Only A True Word-Genius Knows What These Foreign Sayings Mean
- by Rose Moore
- – on
- in Lifestyle
One of the most interesting things about traveling is immersing yourself in another country - not just shuttling between a hotel and the biggest tourist attractions, but really getting to know the culture, the food, and the feeling of a new place. And one of the best ways to do that? Learn a little bit of the local language!
Making sure that you know a few useful phrases means that you won't find yourself totally stuck and unable to communicate with anyone around you - which is especially helpful when it comes to things like ordering food, finding a bathroom, or asking directions. But while these might be the most common phrases to find in a guidebook, they aren't the only words that a true traveler will pick up along the way. Get chatting to some people who live in the place that you are exploring, and you will learn everything from little bits of local slang to how to toast to your new friends in the local bar.
From North America to Europe, Asia to Africa, these are some of the more common slang words, phrases and useful terms that any world traveler will pick up along the way. Some are in another language, but a few are even in English - just not the English spoken in the United States! How many do you know? Take our quiz and find out how good your language skills are!
What is a 'farang'?
While traveling in Thailand, you may hear the word 'farang' thrown around quite a lot by the locals - especially when there are a lot of tourists around. Occasionally, it can be thrown out as a bit of an insult, but it's usually just a descriptive word, and isn't meant as a negative thing. It does also have a second meaning, which is the name for the guava fruit, but that's not the definition that we are talking about here!
In Italian, what is 'una buona forchetta'?
In Italy, a whole lot of the culture revolves around food - which isn't too surprising! Italy is known for its incredible pastas, pizza, gelato and wine, and Italians love to enjoy long leisurely dinners in the sunshine, talking and eating for hours. If you are joining in with the tradition of a relaxed meal with friends, you may hear the term 'una buona forchetta', which describes a certain type of person - what kind of person is this applied to?
What does Na Zdorovie mean?
Most travelers to Russia will, at some point, find themselves sampling the local vodka - after all, it's one of the things that Russia is best known for! If you are spending time in bars or restaurants, you will probably hear 'na zdorovie' shouted out quite a lot, especially when there are drinks on the table. It's a phrase that a lot of visitors will even bring home with them, but what does 'na zdrovie' mean when translated back to English?
Why would someone say 'bonjour'?
This should be an easy one - and even if you aren't traveling to a French-speaking country, plenty of people learned this very basic French word in school. You'll hear it all the time in France (or anywhere else that speaks French), said between friends, strangers, at shops and restaurants... it's one of the most commonly used phrases in the language, and should be something that anyone in a French speaking country can manage to use on a day to day basis.
What is a 'fundi' in South Africa?
Traveling in South Africa, you will hear multiple different languages spoken by the locals - and often will hear people blending English with Afrikaans or other local languages (or even just throwing in a few slang terms to spice things up a little). One such term that would be used to describe a person would be 'fundi' - and if you hear that a person here is a 'fundi', what is it that this person is being described as in English?
What does 'Quanto' mean?
In Italy, this is a useful phrase for when you are shopping, whether that is in a marketplace, a big city, or even out in the countryside. In fact, you are most likely to hear it at smaller markets or street stalls, rather than in bricks and mortar stores in the big cities, or the high fashion boutiques of Rome. Although it's a single word, it conveys an entire phrase in Italian - what would that phrase be in English?
What are 'servicios'?
This is definitely one of those basic phrasebook words that it is important to know when you are headed to a Spanish speaking country... and if you ask where to find the 'servicios', it's also useful to know a few Spanish words relating to directions, so that you can actually understand the answer that is given to you! This would usually be used with 'donde esta' (where is the), another particularly useful phrase for Spanish speaking areas of the world.
Does 'Auf Wiedersehen' make sense to you?
This is a famous German phrase - made even more famous because it is repeated in one of the songs from the Sound Of Music. However, even if you don't know the song, this is a word that you will hear often while traveling in Germany, and that is a useful thing to be able to say throughout your trip when making new friends (and inevitably, leaving them again to keep on exploring!). What is the English for Auf Wiedersehen?
What does 'Arigatou gozaimasu' mean?
There is more than one way to say this phrase in Japanese, but 'arigatou gozaimasu' is one of the most common, and respectful, ways to say it - so if you are traveling in Japan, expect to hear this a lot. In restaurants, you'll often hear this chorused by the serving staff to customers, which can surprise diners who aren't used to this kind of enthusiasm at a restaurant! However, this is far from the only place that you will hear the phrase.
What does Xièxie mean in China?
