Wikivoyage:Phrasebook article template Voyage Tips and guide

[NOTE: This is a skeleton for creating a phrasebook article. Phrasebooks are intended to provide some basic guidance about a language.

To quickly insert a basic blank phrasebook template, copy-and-paste the quick version into the edit box on the page you are editing.

Stuff in italics below is editorial comment, with suggestions for what should go in each section. You should plan on ruthlessly eliminating if you copy this code to a new region article.

When creating a new phrasebook, it's also helpful to create a redirect to the phrasebook using just the name of the language. This makes it easy to wikilink to the phrasebook from other articles.]

The introduction to a phrasebook does not have a heading. This is where you would put an overview of the language, giving a brief history, scope (where it's spoken, how many speakers), and any other general info on the language. It might also be useful to list some difficulties of the language for English speakers, such as, but not restricted to, polite vs. familiar forms, declension of nouns, genders, tones, etc. It's preferable not to give a full grammar of the language -- just give some tips on why it might be hard.

Pronunciation guide

This is where you put a full list -- if possible -- of the alphabet or symbol set of the language. For languages that use pictograms -- like Chinese or Japanese -- you can simply give a pronunciation of the most common Romanized script. It will be a good start, at least.

Here follows an (inexpert) guide to the English alphabet; note that it doesn't make a lot of sense, since it's describing many English letters in terms of themselves. This is just an example. Note also that it's split up into vowels, consonants, and diphthongs; these may be appropriate for most European languages, but might not work for others. Split the alphabet up in accordance with the language you're describing.

Vowels

A (a): as in father
E (e): as in ten
I (i): as in machine
O (o): as in open
U (u): as in rule
ai: as in Thailand
ui: as in Louie

Consonants

b: like 'b' in "bed"
c: like 's' in "supper", 'k' in "kid"
d: like 'd' in "dog"
f: like 'ph' in "phone"
g: like 'g' in "go", 'j' in "jello"
h: like 'h' in "help" (often silent in the UK and other Commonwealth countries)
j: like 'dg' in "edge"
k: like 'c' in "cat"
l: like 'l' in "love"
m: like 'm' in "mother"
n: like 'n' in "nice"
p: like 'p' in "pig"
q: like 'q' in "quest" (with "u", almost always)
r: like 'r' in "row", like 'r' in "feather" (often silent in the UK and other Commonwealth countries at end of word)
s: like 'ss' in "hiss", like 'z' in "haze"
t: like 't' in "top"
v: like 'v' in "victory"
w: like 'w' in "weight"
x: like 'cks' in "kicks", like 'z' in "haze" (at beginning of a word)
y: like 'y' in "yes", like 'ie' in "pie", like 'ee' in "flee"
z: like 'z' in "haze"

Common digraphs

ay: like 'ay' in "say"
ai: like 'ay' in "say"
au: like 'awe'

ee: like 'ee' in "see"
ei: like 'ay' in "say"
ey: like 'ay' in "say", like 'ee' in "see"

ie: like 'ee' in "see"

oi: like 'oy' in "boy"
oo: like 'oo' in "food", like 'oo' in "good"
ou: like 'ow' in "cow", like 'oo' in "food", like 'o' in "cot"
ow: like 'ow' in "cow"
oy: like 'oy' in "boy"

ch: like 'ch' in "touch"
sh: like 'sh' in "sheep"
th: like 'th' in "this", like 'th' in "those"
gh: like 'f' in "fish"
ph: like 'f' in "fish"

Phrase list

An overview of phrases can go here. Note that the phrases sections listed below are in a general order of how important they are, and how a traveler would need them. Thus, transportation comes before hotels, which in turn come before restaurants. This ordering is arbitrary but may be helpful. See also Project:Phrasebook Expedition for more details on choosing different phrases.

Do not translate phrases word for word; instead, give the nearest common equivalent in the language. Keep sentences polite, but as short as possible. Give alternatives if a traveler is likely to encounter them.

The following is a phrase guide from English to English; in a real phrase guide, the second part of each entry would be in the target language, and the third part would be an English-like pronunciation suggestion.

