Say Common Phrases in Multiple Languages

The simple phrases: "hello," "sorry," "thank you," "you're welcome," "goodbye," "I love you." These are very basic manners that can be very useful to learn in different languages. If you're on a whirlwind tour of the world, or you just want to know how to be very polite in a multi-cultured society, tuck this mini-guide into your bag and learn a little every day.

Steps

Thank You

  1. How to say thank you in different languages.
    • Afrikaans: Dankie (standard).
    • Bengali: ধন্যবাদ (Dhon-no-baad).
    • Cambodian (Khmer): អរគុណ (Ar-Kun).
    • Cantonese: 多謝 (Doll jie).
    • Dutch: Dank u (formal). Dank je (informal).
    • Finnish: Kiitos.
    • French: Merci.
    • German: Vielen Dank (formal). Danke (informal).
    • Hebrew: Toda Raba.
    • Icelandic: Takk (Tahck).
    • Italian: Grazie.
    • Japanese: Domo arigato (formal). Arigato (informal).
    • Korean: Kam-Sam-Ni-Da.
    • Korean:고맙습니다 (Koh-mahp-soom-ni-da)
    • Krio: Tenki.
    • Latin: Gratias ago.
    • Malay: Terima kasih.
    • Malayalam: നന്ദി (Na-nni).
    • Mandarin Chinese: 谢谢 (Shyieh, Shyieh).
    • Norwegian: Takk/Tusen takk/Takk skal du ha.
    • Persian:متشکرم (moteshakkeram).
    • Portuguese: Obrigado (male)/obrigada(female).
    • Romanian: Multumesc (formal). Mersi (informal).
    • Russian: Спасибо (spa-SI-ba).
    • Serbian: Hvala.
    • Sindhi: Meherbaani. (مهرباني)
    • Sinhalese: Sthuthi.
    • Spanish: Gracias.
    • Swedish: Tack.
    • Tagalog/Filipino: Maraming salamat.
    • Tamil (தமிழ்): Nandri (நன்றி) .
    • Telugu: ధన్యవాదాలు (dhan-ya-vaadhalu).
    • Turkish: Teşekkürler.
    • Urdu: Shukriya (شکریہ).
    • Vietnamese: cám ơn (感恩)

Okay / Fine

  1. How to say okay in different languages.
    • Afrikaans: Okay!
    • Bengali: ঠিক আছে (thik aase).
    • Cambodian (Khmer): មិនអីទេ (Min-Ey-Te).
    • Cantonese: 唔使客氣 (Mmm sai hak hei).
    • Dutch: Graag gedaan.
    • Finnish: Ole hyvä.
    • French: Je vous en prie. (formal). De rien (informal).
    • German: Gerngeschehen (formal). Bitte (informal).
    • Icelandic: Gjörðu svo vel (Gj-uh-rthu svoh vel).
    • Japanese: Doo itashimashite.
    • Korean: 천만에요 (Jeon-man-eyo).
    • Krio: Fo natin.
    • Malay: Sama-sama.
    • Malayalam:sheri/ ane sheri
    • Mandarin Chinese: 好的 (Haw de).
    • Norwegian: Vær så god/Skulle bare mangle.
    • Persian:خواهش میکنم(xaahesh mikonam).
    • Portuguese: De nada.
    • Romanian: Cu placere.
    • Russian: Пожалуйста (Pazhalusta).
    • Sindhi: Bhalikaar.
    • Spanish: De nada.
    • Swedish: Var så god.
    • Tagalog/Filipino: Walang anuman.
    • Turkish: Rica ederim.
    • Urdu: Khush Amadeed.
    • Telugu: saré

Where is it?

