Survival Phrases in 30 Languages

The Observatory Almanac — Language & Communication

Language is the first bridge between strangers. Whether navigating a market in Istanbul, flagging down help in rural Japan, or simply expressing gratitude in Swahili, a handful of key phrases can transform you from a lost tourist into someone worthy of trust and assistance. This guide provides essential survival phrases in 30 languages, complete with romanization for non-Latin scripts and pronunciation guides to help you sound recognizable — if not fluent.

How to use this guide: - Romanizations appear in italics beneath native scripts - Pronunciation notes use simplified English approximations - Numbers follow each language's phrases - Bold = stress the syllable

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1. Spanish

Spoken by: ~500 million people across Spain, Latin America, and the USA.

Phrase	Spanish	Pronunciation
Hello	Hola	OH-lah
Goodbye	Adiós	ah-dee-OHS
Please	Por favor	por fah-VOR
Thank you	Gracias	GRAH-see-ahs
Yes	Sí	see
No	No	noh
Excuse me	Perdón / Disculpe	pehr-DON / dees-KOOL-peh
I don't understand	No entiendo	noh en-tee-EN-doh
Do you speak English?	¿Habla inglés?	AH-blah een-GLAYS
Help!	¡Ayuda!	ah-YOU-dah
Where is...?	¿Dónde está...?	DON-deh es-TAH
How much?	¿Cuánto cuesta?	KWAHN-toh KWES-tah
Water	Agua	AH-gwah
Food	Comida	koh-MEE-dah
Hospital/Doctor	Hospital / Médico	os-pee-TAHL / MEH-dee-koh
Police	Policía	po-lee-SEE-ah

Numbers 1–10: uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez (OO-noh, dohs, trehs, KWAH-troh, SEEN-koh, says, see-EH-teh, OH-choh, noo-EH-veh, dee-EHS)

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2. French

Spoken by: ~300 million people across France, Africa, Canada, and the Caribbean.

Phrase	French	Pronunciation
Hello	Bonjour	bohn-ZHOOR
Goodbye	Au revoir	oh reh-VWAHR
Please	S'il vous plaît	seel voo PLEH
Thank you	Merci	mehr-SEE
Yes	Oui	wee
No	Non	nohn
Excuse me	Excusez-moi / Pardon	ex-koo-ZAY mwah / par-DOHN
I don't understand	Je ne comprends pas	zhuh nuh kohm-PRAHN pah
Do you speak English?	Parlez-vous anglais?	par-LAY voo ahn-GLAY
Help!	Au secours!	oh suh-KOOR
Where is...?	Où est...?	oo EH
How much?	Combien ça coûte?	kohm-BYEHN sah KOOT
Water	Eau	oh
Food	Nourriture / Manger	noo-ree-TOOR / mahn-ZHAY
Hospital/Doctor	Hôpital / Médecin	oh-pee-TAHL / mehd-SAN
Police	Police	poh-LEES

Numbers 1–10: un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix (uhn, duh, twah, KAH-truh, sank, sees, set, weet, nuhf, dees)

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3. German

Spoken by: ~100 million people in Germany, Austria, Switzerland.

Phrase	German	Pronunciation
Hello	Hallo / Guten Tag	HAH-loh / GOO-ten tahk
Goodbye	Auf Wiedersehen	owf VEE-der-zayn
Please	Bitte	BIT-teh
Thank you	Danke	DAHN-keh
Yes	Ja	yah
No	Nein	nine
Excuse me	Entschuldigung	ent-SHOOL-dee-goong
I don't understand	Ich verstehe nicht	ikh fehr-SHTAY-eh nikht
Do you speak English?	Sprechen Sie Englisch?	SHPREH-khen zee ENG-lish
Help!	Hilfe!	HIL-feh
Where is...?	Wo ist...?	voh ist
How much?	Wie viel kostet das?	vee feel KOS-tet dahs
Water	Wasser	VAH-ser
Food	Essen	ES-sen
Hospital/Doctor	Krankenhaus / Arzt	KRAN-ken-hows / artst
Police	Polizei	po-lee-TSAY

Numbers 1–10: ein, zwei, drei, vier, fünf, sechs, sieben, acht, neun, zehn (eyen, tsvye, dry, feer, fuenf, zeks, ZEE-ben, ahkt, noyn, tsayn)

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4. Italian

Spoken by: ~85 million people in Italy, Switzerland, and diaspora communities.

Phrase	Italian	Pronunciation
Hello	Ciao / Buongiorno	chow / bwon-JOR-noh
Goodbye	Arrivederci	ah-ree-veh-DEHR-chee
Please	Per favore	pehr fah-VOH-reh
Thank you	Grazie	GRAH-tsyeh
Yes	Sì	see
No	No	noh
Excuse me	Scusi / Mi scusi	SKOO-zee / mee SKOO-zee
I don't understand	Non capisco	non kah-PEES-koh
Do you speak English?	Parla inglese?	PAR-lah een-GLAY-zeh
Help!	Aiuto!	ah-YOO-toh
Where is...?	Dov'è...?	doh-VEH
How much?	Quanto costa?	KWAHN-toh KOS-tah
Water	Acqua	AH-kwah
Food	Cibo	CHEE-boh
Hospital/Doctor	Ospedale / Dottore	os-peh-DAH-leh / dot-TOH-reh
Police	Polizia	po-lee-TSEE-ah

Numbers 1–10: uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque, sei, sette, otto, nove, dieci (OO-noh, DOO-eh, treh, KWAH-troh, CHEEN-kweh, say, SET-teh, OT-toh, NOH-veh, dee-EH-chee)

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5. Portuguese

Spoken by: ~250 million in Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique.