Another phrase that you will hear a lot in China, and that is helpful to learn if you want to be sure that you are coming across as polite (even while stumbling over other simple phrases at times) is Xiexie. This simple phrase is easy to pick up and pronounce, and is sure to charm people, even if it is the only phrase that you learn during a visit to China. What common English phrase would Xiexie best translate to?
What does an Aussie mean by 'arvo'?
This word might technically be in English, but it's not something that you would hear outside of Australia (unless you happen to be hanging out with Australians, of course!). This Aussie slang is used to make plans, or to talk about time and what they might be doing (or have just done) - and if you are traveling in Australia, it is something that you will hear over and over again. It comes from the original English word that means the same thing - what is that word?
What does it mean if someone is 'peely wally'?
In Scotland, this is one of many (many) Scottish phrases that may sound like they are in another language - and although Doric is a dialect, not a language, it's definitely something that visitors to the North of Scotland are going to have trouble understanding. Someone here might be described as 'peely wally' - a phrase that is usually said with sympathy, although it can be said with derision, as well. What does it mean if someone is said to be 'peely wally'.
How long is a fortnight?
In the UK, there are lots of different ways that the Brits like to talk about time that you wouldn't hear in North America. As well as talking about a 'quarter to' a time (meaning fifteen minutes before that time, not one fourth of it!), they will often talk about doing something in 'a fortnight' or something taking a 'fortnight' to happen. What is the length of time that the Brits are talking about when they use the word 'fortnight'?
What does 'sumimasen' mean?
Japan is known for being an incredibly polite place - and it's not just something that visitors will see in the constant bowing! The language itself is full of ways to show respect, and to be polite at all times - which is why learning this phrase is important for anyone visiting. Of course, none of the locals are going to be upset if you don't know it, but being able to trot it out certainly helps make the right impression!
What is a 'slab'?
Another Aussie slang term, this is something that you wouldn't be so likely to hear, but will definitely come up if you are making plans for that most Australian of traditions - a barbecue! Someone might talk about bringing one of these to the barbecue, or asking another person to make sure that there are enough of them there for everyone - this is not something that you want to run out of! What is 'slab' slang for in Australia?
Why would someone say 'shukran'?
When traveling, even if you don't know the language (and no one could be expected to be fluent in every possible language around the world!), it's still important to be polite. Sometimes that means just making sure that you know key phrases in a language - like 'shukran', which is in Arabic - and other times it means making sure that you understand customs, hand gestures, and appropriate norms for clothing so that no one is offended by your foreign ways.
How about this useful word? 'wakarimasen'
Although learning some phrases and words is always helpful when traveling, there are always going to be times that you just can't catch what a local is saying... and that's where this little phrase comes in handy - if that situation arises in Japan, that is! 'Wakarimasen' is the perfect phrase to use if you don't know any other phrases that suit the situation - or if you can't figure out what the situation is! But what does it mean?
What is a 'prix fixe'?
This is the kind of French phrase that has made it's way into English, so even if you aren't in France, you may find that you are familiar with the term 'prix fixe'. It's usually something that you will hear in relation to a restaurant - whether you are at a charming corner bistro or a fancy, fine dining place in the center of Paris. What would a sign advertising 'prix fixe' mean that the restaurant is offering to diners?
What is a couchette?
When travelling throughout Europe, you might hear this French word - especially if you are travelling via rail! A couchette is something that many train services in Europe offer, although they don't exist on every train. Usually, these are for longer train journeys, and can be extremely useful if you are going to be seeing the continent via train - or just taking the odd journey along the rails. If you are looking at paying for a couchette, what are you looking at?
What does 'yebo' mean?
Another common South African word is 'yebo' - and this is something that you will hear mixed in the spoken language with English all the time if you are spending time in South Africa. This word doesn't translate to a phrase, but to a single word - and will often be said on its own, and in response to a question. Which of these is the English word that is the closest translation to the South African-ism that is 'yebo'?
What does 'mucho gusto' mean?
When traveling in a Spanish speaking country, you are probably going to hear the phrase 'mucho gusto' quite a bit, especially if you are making the effort to meet new people in the towns and cities that you are visiting. What's the phrase that this would translate to in the English language - bearing in mind that it is not a direct translation, but the English phrase that would be used in the same way as this one is in Spanish.
What does it mean if a Brit is 'skint'?
Another particularly British word is 'skint' - a descriptor that can only be used to talk about a person. Usually, this is the kind of word that you will hear a Brit use to describe themselves, although they can often use it to describe friends or family... but you won't often hear someone using the word 'skint' to talk about a total stranger. If you hear someone using this word, what are they claiming that they (or someone else) is?
What would it mean if something is 'cher'?
