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List of common phrases in various languages

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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

As a sample, here's English. Differences between British Received Pronunciation, and Standard American English are labelled accordingly:
Phrase Translation IPA
English English
hello hello UK
US /hɛˈloʊ/
good-bye good-bye
please please UK
US /pliz/
thank you thank you UK
US /ˈθæŋk ju/
that one that one
how much? how much?
yes yes
no no UK
US /noʊ/
sorry sorry UK
US /ˈsɑɹi/
Canada /ˈsoːɹi/
I don’t understand I don’t understand UK
US /aɪ ˈdoʊnt ʌn.dɚˈstænd/
I don't speak English I don't speak English UK
US /aɪ doʊnt spik ˈɪŋglɪʃ/
English English
Do you speak English? Do you speak English? UK
US /du ju spik ˈɪŋglɪʃ/
Where's the bathroom? Where's the bathroom? UK
US /wɛɹz ðə ˈbæθˌɹum/
generic toast Cheers! UK
US /tʃɪɹz/

Translation Phrase IPA
Afrikaans Afrikaans
hello hallo
How are you? hoe gaan dit?
good day goeiedag
good morning goeiemôre
good-bye totsiens
please asseblief
thank you dankie
sorry jammer
that one daardie
how much? hoeveel
yes ja
no nee
I don’t understand ek verstaan nie
I don't speak Afrikaans ek kan nie Afrikaans praat nie
Where's the bathroom? waar is die toilet?
generic toast gesondheid!
English Engels

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

''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 penultimate syllable (i.e., the one preceding the last).

Translation Phrase IPA Pronunciation
Arabic العربيّة (al-ara'beeya)
hello مرحبًا (mar'Haba)
good-bye إلى اللقاء (ila-lli'qa')
goodbye مع السلامة (ma-a ssa'la:ma)
please من فضلك (min 'fad/lak)
thank you شكرًا ('Shukran)
that one ذلك ('Dalika)
How much? كمْ؟ (kam)
English الإنجليزيّة (formal),
/alʔinkliˈzeeya/ (colloquial)
yes نعم ('na-am)
no لا (la:)
Where's the bathroom? أين الحمّام؟ (eina-Ham'ma:m)
What is your name? ما اسمك؟ ('masmuk)
I don’t know لا أعرف (la: 'aarifu)
I don’t understand لا أفهم (la: 'afham)
I don’t remember لا أتذكر (la: ata'Dakkar)
Welcome أهلاً وسهلاً بكم ('ahlan wa'sahlan 'bikum)
I am sick أنا مريض ('ana ma'ri:d/)
Hello السلام عليكم (assa'la:m aa'laykum)
Hello (response), how are you? وعليكم السلام! كيف الحال؟ (wa-a'lejkumu ssa'la:m. kejfa lHa:l)
Fine, and you? بخير، الحمد لله. وكيف أنت؟ (bi'xejrin, al'Hamdu lil/'l/ahi. wa'kejfa int)

Translation Phrase
Arapaho language hinóno'eitíít
hello héébee (man speaking), tous (woman speaking, or a man speaking to a woman)
good-bye heetce'noohobe3en
thank you hohóu
yes hee (man speaking), 'oo (woman speaking)
no hííko
How are you? Kooni'ííni?
Fine. Nii'ííni.
What's happening? Tóotousííni?
Nothing much. Hoowúúni.
What's your name? Hótousíhi'?
...that's my name. ...néé'eesíh'inoo.
I know/understand. Hee'ínowoo.
I don't know/understand. Neihoowóé'in.
Repeat it! Ce'ínihii!

Translation Phrase Transliteration IPA
Armenian Հայերեն Hayeren
hello բարև barev
goodbye ցտեսություն ct'esutyun
please խնդրեմ (2) hadjiss (1)/ khntrem (2)
thank you շնորհակալ եմ shnorhak'al em
that one aniga
how much? kani?
yes այո ayo
no ոչ voch
sorry neroghutiun
I don't understand chem hasgnar
I don't speak Armenian Ես Հայերեն չեմ խոսում։ Yes Hayeren chem khosum.
English ankleren
Do you speak English? ankleren khosum es?
Where's the bathroom? lvatzaran@ ur e?
generic toast Կենացդ՜ K'enacd!