Phrase	Portuguese	Pronunciation
Hello	Olá / Oi	oh-LAH / oy
Goodbye	Tchau / Adeus	chow / ah-DEH-oosh
Please	Por favor	por fah-VOR
Thank you	Obrigado (m) / Obrigada (f)	oh-bree-GAH-doh/dah
Yes	Sim	seen
No	Não	nown
Excuse me	Com licença / Desculpe	kohn lee-SEN-sah / desh-KOOL-peh
I don't understand	Não entendo	nown en-TEN-doh
Do you speak English?	Fala inglês?	FAH-lah een-GLAYS
Help!	Socorro! / Ajuda!	soh-KOH-hoh / ah-ZHOO-dah
Where is...?	Onde fica...?	OHN-deh FEE-kah
How much?	Quanto custa?	KWAHN-toh KOOS-tah
Water	Água	AH-gwah
Food	Comida	koh-MEE-dah
Hospital/Doctor	Hospital / Médico	os-pee-TAHL / MEH-dee-koh
Police	Polícia	poh-LEE-syah

Numbers 1–10: um, dois, três, quatro, cinco, seis, sete, oito, nove, dez (oong, doysh, trays, KWAH-troh, SEEN-koh, saysh, SEH-teh, OY-toh, NOH-veh, desh)

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6. Russian

Spoken by: ~260 million in Russia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia.

Phrase	Russian (Cyrillic)	Romanization	Pronunciation
Hello	Привет / Здравствуйте	Privet / Zdravstvuyte	pree-VYET / ZDRAH-stvooy-tyeh
Goodbye	До свидания	Do svidaniya	doh svee-DAH-nyah
Please	Пожалуйста	Pozhaluysta	pah-ZHAH-loo-stah
Thank you	Спасибо	Spasibo	spah-SEE-boh
Yes	Да	Da	dah
No	Нет	Net	nyet
Excuse me	Извините	Izvinite	eez-vee-NEE-tyeh
I don't understand	Я не понимаю	Ya ne ponimayu	yah nyeh pah-nee-MAH-yoo
Do you speak English?	Вы говорите по-английски?	Vy govorite po-angliyski?	vy gah-vah-REE-tyeh pah-ahn-GLEE-skee
Help!	Помогите!	Pomogite!	pah-mah-GEE-tyeh
Where is...?	Где Ð½Ð°Ñ Ð¾Ð´Ð¸Ñ‚ÑÑ...?	Gde nakhoditsya...?	gdyeh nah-KHO-deet-sya
How much?	Сколько стоит?	Skol'ko stoit?	SKOHL-kah STOH-eet
Water	Вода	Voda	vah-DAH
Food	Еда / Пища	Yeda / Pishcha	yeh-DAH / PEESH-chah
Hospital/Doctor	Больница / Врач	Bol'nitsa / Vrach	bahl-NEE-tsah / vrach
Police	Полиция	Politsiya	pah-LEE-tsee-yah

Numbers 1–10: один, два, три, четыре, пять, шесть, семь, восемь, девять, десять (ah-DEEN, dvah, tree, cheh-TY-reh, pyaht', shest', syem', VOH-syem', DYE-vyat', DYE-syat')

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7. Mandarin Chinese

Spoken by: ~1.1 billion in China, Taiwan, Singapore.

Phrase	Chinese (Characters)	Pinyin	Pronunciation
Hello	你好	Nǐ hǎo	nee how (falling-rising tones)
Goodbye	再见	Zàijiàn	dzye jyen
Please	请	Qǐng	ching (rising tone)
Thank you	谢谢	Xièxie	syeh-syeh
Yes	是	Shì	shuh (falling tone)
No	不	Bù	boo (falling tone)
Excuse me	对不起 / 劳驾	Duìbuqǐ / LáojiÃ	dway-boo-chee / low-jyah
I don't understand	我不明白	Wǒ bù míngbái	woh boo ming-bye
Do you speak English?	你会说英文吗?	Nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma?	nee hway shwoh ying-wen mah
Help!	救命!	Jiùmìng!	jyoh-ming
Where is...?	...在哪里?	...zài nǎlǐ?	dzye nah-lee
How much?	多少钱?	Duōshǎo qián?	dwoh-show chyen
Water	水	Shuǐ	shway
Food	食物 / 吃的	Shíwù / Chī de	shuh-woo / chuh duh
Hospital/Doctor	医院 / 医生	Yīyuàn / Yīshēng	ee-ywen / ee-shung
Police	警察	Jǐngchá	jing-chah

Numbers 1–10: 一二三四五六七八九十 Yī, èr, sān, sì, wǔ, liù, qī, bā, jiǔ, shí (ee, ar, sahn, suh, woo, lyoh, chee, bah, jyoh, shuh)

Tone note: Mandarin has 4 tones. When in doubt, speak clearly and let context do the work.

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8. Japanese

Spoken by: ~125 million primarily in Japan.

Phrase	Japanese	Romanization	Pronunciation
Hello	こんにちは	Konnichiwa	kon-nee-chee-WAH
Goodbye	さようなら	Sayōnara	sah-yoh-NAH-rah
Please	お願いします	Onegaishimasu	oh-neh-guy-shee-MAH-soo
Thank you	ありがとうございます	Arigatō gozaimasu	ah-ree-GAH-toh goh-ZAH-ee-mahs
Yes	はい	Hai	hi
No	いいえ	Iie	ee-eh
Excuse me	すみません	Sumimasen	soo-mee-mah-SEN
I don't understand	わかりません	Wakarimasen	wah-kah-ree-mah-SEN
Do you speak English?	英語を話せますか?	Eigo o hanasemasu ka?	ay-goh oh hah-nah-seh-mahs kah
Help!	助けて!	Tasukete!	tah-soo-KEH-teh
Where is...?	...はどこですか?	...wa doko desu ka?	...wah DOH-koh des kah
How much?	いくらですか?	Ikura desu ka?	ee-koo-rah DES kah
Water	æ°´	Mizu	mee-zoo
Food	食べ物	Tabemono	tah-beh-moh-noh
Hospital/Doctor	ç— é™¢ / ãŠåŒ»è€ ã•ã‚“	Byōin / O-isha-san	byoh-een / oh-ee-shah-san
Police	警察	Keisatsu	kay-sah-tsoo

Numbers 1–10: 一二三四五六七八九十 ichi, ni, san, shi/yon, go, roku, shichi/nana, hachi, ku/kyū, jū (ee-chee, nee, sahn, shee/yon, goh, roh-koo, shee-chee/nah-nah, hah-chee, koo/kyoo, joo)

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9. Korean

Spoken by: ~80 million in South and North Korea.