  1. How to say where is it? in different languages.
    • Afrikaans: Waar is dit?
    • Bengali: এটা কোথায়? (eeta ko thay?)
    • Cambodian (Khmer): វានៅឯណា? (Vea-Nov-Ea-Na).
    • Cantonese: 邊度? (Bean duo?).
    • Dutch: Waar is het?
    • Finnish: Missä se on?
    • French: Où est-il ?
    • German: Wo ist es?
    • Hebrew: Eifo Ze?
    • Icelandic: Hvar er það? (Kvar ehr thadh?)
    • Japanese: Doko desu ka?
    • Korean: 어디? (eo-di?)
    • Krio: Na weh ee be?
    • Latin: Ubi id est?
    • Malay: Dimanakah ia?
    • Malayalam:athe evadaya
    • Mandarin Chinese: 哪儿 (Nar Yowe)
    • Norwegian: Hvor er det?
    • Portuguese: Onde é?
    • Romanian: Unde este?
    • Russian: Где это? (Gdye eta?)
    • Sindhi: Eho Kithey Ahey?
    • Sinhalese: Eka koheda thiyenne?
    • Spanish: ¿Donde está?
    • Swedish: Var är det?
    • Tagalog/Filipino: 'Asan na 'yon? or Nasaan na iyon?
    • Telugu: ఎక్కడ (yekkada)
    • Tamil: Atthu enga irruku
    • Turkish: Nerede?
    • Urdu: Wo Kahan Ha?
    • Vietnamese: ở đâu? (兜於)

What did you say?

  1. How to say what did you say? in different languages.
    • Afrikaans: Ekskuus? / Kom weer? / Sê gou weer? / Wat het jy ge sê?
    • Bengali: আপনি কি বললেন? (aap ni ki bol len?) or simply (ki bol len?)
    • Cambodian (Khmer): អ្នកនិយាយអ្វី? (Nek-Niyay-Ar-Vey).
    • Cantonese: 你講乜嘢? (Nei gong mut yea?).
    • Dutch: "Wat zegt u?" or "Kunt u dat herhalen?"
    • Finnish: Mitä sanoitte?
    • French: Qu'est-ce que vous avez dit? Or simply Pardon?
    • German: Was haben Sie gesagt?
    • Hebrew: Ma Ata Amarta?
    • Icelandic: Hvad sagðirðu? (Kvath sahgthirthu?)
    • Japanese: Nan to ii mashita ka?
    • Krio: Wetin yu say?
    • Latin: Quid dixisti?
    • Malay: Apa yang telah kamu katakan?
    • Malayalam:ne entha paranje?
    • Mandarin Chinese: 你说了什么？ (Ni Shuo Le Shen Me?)
    • Norwegian: Hva sa du?
    • Persian:چی فرمودید؟(chi farmudid?)
    • Portuguese: O que é que disse?(formal)/ O que é que disseste?(informal)
    • Romanian: Ce ati/ai spus?
    • Russian: Что ты сказал? (Chto ti skazal?)
    • Serbian: та сте рекли?
    • Sindhi: Cha Chayo Tawhaan?
    • Sinhalese: Mokakda oya kiwwe?
    • Spanish: Repite, por favor.
    • Swedish: Vad sa du?
    • Tagalog/Filipino: Ano'ng sinabi mo? or Ano yung sinabi mo?
    • Telugu: yemannaru?
    • Tamil Enna sona?
    • Turkish: Ne dedin sen?
    • Urdu: Aap nay kia kaha?

You can sit down

  1. How to say you can sit down in different languages.
    • Afrikaans: U kan maar sit. (Formal) / Jy kan sit (standard)
    • Bengali: আপনি বসতে পারেন । (aap ni bosh-tey pa ren)
    • Cambodian (Khmer): អ្នកអាចអង្គុយបាន (Nek-Arch-Ang-Kuy-Ban).
    • Cantonese: 你可以坐低 (Nei ho yi cho dai).
    • Dutch: U kunt gaan zitten.
    • Finnish: Voit istuutua.
    • French: Vous pouvez vous asseoir.
    • German: Sie können sich hinsetzen.
    • Hebrew: Ata yahol lashevet.
    • Japanese: Dozo o kake kudasai.
    • Krio: Yu kin sidom
    • Latin: Sedeas.(You may sit.)/Sedeas si placeas.(You may sit if you please.)
    • Malay: Awak boleh duduk.
    • Malayalam: nieke erikian patuim
    • Mandarin Chinese: 你可以坐下了。 (Ni Ke Yi Zuo Xia Le.)
    • Norwegian: (Polite: Vær så snill å...)Sett deg ned
    • Persian: میتوانید بنشینید(mitavaanid beneshinid)
    • Portuguese: Pode-se sentar.(formal)/ Podes-te sentar. (informal)
    • Romanian: Puteti/poti sa luati/iei loc
    • Russian: Вы можете сесть. (Vi mozhetye sest)
    • Sindhi: Tawhaan Wehi Saghho Tha.
    • Sinhalese: Oyata waadi wenna puluwan.
    • Spanish: Puedes sentarte. (or, formally: puede sentarse)
    • Swedish: Slå dig ner.
    • Tagalog/Filipino: Maari kang maupo or Maupo ka.
    • Telugu: Miiru koorchovachu
    • Tamil Okkaru
    • Turkish: Oturabilirsin.
    • Urdu: Aap Baith saktaiy hain

