Travel phrase cards give you 38 useful phrases in 56 languages, with pronunciation, a listen button and a large mode to show people. They are free to use and print.
Tap the expand button to show a phrase in large letters (handy for a waiter or taxi driver). The speaker button uses your device’s voice for that language, if it has one. Written by our editors in standard, polite everyday language; spot something that reads oddly? Tell us. Printed from travelercenter.com.
About the Travel phrase cards
Travel phrase cards help you say the basics in the local language. There are 56 languages, covering 128 of our 164 countries, each with 38 phrases in six groups: Basics, Restaurant, Directions, Hotel, Emergencies and Romance. Non-Latin scripts include English-letter pronunciation, and Arabic, Hebrew and Urdu read right to left. You can listen to each phrase, show it large to a waiter or taxi driver, or print the cards. The phrases are written by our editors in standard polite language.
How it works
- Open the page; it picks the local language where you are, or choose another.
- Pick a group, such as Restaurant or Directions.
- Tap listen to hear a phrase, or show large to let someone read it.
- Print the cards or save them as a PDF for offline use.
Features
Why it helps on a trip
Tips
- Learn hello, please, thank you and excuse me before you arrive; they go a long way.
- Print the Emergencies group and keep it with your passport.
- Listen voices depend on your device; if a language has no voice, use show large instead.
Frequently asked questions
Are the travel phrase cards free?
Yes, they are free, with no account and nothing to install. Open them in any phone or computer browser. The page picks the local language for where you are, based on your device's time zone, and you can choose any of the 56 languages. You can also print the cards or save them as a PDF.
Who wrote the phrases?
The phrases are written by TravelerCenter's editors in standard, polite language suited to travelers. They have not yet been reviewed by native speakers, so local wording or pronunciation may differ a little from what you hear. Polite standard phrases are widely understood, and people generally appreciate the effort to speak their language.
Why does the listen button sound different on different phones?
The listen button uses the text-to-speech voice built into your device or browser, so the sound depends on the voices installed. Some devices have no voice for a given language. If a phrase does not play, you can usually add language voices in your device settings, or use show large to let someone read it.
How can I use phrase cards without internet?
Print the cards, or save them as a PDF on your phone, while you still have a connection. A PDF opens without data, and a paper copy works even when your battery is low. Many travelers keep the Emergencies and Restaurant groups printed and folded in a wallet.
What are the most useful phrases to learn before a trip?
Hello, please, thank you, excuse me and goodbye are the most useful, followed by how much is this, where is the bathroom and I do not understand. If you have an allergy or dietary need, learn to say it or carry it written down. The Basics and Restaurant groups in our phrase cards cover these.