Phrase	Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	Pronunciation
Hello	ì•ˆë •í•˜ì„¸ìš”	Annyeonghaseyo	ahn-nyong-hah-SEH-yoh
Goodbye	ì•ˆë •ížˆ 가세요	Annyeonghi gaseyo	ahn-nyong-hee gah-SEH-yoh
Please	부탁드립니다	Butakdeurimnida	boo-tahk-duh-rim-nee-dah
Thank you	감사합니다	Gamsahamnida	gahm-sah-hahm-NEE-dah
Yes	네 / 예	Ne / Ye	neh / yeh
No	아니요	Aniyo	ah-NEE-yoh
Excuse me	실례합니다	Sillyehamnida	shill-yeh-hahm-NEE-dah
I don't understand	이해를 못하겠어요	Ihaereul mot hagesseoyo	ee-heh-reul mot hah-ges-uh-yoh
Do you speak English?	영어 하세요?	Yeongeo haseyo?	young-uh hah-SEH-yoh
Help!	도와주세요!	Dowajuseyo!	doh-wah-joo-SEH-yoh
Where is...?	...어디에 있어요?	...eodie isseoyo?	...uh-dee-eh EE-suh-yoh
How much?	얼마예요?	Eolmayeyo?	ul-mah-YEH-yoh
Water	물	Mul	mool
Food	음식	Eumsik	eum-sheek
Hospital/Doctor	병원 / 의사	Byeongwon / Uisa	byong-won / ui-sah
Police	경찰	Gyeongchal	gyong-chahl

Numbers 1–10: 일, 이, 삼, 사, 오, 육, 칠, 팔, 구, 십 il, i, sam, sa, o, yuk, chil, pal, gu, sip

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10. Arabic

Spoken by: ~420 million across the Middle East and North Africa. Note: Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) used here; dialects vary significantly.

Phrase	Arabic (Script)	Romanization	Pronunciation
Hello	٠رحبا / السلا٠عليكÙ	Marhaba / As-salamu alaykum	mar-HAH-bah / as-sah-LAH-moo ah-LAY-koom
Goodbye	٠ع السلا٠ة	Ma'a as-salama	mah-ah as-sah-LAH-mah
Please	٠ن فضلك	Min fadlik	min FAD-lik
Thank you	شكراً	Shukran	SHOOK-ran
Yes	نعÙ	Na'am	nah-AM
No	لا	La	lah
Excuse me	عفواً / ٠ن فضلك	Afwan / Min fadlik	AF-wan / min FAD-lik
I don't understand	لا أفهÙ	La afham	lah AF-ham
Do you speak English?	هل تتكل٠الإنجليزية؟	Hal tatakallam al-ingleeziyya?	hal tah-TAH-kal-lam al-een-glee-ZEE-yah
Help!	ساعدني!	Sa'idni!	sah-EE-d-nee
Where is...?	أين...؟	Ayna...?	AY-nah
How much?	ك٠السعر؟	Kam as-si'r?	kahm as-SI'r
Water	٠اء	Ma'	mah
Food	طعاÙ	Ta'am	tah-AHM
Hospital/Doctor	٠ستشفى / طبيب	Mustashfa / Tabib	moos-TASH-fah / tah-BEEB
Police	شرطة	Shurta	SHOOR-tah

Numbers 1–10: واحد، اثنان، ثلاثة، أربعة، خمسة، ستة، سبعة، ثمانية، تسعة، عشرة wahid, ithnan, thalatha, arba'a, khamsa, sitta, sab'a, thamaniya, tis'a, ashara

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11. Hindi

Spoken by: ~600 million in India (Hindi belt) and diaspora.

Phrase	Hindi (Devanagari)	Romanization	Pronunciation
Hello	नमस्ते	Namaste	nah-MAH-stay
Goodbye	ठलविदा / नमस्ते	Alvida / Namaste	al-VEE-dah / nah-MAH-stay
Please	कृपया	Kripaya	kree-PAH-yah
Thank you	धन्यवाद	Dhanyavad	DHAN-yah-vahd
Yes	हाँ	Haan	hahn
No	नहीं	Nahin	nah-HEEN
Excuse me	माफ़ करें	Maaf karein	mahf kah-RAIN
I don't understand	मैं समझा नहीं	Main samjha nahin	mayn SAM-jhah nah-HEEN
Do you speak English?	क्या आप ठंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं?	Kya aap angrezi bolte hain?	kyah ahp ahn-GRAY-zee BOL-teh hayn
Help!	मदद करो!	Madad karo!	mah-DAD kah-ROH
Where is...?	...कहाँ है?	...kahan hai?	...kah-HAHN hay
How much?	कितने का है?	Kitne ka hai?	KIT-neh kah hay
Water	पानी	Pani	PAH-nee
Food	खाना	Khana	KHAH-nah
Hospital/Doctor	ठस्पताल / डॉक्टर	Aspataal / Doctor	as-pah-TAHL / DOK-ter
Police	पुलिस	Police	poo-LEES

Numbers 1–10: एक, दो, तीन, चार, पाँच, छह, सात, आठ, नौ, दस ek, do, teen, char, paanch, chheh, saat, aath, nau, das

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12. Turkish

Spoken by: ~85 million in Turkey, Cyprus, and diaspora.

