Navigating a new country can be daunting, especially when the primary language spoken is not English. For Indian students planning to study in non-English speaking countries, knowing key phrases in the local language can be a game-changer. It not only eases daily interactions but also enriches the cultural experience. This article provides a compilation of basic survival phrases in languages like French, German, and Mandarin, tailored to assist Indian students in their initial days abroad.
- French for Students in France
French is a widely spoken language and a common choice for Indian students, especially those interested in humanities and arts.
Basic Phrases:
- Bonjour (bohn-zhoor) – Hello
- Merci (mehr-see) – Thank you
- Où est la bibliothèque? (oo eh lah bee-blee-oh-tek?) – Where is the library?
- Combien ça coûte? (kohm-byen sah koot?) – How much does it cost?
- Je ne comprends pas (zhuh nuh kom-prahn pah) – I don’t understand
- German for Students in Germany
Germany is popular for its engineering and technology courses. Knowing basic German can significantly help in day-to-day activities.
Basic Phrases:
- Guten Tag (goo-ten tahk) – Good day
- Danke (dahn-kuh) – Thank you
- Wo ist die Universität? (voh ist dee oo-nee-ver-see-taet?) – Where is the university?
- Wie viel kostet das? (vee feel kos-tet dahs?) – How much does this cost?
- Ich verstehe nicht (ikh fehr-shtay-uh nikht) – I don’t understand
- Mandarin for Students in China
China is becoming an increasingly popular destination for higher education. Mandarin can be challenging but mastering basic phrases is highly beneficial.
Basic Phrases:
- 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) – Hello
- 谢谢 (Xièxiè) – Thank you
- 图书馆在哪里? (Túshūguǎn zài nǎlǐ?) – Where is the library?
- 这个多少钱? (Zhège duōshǎo qián?) – How much does this cost?
- 我不懂 (Wǒ bù dǒng) – I don’t understand
- Spanish for Students in Spain and Latin America
Spain and many Latin American countries offer diverse study opportunities. Spanish is one of the easiest languages for Indians to learn due to its phonetic nature.
Basic Phrases:
- Hola (oh-lah) – Hello
- Gracias (grah-see-ahs) – Thank you
- ¿Dónde está la universidad? (dohn-deh eh-stah lah oo-nee-ver-see-dahd?) – Where is the university?
- ¿Cuánto cuesta esto? (kwahn-toh kwes-tah es-toh) – How much does this cost?
- No entiendo (noh ehn-tee-ehn-doh) – I don’t understand
- Italian for Students in Italy
Italy, known for its art, history, and design programs, is another attractive destination for Indian students. Italian is a romantic and expressive language.
Basic Phrases:
- Ciao (chow) – Hello
- Grazie (grah-tsee-eh) – Thank you
- Dove è l’università? (doh-veh eh loo-nee-ver-see-tah?) – Where is the university?
- Quanto costa? (kwahn-toh kos-tah?) – How much does it cost?
- Non capisco (nohn kah-pees-koh) – I don’t understand
- Japanese for Students in Japan
Japan offers excellent opportunities, especially in technology and innovation. Japanese is a complex language, but learning basic phrases is quite achievable.
Basic Phrases:
- こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello
- ありがとう (Arigatou) – Thank you
- 図書館はどこですか? (Toshokan wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the library?
- これはいくらですか? (Kore wa ikura desu ka?) – How much does this cost?
- わかりません (Wakarimasen) – I don’t understand
- Russian for Students in Russia
Russia is known for its strong scientific and technical education. Russian can be a challenging language, but knowing basic phrases is advantageous.
Basic Phrases:
- Здравствуйте (Zdravstvuyte) – Hello
- Спасибо (Spasibo) – Thank you
- Где университет? (Gde universitet?) – Where is the university?
- Сколько это стоит? (Skol’ko eto stoit?) – How much does this cost?
- Я не понимаю (Ya ne ponimayu) – I don’t understand
- Korean for Students in South Korea
South Korea is emerging as a popular destination for higher education, particularly in fields like technology and pop culture. Korean is an increasingly popular language to learn.
Basic Phrases:
- 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) – Hello
- 감사합니다 (Gamsahamnida) – Thank you
- 도서관이 어디에 있나요? (Doseogwan-i eodie issnayo?) – Where is the library?
- 이것은 얼마입니까? (Igeoseun eolmaimnikka?) – How much does this cost?
- 이해하지 못합니다 (Ihaehaji mothamnida) – I don’t understand
Learning the local language, even at a basic level, can significantly enhance your study abroad experience. It opens up new avenues for cultural immersion, daily convenience, and personal growth. While it may seem daunting initially, the effort to learn and communicate in a new language is always appreciated and can lead to enriching experiences and opportunities. For Indian students embarking on their overseas education journey, these survival phrases in various languages provide a starting point to confidently navigate new environments and cultures.