Translation Phrase Transliteration IPA Pronunciation
Avar магIарул мацI maʕarul macʼ mah-AH-rool mahts
Hello! ВорчIами! (to a man)
ЙорчIами! (to a woman)
РорчIами! (to several people) 		Worčʼami!
Yorčʼami!
Rorčʼami! 		/jorˈʧʼami/
/rorˈʧʼami/ 		wor-CHAH-mee!
yor-CHAH-mee!
ror-CHAH-mee!
Good afternoon! Салам гIалейкум! Salam ʕaleykum! sah-LAHM ah-LAY-koom!
Good bye! Къо-мех лъикI! Qʼo-mex łikʼ! kkho-mekh hleek!
Good night! Сордо лъикI! Sordo łikʼ! sor-DOH hleek!
Good morning! Радал лъикI! Radal łikʼ! rah-DAHL hleek!
Welcome! ЛъикI щварав! (to a man)
ЛъикI щварай! (to a woman)
ЛъикI щварал! (to several people) 		Łikʼ ššwaraw!
Łikʼ ššwaray!
Łikʼ ššwaral! 		/ɬikʼ ˈʃːwarai̯/
/ɬikʼ ˈʃːwaral/ 		hleek SHWAH-rahv!
hleek SHWAH-ruy!
hleek SHWAH-rahl!
Sorry. ТIасалъугьа. Tʼasałuha. tah-sah-HLOO-hah.
Thank you. Баркала. Barkala. bar-KAH-lah.
Please... Бегьулеб батани... Behuleb batani... beh-HOO-lep bah-TAH-nee...
yes у u oo
no гьечӀо
гуро 		hečʼo
guro 		/ˈguro/ HEHCH-o
GOO-roh
How are do? Щиб хIал бугеб? Ššib ħal bugeb? sheep hahl BOO-gep?
What's your name? Дуда цIар щиб? Duda cʼar ššib? DOO-dah tsar sheep?
generic toast Сахлъиялда таги! Saxłiyalda tagi! sahkh-LEE-yahl-dah TAH-gee!
Have a good trip! Нух битIаги! Nux bitʼagi! nookh bee-TAH-gee!

The transliteration of the following phrases into the Roman script is discussed in Bengali language.

Translation Phrase IPA Pronunciation Remarks
Hello. [ˈnɔmoʃkaɹ] Assalamu alaikum.
Nômoshkar. 		(Muslims)
(Hindus)
Greetings. Shubhechchha.
How are you? [ˈapni ˈkæmon ˈatʃʰen] (Tumi) kêmon achho?
(Apni) kêmon achhen? 		(informal)
(formal)
(I'm) fine. (Ami) bhalo achhi.
How's it going? Ki khôbor?
That's okay/fine. Ţhik achhe.
Okay. Achchha.
Good-bye. ˈkʰod̪aɦafez]
[ˈnɔmoʃkaɹ] 		Allah/khoda hafez.
Nômoshkar.
See you later. Pôre dêkha hôbe.
Talk to you later. Pôre kôtha hôbe.
See you again. Abar dêkha hôbe.
Please [] Ekţu-
Dôeakore 		(before verbs)
(formal)
Thank you. Dhonnobad.
I'm sorry. Ami khub-i dukkhito.
Forgive me. [ˈmafkoɹben] Maph koro.
Maph korben. 		(informal)
(formal)
English Ingreji
Bengali Bangla
Nice/good Bhalo
Bad [ˈbadʒe] Kharap
Baje
That one Oiţa
How much does this cost? Eiţar dam kôto?
How much does that cost? Oiţar dam kôto?
What is your name? [ˈapnaɹ ˈnam ˈki] Tomar nam ki?
Apnar nam ki? 		(informal)
(formal)
My name is ___. Amar nam ___.
I can’t understand. Ami bujhte parchhi na.
Can you help me? [ˈapni ki ˈamake ˈʃahadʒːo ˈkoɹt̪e ˈpaɹben] Tumi kì amake shahajjo korte parbe?
Apni kì amake shahajjo korte parben? 		(informal)
(formal)
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? [ˈapni ki ˈiŋɹedʒi ˈbol̪t̪e ˈpaɹen] Tumi kì Ingreji bolte paro?
Apni kì Ingreji bolte paren? 		(informal)
(formal)
Could you repeat what you just said? [ˈd̪ɔeakoɹe ˈaɹekbaɹ ˈekţu ˈbolben] (Dôeakore) arekbar ekţu bolbe?
(Dôeakore) arekbar ekţu bolben? 		(informal)
(formal)
Yes. [ˈdʒihæ] Hê.
Ji (hê). 		(informal)
(formal)
No. [ˈdʒina] Na.
Ji na. 		(informal)
(formal)
What? Ki?
How? Kibhabe?

Translation Phrase IPA
Basque Euskara
Hello kaixo
Good-bye agur
Please mesedez
Thank you eskerrik asko
That one hori
How much? zenbat
Yes bai
No ez
English Ingelesa
Do you speak English? Badakizu ingelesez?

Translation Phrase Pronunciation (IPA) Pronunciation (approximate)
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 /ˈtaja/, /ˈtoje/ (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 здароў'е (zuh zduh-ROW-yeh)
Do you speak English? Ці размауляеце па-англійску? (tsee ruz-muw-LYUY-et-eh puh un-GLEE-skoo)

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. However, non-use of the tones will not hinder comprehension for such simple phrases.

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”.

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.