Phrase	Turkish	Pronunciation
Hello	Merhaba	mehr-HAH-bah
Goodbye	Hoşça kal / Güle güle	hosh-cha KAHL / goo-leh GOO-leh
Please	Lütfen	LOOT-fen
Thank you	Teşekkür ederim	teh-shek-KOOR eh-deh-reem
Yes	Evet	EH-vet
No	Hayır	hah-YUR
Excuse me	Affedersiniz / Pardon	ahf-feh-dehr-see-NEEZ / par-DON
I don't understand	Anlamıyorum	ahn-lah-muh-YOR-oom
Do you speak English?	Ä°ngilizce biliyor musunuz?	een-gee-LEEZ-jeh bee-lee-YOR moo-soo-NOOZ
Help!	İmdat! / Yardım edin!	EEM-daht / yar-DUM eh-DEEN
Where is...?	...nerede?	...neh-REH-deh
How much?	Ne kadar?	neh kah-DAR
Water	Su	soo
Food	Yemek	yeh-MEK
Hospital/Doctor	Hastane / Doktor	hahs-TAH-neh / dok-TOR
Police	Polis	poh-LEES

Numbers 1–10: bir, iki, üç, dört, beş, altı, yedi, sekiz, dokuz, on (beer, ee-kee, ooch, durt, besh, ahl-TUH, yeh-dee, seh-keez, doh-kooz, on)

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13. Greek

Spoken by: ~13 million in Greece, Cyprus, and diaspora.

Phrase	Greek (Script)	Romanization	Pronunciation
Hello	Γεια ÏƒÎ¿Ï / Γεια σας	Geia sou / Geia sas	YAH soo / YAH sahs
Goodbye	Αντίο	Andio	ahn-DEE-oh
Please	Παρακαλώ	Parakalo	pah-rah-kah-LOH
Thank you	Î•Ï Ï‡Î±ÏÎ¹ÏƒÏ„ÏŽ	Efharisto	ef-hah-ree-STOH
Yes	Ναι	Nai	neh
No	Όχι	Ochi	OH-hee
Excuse me	Î£Ï Î³Î³Î½ÏŽÎ¼Î·	Signomi	see-GNOH-mee
I don't understand	Δεν καταλαβαίνω	Den katalaveno	den kah-tah-lah-VEH-noh
Do you speak English?	Μιλάτε Αγγλικά;	Milate Anglika?	mee-LAH-teh ahn-glee-KAH
Help!	Βοήθεια!	Voitheia!	voh-EE-thya
Where is...?	Πού είναι...?	Pou einai...?	poo EE-neh
How much?	Πόσο κάνει;	Poso kanei?	POH-so KAH-nee
Water	Νερό	Nero	neh-ROH
Food	Φαγητό	Fagito	fah-yee-TOH
Hospital/Doctor	Νοσοκομείο / Γιατρός	Nosokomio / Giatros	noh-so-koh-MEE-oh / yah-TROHS
Police	Î‘ÏƒÏ„Ï Î½Î¿Î¼Î¯Î±	Astynomia	ahs-tee-noh-MEE-ah

Numbers 1–10: ένα, δύο, τρία, τέσσερα, πέντε, έξι, επτά, οκτώ, εννέα, δέκα ena, dyo, tria, tessera, pente, exi, epta, okto, ennea, deka

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14. Dutch

Spoken by: ~25 million in the Netherlands, Belgium, Suriname.

Phrase	Dutch	Pronunciation
Hello	Hallo / Dag	HAH-loh / dahkh
Goodbye	Tot ziens / Dag	tot zeens / dahkh
Please	Alstublieft (formal) / Alsjeblieft (informal)	ahl-stoo-BLEEFT / ahls-yuh-BLEEFT
Thank you	Dank u wel / Dank je	dahnk oo vel / dahnk yuh
Yes	Ja	yah
No	Nee	nay
Excuse me	Pardon / Excuseer me	par-DON / ex-koo-ZAYR muh
I don't understand	Ik begrijp het niet	ik buh-GRAYP het neet
Do you speak English?	Spreekt u Engels?	spraykt oo ENG-uhlz
Help!	Help!	help
Where is...?	Waar is...?	vahr is
How much?	Hoeveel kost het?	HOO-vayl kost het
Water	Water	VAH-ter
Food	Eten	AY-ten
Hospital/Doctor	Ziekenhuis / Dokter	ZEE-kun-hows / DOK-ter
Police	Politie	poh-LEET-see

Numbers 1–10: een, twee, drie, vier, vijf, zes, zeven, acht, negen, tien (ayn, tway, dree, veer, veyf, zes, ZAY-ven, ahkht, NAY-gen, teen)

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15. Polish

Spoken by: ~50 million in Poland and diaspora.

