The language family of each language is listed in parentheses.


Contents

[edit]

English (Germanic)

As a sample, here's English, according to British Received Pronunciation, followed by Standard American English, if different:

Translation Phrase IPA
English English /ˈɪŋ.glɪʃ/
hello hello UK /hɛˈləʊ/

US /hɛˈloʊ/

good-bye good-bye /ˌgʊdˈbaɪ/
please please /pliːz/
thank you: thank you /ˈθæŋk juː/
sorry sorry Canada /ˈsoːɹi/
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/
[edit]

Armenian (Armenian)

Phrase Translation
Ayo Yes
Votch No
Shenorhagal em Thank you
Pari yegar You're welcome
Hadjiss Please
Neroghoutioun Excuse me
Parev Hello
Menak parov Goodbye
[edit]

Afrikaans (Germanic)

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 jammer /jaɪ mer/
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/
[edit]

Albanian (Albanian)

Translation Phrase IPA Pronunciation Sound
Albanian shqip /ʃkʲip/ (shkEEp) (listen)
hello tungjatjeta (abbrev. tung) /tungʲatjɛta/ (tUhn-ngIAt-IEta) (listen)
good-bye mirupafshim /mirupafʃim/ (mEEr-Uh-oA-fshEEm) (listen)
please ju lutem /ju lutɛm/ (iU LU-tehm) (listen)
thank you faleminderit /faʟɛmindɛrit/ (fAh-leh-mEE-nde-rEEt) (listen)
that one atë /atə/ (ATEH) (listen)
how much? sa është? /sa əʃtə/ (sAh ush-te) (listen)
English anglisht /angliʃt/ (ahn-GLEE-sht) (listen)
yes po /po/ (POE) (listen)
no jo /jo/ (IOH) (listen)
sorry më fal /mə fal/ (mUh FAL) (listen)
I don't understand nuk kuptoj /nuk kuptoj/ (nUhk KUP-toi) (listen)
where's the bathroom? ku është banjoja? /ku əʃtə baɲoja/ (kuh ush-tEh bA-nio-jA) (listen)
generic toast gëzuar /gəzuar/ (gUh-zuh-ar) (listen)
Do you speak English? flisni Anglisht? /flisni angliʃt/ (flee-snEE ahn-GLEE-sht) (listen)
Note: All the above sounds are in the Ogg Vorbis format.
[edit]

Arabic (Semitic)

See also: List of Islamic terms in Arabic 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'beeya)
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/ ('Shukran)
That one ذلك /ˈðalika/ ('Dalika)
How much? كمْ؟ /kam/ (kam)
English الإنجليزيّة /alʔinʤliˈzeeya/ (formal),
/alʔinkliˈzeeya/ (colloquial)
Yes نعم /ˈnaʕam/ ('na-am)
No لا /laː/ (la:)
Where's the bathroom? أين الحمّام؟ /ʔejnalħamˈmaːm/ (eina-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'laykum)
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؟ /biˈxerrin, alˈħamdu lilˁˈlˁahi. waˈkejfa ʔint/ (bi'xejrin, al'Hamdu lil/'l/ahi. wa'kejfa int)
[edit]

Bengali (Indo-Aryan)

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?
[edit]

Basque

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/
[edit]

Belarusian (Slavic)

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)
[edit]

Bosnian (Slavic)

Translation Phrase Pronunciation
Bosnian Bosanski(Bos-aHn-skee)
hello zdravo
good-bye doviđenja (Doh-vidge-eH-Nya)
please molim (moh-lIm)
Thank You hvala(Hh-vaa-laa)
sorry oprostite(Oh-prost-it-eh)
that one to, taj(t-oh)/(t-eye)
how much koliko?(Kol-ihk-oh)
English engleski(ehn-glesk-eeh)
yes da(daah)
no ne(Neh)
I don't understand ne razumijem(Neh raaz-uhm-ihy-yehm)
Where is the bathroom gdje je toalet?(g-dee-yeh yeh veh-ceh)
generic toast na zdravlje (to our health)
Do you speak English govorite li engleski?(goh-voh-rih-te ehn-gleh-skee)
[edit]

