30 Common Phrases in Different Languages Every UK Traveller Should Know

Why common phrases in different languages rarely mean what they seem

Common phrases in different languages often carry meanings far removed from their literal translation. Idioms, false friends and culturally specific greetings can easily mislead learners, and understanding the contextual meaning behind them helps UK travellers avoid misunderstandings and build genuine connections wherever they go.

At a glance

• Phrases fail to translate for three main reasons: idioms, false friends, and differences in formality or register.
• A false friend looks like an English word but means something else entirely: French pain means bread, not discomfort.
• The safest approach is to learn phrases in context, check more than one translation tool, and ask a local when you’re not sure.

Tell a French colleague you’re “under the weather”, or that you’re “over the moon” about some good news, and a word-for-word translation won’t get the message across: both idioms only make sense once you know what they stand for, not what they literally say. That’s the same problem you’ll run into abroad, and it tends to come from one of three places: an idiom whose meaning has nothing to do with its individual words, a “false friend” that looks like an English word but isn’t, or a shift in formality that a dictionary translation doesn’t capture. A good sense of British humour relies on exactly this kind of gap between what’s said and what’s meant, which makes it a useful reminder that every language has its own version of the same trick.

Common phrases in European languages: what UK travellers need to know

European languages are especially useful for UK travellers. In ABTA’s 2026 summer travel research, Spain was being considered by 38% of UK adults planning an overseas summer holiday, followed by Italy at 23% and France at 19%. Germany was also in the top 10 at 9%, which is why these four languages get particular attention below.

French phrases that catch English speakers off guard

• Ça va? – Literally “it goes?”. Used as both a greeting (“how’s it going?”) and a check-in (“are you alright?”). Tone and context decide which one your French friend means.
• Je suis plein(e) – Literally “I am full”. It is not the usual way to say you have eaten enough in standard French and can sound odd or carry unintended meanings. After a meal, “j’ai trop mangé” (I’ve eaten too much) or “je n’ai plus faim” (I’m not hungry any more) is clearer.
• C’est pas terrible – Literally “it’s not terrible”. Actually means something is distinctly average or a bit disappointing: not that it’s merely “not bad”.

German phrases that don’t translate

• Wie geht’s? – Literally “how goes it?”. An informal “how’s it going?”, used with people you know reasonably well.
• Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof – Literally “I only understand train station”. The German equivalent of “it’s all Greek to me”: said when something makes no sense at all.
• Da haben wir den Salat – Literally “there we have the salad”. Said when a problem you saw coming has finally arrived: roughly “now look at this mess”.
• Doch – No direct English equivalent. A single word that contradicts a negative question or statement: asked “you don’t like coffee?”, “Doch!” means “yes, I do”.

German distinguishes between formal “Sie” and informal “du”. In professional situations or when speaking to an unfamiliar adult, “Sie” is a useful formal starting point, although modern usage varies by setting, age group, and organisation. If the other person switches to “du”, you can usually follow their lead.

Spanish phrases UK travellers frequently misuse

• ¿Qué tal? – Literally “what’s up?”. A casual “how’s it going?”, used with friends and in relaxed settings.
• Como una cabra – Literally “like a goat”. Describes someone as a bit eccentric or “mad as a hatter”, not literally unstable.
• Estar embarazada – Looks like “embarrassed”. Actually means “pregnant”. If you want to say you’re embarrassed, “tener vergüenza” is what you’re after.

Spain also has its own grammar quirk worth knowing before you go: Spaniards use “vosotros” for an informal “you all”, while most of Latin America uses “ustedes” for the same idea, formal or not. You’ll notice smaller vocabulary differences too: a computer is an “ordenador” in Spain but a “computadora” across most of Latin America.

Italian phrases that surprise English speakers

• Prego – Literally “I pray”. A genuinely multi-purpose word: “you’re welcome”, “please”, “go ahead”, or “after you”, depending entirely on context.
• In bocca al lupo – Literally “into the wolf’s mouth”. A traditional Italian way to wish someone good luck. The traditional response is “crepi!” or “crepi il lupo!” (“may the wolf die”), although you will also hear people simply reply “grazie”.
• Mi fa cagare – Vulgar. A strong way of saying something is rubbish or that you can’t stand it: best kept for close friends, not polite company.
• Allora – No single English equivalent. A filler word Italians use constantly (“so…”, “well then…”, “right…”): listen for it at the start of most conversations.