  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” (in casual speech, this can be neglected). 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. Shaking your head in affirmation or negation works as expected, though speakers should ensure they are answering negative questions as literally asked – answering in the negative to “You don’t like him?” would indicate that you do like him.

Note: Chinese characters for Shanghainese are not standardized and are provided for reference only. IPA transcription is for the Middle period of modern Shanghainese (中派上海话), pronunciation of those between 20 and 60 years old.

Unlike Mandarin, Shanghainese actually has the direct “yes” (eh/ei) similar to English.

The Han characters provided below are for reference only. They are not necessarily standard.

  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.

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

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

  • *These are not used nearly as casually in Hindi and Urdu as they are in western languages. कृपया especially is used only in cases of true importance or urgency, and using it otherwise would sound incredibly stilted and formal. Instead, politeness is achieved by proper address and verb forms and body language/tone of voice.

Note: gy (ɟ) is pronounced like in would you; ny (ɲ) like in can you; ö and ő (ø) like in fur; a (ɒ) like in hot; s (ʃ) like in ship; sz (s) like in sun; j (j) like in yes; cs (ʧ) like in chip; é (e) like in eight. The stress is always on the first syllable of the word, although secondary stressing is possible in compound words

Note: Hangul Revised Romanization of Korean See also: Names of Korea

  • Kriol:
  • My name is... I naym... (or) Mee naym...
  • What is your name? Weh yu naym?
  • What's up? Hello (informal) Weh di go aan?
  • Good morning. Good maanin.
  • How are you? Wassup wid yu?
  • Fine, thank you. I Aarait mein.
  • How much does this cost? Humoch dis kaas?
  • What time is it? Weh taim now?
  • I’ve had a wonderful time. I mi have wahn good taim.
  • It doesn’t matter. Ih noh mata.
  • Is that so? Fu chroo?
  • good-bye: “Lata”
  • please: “”
  • thank you: “”
  • that one: “Da one deh”
  • yes: “yeah”
  • no: “”
  • I don’t know: “Me nuh know”
  • Sorry: “”
  • I don’t understand: “I nuh understand”
  • See you tomorrow: “We wah link up tomorrow”
  • What is it?: “Weh dis”
  • Where am I?: “Weh I deh”

Pronunciations are first given in the Ecclesiastical Pronunciation (Based on Italian, and used in some ceremonies by the Catholic church, and usually heard in recordings of classical music). These pronunciations are followed by the classical pronunciation (a reconstruction of how scholars believe the Romans pronounced these expressions)

For example — “of light” lucis /'luʧis/ (LOO-cheess) /'luːkis/ (LOO-kiss), with (LOO-cheess) being the ecclesiastical pronunciation, and (LOO-kiss) how the Romans said lucis.

  • Latvian: Latviešu
  • Hello (informal): Sveiki!
  • Hello (formal): Sveicināti!
  • Good day (formal): Labdien!
  • Good evening: Labvakar!
  • Good morning: Labrīt!
  • Goodbye: Uz redzēšanos!
  • Glad to meet you: Prieks iepazīties!
  • Please: Lūdzu!
  • Thank you: Paldies!
  • Yes: Jā
  • No: Nē
  • Sorry: Atvainojiet!
  • I don’t understand: Es nesaprotu
  • General toast: Priekā!
  • How are you? (formal): Kā jums klājas?
  • How are you? (informal): Kā tev iet?
  • Where's the bathroom?: Kur ir tualete?
  • Do you speak English? (formal): Vai Jūs runājat angliski?
  • Do you speak English? (informal): Vai tu runā angliski?
  • I love you: Es tevi mīlu
  • See you tomorrow: Tiksimies rīt!
  • What is it?: Kas tas ir?
  • Where am I?: Kur es esmu?
  • Where is the closest train station?: Kur atrodas tuvākā vilciena stacija?
  • What time is it?: Cik ir pulkstenis?
  • Happy Birthday: Daudz laimes dzimšanas dienā!
  • Happy New Year: Laimīgu jauno gadu!

  • Lithuanian: Lietuviškai (“lietu'vishkai”)
  • hello: labas (“lA-bas”)
  • goodbye: ate! (“ateh'“)
  • please: prašau(“prashau”)
  • thank you: ačiū (“Ahchjooh”)
  • that one: tas(masculine), ta(feminine)
  • how much?: kiek? (“kjEk”)
  • yes: taip (“taIp”)
  • no: ne (“ne'“)
  • sorry: atsiprašau (“atsiprashau”)
  • what?: ką?
  • I don’t understand: nesuprantu
  • Cheers! (toast): į sveikatą! (“EE sveikAtA!”)
  • Do you speak English?: kalbi angliškai? (informal); ar kalbate angliškai? (formal)
  • I love you: Aš tave myliu
  • Where is (the center) ? Kur yra (centras)?
  • You are a good friend. Tu - geras draugas.

