Useful foreign language phrases to learn for a holiday in Europe

It’s summer time! Getting ready for your holiday? Is learning a foreign language on your check-list? How good is your Spanish or Italian for that matter? If you mix “Gracias” and “Grazie”, the look on the faces of the local people you are talking to changes from smile to forbearance. Let’s take a light-hearted look at clichés and stereotypes of different nationalities and try to learn some foreign phrases. According to a recent poll carried out by car hire broker Auto Europe, a typical European traveller picks up around five phrases in a foreign language while on holiday. These include general courtesy phrases and some funny words. Check out our list of useful phrases in foreign languages of the most popular travel countries in Europe.

France

What do you call someone who speaks one language? French.
The French are famous for their attitude towards their mother tongue. It’s best to know a few phrases in French to make a good impression on the hosts. Take a look at below basic French words and phrases you may need on a holiday.

Hello – Salut
Good morning – Bonjour
Good afternoon – Bon après-midi
Good evening – Bonsoir
Bye – Au revoir
Where is the nearest ATM machine? – Où se trouve le guichet automatique le plus proche?
How much does this cost? – Combien ça coûte?
Thank you – Merci
Keep the change – Gardez la monnaie

Spain

With one of the highest number of bars per capita in Europe, Spain is a relaxed country and so is the communication with the local people. The easy-going Spaniards have a similar attitude towards personal space: kisses, taps and hugs are very common. Combine cheek kisses with some basic Spanish and you are ready to holiday in Spain.

Hello – Hola
Good morning – Buenos días
Good afternoon – Buenas tardes
Good evening – Buenas noches
Bye – Adiós
Where is the nearest ATM machine? – ¿Dónde hay un cajero automático?
How much does this cost? – ¿Cuánto cuesta?
Thank you – Gracias
Keep the change – Quédese con el cambio

Italy

What do you call an Italian with his hands in his pockets? Mute.
“When in Rome do as the Romans do”. Italians are famous for making hand gestures while speaking. Feel free to be creative and try to learn the body language which will complement your Italian skills.

Hello – Ciao
Good morning – Buongiorno
Good afternoon – Buon pomeriggio
Good evening – Buonasera
Bye – Ciao
Where is the nearest ATM machine? – Dov’è il bancomat più vicino?
How much does this cost? – Quanto costa?
Thank you – Grazie
Keep the change – Tenga il resto

Germany

And finally, some basic German phrases below.

Hello – Hallo
Good morning – Guten Morgen
Good afternoon – Guten Tag
Good evening – Guten Abend
Bye – Tschüss
Where is the nearest ATM machine? – Wo ist der nächste Geldautomat?
How much does this cost? – Was kostet das?
Thank you – Danke schön
Keep the change – Behalten Sie das Wechselgeld.