Key Words and Phrases - Welcome International
Kent is becoming an increasing more of an international destination for tourists and holiday makers. With the Olympic Games and HRH The Queens Diamond Jubilee both coming up in 2012, Kent can expect more international exposure and tourism as a result. Therefore, Visit Kent is providing a guide for businesses, in how to say basic greetings and courtesies in other languages. This guide is aimed to help individuals and businesses communicate with visitors and make them feel welcome in the Garden of England. In addition to this online version, a small booklet has been produced covering more key phrases and words businesses may find useful.
For greetings and courtesies in Arabic, Chinese, Dutch and French see below. For German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian and Spanish click here.
English |
Arabic |
Greetings |
|
| Good morning/ good evening | SabaaHul-khayr/masaa' unnuur |
| Welcome to ... | marHaban bikum li ... |
| Isn't it a lovely day? | alaysa-haathaa yawmun jamiil |
| Terrible weather! | Taqsun sayyi' |
| Did you have a good journey? | hal kaanat riHlatuka jayyida |
| Can i help you? | 'ayy khidma |
Courtesies |
|
| Thank you/ you're welcome | shukran/aafwan |
| Please/excuse me | min faDlak/eAzurnii |
| I'm sorry I don't understand | aasifa Iam afham |
| I don't know | Iaa 'aArif |
| Yes/no | na-Am/laa |
| Shall I repeat that? | hal 'u-Aiidu thaalik |
English |
Chinese |
Greetings |
|
| Good morning/ good evening | Zow-shang ha-ow/ wan-shang ha-ow |
| Welcome to ... | Hwan-ying ni lai |
| Isn't it a lovely day? | Tian-chi jun hao |
| Terrible weather! | Tian-chi tie dzow la |
| Did you have a good journey? | Loo shan shun-li ba |
| Can I help you? | Shu-yao bang-mang ma |
Courtesies |
|
| Thank you/ you're welcome | She-eh she-eh/ boo kur chee |
| Please/ excuse me | Chi-ing/ dwee boo che-e |
| I'm sorry I don't understand | Dwee boo che-e wo boo ming-bai |
| I don't know | Woo boo ju-dow |
| Yes/ no | Shu/ boo |
| Shall I repeat that? | Shu-yao u-a chong-foo ee-bien ma |
English |
Dutch |
Greetings |
|
| Good morning/ good evening | Goedemorgan/ goedenavond |
| Welcome to ... | Welkon in ... |
| Isn't it a lovely day? | Is het geen fijne dag? |
| Terrible weather! | Verschrikkelijk weer! |
| Did you have a good journey? | Heeft U enn goede reis gehad? |
| Can I help you? | Kan ik U helpen? |
Courtesies |
|
| Thank you/ you're welcome | Dank U wel/ geen dank |
| Please/ excuse me | Alstublieft/ pardon |
| I'm sorry I don't understand | Het spijt mij, maar ik begrijp het neit |
| I don't know | Ik weet het niet |
| Yes/ no | Ja/ nee |
| Shall I repeat that? | Zal ik dat herhalen? |
English |
French |
Greetings |
|
| Good morning/ good evening | Bonjour/ bonsoir |
| Welcome to ... | Bienvenue à ... |
| Isn't it a lovely day? | Quelle belle journée, n'est-ce pas? |
| Terrible weather! | Quel temps! |
| Did you have a good journey? | Vous avez fait bon voyage? |
| Can I help you? | Que puis-je faire pour vous? |
Courtesies |
|
| Thank you/ you're welcome | Merci/ de rien |
| Please/ excuse me | S'il vous plaît/ excusez-moi |
| I'm sorry I don't understand | je suis désolé, je ne comprends pas |
| I don't know | Je ne sais pas |
| Yes/ no | Oui/ non |
| Shall I repeat that? | Voulez-vous que je répète? |
For greetings and courtesies in German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian and Spanish click here.