When traveling outside your home country, one of the first hard lessons you learn is this: People speak in different languages. And if they can speak English, they probably won’t have the same grasp of it as you do.

When on a European kosher cruise with KRC, it can be easy to forget this. After all, we are all traveling together and are more or less using the same language to communicate during onboard events and land tours. But it helps to know a few basic phrases to help you out with the locals, wouldn’t you agree? Vacations are much more fun when interacting with the locals. It warms their hearts when they know you’re making an effort to learn their mother tongue.

Here are ones that might be of use to you while cruising with us along the waterways of Europe:

Italian

Greeting an Italian in their language is one of the best ways to immediately get in their good graces. Not only is it polite, but it also lets them have a good first impression of you.

• Ciao – Hi or Bye (however, this is usually used in informal settings, like with friends or family)
• Salve – the more formal way to say “Hello”
• Arrivederci – Goodbye
• Si – Yes
• No – No
• Grazie – Thank you
• Buongiorno – Good morning
• Buonasera – Good night/evening
• Mis scusi – Excuse me
• Parla inglese – Do you speak English

French

Along with Italian, French is one of the “Romance languages”, or the languages that originated from Latin, which was spoken in the Roman Empire. But they still have very different words for common phrases, as you can see here:

• Bonjour – Hello; can also be used as “Good day”
• Bonsoir – Good evening
• Oui – Yes
• Non – No
• excusez-moi – Excuse Me
• Pardon – Sorry
• où est – Where Is
• c’est combine – How much is it
• merci – Thank you
• Je voudrais parler anglaise – Do You Speak English

Portugese

A lot of people think that Portugese is just the same as its more popular cousin, Spanish. However, they are very much far from the truth! There are a few similarities, but majority of their words are unique to their own.

• Ola – Hello
• Adeus – Goodbye
• Por favor – Please
• Obrigada/Obrigado – Thank you (If you are female, you use the former. Males use the latter)
• De nada – You’re welcome
• Sim – Yes
• Nao – No
• Desculpa – I’m sorry or Excuse me
• Com licenca – Excuse me (specifically when passing through a person or a crowded place)
• Onde – Where
• Que – What
• Voce fala ingles – Do you speak English
• Quanto custa isso – How much does this cost

While you might get conscious with your accent and your pronunciation, don’t worry too much. It’s the thought that counts, and the locals you’ll get to meet understand that. So, ready to practice your new foreign phrases on your next vacation? Check out our upcoming kosher cruises, book a trip, and show everyone what you’ve learned!