One of our writers once told an Italian friend she was “eccitata” about an upcoming trip, expecting it to land the way “excited” does in English. It didn’t: “eccitare” carries a strong sexual connotation in Italian, and the reaction made that clear immediately. The safer word for excitement is “entusiasta” (enthusiastic), or simply “non vedo l’ora” (“I can’t wait”). It’s a useful reminder that a word looking familiar is no guarantee it behaves the same way once it leaves English: worth double-checking before you use it, not after.

A note on regional variation

Everyday language can shift considerably by region. In southern Germany and Austria, for example, “Servus” is a familiar greeting, while “Hallo” is widely understood throughout Germany. Italian greetings also vary with relationship, setting, and level of formality rather than following a simple north-versus-south rule. According to the Office for National Statistics, Polish was the main language of around 612,000 people in England and Wales in the 2021 Census, making it the most common main language other than English or Welsh. These differences are part of a much wider pattern, as language dialects around the world⁠ can vary in vocabulary, pronunciation, and everyday expressions even when speakers share the same language.

Common phrases in Asian languages: context is everything

Formality, tone, and the relationship between speakers shape meaning even more directly in many Asian languages than in European ones: Mandarin, Japanese and Hindi each build layers of respect and nuance straight into everyday phrases.

Mandarin Chinese phrases and what they reveal about culture

• Chī le ma? – Literally “have you eaten?”. It can function as a friendly conversational greeting rather than a literal request for details about your last meal.
• Jiāyóu! – Literally “add oil”. Shouted as encouragement: closer to “you’ve got this!” or “go for it!” than anything about fuel.
• Mǎmǎhūhū – Literally “horse horse tiger tiger”. Used to describe something as so-so, or a job done carelessly.

Mandarin is a tonal language, which means pitch helps distinguish words that otherwise use the same syllable. For example, “mā” with a high, level tone means “mother”, while “mǎ” with a dipping third tone means “horse”. For learners, this makes pronunciation as important as vocabulary: recognising the written word is only part of communicating it clearly in speech. Tone is only one part of learning Mandarin, and its written characters also make it distinct from the alphabet-based languages many UK learners know. Our guide to writing systems of the world⁠ explores how different languages represent spoken language on the page.

Japanese and the language of respect

• Arigatou gozaimasu – The formal “thank you”. Used with strangers, colleagues, and anyone older or more senior; “arigatou” alone is for friends.
• Otsukaresama desu – No direct English equivalent. Said to colleagues at the end of a working day: it doesn’t literally comment on how tired someone looks; it acknowledges the effort they’ve put in.
• Sumimasen – Technically “I’m sorry”. Used constantly to mean “excuse me”, to get someone’s attention, or even instead of “thank you” when someone has gone out of their way for you.

Japanese builds formality into grammar and vocabulary through systems including keigo, which changes expressions according to the relationship between speakers and the social setting. That means a phrase appropriate between friends may not be the form used with a customer, senior colleague, or stranger, so context matters as much as the dictionary meaning.

Hindi phrases UK residents may already know

Hindi is one of several South Asian languages you may encounter in multicultural Britain, so some of these words may already feel familiar to UK readers. It is still worth paying attention to context, because words borrowed into British English do not always carry exactly the same meaning or register as they do in Hindi.

• Namaste – Literally “I bow to you”. A respectful greeting used at any time of day.
• Jugaad – No direct English equivalent. Describes a clever, resourceful fix made with whatever’s on hand: the kind of workaround that gets the job done without the “proper” tools.
• Achha – Context-dependent. A flexible word that can mean “okay”, “I see”, or “really?”, depending on tone.
• Chai – Literally “tea”. Ordering a “chai tea” technically means asking for “tea tea”: “chai” alone will do.

Portuguese and Arabic phrases UK residents may hear

Portuguese and Arabic are both recorded as main-language categories in the 2021 Census for England and Wales, making them useful additions for a UK-focused guide. As with the examples above, pronunciation, dialect, and formality can change how a phrase lands.

• Portuguese: Tudo bem? – Literally “everything well?”. A very common way to ask “how are you?” or “all good?”. The same words can also be used as a reply, depending on intonation and context.
• Portuguese: Pois é – A conversational expression with no single neat English equivalent. Depending on tone, it can mean something like “yeah”, “that’s how it is”, or “well, there you go”.
• Arabic: As-salāmu ʿalaykum – “Peace be upon you”. A widely recognised greeting across Arabic-speaking communities, traditionally answered with “wa ʿalaykum as-salām” (“and peace be upon you”). Usage and pronunciation vary across regions.
• Arabic: Inshallah – Literally “if God wills”. It can express a sincere hope or intention about the future, although the exact conversational force varies by speaker and context. Treat it as a culturally loaded expression rather than a word-for-word substitute for “hopefully”.