Breton (Celtic)

Translation Phrase IPA
Breton: Brezhoneg /"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/
[edit]

Bulgarian (Slavic)

Translation Phrase IPA Pronunciation Remarks
hello здравей /ˈzdravɛj/
hello здрасти /ˈzdrasti/ informal
good morning Добро утро /ˈdɔbrɔ ˈutrɔ/
good day Добър ден /ˈdɔbər dɛn/
good evening Добър вечер /ˈdɔbər ˈvɛtʃer/
good night Лека нощ /ˈlɛka nɔʃt/
goodbye Довиждане /dɔviˈʒdanɛ/
how are you? Как си? /ˈkak si/
I'm fine Добре съм /ˈdɔbrɛ səm/
Where is the toilet? Къде е тоалетната? /kədɛ ɛ tɔaˈlɛtnata/
all the best Всичко най-хубаво /vˈsitʃkɔ nai-xubˈavɔ/
regards Поздрави /pɔzdraˈvi/
thank you Благодаря /blagɔdaˈrʲa/
happy birthday Честит рожден ден! /tʃɛˈstit rɔʒdˈɛn dɛn/
Bulgarian language Български език /bəlgˈarski ɛˈzik/
yes да /da/
no не /nɛ/
of course разбира се /razˈbira sɛ/
Please, enter! Влезте, моля! /ˈvlɛztɛ ˈmɔʎa/ formal (2nd p. plural)
Enter! Влез! /vlɛz/ informal (2nd p. singular)
[edit]

Catalan (Romance)

Translation Phrase IPA
Catalan: català, valencià /kətəˈlɑ/, /və'łensiɑ/
hello: hola /ˈɔlə/
good-bye: adéu /əˈðɛw/
please: si us plau, sisplau /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 lavabo? /ˈonˈezəlˈβaɲ/; /ˈonˈezəlˈləˈβɑβu/
generic toast: Salut! /səˈlut/
Do you speak English?: Que parleu anglès? (formal), Que parles anglès? (informal) /kə ˈpɑrlə ənˈglɛs/
Do you speak Catalan?: Que parleu català? (formal), Que parles català? (informal) /kə ˈpɑrlə kətəˈlɑ/
[edit]

Chinese languages

[edit]

Chinese, Cantonese (Sinitic)

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, does 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 "want" or "not want."

[edit]

Chinese, Mandarin (Sinitic)

Note || Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language. 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 when)
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)
[edit]

Usage Notes

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
[edit]

Chinese, Shanghainese (Sinitic)

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/
********** 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.

[edit]

Taiwanese (Sinitic)

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? Note: This greeting came about at a time when most of Taiwan was in poverty, so to say that one has had enough to eat would be to imply that the person is "doing well".)
goodbye 平安 pêng-an (literally, Peace, can also be used as a greeting; 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 sit-le
embarrassed 失禮 pháiⁿ-sè (often used in response when offered/given something by a host)
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?
[edit]

Croatian (Slavic)

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?
[edit]

Czech (Slavic)

Translation Phrase Pronunciation IPA Remarks
Czech Česky CHEHskee /'ʧɛski/
Czech republic Česká republika CHEHskah REHpublikah
hello dobrý den DObree den /'dobriː dɛn/ Literal translation: Good day
good-bye na shledanou na sKHLEdanow /na 'sxlɛdanou/ Literal translation: Until we see each other again
please prosím PROseem /'prosiːm/ Literal translation: I beg
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/ Sometimes shortened to no (!)
no ne /ne/
sorry promiňte /promiɲte/ Literal translation: Forgive
generic toast Na zdraví /na zdraviː/ Literal translation: To health
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/
[edit]

Danish (Germanic)

