Five unconventional phrases you need to know

Do you need to be fluent in the language of your destination before you arrive? Not at all. Do you need to master a few key phrases before getting off the plane? Absolutely.

Every trip and traveller are unique, so always consider your personal situation and the key phrases you need to stay safe. Here’s our top suggestion for the essential words you might not have considered that can make all the difference in a tight spot.

Water: Access to clean water is crucial to your health, especially if you’ve overcommitted ticking off three walking tours, a museum visit, and a food market all while lugging around a 16kg backpack.
Allergy: Modern technology is great for explaining complicated situations once you’ve mentioned an allergy or medical condition. You could generate a QR code that links to an explanation of your needs that staff can scan with their devices. Alternatively, create an old-fashioned stamp to add to the order slip (and as a back-up if your device runs out of battery).
Phone charger: Maps, reservations, vocab, music: our phones are key for info even if there’s no signal for calls. Being able to ask a friendly face to borrow a charger if you get caught short could be a chance to make a friend and avoid battery anxiety.
Delicious: Complimenting the chef is a fantastic way to connect and show appreciation for the local cuisine. Plus, building a rapport can lead to great recommendations, quick service and even some extra courses on the house.
Wait: Surprisingly useful in busy or fast-paced environments, especially when trying to keep up with a group, asking someone to slow down or work out your change in unfamiliar currency.

Nine essential basics to know

Group of tourists checking their phone

Of course, don’t forget to look over the day-to-day vocab you’ll need to kick off almost any conversation on your trip. While there’s excellent apps that can help, and AI that’s gets more impressive by the day, remembering a few phrases will go a long way with communication and co-operation.

Check out our cheat-sheet for those heading off to some of our most popular destinations. Also, if you're visiting Singapore, you'll find that English is an official language and is used in everyday conversation.

Table of phrases

Laugh off your mistakes

Group of friends walking in the street

Some places may be more receptive than others to your efforts to engage in the local language. It’s normal to feel nervous about speaking a new language, especially at first. Don’t be discouraged if people switch over to English, trying to cross the language barrier is usually appreciated as a sign of respect and willingness to engage.

If you really butcher the pronunciation, a bit of humor can help smooth over any discomfort or mistakes. Laugh it off, and remember it gets easier with practice.

If you’re really struggling to make yourself understood non-verbal communication can often transcend language barriers. Adding simple gestures while you speak can clarify your meaning when words fall short. Just be mindful of difference in cultural norms, what’s considered a friendly gesture in one place might be interpreted differently elsewhere. For instance, a thumbs-up might be positive in many countries but could be seen as rude in some.

Also, never assume those around you can’t understand your casual remarks. Around 1.5 billion people speak English, and there's endless tales of foreigners being caught off guard thinking their jokes and comments were going unnoticed.

Connect with your cultural identity

Aboriginal Australian standing in front of trees

If you’ve ever felt envious of Europeans for their multilingual abilities, you’ll find that many people are equally curious about Australia and its rich tapestry of cultures, history, and diverse languages.
Aiatsis.gov.au has some great resources to help you feel confident sharing information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, including insights about Australia’s 250 indigenous languages. Sharing these stories can give you a meaningful way to connect and showcase Australia’s distinctive identity.

Enjoy the linguistic adventure

Getting around a new country can feel overwhelming, but knowing a few key phrases, and some specialist vocab can really make a difference. Even if you stumble a bit, locals usually appreciate the effort, so don’t stress about perfection and have a great trip!

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