I love you

  1. How to say I love you in different languages.
    • Afrikaans: Ek is lief vir jou!
    • Bengali: আমি তোমাকে ভালোবাসি (aami to-ma-key valou bashi) Informal
    • Cambodian (Khmer): ខ្ញុំស្រលាញ់អ្នក? (Nhom-Sro-Lah-Nek).
    • Cantonese: 我愛你 (Ngo ngoi nei).
    • Dutch: Ik houd van je(formal) or Ik hou van je
    • Finnish: Minä rakastan sinua
    • French: Je t'aime. Je t'adore.
    • German: Ich liebe dich.
    • Hebrew: Ani ohevet(Change to Ohev if from Male) otha(From Female To male). Ani ohev(Change to ohevet if from Female) otah(From Male To Female).
    • Japanese: Aishiteru.
    • Korean: 사랑해 (Sa-rang-hae)
    • Krio: ah lek you bad bad wan
    • Latin: Te amo.
    • Malay: Saya cintakan awak
    • Mandarin Chinese: 我爱你 (Wo ai ni).
    • Norwegian: Jeg elsker deg. (to a spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend) Jeg er glad i deg. (to family/friends)
    • Persian:دوستت دارم(dustat daaram)
    • Portuguese: Eu amo-te / Eu te amo (most common)
    • Romanian: Te iubesc!
    • Russian: Я тебя люблю. (Ya tebya lyublyu)
    • Sinhalese: Mama oyata aadarei.
    • Spanish: Te quiero. (to friend/boyfriend/girlfriend) Te amo (to family/spouse)
    • Swedish: Jag älskar dig.
    • Tagalog/Filipino: Mahal kita or Iniibig kita.
    • Telugu: నేను నిన్ను ప్రేమిస్తున్నాను (nenu ninnu premistunnanu)
    • Tamil Ennku onna romba peddikum
    • Turkish: (to family or friends) Seni seviyorum. (To boyfriend or girlfriend) sana aşığım
    • Urdu: Main Ap say mohabut Karta hoon (Infact "I love You" is more common than this)
    • Vietnamese: Tôi yêu em (倅要㛪)

I Would Like That

  1. How to say I would like that in different languages.
    • Afrikaans: Ek sal daarvan hou (standard). Ek smaak dit stukkend (very informal).
    • Bengali: আমি ওটা চাই (aami ota chai).
    • Cambodian (Khmer): ខ្ញុំចូលចិត្តវា (Nhom-Chol-Chit-Vea).
    • Cantonese: 我中意呢個 (Ngo chung yi nei gor).
    • Dutch: Dat lijkt me leuk/lekker ('lekker' is used for food, 'leuk' means 'nice' or 'fun').
    • Finnish: Oli kiva tavata.
    • French: Je voudrais ceci.
    • German: Das gefaellt mir.
    • Japanese: Sore ga hoshii des. Suki desu. (I like it)
    • Latin: Illud velim./Illud vellissem.
    • Malay: Saya memang sukakan itu.
    • Mandarin Chinese: 我喜欢它 (Wo Shee Hwan Ta).
    • Norwegian: Det hadde vært hyggelig.
    • Portuguese: Gostei disso.
    • Romanian: Mi-ar placea asta.
    • Sinhalese: Mama ekata kamathi.
    • Spanish: Me gustaria eso.
    • Swedish: Jag gillar det.
    • Tagalog/Filipino: Gusto ko iyan.
    • Urdu: Mujhay woh pasand aiay ga.