Phrase	Polish	Pronunciation
Hello	Cześć / Dzień dobry	cheshch / jen DOB-reh
Goodbye	Do widzenia	doh vee-DZEN-yah
Please	Proszę	PROH-sheh
Thank you	Dziękuję	jen-KOO-yeh
Yes	Tak	tahk
No	Nie	nyeh
Excuse me	Przepraszam	psheh-PRAH-shahm
I don't understand	Nie rozumiem	nyeh roh-ZOO-myem
Do you speak English?	Czy mówi pan/pani po angielsku?	chih MOO-vee pahn/pah-nee poh ahn-GYEL-skoo
Help!	Pomocy!	poh-MOH-tsih
Where is...?	Gdzie jest...?	gdjeh yest
How much?	Ile to kosztuje?	EE-leh toh kosh-TOO-yeh
Water	Woda	VOH-dah
Food	Jedzenie	yed-ZEN-yeh
Hospital/Doctor	Szpital / Lekarz	SHPEE-tahl / LEH-kash
Police	Policja	poh-LEETS-yah

Numbers 1–10: jeden, dwa, trzy, cztery, pięć, sześć, siedem, osiem, dziewięć, dziesięć (YEH-den, dvah, tshih, CHTE-reh, pyench, sheshch, SHEH-dem, OH-shem, JEH-vench, JEH-shench)

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16. Swedish

Spoken by: ~10 million in Sweden, Finland.

Phrase	Swedish	Pronunciation
Hello	Hej / God dag	hey / goo DAHG
Goodbye	Hej då / Adjö	hey daw / ah-YUH
Please	Snälla / Tack (often used for please too)	SNEHL-ah / tahk
Thank you	Tack	tahk
Yes	Ja	yah
No	Nej	nay
Excuse me	Förlåt / Ursäkta	fur-LAWT / OOR-sek-tah
I don't understand	Jag förstår inte	yahg fur-STAWR IN-teh
Do you speak English?	Talar du engelska?	TAH-lar doo ENG-el-skah
Help!	Hjälp!	yelp
Where is...?	Var är...?	var air
How much?	Hur mycket kostar det?	hoor MIK-eh KOS-tar deh
Water	Vatten	VAH-ten
Food	Mat	maht
Hospital/Doctor	Sjukhus / Läkare	SHOOK-hoos / LEH-kah-reh
Police	Polis	POH-lees

Numbers 1–10: ett, två, tre, fyra, fem, sex, sju, åtta, nio, tio (et, tvaw, treh, FEE-rah, fem, sex, shoo, OH-tah, NEE-oh, TEE-oh)

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17. Thai

Spoken by: ~70 million in Thailand.

Note: Thai is tonal. "Khrap" is used by male speakers; "Kha" by female.

Phrase	Thai (Script)	Romanization	Pronunciation
Hello	สวัสดี	Sawatdi	sah-wah-DEE
Goodbye	ลาก่อน	La kon	lah GAWN
Please	กรุณา	Garuna	gah-ROO-nah
Thank you	ขอบคุณ	Khob khun	kohp-KOON
Yes	ใช่ / ครับ/ค่ะ	Chai / Khrap/Kha	chye / khrap/kha
No	ไม่ใช่	Mai chai	my chye
Excuse me	ขอโทษ	Kho tho	koh-TOHT
I don't understand	ไม่เข้าใจ	Mai khao jai	my kow jai
Do you speak English?	คุณพูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม?	Khun phut phasa Angkrit dai mai?	koon poot pah-SAH ang-GRIT dy my
Help!	ช่วยด้วย!	Chuay duay!	choo-ay DOO-ay
Where is...?	...อยู่ที่ไหน?	...yuu thi nai?	...yoo tee nai
How much?	เท่าไหร่?	Thao rai?	tow rye
Water	น้ำ	Nam	nahm
Food	อาหาร	Ahan	ah-HAHN
Hospital/Doctor	โรงพยาบาล / หมอ	Rong phayaban / Mo	rohng pah-yah-BAHN / moh
Police	ตำรวจ	Tamruat	tam-ROO-at

Numbers 1–10: หนึ่ง, สอง, สาม, สี่, ห้า, หก, เจ็ด, แปด, เก้า, สิบ nueng, song, sam, si, ha, hok, chet, paet, kao, sip

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18. Vietnamese

Spoken by: ~95 million in Vietnam and diaspora.

Phrase	Vietnamese	Pronunciation
Hello	Xin chào	sin CHOW
Goodbye	Tạm biệt	tahm byet
Please	Làm ơn	lahm un
Thank you	Cảm ơn	gahm un
Yes	Vâng / Có	vuhng / gaw
No	Không	khong (soft kh)
Excuse me	Xin lỗi	sin loy
I don't understand	Tôi không hiểu	toy khong hyew
Do you speak English?	Bạn có nói tiếng Anh không?	bahn gaw noy tyeng anh khong
Help!	Cứu tôi! / Giúp tôi!	goo toy / yoop toy
Where is...?	...ở đâu?	...uh dow
How much?	Bao nhiêu?	bow nyew
Water	Nước	nook
Food	Đồ ăn	doh un
Hospital/Doctor	Bệnh viện / Bác sĩ	beng vyen / bahk see
Police	Cảnh sát	ganh saht

Numbers 1–10: một, hai, ba, bốn, năm, sáu, bảy, tám, chín, mười (moht, hai, bah, bohn, nahm, show, bay, tahm, chin, moo-ee)

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19. Indonesian/Malay

Spoken by: ~270 million in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore.