False friends: phrases that look familiar but mean something else entirely

False friends usually share a common ancestor language somewhere back down the line: English borrowed heavily from French and Latin, and so did many other European languages, but the meanings of shared roots have drifted apart over the centuries.

• Pain (French) – Assumed: pain, hurt. Actual meaning: bread.
• Magazin (Russian) – Assumed: magazine. Actual meaning: shop.
• Eventuell (German) – Assumed: eventual. Actual meaning: possible, perhaps.
• Phul (Hindi) – Assumed: fool. Actual meaning: flower.
• Gift (German) – Assumed: a present. Actual meaning: poison.
• Fart (Swedish/Danish) – Assumed: (best not said aloud). Actual meaning: speed.

How to use translation tools without getting caught out

Google Translate is useful for quick words, short phrases, menus, and signs, and its camera mode can translate supported text through your phone’s camera. Like any automated translator, it can miss context in idioms, slang, humour, and culturally specific expressions, so important phrases are worth checking rather than relying on a single literal result.

DeepL is another option for translating longer text, while Reverso and WordReference can help when you want examples or dictionary-style context. Features, language coverage, and free-tier limits can change, so check the current service before relying on a particular tool while travelling.

One practical UK-specific tip is to download supported languages in Google Translate before you fly. Google confirms that downloaded languages can be used without an internet connection, and some support camera translation. Surcharge-free roaming in the EU and EEA is no longer guaranteed for UK customers, so GOV.UK recommends checking your mobile provider’s roaming policy before travelling.

Frequently asked questions about common phrases in different languages

What phrases do UK travellers get wrong most often?

False friends and familiar-looking expressions are easy to misuse. Spanish “embarazada” means “pregnant”, not “embarrassed”, while French “je suis plein(e)” is not the standard way to say you have eaten enough and may sound odd. Learning a complete phrase for the situation is safer than translating English word by word.

What is a false friend in language learning?

A false friend is a word that looks or sounds like an English word but means something different: French “pain” (bread) or German “Gift” (poison) are classic examples. They exist because languages share historical roots, but the meanings have drifted apart over time.

Why do greetings vary so much from country to country?

Greetings reflect social relationships, levels of formality, and local conventions, not just vocabulary. Mandarin “Chī le ma?” can work as a conversational greeting, while Japanese uses different forms depending on the relationship between speakers. Learning when a phrase is used is therefore just as important as learning its literal meaning.

What’s the most reliable translation app for travel?

No single translation app is ideal for every situation. Google Translate offers features such as camera translation and downloadable offline languages, while DeepL, Reverso, and WordReference provide other ways to check text or usage. For an important phrase, compare the result with a dictionary, examples, or a fluent speaker when possible.

How do I avoid causing offence with a translation mistake?

Check unfamiliar phrases before using them in formal, professional, or sensitive situations, especially when slang or humour is involved. If you make a mistake, a brief apology and clarification are usually more useful than trying to defend the literal translation. When register matters, ask a fluent speaker which form fits the situation.

Are there phrases with no English equivalent?

Plenty: the Italian “allora”, the Hindi “jugaad”, and the Japanese “otsukaresama desu” all describe ideas English simply doesn’t package into one word. Spoken languages aren’t alone in this either: sign languages build entire vocabularies of concepts that have no single-word spoken equivalent at all.

Using common phrases in different languages with confidence

Understanding a phrase’s contextual meaning, not just its literal translation, is what actually helps you communicate abroad, and it’s a skill that gets easier every time you notice the gap between the two. Mistakes are part of that process, not a sign you’re doing it wrong.

If language is part of a bigger move abroad, whether that’s a working holiday or settling into life as an expat in the UK, it’s worth knowing which languages tend to open doors professionally, too: the languages most in demand for UK job seekers can be a useful starting point if you’re deciding what to learn next. Wherever your move takes you, we hope these phrases help you feel a little more at home along the way. And if part of settling in means sending money back to family, that’s exactly what Remitly is here to help with.

Key takeaways

• Phrases fail to translate literally for three main reasons: idioms, false friends, and shifts in formality or register.
• A false friend looks or sounds like an English word but means something else entirely: always worth double-checking before you use one in a new setting.
• Regional variation matters as much as vocabulary: greetings, pronouns, and levels of formality can shift between regions and social settings.
• No single translation tool covers every context, so important idioms, slang, and formal phrases are worth checking against more than one source.
• Getting a phrase wrong is rarely a serious problem: a light-hearted apology and a willingness to try again tend to go a long way.

Last reviewed: September 2026