The most important phrase in every language. Sure, there are many phrases which could be important in every language such as:&nbsp;"Where is the toilet?". Arguably the most important :)&nbsp;"Hello".&

Derek

The most important phrase in every language.

Sure, there are many phrases which could be important in every language such as:

"Where is the toilet?". Arguably the most important :)

"Hello".

"What is the price?".

Having traveled the world for many years, I have come to the conclusion that there is one must learn phrase for every language I must learn before visiting the country the language is practiced in. That phrase is "Thank you". Not only is it polite, but thanking someone in his/her own language shows that person you have taken the time to learn the language, shows your appreciation to that person and shows a level of respect you are giving that person. Most times saying thank you garners a smile from the person you are thanking.

There's no way I can fluently speak the language of all the countries I frequent, but I can thank them for their time. Perhaps that person has had a bad day and your thank you combined with a smile could change that person's mood.

What is your 'Go To' phrase when you visit other countries?

For taking the time to read this, I will simply say...

THANK YOU!

AFRIKAANS – dankie

ALBANIAN – faleminderit

ARABIC – shukran

ARMENIAN – Շնորհակալություն / chnorakaloutioun

BOSNIAN – hvala (HVAH-lah)

BULGARIAN – благодаря / blagodaria

CATALAN – gràcies (GRAH-syuhs)

CANTONESE – M̀h’gōi

CROATIAN – hvala (HVAH-lah)

CZECH – děkuji (Dyekooyih)

DANISH – tak (tahg)

DUTCH – dank u

ESTONIAN – tänan (TA-nahn)

FINNISH – kiitos (KEE-tohss)

FRENCH – merci

GERMAN – danke

GREEK – ευχαριστώ (ef-hah-rees-TOH)

HAWAIIAN – mahalo (ma-HA-lo)

HEBREW – .תודה / todah (toh-DAH)

HINDI – dhanyavād / shukriya

HUNGARIAN – köszönöm (KØ-sø-nøm)

ICELANDIC – takk (tahk)

INDONESIAN – terima kasih. (tuh-REE-mah KAH-see)

ITALIAN – grazie (GRAHT-tsyeh)

JAPANESE – arigatô (ah-ree-GAH-toh)

KOREAN – 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)

LATVIAN – paldies (PUHL-dyehs)

LEBANESE – choukrane

LITHUANIAN – ačiū (AH-choo)

MACEDONIAN – Благодарам / blagodaram (blah-GOH-dah-rahm)

MALAY – terima kasih (TREE-muh KAH-seh)

MALTESE – grazzi (GRUTS-ee)

MANDARIN – Xièxiè

MONGOLIAN – Баярлалаа (bayarlalaa)

NORWEGIAN – takk

POLISH – dziękuję (Jenkoo-yen)

PORTUGUESE – obrigado [masculine] / obrigada [feminine] (oh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah)

ROMANIAN – mulţumesc (mool-tzoo-MESK)

RUSSIAN – спасибо (spuh-SEE-buh)

SERBIAN – xвала / hvala (HVAH-lah)

SLOVAK – Ďakujem (JAH-koo-yehm)

SLOVENIAN – hvala (HVAA-lah)

SPANISH – gracias (GRAH-syahs)

SWEDISH – tack

TAMIL – nandri

THAI – kop khun

TURKISH – teşekkür ederim (teh shek uer eh der eem)

UKRAINIAN – Дякую (DYAH-koo-yoo)

WELSH – diolch (DEE-ol’ch)

YIDDISH – a dank

ZULU – ngiyabonga

Mar 28, 2019 8:02 AM

Comments · 5

In my personal experience, it depends on the country or continent. In many european countries they will not give you a bag in the supermarket if you don't ask and you have to pay for them. I never knew that before so when I am in any European country, the most important and survival phrase is "A bag, please" not to have unpleasant moments like I had in Belarus where i was shopping lots of things and I noticed something was wrong and after I had paid and I, then, asked "Where are the bags?" and the cashier was so angry and there were lots of people behind me waiting for their turn. So, yeah, for me "Bags, please" became my main phrase to learn in any language.

March 28, 2019