Phrase	Indonesian/Malay	Pronunciation
Hello	Halo / Selamat pagi (morning)	hah-LOH / seh-lah-MAHT PAH-gee
Goodbye	Selamat tinggal / Sampai jumpa	seh-lah-MAHT ting-GAHL / sahm-PIE JOOM-pah
Please	Tolong / Silakan	toh-LONG / see-lah-KAHN
Thank you	Terima kasih	teh-REE-mah KAH-see
Yes	Ya	yah
No	Tidak / Bukan	tee-DAHK / boo-KAHN
Excuse me	Permisi / Maaf	per-mee-SEE / mah-AHF
I don't understand	Saya tidak mengerti	SAH-yah tee-DAHK meng-er-TEE
Do you speak English?	Apakah Anda berbicara bahasa Inggris?	ah-pah-KAH ahn-DAH ber-bee-CHAH-rah bah-HAH-sah ING-gris
Help!	Tolong!	TOH-long
Where is...?	Di mana...?	dee MAH-nah
How much?	Berapa harganya?	beh-RAH-pah har-GAH-nyah
Water	Air	AH-eer
Food	Makanan	mah-KAH-nahn
Hospital/Doctor	Rumah sakit / Dokter	ROO-mah SAH-kit / DOK-ter
Police	Polisi	poh-LEE-see

Numbers 1–10: satu, dua, tiga, empat, lima, enam, tujuh, delapan, sembilan, sepuluh (SAH-too, DOO-ah, TEE-gah, em-PAHT, LEE-mah, eh-NAHM, TOO-joo, deh-LAH-pahn, sem-BEE-lahn, seh-POO-loo)

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20. Swahili

Spoken by: ~200 million in East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, DRC).

Phrase	Swahili	Pronunciation
Hello	Jambo / Habari	JAM-boh / hah-BAH-ree
Goodbye	Kwaheri	kwah-HEH-ree
Please	Tafadhali	tah-fah-DHAH-lee
Thank you	Asante (sana)	ah-SAHN-teh (SAH-nah)
Yes	Ndiyo	ndee-YOH
No	Hapana	hah-PAH-nah
Excuse me	Samahani	sah-mah-HAH-nee
I don't understand	Sielewi	see-EH-leh-wee
Do you speak English?	Unazungumza Kiingereza?	oo-nah-ZUNG-oom-zah kee-in-geh-REH-zah
Help!	Saidia! / Msaada!	sah-EE-dee-ah / m-SAH-ah-dah
Where is...?	...iko wapi?	...EE-koh WAH-pee
How much?	Bei gani? / Ni shilingi ngapi?	BAY gah-nee
Water	Maji	MAH-jee
Food	Chakula	chah-KOO-lah
Hospital/Doctor	Hospitali / Daktari	hos-pee-TAH-lee / dahk-TAH-ree
Police	Polisi	poh-LEE-see

Numbers 1–10: moja, mbili, tatu, nne, tano, sita, saba, nane, tisa, kumi (MOH-jah, m-BEE-lee, TAH-too, n-NEH, TAH-noh, SEE-tah, SAH-bah, NAH-neh, TEE-sah, KOO-mee)

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21. Hebrew

Spoken by: ~9 million in Israel.

Phrase	Hebrew (Script)	Romanization	Pronunciation
Hello	שלום	Shalom	shah-LOM
Goodbye	להתראות	Lehitraot	leh-hee-trah-OT
Please	בבקשה	Bevakasha	beh-vah-kah-SHAH
Thank you	תודה	Toda	toh-DAH
Yes	כן	Ken	ken
No	לא	Lo	loh
Excuse me	סליחה	Slicha	SLEE-khah
I don't understand	אני לא מבין (m)/מבינה (f)	Ani lo mevin/mevina	ah-NEE loh meh-VEEN/meh-vee-NAH
Do you speak English?	אתה מדבר אנגלית?	Ata medaber Anglit?	ah-TAH meh-dah-BER ahng-LEET
Help!	עזרה!	Ezra!	EZ-rah
Where is...?	?...איפה	Eifo...?	AY-foh
How much?	כמה זה עולה?	Kama ze ole?	KAH-mah zeh OH-leh
Water	מים	Mayim	MAH-yeem
Food	אוכל	Ochel	OH-khel
Hospital/Doctor	בית חולים / רופא	Beit holim / Rofeh	bayt hoh-LEEM / roh-FEH
Police	משטרה	Mishtara	meesh-tah-RAH

Numbers 1–10: אחת, שתיים, שלוש, ארבע, חמש, שש, שבע, שמונה, תשע, עשר akhat, shtayim, shalosh, arba, chamesh, shesh, sheva, shmone, tesha, eser

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22. Farsi/Persian

Spoken by: ~110 million in Iran, Afghanistan (Dari), Tajikistan (Tajik).

Phrase	Persian (Script)	Romanization	Pronunciation
Hello	سلاÙ	Salaam	sah-LAHM
Goodbye	خداحافظ	Khodahafez	khoh-dah-HAH-fez
Please	لطفاً	Lotfan	lot-FAHN
Thank you	٠٠نون / ٠تشکرÙ	Mamnun / Motashakeram	mahm-NOON / moh-tah-SHAK-er-ahm
Yes	بله / آره	Bale / Are	bah-LEH / ah-REH
No	نه	Na/Nah	nah
Excuse me	ببخشید	Bebakhshid	beh-bakh-SHEED
I don't understand	ن٠ی‌فه٠Ù	Nemifahmam	neh-mee-FAH-mam
Do you speak English?	آیا انگلیسی صحبت ٠ی‌کنید؟	Aya Englysi sohbat mikonid?	ah-yah eng-LEE-see soh-baht mee-koh-NEED
Help!	Ú©Ù Ú©!	Komak!	koh-MAK
Where is...?	...کجاست؟	...Kojast?	koh-JAH-st
How much?	چقدر است?	Cheghadr ast?	cheh-GHAH-dr ahst
Water	آب	Ab	ahb
Food	غذا	Ghaza	ghah-ZAH
Hospital/Doctor	بی٠ارستان / دکتر	Bimarestan / Doktor	bee-mah-res-TAHN / dok-TOR
Police	پلیس	Polis	poh-LEES

Numbers 1–10: یک، دو، سه، چهار، پنج، شش، هفت، هشت، نه، ده yek, do, se, chahar, panj, shesh, haft, hasht, noh, dah

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23. Tagalog/Filipino

Spoken by: ~90 million in the Philippines.