Basics

Hello.: Hello. (HEH-low)
Hello. (informal): Hi. (HIGH)
How are you?: How are you? (HOW ah YOO?)
Fine, thank you.: Fine, thank you. (FIGHN, then KYOO)
What is your name?: What is your name? (WUT iz yer NAYM?)
My name is ______ .: My name is ______ . (Migh NAYM iz _____ .)
Nice to meet you.: Nice to meet you. (NIGHSS t' meet YOO)
Please.: Please. (pleez)
Thank you.: Thank you. (THANK yoo)
You're welcome.: You're welcome. (yuhr WEL-kuhm)
Yes.: Yes. (YESS)
No.: No. (NOH)
Excuse me. (getting attention): Excuse me. (ehkz-KYOOZ mee)
Excuse me. (begging pardon): Excuse me. (ehkz-KYOOZ mee)
I'm sorry.: I'm sorry. (IGHM SAW-ree)
Goodbye: Goodbye. (GUHD-bigh.)
Goodbye (informal): Bye. (BIGH)
I can't speak name of language [well].: I can't speak English [well]. (IGH cant speek ING-lush [wehl])
Do you speak English?: Do you speak English? (doo YOO speek ING-lush?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Is there someone here who speaks English? (IZ thayr SUM-wun heer hoo speekz ING-lush?)
Help!: Help! (HEHLP!)
Look out!: Look out! (look OWT!)
Good morning.: Good morning. (guhd MOAN-ing)
Good evening.: Good evening. (guhd EEV-ning)
Good night.: Good night. (guhd NIGHT)
Good night (to sleep): Good night. (good NIGHT)
I don't understand.: I don't understand. (IGH doan UHN-dur-STAND)
Where is the toilet?: Where is the toilet? (WAYR iz thuh TOY-leht?)

At this point, the fake phoneticizations of English are going to stop, and be replaced by ellipses.

Problems

Leave me alone.: Leave me alone. (...)
Don't touch me!: Don't touch me! (...)
I'll call the police.: I'll call the police. (...)
Police!: Police! (...)
Stop! Thief!: Stop! Thief! (...)
I need your help.: I need your help. (...)
It's an emergency.: It's an emergency. (...)
I'm lost.: I'm lost. (...)
I lost my bag.: I lost my bag. (...)
I lost my wallet.: I lost my wallet. (...)
I'm sick.: I'm sick. (...)
I've been injured.: I've been injured. (...)
I need a doctor.: I need a doctor. (...)
Can I use your phone?: Can I use your phone? (...)

Numbers

0: zero (...)
1: one (...)
2: two (...)
3: three (...)
4: four (...)
5: five (...)
6: six (...)
7: seven (...)
8: eight (...)
9: nine (...)
10: ten (...)
11: eleven (...)
12: twelve (...)
13: thirteen (...)
14: fourteen (...)
15: fifteen (...)
16: sixteen (...)
17: seventeen (...)
18: eighteen (...)
19: nineteen (...)
20: twenty (...)
21: twenty one (...)
22: twenty two (...)
23: twenty three (...)
30: thirty (...)
40: forty (...)
50: fifty (...)
60: sixty (...)
70: seventy (...)
80: eighty (...)
90: ninety (...)
100: one hundred (...)
200: two hundred (...)
300: three hundred (...)
1000: one thousand (...)
2000: two thousand (...)
1,000,000: one million (...)
1,000,000,000: one thousand million in UK, one billion in USA
1,000,000,000,000: one billion in UK, one trillion in USA
number _____ (train, bus, etc.): number _____ (...)
half: half (...)
less: less (...)
more: more (...)

Time

now: now (...)
later: later (...)
before: before (...)
morning: morning (...)
afternoon: afternoon (...)
evening: evening (...)
night: night (...)

Clock time

one o'clock AM: one o'clock AM (...)
two o'clock AM: two o'clock AM (...)
noon: noon (...)
one o'clock PM: one o'clock PM (...)
two o'clock PM: two o'clock PM (...)
midnight: midnight (...)

Duration

_____ minute(s): _____ minute(s) (...)
_____ hour(s): _____ hour(s) (...)
_____ day(s): _____ day(s) (...)
_____ week(s): _____ week(s) (...)
_____ month(s): _____ month(s) (...)
_____ year(s): _____ year(s) (...)

Days

today: today (...)
yesterday: yesterday (...)
tomorrow: tomorrow (...)
this week: this week (...)
last week: last week (...)
next week: next week (...)

Sunday: Sunday (...)
Monday: Monday (...)
Tuesday: Tuesday (...)
Wednesday: Wednesday (...)
Thursday: Thursday (...)
Friday: Friday (...)
Saturday: Saturday (...)

Months

If speakers of the language commonly use a calendar other than the Gregorian, explain it here and list its months. See Hebrew phrasebook for an example.

