Difference between revisions 37215 and 37451 on enwiki

When you are in a country whose language you do not understand it is possible to get along with a surprisingly short list of phrases, combined with pointing, miming, and writing down numbers on paper.  Here is such a list.

Please add to this list, either by adding a row for a language you know or by adding a column for a word or phrase that you think is one of the essentials for survival.  Please use the minimum number of words that would be understandable and put the pronunciation in slashes as shown (separate syllables with dashes and use English words that sound like the syllables if possible).

The order of the languages is as in [[Language families and languages]] (so that similar languages are close together)

<table border="1">
<caption>'''Language Survival Guide'''</caption>
<tr>
<th>&nbsp;</th>
<th>the language itself</th>
<th>hello</th>
<th>good bye</th>
<th>please</th>
<th>thank you</th>
<th>that one</th>
<th>how much?</th>
<th>English</th>
<th>yes</th>
<th>no</th>
<th>generic toast</th>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit ]]</th>
<td>'''' // </td>
<td>''namo namah'' // </td>
<td>'''' // </td>
<td>'''' // </td>
<td>''anugurihiitosumi'' // </td>
<td>'''' // </td>
<td>'''' // </td>
<td>'''' // </td>
<td>''ava'' // </td>
<td>'''' // </td>
<td>'''' //</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Hindi language|Hindi]]</th>
<td>'''' // </td>
<td>''namasté'' // </td>
<td>''pirmelenge'' // </td>
<td>''merker-bani seh'' // </td>
<td>''shukriya'' // </td>
<td>'''' // </td>
<td>'''' // </td>
<td>'''' // </td>
<td>''haji'' // </td>
<td>''ji nahi'' // </td>
<td>'''' //</td>
</tr>