Phrase	Tagalog	Pronunciation
Hello	Kamusta / Mabuhay	kah-MOO-stah / mah-BOO-hay
Goodbye	Paalam	pah-AH-lahm
Please	Pakiusap / Please	pah-kee-OO-sahp
Thank you	Salamat	sah-LAH-maht
Yes	Oo / Oho	oh-OH / oh-HOH
No	Hindi	HEEN-dee
Excuse me	Excuse me / Pasensya na	pah-SEN-syah nah
I don't understand	Hindi ko naiintindihan	HEEN-dee koh nah-een-teen-dee-HAHN
Do you speak English?	Nagsasalita ka ba ng Ingles?	nahg-sah-sah-LEE-tah kah bah nang ING-gles
Help!	Saklolo! / Tulong!	sahk-LOH-loh / TOO-long
Where is...?	Nasaan ang...?	nah-sah-AHN ahng
How much?	Magkano?	mahg-KAH-noh
Water	Tubig	TOO-big
Food	Pagkain	pahg-kah-EEN
Hospital/Doctor	Ospital / Doktor	os-pee-TAHL / dok-TOR
Police	Pulis	POO-lees

Numbers 1–10: isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima, anim, pito, walo, siyam, sampu (ee-SAH, dah-LAH-wah, TAHT-loh, ah-PAHT, LEE-mah, ah-NEEM, PEE-toh, WAH-loh, SYAHM, SAHM-poo)

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24. Czech

Spoken by: ~11 million in Czech Republic.

Phrase	Czech	Pronunciation
Hello	Ahoj / Dobrý den	ah-HOY / DOH-bree den
Goodbye	Na shledanou	nah SKHLEH-dah-noh
Please	Prosím	PROH-seem
Thank you	Děkuji	DYEH-koo-yee
Yes	Ano	AH-noh
No	Ne	neh
Excuse me	Promiňte / Pardon	PROH-min-teh / par-DON
I don't understand	Nerozumím	neh-ROH-zoo-meem
Do you speak English?	Mluvíte anglicky?	mloo-VEE-teh AHN-glits-ky
Help!	Pomoc!	POH-mots
Where is...?	Kde je...?	gdeh yeh
How much?	Kolik to stojí?	KOH-lik toh STOH-yee
Water	Voda	VOH-dah
Food	Jídlo	YEED-loh
Hospital/Doctor	Nemocnice / Lékař	neh-MOTS-nit-seh / LEH-karzh
Police	Policie	POH-lits-yeh

Numbers 1–10: jedna, dvě, tři, čtyři, pět, šest, sedm, osm, devět, deset (YED-nah, dvyeh, tshee, CHTEE-shee, pyet, shest, SEH-dm, ohsm, DEH-vyet, DEH-set)

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25. Hungarian

Spoken by: ~13 million in Hungary, Romania, Slovakia.

Phrase	Hungarian	Pronunciation
Hello	Helló / Jó napot	HEL-loh / yoh NAH-pot
Goodbye	Viszontlátásra	VEE-sont-lah-TAHSH-rah
Please	Kérem	KAY-rem
Thank you	Köszönöm	KUH-suh-nuhm
Yes	Igen	EE-gen
No	Nem	nem
Excuse me	Elnézést	EL-nay-zaysht
I don't understand	Nem értem	nem AYR-tem
Do you speak English?	Beszél angolul?	BEH-sayl ON-go-lool
Help!	Segítség!	SHEH-geet-shayg
Where is...?	Hol van...?	hol vahn
How much?	Mennyibe kerül?	MEN-nyee-beh KEH-rool
Water	Víz	veez
Food	Étel / Kaja	AY-tel / KAH-yah
Hospital/Doctor	Kórház / Orvos	KOR-hahz / OR-vosh
Police	Rendőrség	REN-dur-shayg

Numbers 1–10: egy, kettő, három, négy, öt, hat, hét, nyolc, kilenc, tíz (ej, KET-tuh, HAH-rom, nayj, uht, hot, hayt, nyolts, KEE-lents, teez)

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26. Romanian

Spoken by: ~24 million in Romania, Moldova.

Phrase	Romanian	Pronunciation
Hello	Bună / Salut	BOO-nuh / sah-LOOT
Goodbye	La revedere	lah reh-veh-DEH-reh
Please	Vă rog	vuh rog
Thank you	Mulțumesc	mool-tsoo-MESK
Yes	Da	dah
No	Nu	noo
Excuse me	Scuzați / Pardon	skoo-ZAH-tsee / par-DON
I don't understand	Nu înțeleg	noo uhn-TSEH-leg
Do you speak English?	Vorbiți engleză?	vor-BEETS en-GLEH-zuh
Help!	Ajutor!	ah-zhoo-TOR
Where is...?	Unde este...?	OON-deh ES-teh
How much?	Cât costă?	kuht KOS-tuh
Water	Apă	AH-puh
Food	Mâncare	muhn-KAH-reh
Hospital/Doctor	Spital / Doctor	spee-TAHL / dok-TOR
Police	Poliție	poh-LEET-syeh

Numbers 1–10: unu, doi, trei, patru, cinci, șase, șapte, opt, nouă, zece (OO-noo, doy, tray, PAH-troo, chinch, SHAH-seh, SHAHP-teh, opt, NOH-uh, ZEH-cheh)

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27. Finnish

Spoken by: ~5 million in Finland.