  • Maltese language: Il-lingwa maltija /il lingwa ma:lti:ja/
  • how are you?: kif inti?
  • hello: merħba /merX\ba/
  • good day: bonġu /bondZu:/
  • bye: ċaw /tSaw/, saħħa /saX\X\a/
  • please: jekk jogħġbok /jekk jo:dZbok/
  • thank you: grazzi /grattsi/
  • that one: dak /da:k/
  • how much?: kemm? /kemm/
  • yes: iva /i:va/
  • no: le /le/
  • sorry: jiddispjaċini /jiddispjatSi:ni/
  • I don’t understand: ma nifhimx /ma: nifimS/
  • where is the toilet?: fejn hi l-latrina? /fejn ee la-trina/
  • generic toast: saħħa! /saX\X\a/
  • do you speak English?: titkellem bl-ingliż? /titkellem bliNli:s/
  • Malta is a beautiful island: Malta hija gżira sabiħa /ma:lta i:ja gzi:ra sabi:X\a/

  • Malay language: bahasa Melayu /ba-ha-sa me-la-yu/ or /ba-ha-sə .../
  • hello:
  • *selamat pagi /sə-la-mat pa-gi/ (morning)
  • *selamat tengah hari /... təŋah ha-ri/ (around midday and in the early afternoon)
  • *selamat petang /... pə-taŋ/ (late afternoon)
  • *selamat malam /... ma-lam/ (after dark)
  • good-bye:
  • *selamat tinggal /... tiŋ-gal/ (said by person leaving) (lit., safe living [tinggal has connotations of residence, stay])
  • *selamat jalan /... ʤa-lan/ (said by person staying) (lit., safe travelling)
  • please: tolong /tɔ-lɔŋ/
  • thank you: terima kasih /tə-ri-ma ka-sih/ or /tə-ri-mə .../
  • you're welcome: sama-sama /sa-ma sa-ma/ or /sa-mə sa-mə/
  • that one: itu /i-tʊ/
  • how much?: berapa /bə-ra-pa/
  • English language: Bahasa Inggeris /ba-ha-sa iŋ-gəris/
  • yes: ya /ja/
  • no: tidak /ti-dak/
  • excuse me, sorry: maaf /ma-af/
  • I don’t understand: saya tidak faham /sa-ja ti-dak fa-ham/
  • Can you speak English?: Bolehkah kamu berbahasa Inggeris? /bo-leh-kah ka-.../
  • Where is the toilet?: Di manakah tandas? /di mana-kah tan-das/

  • Maori: Māori /maːoɾi/
  • hello: tēnā koe /teːnaː koe/ (to one person), tēnā kōrua /teːnaː koːɾua/ (to two people), tēnā koutou /teːnaː koutou/
  • good-bye (to those who are staying): e noho rā /e noho ɾaː/
  • good-bye (to those who are leaving): haere rā /haeɾe ɾaː/
  • please: koa /koa/
  • thank you (or “good day” — literally “be well”): kia ora /kia oɾa/
  • how much?: pēhea? /peːhea/
  • yes: ae /ae/
  • no: kaore /kaoɾe/

  • How are you: I be nyaadi
  • See you later: N be nyoo jee la
  • please: Dukare
  • thank you: Abaraka
  • that one: Woo
  • this one: Nying
  • how much?: Jelum?
  • Do you speak English: I ye English kang moy le
  • yes: Haa/Haaday
  • no: Haani

  • Nahuatl: Nawatlahtoli
  • hello: niltse
  • good-bye: nimitsittas
  • thank you: tlasohkamati
  • that one: inon
  • yes: kema (ordinary), kemakatsin (reverential)
  • no: ahmo (ordinary), ahmotsin (reverential)
  • English: Inglestlahtoli
  • Do you speak [English]?: Nitetlahtoa [Inglestlahtoli]?
  • What is your name?: Tlen mo tokatsin?

  • Nigerian pidgin:  
  • hello: How now
  • good-bye: A go dey see yu now
  • please: A beg
  • thank you: Thank yu
  • that one:  
  • how much?:  
  • English: Oyinbo
  • yes: Yes
  • no: No
  • generic toast:  
  • What: wetin
  • Where is the toilet? : Na where toilet de?
  • He/She has left: He don kummot
  • Do you know...?: Yu sabe...?

