When it comes to traveling abroad, few of us have the time to learn a new language. Heck, I’ve been attempting to learn Spanish on-and-off for 20 years and am still intermediate at best.
Even with the best of intentions, it can be hard to understand enough to have a conversation in a foreign language during a trip. But learning a few key phrases in the local language can make your travels smoother and more memorable. These are the phrases that will help you get by when you’re out of your comfort zone, and locals will appreciate your effort – no matter how shaky your pronunciation is.
Keep reading until the end for the ultimate tip that will be most helpful if you don’t have time to learn much before your trip.

Do I Need to Learn the Language?
You might be thinking, “Do I really need to learn words in another language? Won’t most people speak English?”
The truth is many travelers rely on English-speaking guides or hotels with bilingual staff, but even a small attempt at learning the local language can go a long way.
I’ve had some of my best travel memories because I could communicate, even just a little bit, with locals. Whether it was a long conversation with a taxi driver in Costa Rica, or an older B&B owner in Spain who let me practice my Spanish, these moments made my trips so much more enriching.
Besides, making an effort to speak the local language shows respect and often leads to a more immersive experience. And, if nothing else, it makes ordering food and asking for directions a whole lot easier!
The Basics: Foreign Language Phrases Every Traveler Should Know
These are the core phrases and words to start with on your language learning journey.
- Hello / Hi / Greeting appropriate for a certain time of day
- How are you?
- Yes / No
- My name is…
- Do you speak English? Try not to lead with this, but if you’re stuck and can’t figure out how to say something, it’s worth knowing.
- Where is…? / How do I get to…? To understand their response, you’ll also want to recognize common directional words like “left” and “right.”
- I’m from… People are naturally curious, and this is a good point of connection.
- I’m allergic to… If you have any allergies or medical conditions, be sure you know how to communicate that.
Manners Matter: Polite Words to Know in Another Language
Showing respect by learning a few key phrases can also go a long way towards befriending others and in a foreign country, especially when you accidentally make a mistake. These are the main three phrases to know.
- Please / Thank you
- You’re welcome
- Excuse me
- You may need this for three common scenarios: getting someone’s attention, apologizing if you bump into someone, or asking to pass by.
Navigating Food and Drinks in a Foreign Country
One of the biggest worries for travelers is ordering food in a foreign language. For a sit-down restaurant, you here’s the phrases you should know.
- I would like…
- A table for [number]
- The check, please
Specific Drink Words To Learn
If you are a beverage lover as much as I am, then having the right drink for the right time of day and activity is everything, especially on vacation! Since the first thing you’ll be asked by the waiter is what you want to drink, try to learn your drink orders ahead of time so you can feel confident in what you’re asking for.
- Water– if it’s bottled, know whether you want it with or without carbonation
- Coffee/Tea
- Beer
- Wine
- Your personal drink order

The Best Foreign Language Phrases to Learn
So let’s keep it real: Even if you are successful at learning the above phrases, you are not going to be able to carry on a conversation with a local – but the above phrases will help you get by.
But rather than using the limited time you have to learn the language on a Spanish learning app that starts you at the beginning and barely gets to any real-world learning, I have found a much more efficient use of our time that will actually help you on your trip.
My ultimate tip for learning foreign language phases is to learn key personalized phrases in the language based on what you expect you will want or need to say.
So here’s what to do: Take some time before your trip to imagine what you’ll be doing, and jot down specific questions or topics you think you’ll need to ask or want to discuss.
Sound odd? Hear me out. When I was heading to Ecuador, I knew I’d be spending time with a local guide who spoke English, but also wanted to attempt to converse with him in Spanish. On the plane, I started thinking about things I might ask him. I jotted down those phrases in English and then went to Google Translate to translate them and then attempted to memorize those very specific, personalized phrases.
I also saved all of this in the Notes app on my phone so I had it accessible for when the conversation struck and I couldn’t remember anything.
Here are some things you might want to be able to ask and say:
- What is the weather usually like? Is the weather typical right now?
- What are your favorite things to do? What are your favorite places to eat?
- Also brainstorm the answers to questions they might ask about you
- Who are you traveling with?
- What do you do back home?
- What do you do for work?
- Do you have children?
- What do you love about this country?
- What is the weather like back at your home?
Hands down, this tip has served my clients and myself better than any other.
Final Words on Learning Key Phrases Before Your Next Trip
Learning a language can be daunting, but you don’t need to become fluent to have a fantastic trip. Knowing a few key phrases will help you navigate your journey, connect with locals, and avoid awkward situations (like ordering something you didn’t mean to!). Plus, you’ll find that most people appreciate the effort, even if you’re not perfect.
Plus, by making an extra effort to learn some key personalized phrases before your trip, you will feel much more confident as you embark on your adventure.