Getting by with Basic Greetings
Being from North America definitely has its benefits, in that English is a common language throughout the world. North American’s can go pretty well anywhere in the world and get by, or in some cases barely squeak by (like northern Italy or some parts of Asia and the Middle East) with our mother tongue.
Even though we feel secure that we will be able to order a coffee and book a hotel room pretty well anywhere in the world, is it right to just waltz into a country and assume everyone will and should understand you? NO! Don’t be an ignorant traveler! Most modern Europeans speak 3 languages. Maybe one of those languages is English, maybe it is not.
Attempt basic greetings in the local language and the locals will appreciate the fact that you are trying not to be an ignorant North American traveler. Here is a list of basic greetings in the 5 languages spoken in the majority of Europe.
Italian
| Hello | Ciao |
| Goodbye | Arrivederci |
| My Name is … | Mi chiamo … |
| How are you? | Come sta? |
| Thank you | Grazie |
| How much? | Quanto costo? |
| Where is …? | Dov’è |
| Can I have…? | Potrei avere …? |
| Bathroom | Bagno |
French
| Hello | Bonjour |
| Goodbye | Au revoir |
| My Name is … | Je m’appelle … |
| How are you? | Comment allez-vous? |
| Thank you | Merci |
| How much? | Combien |
| Where is …? | Où est …? |
| Can I have…? | Puis-je avoir …? |
| Bathroom | Salle de bains; toilettes |
Spanish
| Hello | Hola |
| Goodbye | Adiós |
| My Name is … | Mi nombre es… |
| How are you? | ¿Como estas? |
| Thank you | Gracias |
| How much? | ¿Cuanto cuesta? |
| Where is …? | ¿Dónde está …? |
| Can I have…? | ¿Tengo que hacer…? |
| Bathroom | Baño |
German
| Hello | Hallo |
| Goodbye | Auf Wiedersehen |
| My Name is … | Mein Name is… |
| How are you? | Wie geht es dir? |
| Thank you | Danke |
| How much? | Was kostet das? |
| Where is …? | Wo ist … ? |
| Can I have…? | Kann ich denn … ? |
| Bathroom | Waschraum; Toilette |
Portuguese
| Hello | Olá |
| Goodbye | Adeus |
| My Name is … | Meu nome é … |
| How are you? | Como vai? |
| Thank you | Obrigado! |
| How much? | Quanto custa? |
| Where is …? | Quando é … ? |
| Can I have…? | Posso ter … ? |
| Bathroom | Banheiro |