re: Helpful phrases to know when traveling abroad?

If you’re not fluent or at least semi competent in French, don’t bother in Paris. They REALLY don’t like hearing their language unless it’s perfect. If you have to communicate with someone, just politely ask them in French if they speak English. As another poster said, many people in Paris speak English anyway (exceptions being many ethnic minorities in my experience).

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Advice I got years ago that has served me well all over Europe, esp France-learn to say “Good morning, I only speak English. Can you help me please?”

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"Ich spreche kein Deutsch" (I don't speak German) is all you need in Germany, or just ask whatever you want in English, more than 80% speak English.

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hello/goodbye
please/thank you
I'm sorry
Where is the restroom
I don't speak [language]
Do you speak English

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Add in how to ask for the bill/check.

In Italian "il conto, per favore" works just fine.

I use Google Translate but I found that many times the words translated aren't with the words used locally. Spanish particularly. My daughter lived in Spain for a year and I visited her and the Spanish I used to use in Florida is not the same words that they use over there in many cases. I use an application called Evernote and where I hear somebody say something I write it down phonetically so at least I know how to say it again. It is true that most people speak English but I think if you make an effort they appreciate it if you try to say something in their language. They will correct you immediately but it becomes something you can laugh at yourself about with them!

You have a good list above but I would say the one single thing you need to learn how to say in the language you want to learn is "how do I say...?". Write it down somewhere and the next time you'll sound like a local!

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Nothing worse than being stuck in a toll booth with no bills or coins to get out. And not all booths will take credit cards most don't in fact.

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1)ATMs at the airport when you land are the easiest, most economical way to get local currency. I admit, I like to land with a little local money in my pocket, but it’s usually small bills and change left over from my last trip.
2)toll booths in some countries do take credit cards, though you need to be in a credit card lane. In France & Italy, at least, your US issued credit card will work on the national highway system toll booths (I’ve swiped thru both w/my Visa in the last 12 mos).

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I can't speak to France, but this is definitely true in many parts of Italy. They are so used to vacationing Americans (they can spot an American from a mile away) simply expecting natives to speak English, that when one actually attempts to speak their language beyond things like "buongiorno" and "grazie", they are extremely receptive. I didn't know any Italian the first time I went to Italy, but I started learning it prior to my subsequent trips there. Even though my vocabulary was very elementary at first and I was constantly mispronouncing things, my wife and I have been treated very warmly everywhere we've gone, even with non-hospitality workers. In most cases, the conversation quickly turns into English, but it's easy to tell how excited they are that you're at least trying. Nearly everyone would always ask how long I've been learning Italian and give me some pointers on lingo and casual banter.

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EXACTLY! Although my last two trips to Europe (and Italy) is we didn't find a lot of English speaking people outside of the major cities where there are lots of tourists. Eastern Europe? Croatia and Slovenian all over. Czech Republic? Certainly in Prague.


WG_Dawg, for what it's worth, here a "dump" of my "go to phrases" in Italian I saved in Evernote. Guaranteed they work!

Uno, Due, Tre, Quattro, Cinque ("Chinkque"), Sei, Sette, Otto
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

I'm ready - "Sono pronto"

Let's go - "Andiamo"

Yes please - "Si, grazie!"

How are you - "Come sta"?

I don't speak Italian - "Non parlo Italiano"

Do you speak English - "Parla inglese?" (PAR-lah een-GLAY-zay)

I'm from the United States - "Sono degli Stati Uniti" ("Sono daylee Staahti Uniti")

I don't understand - "Non capisco"

Excuse me - "Scusi"

I like - "Mi piace" (mee pee-AH-chay)

Please - "Per favore" ("PAIR")

Where is the bathroom - "Dov'è il bagno"

Where's the taxi station - "Dov'è la stazione dei taxi"

How much - "Quanto costa?"

My name is in Italian - "Mi chiamo" or "Sono XXX" (I'm XXX)

Do you have WIFI - Avete Internet? ("A vay tee")

What is the WiFi password? - Qual'è la password per Internet?"

Write your destination and time on a piece of paper as many don't speak English

Your ticket (biglietto)
The station (stazione)
Track (binario or bin)
Seat number (Posto)

Restaurant Words:

Quanti (They'd ask you for how many?)"
"Quattro, Grazie" (4 please)
"Acqua" (Water)
"Birra" (Beer)
"Vino Bianco" (White wine)
"Vino Rosso" (Red wine)
"Un altro vino" (Another wine)
Can I have the menu, please? - "Il menu, per favore" ("Ill maynew")

What do you recommend? - "Cosa consiglia" ("Coza consillia")

The check please - "Il conto, per favore".

All this is awesome thanks everyone. I'm gonna compile 3 separate notes with all these phrases and words to know for each country

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Nole Man

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I made 3 separate notes in my phone for each language with a bunch of phrases each. So far I. Germany so many people have spoken English, the only thing I've had to say to any body was "bill please" and honestly that probably wasn't even necessary.

Stuttgart is very English which has been awesome. I know Rome and Paris won't be the same but im enjoying this for now