<tr>
<th>[[German language|German]]</th>
<td>''Deutsch''<br>/doych/</td>
<td>''hallo'' /hul-low/</td>
<td>''auf Wiedersehen'' /owf VEE-der-zay-en/</td>
<td>''bitte'' /bit-eh/</td>
<td>''danke'' /dunk-eh/</td>
<td>''das'' /duss/</td>
<td>''wieviel'' /vee-feel/</td>
<td>''Englisch'' /ANG-lish/</td>
<td>''ja'' /yah/</td>
<td>''nein'' /nine/</td>
<td>''prosit'' /prosit/</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Dutch language|Dutch]]</th>
<td>''Nederlands''<br>/nay-dar-laendhs/</td>
<td>''hallo'' /ha-loh/</td>
<td>''tot ziens'' /toth-zeens/</td>
<td>''alstublieft'' /aelst-ue-bleeft/</td>
<td>''dankjewel'' /daenck-jae-well/</td>
<td>''die'' /dee/</td>
<td>''hoeveel'' /hoe-veel/</td>
<td>''engels'' /engh-els/</td>
<td>''ja'' /ya/</td>
<td>''nee'' /neh/</td>
<td>''proost'' /prohw-st</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Danish language|Danish]]</th>
<td>''dansk''/dansk/</td>
<td>''hej'' /hi/</td>
<td>''farvel'' /fah-vel/</td>
<td><sup>1</sup></td>
<td>''tak'' /tack/</td>
<td>''denne'' /DEN-nuh/</td>
<td>''hvor meget'' /vo MY-it/</td>
<td>''engelsk'' /ENG-uhlsk/</td>
<td>''ja'' /ya/</td>
<td>''nej'' /nigh/</td>
<td>''sk&aring;l'' /skal/</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Swedish language|Swedish]]</th>
<td>''svenska''</td>
<td>''hej'' /hey/</td>
<td>''hejdå'' /hey-doh/</td>
<td>''tack'' /tahck/</td>
<td>''tack'' /tahck/</td>
<td>''den där'' /den dehr/</td>
<td>''hur mycket'' /huwr muwk-eh/</td>
<td>''engelska'' /engh-el-skah/</td>
<td>''ja'' /ya/</td>
<td>''nej'' /neigh/</td>
<td>''sk&aring;l'' /skol/</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Icelandic language|Icelandic]]</th>
<td>''íslenska''<br>/EES-len-ska/</td>
<td>''gó&eth;an dag'' <br>/GOH-than dahg/</td>
<td>''bless''</td>
<td>''gjör&eth;u svo vel'' <br>/GYUHR-thuh so vel/</td>
<td>''takk fyrir'' <br>/tahk FEER-eer/</td>
<td>''&thorn;etta'' <br>/thetta/</td>
<td>''hversu'' <br>/KVAIR-suh/</td>
<td>''enska''</td>
<td>''já'' <br>/yow/</td>
<td>''nei'' <br>/nay/</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[French language|French]]</th>
<td>''fran&ccedil;ais''<br>/frawn-say/</td>
<td>''bonjour'' /bohn-jure/</td>
<td>''au revoir'' /o-reh-vwa/</td>
<td>''s'il vous plaît'' /seal vuh play/</td>
<td>''merci'' /mair-see/</td>
<td>''cela'' /seh-lah/</td>
<td>''combien'' /kom-bee-en/</td>
<td>''Anglais'' /ahng-glay/</td>
<td>''oui'' /wee/</td>
<td>''non'' /nuh/</td>
<td>''sant&eacute;'' /sahn-TAY/</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Spanish language|Spanish]]</th>
<td>''espa&ntilde;ol''<br>/ess-pahn-YOHL/</td>
<td>''hola'' /OH-la/</td>
<td>''adiós'' /ah-THYOHS/</td>
<td>''por favor'' /pour fahv-OAR/</td>
<td>''gracias'' /GRAHSS-yahss/</td>
<td>''ése'' /ESS-say/<sup>3</sup></td>
<td>''cu&aacute;nto'' /KWAHN-toe/</td>
<td>''ingl&eacute;s'' /ing-GLESS/</td>
<td>''s&iacute;'' /see/</td>
<td>''no'' /no/</td>
<td>''salud'' /saw-LOOTHE/</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Sardinian language|Sardinian]]</th>
<td>''sardu''<br>/sar-doo/</td>
<td>''adiosu'' /ah-dhyohsoo/</td>
<td>''a nos bidere'' /a-nohss-BI-dere/</td>
<td>''pro favore'' /pro fahv-OAR-ay/</td>
<td>''grassias'' /GRAHSS-yahss/</td>
<td>''cussu'' /KU-hssoo/</td>
<td>''cantu'' /KAHN-too/</td>
<td>''Ingresu'' /in-GRAY-soo/</td>
<td>''eia'' /eya/</td>
<td>''no'' /no/</td>
<td>''salude'' /saw-LOODHE/</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Italian language|Italian]]</th>
<td>''italiano''<br>/ee-tah-lee-AN-oh/</td>
<td>''ciao'' /chow/</td>
<td>''arrivederci'' /a-ree-veh-DARE-chi/</td>
<td>''per favore'' /per fa-VOAR-ay/</td>
<td>''grazie'' /GRAT-zee-eh/</td>
<td>''quello'' /KWEL-low/</td>
<td>''quanto'' /KWAN-tow/</td>
<td>''Inglese'' /in-GLAY-say/</td>
<td>''si'' /see/</td>
<td>''no'' /no/</td>
<td>''salute'' /sall-OO-teh/</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]</th>
<td>''ivrit''</td>
<td>''shalom''</td>
<td>''lehitraot''</td>
<td>''bevakasha''</td>
<td>''toda''</td>
<td>''et ze''</td>
<td>''kama''</td>
<td>''anglit''</td>
<td>''ken''</td>
<td>''lo''</td>
<td>''le-chaim''</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Irish language|Irish]]</th>
<td>''Gaeilge''<br>/GAY-lih-geh/</td>
<td>''fáilte'' /FALL-cha/</td>
<td>''slán'' /slawn/</td>
<td>''le do thoil'' /leh duh hill/</td>
<td>''go raibh maith agat'' /guh rev MAH a-gut/</td>
<td>''sin'' /shin/</td>
<td>''cé mhead'' /kay-vade/</td>
<td>''B&eacute;arla'' /BARE-lah/</td>
<td><sup>4</sup>'''sea'' /shah/</td>
<td><sup>5</sup>''ní ha'' /knee-ha/</td>
<td>''slainte'' /SLAWN-tye/</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Welsh language|Welsh]]</th>
<td>''Cymraeg'' /kum-REYEG/</td>
<td>''s'mae?'' /smy/</td>
<td>''hwyl'' /HOO-il/</td>
<td>''os gwelwch yn dda'' /oss GOOEL-ook 'n tha/</td>
<td>''diolch'' /DEE-olk/</td>
<td>''honno'' /HON-no/<sup>6</td>
<td>''faint?'' /vie-nt/</td>
<td>''Saesneg'' /SAUS-neg/</td>
<td><sup>4</sup>''ie''/ee-yay/</td>
<td><sup>5</sup>''na''/na/</td>
<td>''iechyd da'' /YEKid dar/</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Czech language|Czech]]</th>
<td>''C<sup>v</sup>esky'' /CHEHskee/ </td>
<td>''dobry' den'' /DObree den/ </td>
<td>''na shledanou'' /nas KHLEdanow/ </td>
<td>''pros&iacute;m'' /PROseem/ </td>
<td>''de<sup>v</sup>kuji vam'' /DYEkooyi vam/ </td>
<td>'''' // </td>
<td>'''' // </td>
<td>'''' // </td>
<td>''ano'' /Ano/ </td>
<td>''ne'' /ne/ </td>
<td>'''' //</td>
</tr>


