How greeting is done in various languages

For the sake of good manners, it’s good to know how to say sorry. You can say it when moving through a crowd, or when a general apology is required.

• German: Es tut mir leid – “I am sorry” or Entschuldigung – “excuse me”
• French: Je suis désolé (for male speakers), Je suis désolée (for female speakers) or pardon
• Mandarin Chinese: Duìbùqĭ or bù hǎoyìsi
• Spanish: Lo siento or perdón
• Italian: Mi dispiace or perdono
• Hindi: Mujhe maaf kardo/ Mujhse galti ho gayi.

What’s the first thing to do when initiating a conversation? You greet them, like so:

• German: Hallo
• French: Bonjour
• Mandarin Chinese: Nǐ hǎo
• Spanish: Hola
• Italian: Ciao
• Hindi/ Marathi: Namaste, Namaskar
• Italian: Quanto costa/costano? (singular/plural)

“Yes” is one of the simplest words to learn and it helps that it tends to remain constant across many Romance languages.

• German: Ja
• French: Oui
• Mandarin Chinese: Shì (Technically there is no word for “yes” in Mandarin, but in many cases ‘it is’ works – otherwise, you’d repeat the verb of the question)
• Spanish: Sí
• Italian: Sì
• Hindi: Ha

Why would you learn how to say “yes” without learning the translation for “no”?

• German: Nein
• French: Non
• Mandarin Chinese: Bú shì (Similarly to yes, as explained above, this actually means ‘it isn’t’, as there’s no single word for ‘no’ in Mandarin. If you put bù (‘not`) before the verb in question that tends to be what you need)
• Spanish: No
• Italian: No
• Hindi: Nahi/ na

“I am” is a much better phrase to learn than “My name is…”. Why? You can apply it to a range of topics – not only your name but your job, nationality and many other things. It’s the perfect phrase to use with Tarzan speak.

• German: Ich bin…
• French: Je suis…
• Mandarin Chinese: Wǒ shì…
• Spanish: Soy…
• Italian: Io sono…

After you’ve introduced yourself, you’ll want to know how to ask for an introduction in return.

• German: Wie heißen Sie? (formal) or Wie heißt du? (informal)
• French: Comment vous appelez-vous ? (formal) or Comment tu t’appelles ? (informal)
• Mandarin Chinese: Nǐ guìxìng? (formal) Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? (informal)
• Spanish: ¿Cómo se llama usted? (formal) or ¿Cómo te llamas? (informal)
• Italian: Lei come si chiama? (formal) or Tu come ti chiami? (informal)

If you find yourself in conversation with a local, it’s a mark of common decency to ask how they are. I find that people across many different cultures who work in service roles really appreciate it when you take the time to ask how they’re doing.

• German: Wie geht es dir?
• French: Comment allez-vous ? or the informal Ça va ?
• Mandarin Chinese: Nǐ hǎo ma? (While this is technically correct, you’re more likely to hear something along the lines of Nǐ zuìjìn zěnme yàng? – How have you been lately?)
• Spanish: ¿Cómo estás?
• Italian: Come stai?

Quick, go-to response if someone asks how you’re doing.

• German: Mir geht es großartig! – “I am great!”
• French: Ça va bien ! – “I am good!”
• Mandarin Chinese: Wǒ hěn hǎo!
• Spanish: Bien
• Italian: Bene!

If you’re having issues communicating with a native speaker – tell them!

• German: Entschuldigung, das verstehe ich nicht.
• French: Je suis désolé, je ne comprends pas. (for male speaker) Je suis désolée, je ne comprends pas. (for female speakers)
• Mandarin Chinese: Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ tīng bù dǒng.
• Spanish: Lo siento, no entiendo.
• Italian: Mi dispiace, non capisco.

You’re navigating a new country. Chances are, you’ll get lost now and again. Don’t be afraid to ask a local for directions. Even if you can’t follow their directions, you can get them to show you your destination on a map.

• German: Wo ist (der/die/das)…?
• French: Où est (le/la)…
• Mandarin Chinese: … zài nǎlǐ?
• Spanish: Dónde está (el/la)…
• Italian: Dov’è (il/la)…

Another phrase that’s really good to know.

• German: Auf Wiedersehen (formal) or Tschüss (informal)
• French: Au revoir
• Mandarin Chinese: Zàijiàn
• Spanish: Adiós
• Italian: Arrivederla/ci
• Hindi: Alvida