Translation Phrase Pronunciation Remarks
Danish dansk dansk ▶(?)
hello hej hi ▶(?)
good-bye farvel fah-vel ▶(?)
please 1 (Be understood. A matter of course, if not Vær så venlig ▶(?))
thank you tak tack ▶(?)
that one denne her DEN-neh haer ▶(?)
how much? hvor meget? vo MY-it ▶(?)
English engelsk ENG-uhlsk ▶(?)
yes ja ya ▶(?)
no nej nigh ▶(?)
may I take your (sg) picture? Må jeg tage et billede af dig?Mo yigh tay-eh it bill-eth-e a die ▶(?)
may I take your (pl) picture? Må jeg tage et billede af jer?Mo yigh tay-eh it bill-eth-e a yer ▶(?)
where is the bathroom? Hvor er toilettet?vo er toilettet ▶(?)IPA: /toiˈlet/
where do you come from? Hvor kommer du fra?voor comma doo fra ▶(?)
do you speak English? Taler du engelsk?tahler doo eng-elsk ▶(?)
generic toast skålskol ▶(?)
I don't understand Jeg forstår ikkeyigh for-stoh ik-eh ▶(?)
sorry UndskyldListen ▶(?)
excuse me Undskyld migListen ▶(?)
[edit]

Usage Notes

  1. No word directly corresponds to the word "please". Danish and Finnish express the concept of politeness in a request in various ways.) One way is to smile while asking for something, another is to add tak (thank you) to the end of the question: "kan jeg få noget mere at drikke, tak", although this is more of an anglicised form of Danish.
[edit]

Dutch (Germanic)

Translation Phrase IPA pronunciation
Dutch Nederlands /'nedərlɑns/ (NAY-der-lahnds)
hello hallo /hɑ'lo/ (hah-LOW)
good-bye tot ziens /tɔt 'zins/ (tott-ZEENS)
please alstublieft /ɑlsty'blift/ (AHL-stu-BLEEFT)
thank you dank u wel /dɑŋky'wɛl/ (DAHNK-u-WELL)
I don't understand ik begrijp het niet (Ick beygrayp HETT neat)
that one die /di/ (dee)
how much? hoeveel? /huː'vel/ (who-VEIL)
English Engels /ɛŋəls/ (ENGels)
do you speak English? spreek je Engels? (Spray-k ya ENGels)
yes ja /ja/ (ya)
no nee /ne/ (ney)
I don't know ik weet het niet (Ick way-t HETT neat)
generic toast proost /prost/ (prohw-st)
[edit]

Englisc (Old English) (Germanic)

Translation Phrase IPA Comments
English Englisc /'ɛŋglɪʃ/
hello wes hál
wesaþ hál 		/wɛz haːl/
/'wɛzaθ haːl/; 		to one person
to more than one
good-bye God þé mid síe /gɔd ðeː mɪd 'siə/ Literal: God be with you
please ic bidde /ɪtʃ 'bɪdːə/ or understood; see usage note.
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/
[edit]

Usage Note

No word directly corresponds to the word "please". Old English expressed the concept of politeness in a request in various ways.

[edit]

Esperanto (International Auxiliary Language)

Translation Phrase IPA
hello saluton /sa'luton/
good-bye ĝis revido /ʤis re'vido/
please bonvolu' /bon 'volu/
thank you dankon /'dankon/
you are welcome nedankinde /nedan 'kinde/
that one tiu /'tiu/
how much? kiom /'kiom/
English angla /'angla/
yes jes /jes/
no ne /ne/
I am sorry mi be'daŭras
I do not understand mi ne komprenas /mi ne kom'prenas/
Where is 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 do not speak Esperanto well Pardonu min, mi ne bone parolas Esperanton /par'donu min mi ne 'bone pa'rolas espe'ranton/
I do not know Mi ne scias /mi ne 'sʦias/
[edit]

Estonian (Finno-Ugric)