<tr>
<th>[[Polish language|Polish]]</th>
<td>''Polski'' <br>/pol-skih/</td>
<td>''dzie&#324; dobry'' /jien dohb-rih/</td>
<td>''do widzenia'' /doh vidzenya/</td>
<td>''prosz&#281;'' /proh-sheh/</td>
<td>''dzi&#281;kuje'' /jien-koo-ye/</td>
<td>''ten'' /ten/<sup>2</sup></td>
<td>''ile'' /ih-leh/</td>
<td>''angielski'' /un-ghiel-skih/</td>
<td>''tak'' /tuhk/</td>
<td>''nie'' /nye/</td>
<td>''na zdrowie'' /nah zdrovyie/</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Russian language|Russian]]</th>
<td>/russkiy/</td>
<td>/zdrastvuyte/</td>
<td>/do svidanja/</td>
<td>/pazhalsta/</td>
<td>/spahseebah/</td>
<td>/ehto/</td>
<td>/skolko/</td>
<td>/ahngleeyskee/</td>
<td>/da/</td>
<td>/nyet/</td>
<td>''za zdorovyeh''</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Slovene language|Slovene]]</th>
<td>''slovensko'' // </td>
<td>''zdravo'' // </td>
<td>''na svidenje'' // </td>
<td>''prosim'' // </td>
<td>''hvala'' // </td>
<td>''tisti'' // </td>
<td>''koliko?'' // </td>
<td>''angle&#353;ko'' // </td>
<td>''da'' // </td>
<td>''ne'' // </td>
<td>''na zdravje'' //</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Mandarin|Mandarin Chinese]]</th>
<td>''pu3-tong1-hua4'' <br>/PoO-TONGUE-HWa/</td>
<td>''ni3-hao3''       <br>/KNeE-HoW/</td>
<td>''zai4-jian4''     <br>/T'SIgh-JEn/</td>
<td>''''               <br>//</td>
<td>''xie4-xie4''      <br>/SHyeah-SHyeah/</td>
<td>''''               <br>//</td>
<td>''''               <br>//</td>
<td>''ying1-wen2''     <br>/EEN-wAN/</td>
<td>''shi4''           <br>/SUre/<sup>4</sup></td>
<td>''bu4-shi4''       <br>/BOo-SUre/<sup>5</sup></td>
<td>''''                <br>//</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>[[Swahili language|Swahili]]</th>
<td>''Kiswahili'' /kee-swa-HEE-lee/</td>
<td><sup>7</sup></td>
<td>''kwa heri'' /kwa HAY-ree/</td>
<td>''tafadhali'' /tah-fah-DAH-lee/</td>
<td>''asante'' /ah-SAHN-tay/</td>
<td>''yule'' /YOO-lay/</td>
<td>''ngapi'' /ng-GAH-pee/</td>
<td>''Kingereza'' /king-ger-RAY-zah/</td>
<td>''ndiyo'' /nnn-DEE-yoh/</td>
<td>''siyo'' /SEE-yoh/</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Euskara|Basque]]</th>
<td>Euskara</td>
<td>kaixo</td>
<td>agur</td>
<td>mesedez</td>
<td>Eskerrik asko</td>
<td>hori</td>
<td>zenbat</td>
<td>ingelesa</td>
<td>bai</td>
<td>ez</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Japanese language|Japanese]]</th>
<td>&#26085;&#26412;&#35486; (nihongo)<br>''/ni-hon-go/''</td>
<td>''konnichiwa'' /ko-ni-chi-wa/</td>
<td>''sayonara'' /sigh oh na ra/</td>
<td>''kudasai'' /ku-da-sigh/</td>
<td>''arigatou'' /ah-ri-ga-to-oh/</td>
<td>''sore'' /so ray/</td>
<td>''ikura'' /i-ku-ra/</td>
<td>''eigo'' /ay-go/</td>
<td>''hai'' /high/</td>
<td>''iie'' /ee-ay/</td>
<td>''kanpai'' /kam-pie/</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Esperanto]]</th>
<td>''Esperanto''<br>/ess-pair-AHN-toh/</td>
<td>''saluton'' /sah-LOO-tohn/</td>
<td>''&#285;is'' /jees/</td>
<td>''bonvolu'' /bohn-VOH-loo/</td>
<td>''dankon'' /DAHN-kohn/</td>
<td>''tiu'' /TEE-oo/</td>
<td>''kiom'' /KEE-ohm/</td>
<td>''la angla'' /lah AHN-glah/</td>
<td>''jes'' /yes/</td>
<td>''ne'' /neh/</td>
<td>''je via sano'' /yeh VEE-ah SAH-noh/</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Ido language|Ido]]</th>
<td>''Ido''</td>
<td>''bona jorno''</td>
<td>''adio''</td>
<td>''bonvole''</td>
<td>''danko''</td>
<td>''co''</td>
<td>''quanta''</td>
<td>''angla''</td>
<td>''yes''</td>
<td>''no''</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Lojban]]</th>
<td>''la lojban'' /lah LOZH-bahn/</td>
<td>''coi'' /shoy/</td>
<td>''co'o'' /SHO-ho/</td>
<td>''pe'u'' /PEH-hoo/</td>
<td>''ki'e'' /KEE-heh/</td>
<td>''ta'' /tah/</td>
<td>''la'u ma'' /LAH-hoo mah/</td>
<td>''le glibau'' /leh GLEE-bow/</td>
<td>''.i go'i'' /ee GO-hee/</td>
<td>''.i na go'i'' /ee nah GO-hee/ </td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Nigerian pidgin]]</th>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>''How now''</td>
<td>''A go dey see yu now''</td>
<td>''A beg''</td>
<td>''Thank yu''</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>''Oyinbo''</td>
<td>''Yes''</td>
<td>''No''</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Finnish language|Finnish]]</th>
<td>''suomi''<br>/suo-meh/</td>
<td>''päivää'' /pay-vaa/</td>
<td>''näkemiin '' /NA-keh-MEEN/</td>
<td>&nbsp;<sup>1</sup></td>
<td>''kiitos'' /kee-tos/</td>
<td>''tuo'' /to-oh/</td>
<td>''kuinka paljon'' /kuyn-kah pal-yon/</td>
<td>''englanti'' /ANG-lan-TEH/</td>
<td>''kyllä'' /kul-lah/</td>
<td>''ei'' /ey/</td>
<td>''kippis'' /kepp-is/</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Bahasa Indonesia|Indonesian]]</th>
<td>''bahasa Indonesia''</td>
<td>''selamat pagi'' <sup>8</sup></td>
<td>''selamat tinggal / selamat jalan'' <sup>9</sup></td>
<td>''tolong''</td>
<td>''terima kasih''</td>
<td>''itu'' </td>
<td>''berapa'' </td>
<td>''bahasa Inggris'' </td>
<td>''ya'' </td>
<td>''tidak''</td>
<td></td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[Tok Pisin language|Tok Pisin]]</th>
<td>''Tok Pisin''</td>
<td>''gut de'' </td>
<td>''gut bai'' </td>
<td>''plis''</td>
<td>''tenkyu''</td>
<td>''em'' </td>
<td>''haumas'' </td>
<td>''Inglis'' </td>
<td>''yes'' </td>
<td>''nogat''</td>
<td></td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td colspan=12">Below is template for adding new language (copy/paste this to the correct place above and replace text)</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<th>[[X language|X]]</th>
<td>''the language itself'' // </td>
<td>''hello'' // </td>
<td>''good bye'' // </td>
<td>''please'' // </td>
<td>''thank you'' // </td>
<td>''that one'' // </td>
<td>''how much?'' // </td>
<td>''English'' // </td>
<td>''yes'' // </td>
<td>''no'' // </td>
<td>''generic toast'' //</td>
</tr>


