Traveller’s Guide To Basic Phrases In 5 Most Popular Tourist Destinations In The World

Travelling to a new country can be a life-changing experience. You get to see and explore exciting landmarks, meet new people and enjoy all kinds of new foods. But before you dive into the adventure, it is important to be aware of certain important information such as understanding the currency, your modes of travelling within the country, and one of the most important factors – the local language. Now, we do not expect you to be an expert in a foreign language. However, knowing some basic words can help you communicate better with the hotel staff, and shopkeepers, while asking people for directions and so on.

According to the data from World Population Review, the top 6 most visited countries in the world in 2024 were France, Spain, Italy, the United States, China and Turkey. Since English is one of the most common global languages, here are some basic word translations for the rest of the 5 countries.

Words In English	French (France)	Spanish (Spain)	Mandarin (China)	Italian (Italy)	Turkish (Turkey)
Hello	Bonjour	Hola	Nǐ hǎo	Ciao/Buongiorno	Merhaba
Bye	Au revoir	Adiós	Zàijiàn	Ciao/Arrivederci	Güle güle
Good	Bon/Bien	bueno (adjective), Bien (adverb)	Hǎo	Buono/Bene	İyi
You’re Welcome	De rien	De nada	Bù kèqì	Prego	Rica ederim
Please	S’il vous plaît	Por favor	Qǐng	Per favore	Lütfen
Thank you	Merci	Gracias	Xièxie	Grazie	Teşekkür ederim
How much?	Combien ça coûte?	¿Cuánto cuesta?	Duōshǎo qián?	Quanto costa?	Ne kadar?
Yes	Oui	Sí	Shì	Sì	Evet
No	Non	No	Bù shì	No	Hayır
Excuse me	Excusez-moi/Pardon	Disculpe/Perdón	Duìbùqǐ	Scusi/Permesso	Affedersiniz/Pardon
Bathroom	Toilettes/Salle de bain	Baño	Xǐshǒujiān	Bagno	Tuvalet/Banyo
Money	Argent	Dinero	Qián	Soldi	Para
Where	Où?	¿Dónde?	Nǎlǐ?	Dove?	Nerede?
Sorry	Désolé(e)/Pardon	Lo siento/Perdón	Duìbùqǐ	Mi dispiace/Scusa	Özür dilerim
Hotel	Hôtel	Hotel	Jiǔdiàn	Hotel/Albergo	Otel
Market	Marché	Mercado	Shìchǎng	Mercato	Pazar/Market
Mall	Centre commercial	Centro comercial	Gòuwù zhòngxīn	Centro commerciale	Alışveriş merkezi
Police	Police	Policía	Jǐngchá	Polizia	Polis
Taxi	Taxi	Taxi	Chūzū chē	Taxi	Taksi
Airport	Aéroport	Aeropuerto	Jīchǎng	Aeroporto	Havaalanı

France

France is at the top of the list, with an expected 89.4 million international tourist arrivals in 2024. Paris continues to captivate visitors with its iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. When in France, you must know some common words like “Bonjour” (Hello) and end with “Au revoir” (Bye). “Merci” (Thank you) and “S’il vous plait” (Please) are fundamental for polite interactions. When inquiring about costs, say “Combien ca coute?” (How much?)

Spain

Spain is also a wonderful tourist attraction with its lively culture, beautiful beaches, and fascinating history. When exploring the vibrant streets of Spain, a simple “Hola” (Hello) or “Adios” (Bye) can go a long way. To express gratitude, use “Gracias” (Thank you), and to request something, say “Por favor” (Please). In case you need to find a restroom, ask for “Bano.”

China

China offers an abundance of historical treasures like the majestic Great Wall of China along with the futuristic skyline in the fast-paced metropolis of Shanghai. Language can be tough to navigate, so knowing some basic words can help. In China, greet people with “Ni hao” (Hello) and say farewell with “Zaijian” (Bye). If you need to apologize use “Duibuqi.” For transportation use “Chuzu che” (Taxi) and “Jichng” (Airport), and for accommodation use “Jiudian” (Hotel). For shopping use “Shichang” (Market) and “Gouwu zhongxin” (Mall).

Italy

Cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice are iconic in Italy with its centuries-old history, breathtaking art, and world-class cuisine. In Italy, you say “Grazie” for thank you, and “Per favore” for please. Ask “Quanto costa?” (How much?) for prices and “Dove?” (Where?) for directions. “Bagno” is the word for bathroom, and “Soldi” means money. If you need police, search for “Polizia.”

Turkey

Turkey’s unique blend of East meets West, along with its rich cultural history, draws millions of visitors from around the world. In Turkey, say “Merhaba” for hello, and “Gule gule” for bye. “Ne kadar?” (How much?) is used for prices, and “Nerede?” (Where?) for directions. For transportation use “Taksi” and “Havaalani”, and for accommodation use “Otel.” When looking for shops, go to the “Pazar” or “Alisveris merkezi.” If you need police, search for “Polis.”

By learning these basic phrases, tourists can travel to these beautiful and popular countries more confidently and respectfully.

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