150+ Common Phrases and Words to Learn in a Foreign Language

Learning a new language is very difficult and it needs a lot of effort and patience. It is one of the important skills if you are travelling around the world. With time there are a lot of new platforms that have emerged to help you in learning the language. However, an important thing that is required to learn a new language is the basic vocabulary. It is extremely important when you travel to a new country. Vocabulary includes various words and phrases that will be part of regular conversations. Therefore here we will be discussing some of the important common phrases and words to learn in a foreign language.

Quick Takeaways

• Following are some of the common phrases and words to learn in a foreign language-

1. Excuse me
2. Good-by
3. Where are you from
4. Thank you
5. Happy Birthday
6. Sorry
7. Car
8. Bus
9. Yes
10. No

However, you must read till the end so that you get more words that will help you in daily conversations.

What are the common phrases and words to learn in a foreign language?

Whether you are learning Spanish or French, you must know the words that are important in any conversation. Following are the different words and phrases that are important for you to learn when you are learning a new language-

1. Greetings and introduction

When you meet up with someone, the first thing that you do is greet them and have a quick introduction. Thus below are the words and phrases that you must know in your targeted language-

• Hello
• How are you?
• Nice to meet you
• Sorry
• Please
• Excuse me
• Good-by
• Where are you from
• Thank you
• My name is

• Happy birthday
• Happy anniversary
• I am well
• I’d like to introduce my friend/wife/husband.
• I am from 
• What is your profession
• Sir
• Mam

2. Asking questions

Whenever you are learning a new language or are in general conversation with the other native speaker then you will either be asking some questions or giving answers to some questions. In such a scenario it is very important to know the language for different phrases. Following are some of the questions you must look at

• Where is…..
• How do I get to….
• What is the time?
• How much does it cost?
• Where are you going?

• What do you recommend?
• Have you gone to….

3. Communication

Communication is always an important thing whether you are in your own country or in any other country, it is important for you to understand basic conversation with others. Thus you will need to have an understanding of at least the basic words related to communication-

• Do you speak…?  
• I speak a little… 
• Could you kindly talk more slowly?
• I (don’t) understand. 
• What does… mean?
• What time is it? 
• What do you do for fun?
• Do you know when the show starts?
• Could you repeat that? 
• It’s (five) o’clock.
• I (don’t) speak… 
• Could you write that down? 

• How do you say…? 
• Where are you from?
• Did you watch….?
• Do you listen to……?
• Where am I?

4. Transportation

When you travel to a new place, you will need to take transportation to visit new places. Thus further are the common words and phrases that you will need when you want to get the mode of transportation-

• Car
• Bus
• Is the bus/train/plane direct? 
• Train
• Which platform/gate/terminal? 
• Do I have to change buses/trains? Aeroplane
• Do I need a seat reservation? 
• Airport
• I’d like to go to… 
• Bus Stand

• Could you let me know when to get off? 
• Where is the bus stand or the station?
• Is this seat taken?
• Subway
• Taxi
• Motorcycle
• Can you show me a map?
• Subway station
• When is the next train/bus/minibus/ferry to…?
• Boat 
• I’d like to rent a bike/car.
• Bike 
• Where could I rent a bike/car? 

5. Directions

The next thing that you must know in another language is the directions sense. It is because if you want to tell someone about the address or want to give someone the address then you will need them. Therefore, the following are the directions that you must know in the new language-

• Left
• Right
• Turn out 
• Straight
• Behind
• Next To 
• Near

6. Shopping or booking a place

Whenever you are travelling to a new place it is important to get food, groceries, bookings, etc. Thus the next important thing that you must know is the words and phrases related to shopping and bookings-

• Market
• Hotel 
• I would like to have….
• What is this? 
• Do you have this in small/large/medium? 
• Do you have anything cheaper?
• Department Store 
• Purse

• Wallet
• What time do you open/close?
• Do you have _______?
• Grocery 
• Drug store 
• Can I pay by credit card/debit card?
• How much?
• It’s too expensive.
• Do you know when the place opens?

7. Food

Food is a necessity of life and every living being needs food to survive. Therefore, you must know the following phrases and the words in the language that is used at the place where you are travelling-

• Restaurant 
• Could you recommend a good restaurant? 
• What is the special of the day?
• Vegetarian food
• Beer
• Coffee

• Tea
• Can I get the menu, please? 
• What would you recommend? 
• Soup
• Vegan Food
• Cheers!
• Could I get the bill, please?
• What are some local specialities? 
• Can I buy you a drink?
• That was delicious!
• Let’s have another!
• This isn’t what I ordered. 
• Yummy

8. Help

Of course, when you are in a new place, there are high chances of getting stuck with different things. In such a situation, it is important for you to know some of the words or phrases that can help you in getting safe. Thus following are some of the words and phrases that you must know to stay safe-

• Help 
• Emergency 
• Doctor
• Hospital
• Is there a pharmacy nearby?
• I am allergic
• I am hurt
• Danger
• I feel sick
• Fire 
• Caution 
• I am lost
• Can I use your phone? 
• Police 
• I need a doctor/dentist/police officer.
• Thief 
• Leave me alone!
• Call the police/ambulance! 

9. Basic answers 

There will be times when you will need to answer very basic questions like do you study, have you visited here before, etc. Therefore, you must know how to answer in a basic manner. Thus you must know the translation of these two words as well-

127. Yes
128. No

10. Accommodation

When you are travelling to a new place or planning to live in a small house or guest house, you will need to know the common words used for accommodations. Therefore, the next section includes some of the common words and phrases that you need to use for the accommodation-

129. I have a reservation. 
130. May I request a new room? 
131. Could I look around the room? 
132. Are there any single or double rooms available?
133. Is breakfast included? 
134. I’d like to remain for… nights.
135.  Is there a restaurant in this area? 

11. Counting

Wondering why counting is important to learn in a new language? Well, it will help you in keeping a record of your money. 

136. 1-10
137. 100
138. 1000

12. Nouns

When you are addressing someone it is important to use the right nouns. Whether you are learning French, Spanish, or any other you must focus on learning various nouns.  Thus following are the most common nouns that you must know-

139. He
140. She
141. Man 
142. Women
143. Girl 
144. Boy
145. Person

139. Child or children
140. School
141. Money
142. Office
143. Door

13. Dates

Knowing about the dates in the targeted language will help you get safe from missing important files or a meeting with someone. Following are the things that you must know-

151. Names of the days in the week
152. What day is it?
153. Names of various seasons
154. Names of the months
155. On which day…..is open?

Conclusion

Whenever you learn a new language or think of travelling to a new country you must know the translation of some of the words that are important for a conversation. Whether you are greeting someone or looking for a bus or a train, you will need to use some of the common words in between. Therefore, you must look at the above-mentioned words to help you understand what a person is saying. These words will make your life easier when you are travelling to a new place.  As you may be performing different activities at different times, it is important to remember the words that have been commonly used at that time.

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