Learn basic phrases in a new language

An hour is enough to learn basic phrases in a new language that you would genuinely use, provided you skip the numbers and the colors. What travellers actually need is a greeting, please and thank you, and a way of saying that you do not speak the language. Everything else can be pointed at.

Why learn basic phrases in a new language is worth an hour

A small number of phrases covers most short interactions, and the social effect is disproportionate to the linguistic content. Attempting even a clumsy greeting changes how people respond to you almost everywhere. Prioritizing pronunciation over vocabulary matters for the same reason: twenty words said clearly are more useful than a hundred said unintelligibly.

How to learn basic phrases in a new language step by step

1. 1

   Start with the eight that matter

   Hello, please, thank you, yes, no, excuse me, sorry, and do you speak English. That covers most encounters.

2. 2

   Add the one honest sentence

   "I don't speak much [language]" saves every conversation that follows from an awkward misunderstanding.

3. 3

   Listen before you read

   Spelling misleads badly in most languages. Hear each phrase several times before seeing it written.

4. 4

   Record yourself and compare

   Play the native audio, record your attempt, listen back. The difference is obvious and correctable.

5. 5

   Learn the politeness convention

   Formal and informal address, or the expected greeting. Getting this wrong is more noticeable than mispronunciation.

Tips to get more out of it

• Skip numbers and colors initially. Both feel like progress and are almost never needed in a first conversation.
• Overpronounce rather than mumble. Clear and slightly wrong is far easier to understand than fast and hesitant.
• Learn one filler word. It buys you thinking time and makes you sound considerably more natural.

Ways to mix it up

If you have a trip booked, add the phrases specific to what you will do there: ordering, transport, or checking in. If you intend to continue beyond the basics, spend the hour on the sound system of the language instead, which pays off across every word you learn later.

Learn basic phrases in a new language: frequently asked questions