  • Norwegian: norsk ['nɔʃc] (norsk)
  • Hello: hallo [hɑ'luː]
  • Hi: hei [hæɪ̯]
  • Good-bye: farvel (formal and slightly old-fashioned) [fɑɾ'ʋɛl] (farewell); [hɑːdə.bɾɑ] Ha det bra (a bit less formal); ha det (informal)
  • Please: vær så snill ['ʋæːʃɔ.'snɪl]
  • Thank you: takk [tʰɑk] (tak)
  • That one: den [dɛn] (den) or det [deː] (deh)
  • How much?: hvor mye? [ʋuɾ myːə]
  • English: engelsk ['ɛɲl̩sc]
  • Yes: ja [jɑː] (yah)
  • No: nei [næɪ̯] (nay)
  • Can I take your picture?: kan jeg ta bilde av deg?
  • Where is the bathroom?: hvor er badet/toalettet? (rooms with toilets and rooms with showers/bath tubs can be separated in Norwegian homes, but are usually not)
  • Where do you come from?: hvor kommer du fra?
  • Do you speak English?: snakker du engelsk?
  • Generic toast: skål [skɒːɫ]
  • Where can I find a restaurant?: hvor kan jeg finne en restaurant? [ˌʋuɾ.kʰɑnjæˈfɪnːɛnˌɾɛstʉˈɾɑŋ]
  • Where is the nearest hospital?: hvor er det nærmeste sykehuset?

  • Norwegian: norsk /'nɔʃk/ (norsk)
  • Hello: hallo /hɑ'luː/
  • Hi: hei /hæi/
  • Good-bye: Ha det bra (formal); ha det (informal)
  • Please: ver så snill /'wæːr so snil/
  • Thank you: takk /tɑk/ (takh)
  • That one: han/ho/den /den/ (den) or det /deː/ (deh)
  • How much?: kor mykje?
  • English: engelsk /'eŋelsk/ or /'əŋəlsk/
  • Yes: jau /jɑː/ (yah) or ja
  • No: nei /næj/ (nay)
  • Can I take your picture?: kan eg ta bilete av deg?
  • Where is the bathroom?: kor/kvar er toalettet?
  • Where do you come from?: kor/kvar kjem du frå?
  • Do you speak English?: talar du engelsk?
  • Generic toast: skål /skoːl/
  • Where can I find a restaurant?: kor/kvar kan eg finne ein restaurant?
  • Where is the nearest hospital?: kor/kvar er det nærmaste sjukehuset?

  • O'odham: O'odham ñiok /ɔʔɔtˀm ˈɲiɔk/
  • English: Milga:n ñiok /miɮˈgaːn ˈɲiɔk/
  • hello: Ṣap kaic /ʃap ˈkaiʧ/ (lit. what did you say?)
  • good-bye: Do va ep em ñei /dɔ va ˈəp əm ɲəi/
  • that one: hegai /həgaɪ/
  • yes: ha'u /haʔʊ/
  • no: pi'a /piʔa/

(dialects may vary)

  • Pennsylvania Deutsch: Pennsilfaani(sch)-Deitsch
  • hello: hiya
  • good-bye: bis schpeeder (bis shpayder) Until later
  • please: please
  • thank you: danka schane (dan-key shay-n)
  • that one: da do (da daw)
  • how much: Wie viel (wee feel)
  • English: Englisch
  • yes: Ya
  • no: nee (nay)
  • Can I take your picture?: Kann ich dei Pikder nemme? (can ich (Germanic 'ch' sounds like the H in huge) dye pic-der nay-me)
  • Where is the washroom?: Wu is die Baadschtupp?
  • Sorry I don’t understand you.: Sorry, Ich verschteh dich net.

  • Sardinian: sardu /'sarDu/ “sar-doo”
  • hello: bona die “bon-a dee-a”
  • good-bye: adiosu /a'Djosu/ “ah-dhyohsoo”
  • bye-bye: a nois bider /anois'biDer/ “a-nohss-BI-dere”
  • please: pro pragher /'pro pra'ger/ “pro praw-gare”
  • thank you: gràtzias /'gratsias/ “GRAHSS-yahss”
  • that one: cussu /'kusu/ “KU-hssoo”
  • how much?: cantu /'kantu/ “KAHN-too”
  • English: Ingresu /in'gresu/ “in-GRAY-soo”
  • yes: eia /'eja/
  • no: no /'no/
  • sorry: mi dispraghidu
  • I don’t understand: Non cumprenno
  • I don’t speak Sardinian: Non faeddo su sardu
  • where’s the bathroom?:
  • hello, and generic toast: saludos /sa'luDe/ “saw-LOODHE”

Scots survives in a number of dialects. The North east Central (Fife) pronunciation is marked NeC, North East Scots (Doric) is marked as NE. C ans S for central and southern pronunciatons. The unmarked pronunciations are generally used in most areas. A /t/ between vowels and final is glottalised. This may also occur with a final /d/.