January: January (...)
February: February (...)
March: March (...)
April: April (...)
May: May (...)
June: June (...)
July: July (...)
August: August (...)
September: September (...)
October: October (...)
November: November (...)
December: December (...)

Writing time and date

Give some examples how to write clock times and dates if it differs from English.

Colors

black: black (...)
white: white (...)
gray: gray (...)
red: red (...)
blue: blue (...)
yellow: yellow (...)
green: green (...)
orange: orange (...)
purple: purple (...)
brown: brown (...)

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: How much is a ticket to _____? (...)
One ticket to _____, please.: One ticket to _____, please. (...)
Where does this train/bus go?: Where does this train/bus go? (...)
Where is the train/bus to _____?: Where is the train/bus to _____? (...)
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: Does this train/bus stop in _____? (...)
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: When does the train/bus for _____ leave? (...)
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: When will this train/bus arrive in _____? (...)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: How do I get to______? (...)
...the train station?: ...? (...)
...the bus station?: ...the bus station? (...)
...the airport?: ...the airport? (...)
...downtown?: ...downtown? (...)
...the youth hostel?: ...the youth hostel? (...)
...the _____ hotel?: ...the _____ hotel? (...)
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? (...)
Where are there a lot of...: Where are there a lot of... (...)
...hotels?: ...hotels? (...)
...restaurants?: ...restaurants? (...)
...bars?: ...bars? (...)
...sites to see?: ...sites to see? (...)
Can you show me on the map?: Can you show me on the map? (...)
street: street (...)
Turn left.: Turn left. (...)
Turn right.: Turn right. (...)
left: left (...)
right: right (...)
straight ahead: straight ahead (...)
towards the _____: towards the _____ (...)
past the _____: past the _____ (...)
before the _____: before the _____ (...)
in front of the _____: in front of the _____ (...)
behind the _____: behind the _____ (...)
Watch for the _____.: Watch for the _____. (...)
intersection: intersection (...)
inside: inside (...)
outside: outside (...)
north: north (...)
south: south (...)
east: east (...)
west: west (...)
uphill: uphill (...)
downhill: downhill (...)

Taxi

Taxi!: Taxi! (...)
Take me to _____, please.: Take me to _____, please. (...)
How much does it cost to get to _____?: How much does it cost to

get to _____? (...)