While some people have mastered the art of traveling without bringing anything home with them that they didn't leave with (these are the same kinds of people who only ever seem to have hand luggage!), most visitors are likely to pick up a few things to remember their trip. It might be food, clothing, souvenirs, or something else. However, some people might not be able to bring home all the things that they would like to - especially if some of them are a bit 'cher'.
In Canada, what's a 'loonie'?
Although Canada is just over the border, and an English (and French) speaking country, there are plenty of slang words and terms that are bound to confuse travelers if they have never heard them before! One of these is the term 'loonie' - something that is commonly heard when out and about... and no, it doesn't mean that these Canadians are talking about a crazy person! (At least, not in this context). What is a 'loonie' to the rest of the world?
What is 'dinero'?
Another common Spanish word is 'dinero' - and it means something that you definitely don't want to find yourself without when in a foreign country (or your own country, for that matter!). Whether you are going to be walking the streets to visit tourist spots, spending your time in bars and restaurants, or doing some shopping, you are going to need to bring some dinero with you on your next trip to Spain... but what's the English translation of this word?
What would someone asking 'ma ’ismuk?' want to know?
Another common phrase that you will hear a lot in Arabic-speaking areas is 'ma 'ismuk' - something that is often one of the first questions that a local will ask a tourist as they are starting to get to know each other. It's also a useful phrase to know so that you can get to know your guides, hosts, or other service professionals that you might deal with multiple times over the course of your visit - but what is it in English?
What does 'bonnie' mean?
Another common Scottish descriptive word is 'bonnie' - which isn't just used to describe people. This word can be applied to almost anything; people, clothing, buildings, a view... and it pops up in plenty of Scottish quotes, poems and songs as well, so don't be surprised if this is the kind of phrase that you hear all over the place. It's also common throughout Scotland, not just in certain areas, but what would be the closest translation to North American English?
What kind of food is 'biltong'?
Most travelers love exploring the local cuisine in a new country - discovering how a food should 'really' taste, if it's something that can also be found at home, or discovering new foods that are delicious and specific to a place. Sometimes, it might also mean trying a new food and finding out that you don't like it at all - but that's all part of the adventure! What kind of South African food is 'biltong' - a favorite of locals and visitors alike?
What time of day would you hear 'Buona sera'?
Most languages have multiple ways of greeting someone - whether that is saying hello to someone you know, just being polite while passing a stranger in the street, or being greeted by someone in the service industry. Some of these refer to a specific time of day, too... which can be embarrassing for any tourist if they say 'good morning' at 8pm! Buona Sera is an Italian greeting that is time specific - but what would it translate to in English?
Why would someone say 'Sláinte'?
Most travelers to Ireland know it as an English speaking country - and for the most part, it is. However, the original languages of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall are still spoken in many areas, and in Ireland, Gaelic words are also used in day to day life. Slainte is a perfect example of this - and a word that you will often hear used in a real Irish pub... but what would the English translation of this word be?
What wearable item is a 'touque'?
Another Canadian term that isn't used in the rest of the world is 'touque' - and this is definitely something that you are going to want to have, especially if you are visiting Canada in the wintertime! What item of warm winter clothing does this describe? Something that anyone visiting the Great White North in the colder months better remember to bring... although of course, there are plenty of places to buy these - even ones with the maple leaf on them.
In Thailand, why would you hear 'khrap/kha'?
The words khrap or kha are heard constantly while traveling in Thailand - as they are added to the end of what can seem like every single spoken sentence here! Khrap and Kha mean the same thing, but one is used when addressing men, and the other is used when addressing women. There may be no direct translation for these words in English, but it's easy to learn why they are used, and why travelers here might start adding them to the end of their sentence.
What does 'Nǐ hǎo ma' mean?
Chinese isn't one of the easiest languages in the world to learn for English speakers - especially when it comes to understanding the written language. However, there are a few simple phrases that are easy to pick up, and that can be very helpful when traveling in this part of the world. Ni hao ma is one of those phrases - and is a polite addition to your vocabulary if you head to China for your next trip... but what does it mean?
What does 'guten tag' mean?
The German language has a bit of a reputation for being complicated - especially when it comes to long and complicated words that are used to describe extremely specific feelings or situations. However, there are also very simple and straightforward phrases in the German language - like this one! Guten Tag is an easy phrase to learn that you will hear said all over the country, and it's one of those helpful polite phrases that you'll find in any guidebook.
Finally, what does it mean if someone wishes you 'bon voyage'?
Last but not least, let's look at a phrase that is something that any traveler is sure to hear at least once - even if they never travel anywhere that speaks a language other than English! This has become such a common phrase over the years that is has essentially been co-opted by the English language, although it is technically a French phrase in origin. What is the most common translation of 'bon voyage' from the original French into English?