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Basic phrases to know when traveling abroad
A dozen or so phrases cover most of a trip: greetings, please and thank you, asking for help, directions, ordering food, paying and saying you don't understand. Learn them in the local language before you go and say them out loud a few times. Here's the list, with when each one comes in handy.
Hello, please and thank you
The phrases you'll use most, every single day.
Tip: Learn the polite form if the language has one, and add please and thank you to every request.
Excuse me / Sorry
To get someone's attention, squeeze past or apologize.
Tip: Some languages use different words for each. Learn both.
Do you speak English?
Asking in their language first is polite and often gets a friendlier answer.
Tip: Ask before switching to English.
I don't understand / Slowly, please
Saves you from nodding along to directions you didn't follow.
Tip: Pair it with a smile and a hand gesture for slower.
Where is...?
For the station, the restroom, the hotel or the pharmacy.
Tip: Learn the words for the places you'll ask about most.
How much is it?
For markets, taxis and small shops.
Tip: Ask the seller to write the price down or show it on a calculator.
A table for two / The bill, please
Restaurants are where you'll use the most phrases in a row.
Tip: Learn how to ask for the menu, too. Ordering food in Spanish
I'm allergic to...
Important for restaurants and pharmacy visits.
Tip: Carry it written on a card in the local language as well.
Help / Please call a doctor
For emergencies, when there's no time to look anything up.
Tip: Save the local emergency number in your phone before you go. Across the EU, it's 112.
Keep phrase cards for the big moments
Restaurants, transport, pharmacies and offices each have their own phrases.
Tip: Hearsay's quick phrase cards cover doctor, restaurant, transport and office visits, and one tap says the phrase out loud in their language. Get your table plan
Talk across languages, both ways. Answer six quick questions and get a table plan for your language and the moments you need it for.
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Questions
What are the most important phrases to learn before traveling?
Hello, please, thank you, excuse me, "Do you speak English?", "I don't understand", "Where is...?", "How much is it?", "The bill, please" and "Help."
How many phrases do I need for a trip?
Ten to fifteen phrases cover most everyday situations. Learning a few well beats learning a long list badly.
What's the best way to learn travel phrases quickly?
Say them out loud a few times a day in the week before you go, and keep the most important ones on a card or saved on your phone.
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Updated October 12, 2026