Shira
Your five crucial words

I have a theory (an unscientific one admittedly) that every language can be boiled down to just a few words:

 

For example:

Japanese:

sumimasen

hai

ganbatte

kawai

atsui

samui

chotto matte

taihen des ne

 

Hebrew:

rega/daka

balagan

savlanut

lo nora

nu

ke'ilu

 

This is not supposed to be serious, but just a subjective impression from living in Japan and Israel, and the words that I felt that I heard constantly when out and about. Would be interested to hear other people's impression of other languages, especially English, French Spanish. Thanks.

 

 

Jun 5, 2014 11:03 AM
Comments · 3
1

I guess I'm trying to say that these words go a long way. If you are new in a foreign country most of the time you're not saying or hearing, my name is ..., i'm from ... (which language courses usually start out with), but, excuse me, hold on, never mind, y'know, etc, etc. So if you're going to start somewhere, these easy lists would be a good place.

June 5, 2014
1

That sounds interesting. I have realized something similar in my native language - I use the same sentences - same words in the same structures most of the time. In other words, my knowledge of my native language is nothing else than using the same sentences again and again.

June 5, 2014

Yes, I see.

June 5, 2014