  • Scots: Scots [skots, skOts]
  • hello: awricht [A'rIxt, a'rIxt], NE: whit like [fIt l@ik]
  • good-bye: see ye [si: ji:]
  • thank you: ta [ta:]
  • that one: that ane [C and S Dat jIn, NeC Dat en, at en, NE at in]
  • no: nae [ne:, nQ NE na]
  • yes: ay [AI]
  • sorry: sairy [se:rI]
  • I don’t understand: A dinna unnerstaund [a dIn@ Vn@rstA:n(d), a dIne Vn@rstA:n(d), a dIna Vn@rstA:n(d)]
  • where’s the bathroom?: whaur’s the cludgie? [WA:rz D@ klVdZI,]. NE: whaur’s the chantie [fArz i 'tSVntI]
  • generic toast: cheers! [tSi:rz]
  • Do you speak English?: Dae ye speak English? [de: ji spIk INlIS, NE di: ji spIk INlIS]

  • Gaelic: Gàidhlig (GAH-lick)
  • welcome: fàilte (FAL-tyuh)
  • good-bye: mar sin leibh (mar SHIN laif)
  • please: mas e do thoil e (mah SHEH daw HOL eh)
  • thank you: tapadh leibh (TAH-pah ley)
  • sorry: tha mi duilich (hah mee DOO-leekh)
  • that one: am fear sin (am fer SHIN)
  • how much?: cia mheud (kah VIT)
  • English: Beurla (BYER-luh)
  • yes: 2tha (hah)
  • no: 3chan eil (chan YIL)
  • I don’t understand: chan eil mi a' thuigsinn (khan YIL mee uh TOOK-shin)
  • Where’s the bathroom?: càit a bheil an taigh beag? (KATCH-uh vil an TUH-eeh bik)
  • generic toast: slàinte (SLAN-tyuh)

Ekavian Speech
  • Serbian: српски srpski /srp-skee/ (srpskee)
  • hello: здраво zdravo /zdrA-vO/ (z like in zebra) Literal translation: healthy
  • good morning: добро јутро dobro jutro
  • good afternoon: добар дан dobar dan
  • good evening: добро вече dobro veče
  • good-bye: довиђења doviđenja /dOvidʲɛnʲɑ/ Literal translation: until we see again
  • please: молим molim /mO-lim/ (moleam)
  • thank you: хвала hvala /hvA-la/ Literal translation: praise
  • that one: то to (not as English to)
  • how much?: колико? koliko? /ko-lɛ-ko/ (coleeco, co-, -co => cup)
  • English: енглески engleski /ɛn-glɛ-ski/ (-skee)
  • yes: да da /dA/
  • no: не ne /nɛ/
  • generic toast: живели! živeli! /ʒi-vɛ-li/ (zhiveli) Literal translation: live!
  • sorry: извините izvinite /ezveeneete/ (formal)
  • I don’t understand: не разумем ne razumem /na rAzUmem/
  • Where is [the bathroom (toilet)]?: Где је тоалет? Gde je toalet? /gdɛ jɛ toAlEt/
  • Do you speak English?: Да ли говорите енглески? Da li govorite engleski?

NOTE: adjectives are in masculine singular nominative, if there are two ways of saying something (formal/informal), the formal one is used. Stress is always on the first syllable of the word.

  • Slovak (adjective): slovenský (SLOvenskeee) /slovɛnskiː/
  • Slovak (adverb): po slovensky (POslovenskee) /po slovɛnski/
  • hello: dobrý deň (DObreee dyen) /dobriː ɟɛɲ/ Literal translation: good day
  • good-bye: dovidenia (DOveedyeniya) /doviɟɛɲi̯a/
  • please: prosím (Vás) (PROseeem vaas) /prosiːm vaːs/
  • thank you: ďakujem (Vám) (DYAkooyem vaam) /ɟakujɛm vaːm/
  • that one: tamten (TAMten) /tamtɛn/
  • how much?: koľko (KOlko) /koʎko/
  • English (adjective): anglický (ANglytskeee) /aŋgliʦkiː/
  • English (adverb): po anglicky (POanglytskee) /po aŋgliʦki/
  • yes: áno (AANO) /aːno/
  • no: nie (niye) /ɲi̯ɛ/
  • generic toast: Na zdravie (NAzdravye) /na zdravi̯ɛ/
  • sorry: Prepáčte (PREpaachtye) /prɛpaːʧcɛ/
  • I don’t understand: Nerozumiem /NYerozoomyem/ (ɲɛrozumi̯ɛm/)
  • Where is [the bathroom (toilet)]?: Kde je [záchod]? (KDYE YE ZAA-khod) /gɟɛ jɛ zaːxot/
  • Do you speak [English]?: Hovoríte [po anglicky]? (HOvoreeetye POanglytskee) /hovoriːcɛ po aŋgliʦki/

  • Slovene: slovensko /slɒ'vinskɒ/
  • hello: zdravo /'zdrɑvɒ/ Literal translation: healthy
  • hello: živijo /'ʒɪʊjɒ/
  • good-bye: nasvidenje (also na svidenje) /na'svɪdɛnjɛ/
  • please: prosim /'prɔsim/
  • thank you: hvala /'hvɑla/
  • that one: tisti /'tɪstɪ/ (ti-, -ti => Tibet)
  • how much?: koliko? /'kɔlɪkɒ/ (co-, -co => cup)
  • English: angleško /ɑn'gleʃkɒ/
  • yes: da /dʌ/ (official), ja (colloquial)
  • no: ne /nɛ/
  • generic toast: na zdravje /nɑ zdrɑʊjɛ/ Literal translation: to (our) health

NOTE: For words ending in a vowel or the letters n or s, stress is on the penultimate (next to last) syllable. Words ending in other consonants, especially verbs, are stressed on the last syllable. Exceptions require a written accent. The th [θ] pronunciation is typical of standard Spanish as spoken in most of Spain, and is replaced by the s pronunciation in Latin America and some regions of Spain, such as the Canary Islands.