Translation Phrase IPA Comments
Estonian eesti keel /e:s.ti ke:l/ Stress is usually on 1st syllable.
hello tere /te.re/
good-bye head aega /head.ae.ga/
please palun /pa.lun/
thank you aitäh
tänan 		/ai.tæx/
/tæ.nan/ 		h- is strong like ch in "Loch",
(more formal term, it literally means "I thank you".)
you're welcome palun /pa.lun/
that one see /se:/
how much? kui palju? /kui pal.ju/ "j" is pronounced like "y"
English inglise keel /ing.li.se.ke:l/
yes jah /jax/
no ei
sorry vabandage
vabandust 		/va.ban.da.ge/
/va.ban.dust/
I don't understand Ma ei saa aru /ma ei sa: a.ru/
generic toast (literally "into health" or "for health") terviseks /ter.vi.seks/
Do you speak English? Kas te räägite inglise keelt? /kas te ræ:.gi.te ing.li.se ke:lt/
Where is the bathroom/toilet? Kus on tualett/ WC? /kus on tua.lett/ ve:ts/ve:tse:/
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Häid jõule ja õnnelikku uut aastat! /hæid jøu.le ja øn.ne.lik.ku uut aas.tat/
[edit]

Finnish (Finno-Ugric)

Translation Phrase IPA Pronunciation Sound
Finnish suomi /'suo mi/ (SUE-o-mi) (listen)
hello hyvää päivää /'hyvæː 'pæjvæː/ (hoo-vah pay-vaah) (listen)
päivää /'pæjvæː/ (pay-vaah) (listen)
good-bye näkemiin /'nækemiːn/ (NACK-eh-MEAN) (listen)
please ole hyvä /'ole 'hyvæ/ (ole hoo-vah) (listen)
kiitos /'kiːtos/ (key-tose) (listen)
thank you kiitos /'kiːtos/ (key-tose) (listen)
that one tuo /'tuo/ (to-oh) (listen)
how much? kuinka paljon /'kuinka 'paljon/ (queen-ka pal-yone) (listen)
English englanti /'ɛŋlanti/ (ENG-lan-TEH) (listen)
yes kyllä /'kylːæ/ (kul-lah) (listen)
joo (informal) /'joː/ (yo) (listen)
no ei /ei/ (ey) (listen)
sorry anteeksi /'anteːksi/ (on-take-see) (listen)
I don't understand en ymmärrä /ɛn 'ymːærːæ/ (en oom-mar-ra) (listen)
where is the toilet? missä on vessa? /'misːæ on 'vesːa/ (MIS-sah own VEHS-sah) (listen)
generic toast kippis /'kipːis/ (KIP-pis) (listen)
Do you speak English? puhutteko englantia? /'puhutːeko 'ɛŋlantia/ (poo-hoot-teh-koh eng-lawn-ti-a) (listen)
I don't speak Finnish. en puhu suomea /'en pu-hu suo-mea/ (EN POO-hoo SUO-me-a) (listen)
I don't know en tiedä /ɛn 'tiɛdæ/ (en tee-eh-dah) (listen)
[edit]

French (Romance)

hello|| Je ne sais pas || /ʒə nə sɛ 'pa/ ||("dju neh say PAH")
Translation Phrase IPA Pronunciation
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 je vous en prie ("zhe voo zah(n) pree")
that one cela /səla/ ("suh-LAH")
this one ceci ("suh-SEE")
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
excusez-moi 		/paʁdɔ̃/
/ɛkskyzemwa/ 		("pahr-DO(n)")
("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 toilet? Où sont les toilettes? /u sɔ̃ le twa lɛt/ ("ooh so(n) lay twa-LET)8
generic toast Santé! (literally: "Health!")
Tchin! (familiar) 		/sɑ̃te/
("sahn-TAY")
("tch-IN")
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)
[edit]

Frisian (Germanic)

The translations provided following W: are in West Frisian, those following N: are in North Frisian (Mooring dialect).