Take me there, please.: Take me there, please. (...)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: Do you have any rooms available? (...)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: How much is a room for one person/two people? (...)
Does the room come with...: Does the room come with... (...)
...bedsheets?: ...bedsheets? (...)
...a bathroom?: ...a bathroom? (...)
...a telephone?: ...a telephone? (...)
...a TV?: ...a TV? (...)
May I see the room first?: May I see the room first? (...)
Do you have anything quieter?: Do you have anything quieter? (...)
...bigger?: ...bigger? (...)
...cleaner?: ...cleaner? (...)
...cheaper?: ...cheaper? (...)
OK, I'll take it.: OK, I'll take it. (...)
I will stay for _____ night(s).: I will stay for _____ night(s). (...)
Can you suggest another hotel?: Can you suggest another hotel? (...)
Do you have a safe?: Do you have a safe? (...)
...lockers?: ...lockers? (...)
Is breakfast/supper included?: Is breakfast/supper included? (...)
What time is breakfast/supper?: What time is breakfast/supper? (...)
Please clean my room.: Please clean my room. (...)
Can you wake me at _____? | Can you wake me at _____? (...)
I want to check out.: I want to check out. (...)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (...)
Do you accept British pounds?: Do you accept British pounds? (...)
Do you accept credit cards?: Do you accept credit cards? (...)
Can you change money for me?: Can you change money for me? (...)
Where can I get money changed?: Where can I get money changed? (...)
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: Can you change a traveler's check for me? (...)
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: Where can I get a traveler's check changed? (...)
What is the exchange rate?: What is the exchange rate? (...)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? (...)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: A table for one person/two people, please. (...)
Can I look at the menu, please?: Can I look at the menu, please? (...)
Can I look in the kitchen?: Can I look in the kitchen? (...)
Is there a house specialty?: Is there a house specialty? (...)
Is there a local specialty?: Is there a local specialty? (...)
I'm a vegetarian.: I'm a vegetarian. (...)
I don't eat pork.: I don't eat pork. (...)
I don't eat beef.: I don't eat beef. (...)
I only eat kosher food.: I only eat kosher food. (...)
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): Can you make it "lite", please? (...)
fixed-price meal: fixed-price meal (...)
a la carte: a la carte (...)
breakfast: breakfast (...)
lunch: lunch (...)
tea (meal): tea (...)
supper: supper (...)
I want _____.: I want _____. (...)
I want a dish containing _____.: I want a dish containing _____. (...)
chicken: chicken (...)
beef: beef (...)
fish: fish (...)
ham: ham (...)
sausage: sausage (...)
cheese: cheese (...)
eggs: eggs (...)
salad: salad (...)
(fresh) vegetables: (fresh) vegetables (...)
(fresh) fruit: (fresh) fruit (...)
bread: bread (...)
toast: toast (...)
noodles: noodles (...)
rice: rice (...)
beans: beans (...)
May I have a glass of _____?: May I have a glass of _____? (...)
May I have a cup of _____?: May I have a cup of _____? (...)
May I have a bottle of _____?: May I have a bottle of _____? (...)
coffee: coffee (...)
tea (drink): tea (...)
juice: juice (...)
(bubbly) water: water (...)
water: water (...)
beer: beer (...)
red/white wine: red/white wine (...)
May I have some _____?: May I have some _____? (...)
salt: salt (...)
black pepper: black pepper (...)
butter: butter (...)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Excuse me, waiter? (...)
I'm finished.: I'm finished. (...)
It was delicious.: It was delicious. (...)
Please clear the plates.: Please clear the plates. (...)
The check, please.: The check, please. (...)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: Do you serve alcohol? (...)
Is there table service?: Is there table service? (...)
A beer/two beers, please.: A beer/two beers, please. (...)
A glass of red/white wine, please.: A glass of red/white wine, please. (...)
A pint, please.: A pint, please. (...)
A bottle, please.: A bottle, please. (...)
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: _____ and _____, please. (...)
whiskey: whiskey (...)
vodka: vodka (...)
rum: rum (...)
water: water (...)
club soda: club soda (...)
tonic water: tonic water (...)
orange juice: orange juice (...)
Coke (soda): Coke (...)
Do you have any bar snacks?: Do you have any bar snacks? (...)
One more, please.: One more, please. (...)
Another round, please.: Another round, please. (...)
When is closing time?: When is closing time? (...)
Cheers!: Cheers! (...)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: Do you have this in my size? (...)
How much is this?: How much is this? (...)
That's too expensive.: That's too expensive. (...)
Would you take _____?: Would you take _____? (...)
expensive: expensive (...)
cheap: cheap (...)
I can't afford it.: I can't afford it. (...)
I don't want it.: I don't want it. (...)
You're cheating me.: You're cheating me. (...)
I'm not interested.: I'm not interested. (..)
OK, I'll take it.: OK, I'll take it. (...)
Can I have a bag?: Can I have a bag? (...)
Do you ship (overseas)?: Do you ship (overseas)? (...)
I need...: I need... (...)
...toothpaste.: ...toothpaste. (...)
...a toothbrush.: ...a toothbrush. (...)
...tampons.: ...tampons. (...)
...soap.: ...soap. (...)
...shampoo.: ...shampoo. (...)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ...pain reliever. (...)
...cold medicine.: ...cold medicine. (...)
...stomach medicine.: ...stomach medicine. (...)
...a razor.: ...a razor. (...)
...an umbrella.: ...an umbrella. (...)
...sunblock lotion.: ...sunblock lotion. (...)
...a postcard.: ...a postcard. (...)
...postage stamps.: ...postage stamps. (...)
...batteries.: ...batteries. (...)
...writing paper.: ...writing paper. (...)
...a pen.: ...a pen. (...)
...English-language books.: ...English-language books. (...)
...English-language magazines.: ...English-language magazines. (...)
...an English-language newspaper.: ...an English-language newspaper. (...)
...an English-English dictionary.: ...an English-English dictionary. (...)

Driving

I want to rent a car.: I want to rent a car. (...)
Can I get insurance?: Can I get insurance? (...)
stop (on a street sign): stop (...)
one way: one way (...)
yield: yield (...)
no parking: no parking (...)
speed limit: speed limit (...)
gas (petrol) station: gas station (...)
petrol: petrol (...)
diesel: diesel (...)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: I haven't done anything wrong. (...)
It was a misunderstanding.: It was a misunderstanding. (...)
Where are you taking me?: Where are you taking me? (...)
Am I under arrest?: Am I under arrest? (...)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (...)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: I need to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. (...)
I want to talk to a lawyer.: I want to talk to a lawyer. (...)
Can I just pay a fine now?: Can I just pay a fine now? (...)