Phrase	Finnish	Pronunciation
Hello	Hei / Moi	hey / moy
Goodbye	Näkemiin / Moikka	NAH-keh-meen / MOY-kah
Please	Ole hyvä / Kiitos (also means please in context)	OH-leh HOO-vuh / KEE-tos
Thank you	Kiitos	KEE-tos
Yes	Kyllä / Joo	KUL-luh / yoh
No	Ei	ay
Excuse me	Anteeksi	AHN-tayk-see
I don't understand	En ymmärrä	en OOM-mur-ruh
Do you speak English?	Puhutko englantia?	POO-hoot-koh ENG-lahn-tee-ah
Help!	Apua!	AH-poo-ah
Where is...?	Missä on...?	MEES-suh on
How much?	Paljonko maksaa?	PAHL-yon-koh MAK-sah
Water	Vesi	VEH-see
Food	Ruoka	ROO-oh-kah
Hospital/Doctor	Sairaala / Lääkäri	SAI-rah-ah-lah / LAH-kuh-ree
Police	Poliisi	POH-lee-see

Numbers 1–10: yksi, kaksi, kolme, neljä, viisi, kuusi, seitsemän, kahdeksan, yhdeksän, kymmenen (OOK-see, KAK-see, KOL-meh, NEL-yuh, VEE-see, KOO-see, SAYT-seh-muhn, KAH-dek-san, OO-dek-suhn, KOOM-meh-nen)

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28. Norwegian

Spoken by: ~5 million in Norway.

Phrase	Norwegian	Pronunciation
Hello	Hei / God dag	hey / goo dahg
Goodbye	Ha det / Adjø	hah deh / ah-YUH
Please	Vær så snill / Takk	vair saw sneel / tahk
Thank you	Takk	tahk
Yes	Ja	yah
No	Nei	nay
Excuse me	Unnskyld	OON-shuld
I don't understand	Jeg forstår ikke	yay for-STAWR IK-keh
Do you speak English?	Snakker du engelsk?	SNAK-ker doo ENG-elsk
Help!	Hjelp!	yelp
Where is...?	Hvor er...?	vor air
How much?	Hvor mye koster det?	vor MEE-eh KOS-ter deh
Water	Vann	vahn
Food	Mat	maht
Hospital/Doctor	Sykehus / Lege	SEE-keh-hoos / LEH-geh
Police	Politi	poh-lee-TEE

Numbers 1–10: en/ett, to, tre, fire, fem, seks, syv, åtte, ni, ti (en/et, toh, treh, FEE-reh, fem, seks, suv, OH-teh, nee, tee)

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29. Danish

Spoken by: ~6 million in Denmark.

Phrase	Danish	Pronunciation
Hello	Hej / God dag	hi / goh dah
Goodbye	Farvel / Hej hej	far-VEL / hi hi
Please	Vær venlig / Tak	vair VEN-lee / tahg
Thank you	Tak	tahg
Yes	Ja	yah
No	Nej	nay
Excuse me	Undskyld	OON-skool
I don't understand	Jeg forstår det ikke	yay for-STAWR deh IK-keh
Do you speak English?	Taler du engelsk?	TAH-ler doo ENG-elsk
Help!	Hjælp!	yelb
Where is...?	Hvor er...?	vor air
How much?	Hvor meget koster det?	vor MY-et KOS-ter deh
Water	Vand	vahn
Food	Mad	mahd
Hospital/Doctor	Sygehus / Læge	SEE-eh-hoos / LEH-eh
Police	Politi	poh-lee-TEE

Numbers 1–10: en, to, tre, fire, fem, seks, syv, otte, ni, ti (en, toh, treh, FEE-reh, fem, seks, suv, OH-deh, nee, tee)

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30. Urdu

Spoken by: ~230 million in Pakistan, India.

Phrase	Urdu (Script)	Romanization	Pronunciation
Hello	السلا٠علیکÙ	As-salamu alaykum	as-sah-LAH-moo ah-LAY-koom
Goodbye	خدا حافظ	Khuda hafiz	khoo-DAH HAH-fiz
Please	برائے ٠ہربانی	Baraye meherbani	bah-RAH-yeh meh-her-BAH-nee
Thank you	شکریہ	Shukriya	shook-REE-yah
Yes	ہاں	Haan	hahn
No	نہیں	Nahin	nah-HEEN
Excuse me	٠عاف کیجیے	Maaf kijiye	mahf KEE-jee-yeh
I don't understand	٠جھے س٠جھ نہیں آئی	Mujhe samajh nahin aayi	moo-JHEH sah-MAHJ nah-HEEN ah-ee
Do you speak English?	کیا آپ انگریزی بولتے ہیں؟	Kya aap Angrezi bolte hain?	kyah ahp ahn-GRAY-zee BOL-teh hayn
Help!	٠دد!	Madad!	mah-DAD
Where is...?	...کہاں ہے؟	...Kahan hai?	kah-HAHN hay
How much?	کتنے کا ہے؟	Kitne ka hai?	KIT-neh kah hay
Water	پانی	Pani	PAH-nee
Food	کھانا	Khana	KHAH-nah
Hospital/Doctor	اسپتال / ڈاکٹر	Aspatal / Doctor	as-pah-TAHL / dok-TOR
Police	پولیس	Police	poh-LEES

Numbers 1–10: ایک، دو، تین، چار، پانچ، چھ، سات، آٹھ، نو، دس ek, do, teen, char, paanch, chheh, saat, aath, nau, das

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Universal Tips for Cross-Language Communication

When all else fails: 1. Slow down — faster doesn't help; clearer does 2. Point — gesture toward what you need 3. Write it — show your phone with the phrase 4. Smile and apologize — goodwill crosses every border 5. Learn the local greeting first — it signals respect 6. Numbers are universal — hold up fingers; show prices on a calculator

Emergency strategy: In any country, "hospital," "police," and "doctor" are often understood in their local near-cognate form, or you can show this guide.

Cultural note: Greetings matter enormously. A heartfelt namaste, a proper Guten Tag, or an As-salamu alaykum in the right context opens doors that no amount of fluent second-language grammar can. Lead with respect.

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Part of The Observatory Almanac — Language & Communication section

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