I Wish I Had Learned This Phrase Before I Travel to Another Country
Learning a language for travel is different from learning it on a large scale; Duolingo is too comprehensive, as is anything else that tries to build from the basics of grammar. You will need a few phrases such as “please” and “thank you”, “What does this mean?” and “Where is the bathroom?” But most of the time, I only needed one word to not feel like an ugly American. I needed to apologize. Which is harder than it sounds.
Think of the small apologies you make in English: sorry, sorry, sorry, thank you. Each has its own shade, which also depends on how you say it. “Sorry” can mean “Sorry for hitting you,” or “You should really apologize to me,” or “Please ignore me,” or “Can I get your attention?”
I didn’t realize how much I rely on these little intonations to get through my day until I was there, constantly bumping into people, getting in the way or asking for help. I didn’t want to look like a vile bastard, but I also didn’t want to look like a titled tourist. These tiny apologetic phrases are the verbal lubricant that allows millions of people to lead their lives in close proximity without constant emotional friction. If you know how to use them correctly, you can be more assertive and friendly without the fear of being insulted.
When you are an outright foreigner, it will be easier for you to walk away with apologetic bows and smiles. Making my way through the streets and subways of Tokyo, I don’t think I made a terribly wrong impression on anyone. (But who knows? The locals are too polite to show it.) In places like Germany or Finland, where I was not immediately noticed as a foreigner, I would like to be a little more careful.
If you can, talk to someone who speaks both languages about key phrases and their shades of meaning. If no one is available, get a phrasebook app that has audio clips with pronunciation. There are many cheap and free ones available for iOS and Android. My favorite is the “Learn to Speak” series from Codegent . Their Learn Japanese app includes “Sorry”, “I’m sorry (sorry)”, “I’m sorry (sympathy)”, “please” versions for questions and suggestions, and “It’s okay” and “no” versions. problems. “
I tried to learn a few during the trip, but the only thing I could constantly remember was sumimasen, which means sorry. And to be honest, I usually just apologize and make a polite face. Each time I wanted to train more in advance. I spent a lot of time memorizing the various forms of “good morning” and “good evening” and “Hajime wave, Nikudes” – “Nice to meet you, I’m Nick,” which I didn’t have. almost as many uses for. Now I had to squeeze in on the go.
The phrasebook can still mislead you – you might step on someone’s heel and express your deepest condolences – so pay attention to how people react and when you come across an English speaker, ask for their advice.
And don’t forget to thank them – which in Japanese can be “domo”, “arigato” or, as you hear whenever you buy something, “arigato gozaimashita” – muttered brightly, but repeated it two or three times. Hope you pick the right one!