Useful phrases

Before you embark on your trip, we’ve compiled some helpful phrases to set you on your way…

If you are worried about speaking the language particularly in Moscow – our travel expert, Sarah Tucker, BBC travel journalist, recommends writing some of the phrases on postcards before you go which you can use as helpful aids when asking a question in a foreign city.

Can you speak English?
Habla usted inglés?

Excuse me - where are the nearest toilets?
Perdóna - dónde están los  servicios más cercanos?

I would like to order a beer and a glass of wine.
Quiero una cerveza y una copa de vino

Hello
Hola.

Good Bye.
Adiós.

Can you speak English?
Puo parlare inglese?

Excuse me - where are the nearest toilets?
Scusi - dove sono le tolette più vicine?

I would like to order a beer and a glass of wine.
Vorrei ordinare una birra e un bicchiere di vino.

Thank you.
Grazie.

Hello
Ciao.

Good bye.
Arrivederci.

Yes
Да (da)

No
Нет (nyet)

Thank you.
Спасибо (spa-see-ba)

Hello.
здравствулте! (zdra-stvooy-tye)

Goodbye.
До свидания (da-svee-da-nee-ye)

Can you speak English?
Eigo ga dekimasu ka?

Excuse me - where are the nearest toilets?
Sumimasen ga, otearai wa doko desu ka? 

I would like to order a Sake.
Sake o kudasai.

Thank you!
Arigatoo gozaimasu.

Hello
Konnichi wa.

Good Bye.
Sayoo Nara.

New York and Sydney

Although you should not have any difficulty speaking English in these cities – the following words and phrases might be of help when you are out there.

• Refer to the toilet as the restroom – it sounds more polite especially when dining out.
• When asking for directions – remember that ‘the block’ is a group of buildings on the street and the sidewalk is a pavement.
• If you are shopping and want to buy a pair of tights – look out for the word hosiery

 Sydney

• If someone mentions thongs, they are most likely referring to flip flops.
• A flat white coffee is an espresso coffee with milk.
• It's uncommon to have a pint of beer – they serve it in a glasses called schooners.