Usage Note: Greetings in Swahili are a crucial aspect of Swahili culture; it is not uncommon for a conversation to last five minutes before it actually moves beyond saying “Hello”. There is no generic word for “Hello” in the language, rather there are numerous options depending on the relative ages and/or race of the people involved, as well as singular and plural forms. A non-comprehensive list would include “hujambo” (reply “sijambo”) for two people of similar age and race, “jambo” (reply “jambo”) for between white and black people, “Shikamoo” (reply “Marahaba”) for a young person to an elderly person, “Hodi” (reply “Karibu”) when in the doorway of a house. There are additionally numerous informal greetings such as “Mambo”, “Safi”, and many more. Farewells are abrupt or even non-existent.

  • Swahili: Kiswahili /ki swa hi li/ (kee-swa-HEE-lee)
  • hello: Jambo (ja m boh) or (ya m boh)
  • good-bye: kwa heri /kwa he ri/ (kwa HAY-ree)
  • please: tafadhali /ta fa ða li/ (tah-fah-tha-lee)
  • thank you: asante /a san te/ (ah-SAHN-tey)
  • that one: yule /ju le/ (YOO-lay)
  • how much?: ngapi /ŋga pi/ (ng-AH-pee)
  • where?: wapi /wa pi/ (WA-pee)
  • English: Kiingereza /ki iŋge re za/ (kee-ing-reza)
  • yes: ndiyo /n di jo/ (nn-DEE-yoh)
  • no: hapana /ha pa na/
  • generic toast: //
  • no worries: hakuna matata /ha ku na ma ta ta/ (ha-KOO-na ma-TA-ta)

  • Swedish: svenska /'svɛnska/
  • hello: hej /hɛj/ (hey)
  • good-bye: hej då /hɛj doː/ (HEY-doh)
  • please: tack /tak/ (tahck) as in “yes, please” or snälla /'snɛla/ (snella) as in “please, show me to the station” or “var så god” /vaʂɔ'guːd/ (vahr saw gohd) as in “please come in and make yourself at home”
  • excuse me: ursäkta mig /'ʉːʂɛkta mɛj/ or /ʉ'ʂɛkta mɛj/ (uor-SECKTAH may)
  • sorry: förlåt / (ferlawht)
  • thank you: tack /tak/ (tahck)
  • that one: den där /dɛn dæːɾ/ (den dehr)
  • how much?: hur mycket? /hʉːɾ 'mʏkːɛ/ (huwr MICK-eh)
  • English: engelska /'ɛŋːɛlska/ (ENG-el-skah)
  • yes: ja /jɑː/ or /ja/ (yah)
  • no: nej /nɛj/ (neiy)
  • generic toast: skål /skoːl/ (skal or skol)
  • banana: banan /ba'nɑːn/ (buh-NAAN)
  • what time is it?: vad är klockan? /vɑː æ 'klɔkːan/ (vaad air KLAWCK-an)
  • Where's the bathroom?: var är toaletten? /vɑːɾ æ tʊa'lɛtːɛn/ (vahr eyr twah-LET-en)
  • I don’t understand: jag förstår inte /ja fœ'ʂtoːɾ 'ɪntɛ/ (yah fur-SHTOHR in-teh)
  • Do you speak English?: Talar du engelska? /'tɑːlaɾ dʉ 'ɛŋːɛlska/ (TAH-lahr doo ENG-elska) [with NG as in 'siNGer', not as in 'fiNGer']

Note: The polite forms of some phrases — those which make use of the word pô — should generally be used when speaking to persons of authority and seniority, or to show reverence to the person to whom spoken. With friends and in casual situations, pô is not used. Also, in modern written Filipino/Tagalog, diacritical marks are omitted.

Please note that spoken Tamil is very different from formal written Tamil. The above phrases are in written Tamil and thus sound very awkward and stilted when used in everyday speech.