Translation Phrase IPA Pronunciation
Frisian W: Frysk
N: Friisk 		/fri.sk/
/fri:sk/ 		(freask)
(freask)
hello W: a goeie
N: moin 		/ɑ gujə/
/mOIn/ 		(ah gooye)
(moin)
good-bye W: oant sjen
N: adjiis 		/ɔnt ʃɛn/
/Adji:s/ 		(ont shen)
(a-jease)
please W: asjeblyft
N: weesegödj 		/ɑʃəbli.ft/
/ve:z&gödj/ 		(ashebleaft)
(veisegud-y)
thank you W: tige tank
N: foole tunk 		/'tiːɣə tɑnk/
/fo:l&tunk/ 		(teaghe tank)
(foughle toonk)
that one W: dy
N: di 		/di/
/dI/ 		(dea)
(dih)
how much? W: hoefolle?
N: hüfoole? 		/hufolə/
/h^fo:l&/ 		(who folle)
(huh foughle)
English W: Ingelsk
N: Aingelsch 		/iŋəlsk/
/&j:ñ&lS/ 		(ingelsk)
(ayngelsh)
yes W: ja
N: joo 		/ja/
/jo:/ 		(yaah)
(yo)
no W: nee
N: nåån 		/ne/
/nO:n/ 		(nay)
(nawn)
where's the bathroom? W: Wêr is hjir it húske?
N: Weer as heer et hüüschen? 		/Wɛːr ɪs jɪrət hy.skə/
/wI:R &s hI:r &t hy.S&n/ 		(where is yirret hewske)
(vere is heret hewshen)
generic toast W: tsjoch
N: sünhäid 		/ʧoX/
/sönhEId/ 		(chokh)
(sun-heyd)
Do you speak English? W: Kinne jo Ingelsk?
N: Koost dü Aingelsch? 		/kɪnə jo. ɪŋəlsk/
/ko:stö &jñ@lS/ 		(kinne yo ingelsk?)
(coastuh ayngelsh)
I don't understand W: Ik begryp it net
N: Ik begrip et ai 		/ɪk bəgri.pət nɛt/
/Ik b&grIp&t&j/ 		(ick begreapet net)
(ick begripet ay)
Sorry W: Pardon
N: Fertrüt me 		/pədɔn/
/ftr^t me/ 		(p'donn)
(f-trut meh)
[edit]

Friulian (Romance)

Translation Phrase IPA Pronunciation
Friulian furlan
hello mandi
good-bye a riviodisi
please par plasê
thank you graziis
that one chel (masculine)
chê (feminine)
how much? trop?
English inglês
yes sì /si/ (see)
no no /no/ (no)
sorry scuse
pardon
I don't understand no ai capît
no capissi
I don't speak Friulian jo no feveli il furlan
where's the bathroom? Dulà isal il bagn?
generic toast vive
cincin
prosit
[edit]

Galician (Romance)

Translation Phrase IPA
Galician: Galego
hello: Ola
good-bye: adeus
please: prégolle, por favor
thank you: graciñas; grazas
sorry: síntoo
that one: aquel (m.); aquela (f.)
how much?: ¿Canto custa?; ¿Canto é?
yes: si /ˈsɪ/
no: non
I don't understand: Non o entendo
Where's the bathroom?: ¿Onde está/queda o baño?; ¿Onde está/queda o lavado?
generic toast: ¡Saúde!
Do you speak English?: ¿Fala vostede inglés? (formal), ¿Falas inglés? (informal) /kə ˈpɑrlə ənˈglɛs/
Do you speak Galician?: ¿Fala vostede galego? (formal), ¿Falas galego? (informal) /kə ˈpɑrlə kətəˈlɑ/
[edit]

Georgian (Caucasian)

Translation Phrase IPA Pronunciation Literal meaning
Georgian ქართული /kartʊli/ (Kartuli)
Hello! გამარჯობა! /gamarʤoba/ (Gamarjoba!) "victory"
How are you? როგორა ხართ? /rɔgɔra xart/ (Rogora khart?)
Good, you? კარგად, შენ? /k'argad ʃɛn/ (K'argad, shen?)
Excuse me! ბოდიში! /bɔdɪʃɪ/ (Bodishi!)
Please თუ შეიძლება /tʊ ʃɛɪʣlɛba/ (Tu Sheidzleba) "if possible"
Welcome კეთილი იყოს თქვენი მობრძანება! /k'ɛtɪlɪ ɪqʼɔs tkvɛnɪ mɔbrʣanɛba/ (Ke'tili iq'os tkveni mobrdzaneba!)
Thank you გმადლობთ! /gmadlɔbt/ (Gmadlobt)
You are welcome არაფრის /araprɪs/ (Arapris) "for nothing"
English ინგლისური /ɪnglɪsʊrɪ/ (Inglisuri)
Do you speak English? ინგლისური იცით? /ɪnglɪsʊrɪ ɪʦɪt/ (Inglisuri itsit?)
I don't speak Georgian ქართული არ ვიცი /kartʊli ar vɪʦɪ/ (Kartuli ar vitsi)
Yes დიახ /dɪax/ (Diakh)
No არა /ara/ (Ara)
Georgia საქართველო /sakartvɛlɔ/ (Sakartvelo)
[edit]