Nice seeing you

  1. How to say nice seeing you in different languages.
    • Afrikaans: Dit was lekker om jou te sien!
    • Bengali: তোমাকে দেখে খুশি হলাম (toma-key dey-khey khu-shi holam).
    • Cambodian (Khmer): រីករាយដែលបានជួបអ្នក (Rek-Rey-Del-Ban-Chub-Nek).
    • Cantonese: 好高興見到你 (Ho go hing gin duo nei).
    • Dutch: Het was leuk om je/u te zien.
    • German: Es war nett, Sie zu sehen.
    • Hebrew: Tov lir'ot ____(Otha if to male. Otah if to Female).
    • Japanese: Yokoso. /Hisashi buri (It's been a long time)/Hajimemashite, yoroshiku onegai shimasu. (It is our first time. Let us be cordial with each other. Said when you meet the first time.)
    • Krio: good fo watch yu (pronounced waach).
    • Latin: Te spectare gaudeo.
    • Malay: Gembira bertemu dengan awak.
    • Mandarin Chinese: 很高兴见到你。 (Hen Gao Xing Jian Dao Ni?)
    • Malayalam:Ninne kandathil enikku santhosham undu.
    • Norwegian: Hyggelig å møte deg/Hyggelig å se deg.
    • Persian:از ملاقات شما خوشحال شدم(az molaaghate shomaa xosh haal shodam).
    • Portuguese: Bom te ver!
    • Romanian: Incantat/a sa va vad.
    • Sinhalese: Obawa dakinna labeema sathutak.
    • Spanish: Encantado(/a if you are female, 'I am thrilled to meet you) a conocerte(/se if you want to be formal). /Mucho gusto.
    • Swedish: Trevligt att träffas.
    • Tagalog/Filipino: Masaya ako na nakita ka.
    • Urdu: App say mil kar acha laga.
    • Telugu: Mimmalni kalavatam santhoshamuga undhi (Im happy to meet you)

How are you?

  1. How to say how are you? in different languages.
    • Afrikaans: Hoe gaan dit met jou/u? ('u' is the formal way)
    • Bengali: কেমন আছেন? (kemon aasen? formal) or কেমন আছো? (kemon aaso? informal)
    • Cambodian (Khmer): សុខសប្បាយជាទេ? (Sok-Sa-Bay-Chea-Te).
    • Cantonese: 你好嗎？ (Nei ho ma?).
    • Dutch: Hoe gaat met jou/u ( 'u' is the formal way) ?
    • French: Comment allez-vous ? Or: Ça va?
    • Finnish: Mitä kuuluu? / Kuinka voit?
    • German: Wie geht es Ihnen? (formal) Wie geht's? (informal)
    • Hebrew: Ma shlomha (to male). Shlomeh (to female).
    • Japanese: Genki desu ka? (Are you fine?)
    • Korean: 안녕하십니까 (anneyong hasimnikka)Krio: How yu do? (how pronounced ow)
    • Latin: Ut vales.(Are you fine?)
    • Malay: Apa khabar?
    • Mandarin Chinese: 你好吗 (Nee How Ma)
    • Malayalam:Sukhamano?
    • Norwegian: Hvordan går det/Hvordan har du det?
    • Persian:حال شما چطور است؟(haale shomaa chetor ast?)
    • Portuguese: Como está?(formal)/ Como estás(informal)
    • Romanian: Cine esti?
    • Russian: Как дела? (Kak dyela?) (informal)
    • Sinhalese: Oyata kohomada?
    • Spanish: ¿Como estás? (informal) ¿Como está Usted? (formal) ¿Que tal? (informal)
    • Swedish: Hur mår du? / Hur är det?
    • Tagalog/Filipino: Kumusta ka? (not Kamusta ka)
    • Telugu: Meeru yela vunnaru?(informal) or Baagunnara? (formal and informal)
    • Turkish: Nasılsın?
    • Urdu: Ap ka kia haal hai

