Favorite foreign one-word phrases
May 22, 2010, 12:59 am
#1
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Favorite foreign one-word phrases
I like picking up quick foreign phrases in my travels that go beyond ones for "hello," "goodbye," "please," and "thank you" that you see in guide books.
Often, I find new uses for these basic phrases that do one or more of the following:
1. Shows respect for the culture that I'm in.
2. Almost passes you off for a local (maybe an expat?)
3. Are simple enough to use without resorting to complete sentences.
Some of my favorites:
German
- Malzheit!: greeting said only at lunchtime, to co-workers or to the clerk ringing up your bratwurst
- Bitte: used like "After you" when in line or opening a door
Italian
- Prego: used like "After you"
- Posso? : "May I?" used in place of "May I sit down?" "Can I have a taste?" "Can I enter?"
- Niente: "no problem" or "don't mention it," in response to "Grazie"
- Salve: colloquial way to say hi or bye at a cashier
Japanese
- Sumimasen: can be used when walking into a store instead of "konnichiwa" as "Hello (sorry for bothering you)"
- Onegaishimasu: I like to use this when asking a favor of someone in conjunction with a non-verbal cue, i.e. handing a form that requires their signature, making a purchase
- Dozo: used like "After you" or in offering a sample or stick of gum to someone
Any other one-word phrases you find useful in your travels, beyond the basics?
Often, I find new uses for these basic phrases that do one or more of the following:
1. Shows respect for the culture that I'm in.
2. Almost passes you off for a local (maybe an expat?)
3. Are simple enough to use without resorting to complete sentences.
Some of my favorites:
German
- Malzheit!: greeting said only at lunchtime, to co-workers or to the clerk ringing up your bratwurst
- Bitte: used like "After you" when in line or opening a door
Italian
- Prego: used like "After you"
- Posso? : "May I?" used in place of "May I sit down?" "Can I have a taste?" "Can I enter?"
- Niente: "no problem" or "don't mention it," in response to "Grazie"
- Salve: colloquial way to say hi or bye at a cashier
Japanese
- Sumimasen: can be used when walking into a store instead of "konnichiwa" as "Hello (sorry for bothering you)"
- Onegaishimasu: I like to use this when asking a favor of someone in conjunction with a non-verbal cue, i.e. handing a form that requires their signature, making a purchase
- Dozo: used like "After you" or in offering a sample or stick of gum to someone
Any other one-word phrases you find useful in your travels, beyond the basics?
Last edited by ntamayo; May 22, 2010 at 4:50 am
May 22, 2010, 1:27 am
#2
Join Date: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
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i dont know how to spell these in the foreign language but ill try
Chinese
knee how-hello
Shee Shee- Thank you
Portuguese
to to bahn-how are you
Bicha-Gay
Suco De laranja-orange juice
brigado-thank you
Chinese
knee how-hello
Shee Shee- Thank you
Portuguese
to to bahn-how are you
Bicha-Gay
Suco De laranja-orange juice
brigado-thank you
May 22, 2010, 2:23 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2003
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Ni hao
Xie xie
As for one worders, I like:
Bahasa Indonesia
Bugil (bule gila) = crazy foreigner
Makasih = informal thank you (as opposed to Terima Kasih)
Tamil
Illai (pronounced il-le) = No
Amaam = Yes
Engea = Where
May 22, 2010, 4:10 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: DFW
Programs: PLAT -- 2.7Million
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I like picking up quick foreign phrases in my travels that go beyond ones for "hello," "goodbye," "please," and "thank you" that you see in guide books.
Often, I find new uses for these basic phrases that do one or more of the following:
1. Shows respect for the culture that I'm in.
2. Almost passes you off for a local (maybe an expat?)
3. Are simple enough to use without resorting to complete sentences.
Some of my favorites:
Japanese
- Sumimasen: can be used when walking into a store instead of "konnichiwa" as "Hello (sorry for bothering you)"
Often, I find new uses for these basic phrases that do one or more of the following:
1. Shows respect for the culture that I'm in.
2. Almost passes you off for a local (maybe an expat?)
3. Are simple enough to use without resorting to complete sentences.
Some of my favorites:
Japanese
- Sumimasen: can be used when walking into a store instead of "konnichiwa" as "Hello (sorry for bothering you)"
Is "Sumimasen" used as a telephone greeting?
May 22, 2010, 6:07 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Terra Australis Cognita
Posts: 5,350
Sorry, I think you've misunderstood something here -- this is not normal usage. "Sumimasen" is most commonly used where you'd say "Excuse me" in English, so you might say it when hailing a waiter or before asking a shopkeeper about something, but it's not a replacement for "Hello" and would not be used if your intention is to just browse happily by yourself.
May 22, 2010, 9:00 am
#10
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Sorry, I think you've misunderstood something here -- this is not normal usage. "Sumimasen" is most commonly used where you'd say "Excuse me" in English, so you might say it when hailing a waiter or before asking a shopkeeper about something, but it's not a replacement for "Hello" and would not be used if your intention is to just browse happily by yourself.
May 22, 2010, 9:03 am
#12
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Onegaishimasu
A nmemonic a buddy suggested when first learning the rhythm of it is "only guy she wants." Say it fast enough, and you could almost pass for saying the real deal 
May 22, 2010, 9:36 am
#13
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In addition to 'sumimasen,' I find I use 'domo' more than anything else. 'Arigato gozaimasu' comes close.
May 22, 2010, 10:19 am
#14
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My favorite one word phrase is in Japanese.. and works great with everyone especially people you don't like.
Ahhhhhh - Sooooo
Ahhhhhh - Sooooo
May 22, 2010, 10:30 am
#15
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Using a phrase in the local language is good, although it's unlikely that one could pass as a local on the basis of few phrases. For all the reasons you mentioned, it's always a good idea. It gets their attention too.
Bitte: It actually means please. It suffices to say please to mean please, you first, or after you. There are other uses of bitte, just as there are other uses of please in English. You say "please" in the sense of "Yes I would like some tea (or whatever)" when I asked "Woould you like some tea?"
It can also mean "Yes please stop" when someone asks you "Do you want me to stop?"
Bitte: It actually means please. It suffices to say please to mean please, you first, or after you. There are other uses of bitte, just as there are other uses of please in English. You say "please" in the sense of "Yes I would like some tea (or whatever)" when I asked "Woould you like some tea?"
It can also mean "Yes please stop" when someone asks you "Do you want me to stop?"