German (Germanic)

Translation Phrase IPA Pronunciation Sound
German Deutsch /dojʧ/ (doytch) (listen)
hello hallo /hə'loː/ (HUL-low) (listen)
good-bye auf Wiedersehen /awf 'viːdəzeːn/ (owf VEE-der-zayn) (listen)
please bitte /'bɪtə/ (BIT-ta) (listen)
thank you danke /'daŋkə/ (DAHNG-keh) (listen)
that one das /dɑs/ (DAHSS) (listen)
how much? wie viel? /vi fiːl/ (vee feel?) (listen)
English Englisch /'ʔɛŋlɪʃ/ (ENG-lish) (listen)
yes ja /ja/ (yah) (listen)
no nein /najn/ (nine) (listen)
where's the bathroom? Wo ist die Toilette? /vo ʔɪst diː toi'lɛtə/ (vo ist dee toy-LET-tuh) (listen)
generic toast prosit
prost 		/pʁo'zit/
/pʁoːst/ 		(PRO-zeet)
(PROAST) 		(listen)
(listen)
Do you speak English? Sprechen Sie Englisch? /'ʃpʁɛçən ziː 'ʔɛŋlɪʃ/ (SHPRAY-khen zee ENG-lish) (listen)
I don't understand Ich verstehe nicht. /ɪç fə'ʃteːə nɪçt/ (eekh fair-SHTAY-uh neekht) (listen)
Sorry Entschuldigung /ʔɛnt'ʃʊldɪgʊŋ/ (ent-SHOOL-dee-goong) (listen)
I don't know Ich weiß es nicht /ɪç vajs ɛs nɪçt/ (eekh vice es neekht)
[edit]

Haitian Creole (Romance)

Translation Phrase
Haitian Ayisyen
hello bonjou
good-bye orevwa
please souple, tanpri
thank you mèsi
yes wi
no non
how much? Konbyen?
Where is the restroom? Kote twalèt la?
[edit]

Hawaiian (Malayo-Polynesian)

Translation Phrase IPA Pronunciation
Hawaiian Hawai`i /oːlelo hawaiʔi/ (ha va ee)
hello aloha /aloha/ (a low ha)
good-bye A hui hou. /ahuihou/ (a hoo-ee hoe)
please e `olu `olu `oe /eʔoluʔoluʔoe/ (ey owe-loo owe-loo owe-ay)
thank you mahalo /mahalo/ (ma ha low)
yes `ae /ʔae/ (ah ay)
no `a`ole /ʔaʔole/ (uh-oh lay)
how much? `ehia? /ʔehia/ (ay hee uh)
Where is the restroom? Aia i hea ka lumi ho`opaupilikia? /aiaiheakalumihoʔopaupilikia/ (ah ee ah ee ka loo mee hoe owe pow pee lee kee uh)
generic toast Ola /ola/ (Oh la)
[edit]

Hebrew (Semitic)

Translation Phrase Transliteration IPA "Yiddish" Pronunciation
Hebrew:עבריתivrit/ɪv'ʁɪt/ivrit
hello/peaceשלוםshalomsholom
good-byeלהתראותlehitraotlehis-roys
nice to meet youנעים מאוד;Na’im Me’od
please/you're welcomeבבקשהbevakasha/&bɛvʌkʌ'ʃʌ/
thank youתודהtoda/&to'dʌ/
thank you very muchתודה רבה;toda raba
that oneאת זהet ze /ɛt zɛ/
how much??כמהkama/&'kʌmʌ/
how much does this cost??כמה זה עולהKama Zeh Oleh?
English:אנגליתanglit /ʌn'glɪt/
yesכןken