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The Most Useful Useless Phrasebook Phrases
I've frequently touted Lonely Planet's Phrasebooks on Gadling (about as often as I've truthfully stated that I receive no kickbacks from them). They've saved my butt countless times, helping me do everything from getting on the right train platform to finding out what obscure ingredient is in a dish.There's another reason I love these indispensible travel companions, however, and that's for their entertainment value. Like all LP books, the personality and preferences (and sometimes the nationality) of the authors shine through, although the content is consistent. Whether Czech, Hmong, or Mexican Spanish, you'll find the layout and categories the same, barring cultural or geographical improbabilities: don't expect to learn how to get your car tuned up in a Karen hill tribe dialect, for example.
I confess I've used my phrasebooks as icebreakers on more than one occasion because they make the ideal bar prop or conversation starter. Whip one out of your daypack, and I guarantee within minutes you'll have attracted the attention of someone...so wield and use their power carefully.
The following are some of my favorite useful useless phrases culled from my collection. Disclaimer alert: May be offensive (or just plain stupid) to some readers. Also note that phrasebooks, unless written by native-speakers, will always have some errors or inconsistencies in grammar or dialect, especially when transliterated, so I won't vouch for the complete accuracy of the following:
French
"No, it isn't the alcohol talking." Non, c'est moi qui dis ça, ce n'est pas l'alcool qui parle.
"Maybe a Bloody Mary will make me feel better." Peut-être qu'un Bloody Mary me fera du bien. Unsurprisingly, many LP phrasebooks are written by Australians.
Spanish (Spain/Basque version)
"I'm sorry, I've got better things to do." Lo siento, pero tengo otras cosa más importantes que hacer. Trust me, this comes in very handy if you're a female traveling in Latin America.
"Do you have a methadone program in this country?" ¿Hay algún programa de metadona en este pais? Because savvy travelers are always prepared for the unexpected.
Italian
Under a heading called "Street Life" comes this handy phrase: "What do you charge? Quanto fa pagare?
And because Italians are romantics at heart, you'll do well to learn the following exchange:
"Would you like to come inside for a while?" Vuoi entrare per un po?
"Let's go to bed/the bathroom." Andiamo a letto/in bagno.
"I'd like you to use a condom." Voglio che ti metta il preservativo.
"Would you like a cigarette?" Prendi una sigaretta?
"You can't stay here tonight." Non puoi restare qui stanotte.
German
"I have my own syringe." Ich habe meine eigene Spritze. This is actually useful, but not so much in German. If you're traveling to developing nations and have a condition such as diabetes, definitely take the time to learn this. As for carrying syringes and hypodermics in developing nations if you don't have a pre-existing medical condition, do so at your own risk. I've debated it and to me, I'd rather not be caught with "drug paraphernalia" on my person.
Portuguese
"I may be in a wheelchair but I'm able to live independently!" Posso andar de cadeira de rodas mas consigo ter uma vida independente! This isn't so much funny as it is totally random. And I like the exclamation point.
"Oh baby, don't stop." Nao pares, amor! Better have this memorized or you'll defeat the purpose of looking it up when needed.
Japanese
"Sorry, I can't sing." Go men na sai, u tai nam des [phonetic]. Very "Lost in Translation."
Australian
"I'm feeling lonely/depressed." "Miserable as a shag on a rock."
My favorite 'Strine phrases – not found in the LP book; I just know a lot of Aussies – include "leg opener" (a bottle of cheap wine) and "mappa Tassie" (map of Tasmania, referring to a woman's pubic region, although I suppose this made more sense before Brazilians became the norm).
Vietnamese
"Do you want a massage? mát-xa không? Not a cliché at all.
"You're just using me for sex (male speaker)." Am jeé moo úhn laám ding ver eé aang toy [phonetic]. Talk about progress.
Thai: "Where can I buy some gay/lesbian magazines?" mii nang seu keh/khaai thîi nai? Emergency!
[Photo credits: heart, Flickr user Toronja Azul; woman, Flickr user http://heatherbuckley.co.uk;Tasmania, Flickr user NeilsPhotography]
Filed under: Asia, Europe, Oceania, South America, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Australia, Brazil, Central America
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Robert Reid Jun 1st 2012 11:44AM
Nicely done. I flagged the same subject not long ago after one NY Times article made a mistake on what you can/can't find in them: http://reidontravel.tumblr.com/post/16025724808/a-subject-guide-books-do-cover
Karen @ Trans-Americas Journey Jun 1st 2012 12:03PM
Finally! Someone else with enough time on their hands to marvel at the random/hysterical/puzzling phrases included in the language section of travel guide books.
The LP guide for Nicaragua and El Salvador inlcudes a "useful phrases" section for the Moskitia coast where most don't speak Spanish or English so if you need to know how to say "Are there landmines?" turn to page 491...
Laurel Jun 1st 2012 1:00PM
I'd like to officially start a contest (the prize is...your name in this comments thread) on who can find the best bizarre phrasebook phrase. The landmine one is pretty awesome!
Thanks, readers. And remember, it's not a surplus of "time on my hands," it's "research." Really. I swear.
Laurel