Traveling across Europe is an exciting adventure, but language differences can sometimes be a hurdle. Although many Europeans speak English, learning a few key phrases in the local languages not only enriches your travel experience but also helps you connect with locals and navigate unexpected situations with ease. Whether you’re ordering food, asking for directions, or simply greeting someone, these 25 essential phrases will serve as your travel companion.
Greetings: Hello / Goodbye
- French: Bonjour / Au revoir
- Spanish: Hola / Adiós
- German: Hallo / Auf Wiedersehen
- Italian: Ciao / Arrivederci
- Portuguese (European): Olá / Adeus
These basic greetings are universally understood and a great way to start any conversation.
Polite Expressions: Please / Thank You
- French: S’il vous plaît / Merci
- Spanish: Por favor / Gracias
- German: Bitte / Danke
- Italian: Per favore / Grazie
- Portuguese (European): Por favor / Obrigado (if you are male) / Obrigada (if you are female)
Using polite expressions goes a long way in showing respect and kindness.
Getting Attention: Excuse Me / Sorry
- French: Excusez-moi / Désolé(e)
- Spanish: Perdón / Lo siento
- German: Entschuldigung / Es tut mir leid
- Italian: Mi scusi / Mi dispiace
- Portuguese (European): Com licença / Desculpe
Whether you need to catch someone’s attention or apologize, these phrases are indispensable.
Affirmatives and Negatives: Yes / No
- French: Oui / Non
- Spanish: Sí / No
- German: Ja / Nein
- Italian: Sì / No
- Portuguese (European): Sim / Não
These basic responses will help you engage in simple conversations with ease.
Communicating in English: Do You Speak English?
- French: Parlez-vous anglais?
- Spanish: ¿Habla inglés?
- German: Sprechen Sie Englisch?
- Italian: Parla inglese?
- Portuguese (European): Fala inglês?
While formal in some languages, these phrases are commonly used to check if you can communicate in English.
Essential Questions: Where Is…?
Where is the Bathroom?
- French: Où sont les toilettes?
- Spanish: ¿Dónde está el baño?
- German: Wo ist die Toilette?
- Italian: Dov’è il bagno?
- Portuguese (European): Onde fica a casa de banho?
Note the use of “casa de banho” in European Portuguese instead of “banheiro.”
Where Is the Train/Bus Station?
- French: Où est la gare / l’arrêt de bus?
- Spanish: ¿Dónde está la estación de tren/autobús?
- German: Wo ist der Bahnhof / die Bushaltestelle?
- Italian: Dov’è la stazione del treno/dell’autobus?
- Portuguese (European): Onde fica a estação de comboios / autocarros?
In European Portuguese, “comboios” refers to trains and “autocarros” to buses.
Where Is the Nearest ATM?
- French: Où est le distributeur le plus proche?
- Spanish: ¿Dónde está el cajero automático más cercano?
- German: Wo ist der nächste Geldautomat?
- Italian: Dov’è il bancomat più vicino?
- Portuguese (European): Onde fica o multibanco mais próximo?
In Portugal, ATMs are commonly referred to as “multibanco.”
Everyday Phrases
How Expensive Is It?
- French: Combien ça coûte?
- Spanish: ¿Cuánto cuesta?
- German: Wie viel kostet das?
- Italian: Quanto costa?
- Portuguese (European): Quanto custa?
This phrase is handy for shopping and dining out.
I Need Help!
- French: J’ai besoin d’aide!
- Spanish: ¡Necesito ayuda!
- German: Ich brauche Hilfe!
- Italian: Ho bisogno di aiuto!
- Portuguese (European): Preciso de ajuda!
Essential in case of emergencies or if you find yourself lost.
I Don’t Understand
- French: Je ne comprends pas.
- Spanish: No entiendo.
- German: Ich verstehe nicht.
- Italian: Non capisco.
- Portuguese (European): Não entendo.
This phrase will help you navigate language barriers.
Can You Recommend a Nice Restaurant?
- French: Pouvez-vous recommander un bon restaurant?
- Spanish: ¿Puede recomendar un buen restaurante?
- German: Können Sie ein gutes Restaurant empfehlen?
- Italian: Può consigliarmi un buon ristorante?
- Portuguese (European): Pode recomendar um bom restaurante?
Use this when you want to try local cuisine at a well-recommended spot.
I Would Like…
- French: Je voudrais…
- Spanish: Me gustaría…
- German: Ich möchte…
- Italian: Vorrei…
- Portuguese (European): Eu gostaria de…
Perfect for ordering food, shopping, or making a request.
Check, Please
- French: L’addition, s’il vous plaît.
- Spanish: La cuenta, por favor.
- German: Die Rechnung, bitte.
- Italian: Il conto, per favore.
- Portuguese (European): A conta, por favor.
An essential phrase to close out your dining experience.
Emergency Phrase: I Need a Doctor
- French: J’ai besoin d’un médecin.
- Spanish: Necesito un médico.
- German: Ich brauche einen Arzt.
- Italian: Ho bisogno di un medico.
- Portuguese (European): Preciso de um médico.
Keep this phrase handy in case of a health emergency.