  • äye — yes
  • yuq — no
  • isänme(sez)/sawmı(sız) — hello
  • sälâm — hi
  • saw bul(ığız)/xuş(ığız) — goodbye
  • zínhar öçen — please
  • min — I
  • sin — you
  • ul — he / she / it
  • bez — we
  • sez — you
  • alar — they
  • millät — nation
  • İngliz(çä) — English

  • Telugu: Andhra Bhasha /andʰra bʰaʃa/
  • hello: namaskaaram /namaskaːram/
  • good-bye: Selavu /selavu/
  • please: Daya chesi /daja ʧesi/
  • thank you: Dhanyavadamulu /dʰanjavadamulu/
  • that one: adi /adi/
  • how much?: Enta /enta/
  • English: Aanglam /aːŋlam/
  • yes: Avunu /avunu/
  • no: Kaadu /kaːdu/
  • I don’t understand: Naaku artham kaledhu
  • Where is the bathroom ?: bathroom ekkada ?
  • How are you?: ela Vunnaru ?
  • Language: Basha
  • Where are we going ?: ekkadiki veluthunam ?
  • What, where, why, when, who, how, : enti, ekkada, endhuku, eppudu, evaru, ela

Polite language in Thai requires that a politeness marker be at the end of every phrase. The markers differ according to the gender of the speaker:

  • Pidgin: Tok Pisin
  • hello: gut de
  • good-bye: gut bai
  • please: plis
  • thank you: tenkyu
  • that one: em
  • how much?: haumas
  • English: Inglis
  • yes: yes
  • no: nogat
  • nevermind, it doesn’t matter: maski
  • I don’t know: mi no save (save is two syllables sa-ve)

Note: adjectives have different forms when describing feminine, masculine or neuter nouns.

  • *These are not used nearly as casually in Urdu as they are in western languages.

  • English: Inglés
  • Visayan — Bisayan
  • Hello — helo
  • good-bye — paalam
  • How are you/How you’ve been? — Kumusta (ka na)
  • Where?: asa?
  • This one?: ma o ni?/kani?
  • thank you: salamat
  • Do you speak English?: ''maka istorya ka'g inglés?
  • Do you speak Visayan?: ''maka istorya ka'g bisaya?
  • yes: o'o
  • no: dili
  • this or this?: kani o kani?
  • clock: relo; orasan
  • What time is it?: unsa nang oras?
  • It's twelve o'clock: alas dose na
  • Do you understand?: kasabut ka?
  • It's important: importante ni
  • How much?: pila?
  • Do it again: otroha; usba
  • one, two, three...: uno, dos, tres/usa, duha tulo
  • Can I use your phone?: puede ko maka gamit sa imong telefono?
  • Can I pay with dollars?: puede ko maka bayad ug dolyares?
  • Have a good trip!: maayong pag biyahe!
  • Return soon: balik puhon
  • Good Luck: maayong swerte

  • Welsh: Cymraeg (kum-RAig)
  • English: Saesneg (SAY-sneg)
  • Good morning!: Bore da! (bo-re da)
  • Good afternoon!: P'nawn da! (p'nown da)
  • Welcome!: Croeso! (KROY-so)
  • Goodbye!: Da boch chi! (da BO-khi)
  • Cheerio!: Hwyl fawr! (hooil vowR)
  • Good night!: Nos da! ''(noss da)
  • Please: Os gwelwch chi'n dda (oss GWEL-oo-khin dha)
  • Thank you: Diolch ''(DEE-olkh)
  • Thank you very much: Diolch yn fawr (DEE-olkh'n vowR)
  • You're welcome: Da chi ''(dah khee)
  • No thank you: Dim diolch ''(dim dee-olkh)
  • Yes: ''Ie (EE-eh), Do (doh), Oes (oyss), Ydy (UD-ee) etc.
There are at least 20 words for “yes”.

To answer “yes” you must agree with the question.

“Oes...?” (Is there...?) is answered with “Oes” (Yes there is).

“Ydy...?” (Is he/she...?) is answered with “Ydy” (Yes he/she is).

“Ydw...?” (Am I...?) would however be answered appropriately with “Ydych” (Yes you are) and vice versa.

“Ie” (Yes) is only used when a proper question hasn’t been asked, or in reply to “Ai...?” (Is it...?).

“Do” (Yes I did, Yes you did, etc.) is used in reply to questions in the past tense.

  • No: Na ''(nah)
To contradict someone or to give a more definite “no” you can however precede the words for “yes” with “na” or “nag”, e.g. “Nag oes!” (No there isn’t!) (The opposite of Do is Naddo''.)
  • (I’m) sorry!: Mae'n flin gen i! (mye'n vleen Gen ee)
  • Isn’t it? Wouldn’t it? Aren’t they? Won’t we? etc.: Ynte? (un-teh)
  • Cheers! Good health!: Iechyd da! (YEKH-id dah)

  • hello: Ba wo ni
  • good-bye: O da bo
  • please: E jo
  • thank you: O se/E se
  • that one: Iyen
  • how much?: E lo?
  • English: Oyinbo
  • yes: Be ni
  • no: Be ko

See also

 

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