Sorry

  1. How to say sorry in different languages.
    • Afrikaans: Jammer. / Askies.
    • Bengali: দুঃখিত (duk-khi-tow).
    • Cambodian (Khmer): សុំទោស (Som-Tuh).
    • Cantonese: 對唔住 (Dui mmm ju).
    • French: Je suis désolé(e).
    • Finnish: Anteeksi.
    • German: Es tut mir Leid.
    • Japanese: Gomen nasai OR sumimasen.
    • Krio: ah sorri oh
    • Korean: 미안합니다 Mi-an-ham-nida (formal) Mi-an-ay (Casual)#*Latin: Mihi paenitet.
    • Malay: Minta maaf.
    • Mandarin Chinese: 对不起 (dway boo chee).
    • Malayalam:kshamikku.
    • Norwegian: Unnskyld.
    • Persian:متاسفم(mote?assefam).
    • Polish: Przepraszam.
    • Portuguese: Desculpe(formal)/ Desculpa(informal).
    • Romanian: Imi pare rau.
    • Russian: Извините (Eezveenitye).
    • Sinhalese: Samawenna.
    • Spanish: Lo siento.
    • Swedish: Förlåt.
    • Tagalog/Filipino: Patawad, Paumanhin.
    • Telugu: క్షమించండి (ksha-minchandi).
    • Turkish: Üzgünüm.
    • Urdu: Sorry (same).

I am fine/not good.(response to how are you)

  1. How to say I am fine in different languages.
    • Afrikaans: Dit gaan goed, dankie (good).Dit gaan nie so goed nie (bad).
    • Bengali: আমি ভালো আছি (aami valo acchi) fine / আমি ভালো নেই (aami valo nei) not good.
    • Cambodian (Khmer): សុខសប្បាយ (Sok-Sa-Bay) / មិនល្អទេ (Min-La-Or-Te).
    • Cantonese: 我幾好 (Ngo gei ho) / 我唔係幾好 (Ngo mmm hai gei ho).
    • Finnish: Olen kunnossa (good). En ole hyvä (bad).
    • French: Je vais bien (good). Je vais mal (bad). Comme ci, comme ça (so, so)
    • German: Es geht mir gut (good). Es geht mir schlecht (bad).
    • Japanese: I am fine: Hai, genki desu. / I am very fine: Genki ippai desu. / I am not fine (informal): Yoku nai. I am not fine (formal): Yoku arimasen.
    • Krio: ah no well/ gud.
    • Latin: Bene sum (good). Male sum (bad).
    • Malay: Saya sihat (good). Saya tidak sihat (bad).
    • Mandarin Chinese: 我很好/不太好 (Wo Hen Haw)(good). (Wo Bu Tai Haw)(bad).
    • Norwegian: Det går ----- *bra=good *greit=ok *ikke så bra=dårlig
    • Portuguese: Estou bem.
    • Romanian: Sunt bine (good). Eu nu sunt bine (bad).
    • Sinhalese: Mama hondin (good). Mama etharam hondin nemei inne (bad).
    • Spanish: Estoy bien (good). Estoy mal (bad).
    • Swedish: Jag mar bra (good). Jag är inte bra (bad).
    • Telugu: Nenu baagunnaanu (good).
    • Turkish: iyiyim (good) iyi değilim / kötüyüm (not good)
    • Urdu: Theek
    • Vietnam: Tôi khỏe (good)

Tips

  • Use the language as much as you can. Don't be shy. People that speak the language will be very happy that you are trying to learn their language. Plus, they can only help you, right?
  • Make sure that your pronunciation is correct. For example, in French, ca va is said "sa vah" with a short a sound, but it could be incorrectly said as "say vay". You would not want to speak a language wrong, or people may get the wrong impression.
  • Once you learn it, try it out. Preferably with a native speaker, then you can learn other phrases.
  • Read a few books on the language of other countries.
  • It is important to learn how to speak the language you are speaking, because if somebody replies to you in that language, you will look really unintelligent saying that you really cannot understand that language.

Warnings

  • Don't get the pronunciation wrong though. One wrong syllable and the words can mean different things. Sometimes, a simple goodbye can mean a very racist comment or a swear word coming from someone who doesn't curse. For example, the informal French for 'hello' (Salut) and 'b*stard' (salaud) are very similar.

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