Words To Learn Before Traveling Abroad

September 17, 2008 by Jeff · Leave a Comment

Have you ever been sitting in a coffee house (Tim Hortons or wherever) and the other table is speaking another language. You start listening in and determine that you have no idea what they're saying? Now imaging having a whole week, two weeks, month or longer surrounded by that same feeling.

My first experience in a non-native English speaking country was in Switzerland. Luckily I speak French and was able to get by in the Western part of the country. Unfortunately I wanted to visit Zurich (Switzerland), Austria and Germany so I was going to be surrounded by a different language. I was not prepared for this experience at all and didn't have any German language skills before leaving Canada. In fact, I bought a German translation book while in Austria killing time before my train left.

The point of this story is that learning some key words prior to leaving will really help you communicate and make a way more enjoyable experience. This also helps you not to look like such a "Grunt and Point Monkey" when ordering...

One other key point to remember is that you probably won't understand the answer to a question if you ask it. Therefore, it's REALLY important to ask questions where you'll understand the answer. You can usually get people to point you in the correct direction so try gesturing so that they know you want them to point.

Below is a list of useful phrases that I think you should try to learn before arriving. Because we're headed to Japan I've put the Japanese Translation in the brackets (excuse the spelling!). I already know all these words and phrases and am starting to 'branch' out to

Yes / No (Hai / I e)
Please (O Kudasai)
Thank You (Arrigato)
Your Welcome (Do Ishite Mashite)
Hello (Konnichiwa)
Goodbye (Sayannora)
Excuse Me (Sumimasen)
Help (tasukete)
Where is the bathroom? (Toire wa doko desu ka)
Where is .... (wa doko desu ka)
How much ... (ikura desu ka)
I don't understand (Watashi Wa Wakarimasen)
Do you speak/understand English? (eego ga wakarimas ka?)
Counting to 10 (at least)! (Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, nana, hatchi, ku, ju, ...)

One last thing that would be important to know prior to leaving is the bathroom signs. It's important to know what the custom symbol is for male and female in the country you are going. This is especially important in Asian countries where they're will be a symbol rather then a word.

As always there are probably another 100 words and phrases you could learn before leaving. However, you need to make sure that you have some words down correctly. Like I mentioned in my last language post using YouTube to learn what the language sounds like is a very key to helping you understand better.