</table>[[Common_phrases_in_different_languages/table|'''Click here to read table''']]

See also 
http://www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/language.htm

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<font size="-1">

<sup>1</sup>No word directly corresponds to the word please.  The concept of politeness in a request is express in various ways.

<sup>2</sup>''ten'' /ten/, ''ta'' /tuh/, ''to'' /toh/ [depends on word gender]

<sup>3</sup>or ''&eacute;sa'' /ay-sah/ [for a feminine object]

<sup>4</sup>This actually means "it is" and can only be used in an answer to a question with the verb "to be".  Languages like Irish, Welsh, and Chinese do not have words for "yes" or "no".  Instead you repeat the main verb of the question in your answer.

<sup>5</sup>This actually means "it is not.  See note 4 above.

<sup>6</sup> this is the feminine form. The Masculine form is 'hwnnw' HOO-noo.

<sup>7</sup> Greetings in Swahili are an incredibly complex affair and 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. Curiously, farewells are abrupt or even non-existent.

<sup>8</sup> This is ''good morning''; ''selamat siang'' is used around midday and in the early afternoon, ''selamat sore'' in the late afternoon, ''selamat malam'' after dark.

<sup>9</sup> The person leaving says ''selamat tinggal'', the person staying ''selamat jalan''.

</font>

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[[talk:Common_phrases_in_different_languages|/Talk]]