Monday, November 7, 2016

Tagalog Basic Phrases

Basic Phrases in Tagalog

Hello = Kumusta
How are you? Kumusta ka na?
How do you say? Paano mo sabihin...?
Good bye = Paalam
I am fine, thank you. = Mabuti ako, salamat.
Thank you = Salamat


These are the words I'm learning so far in Tagalog. Just basic words and phrases I feel everyone could easily learn without paying for a class, books, or Apps. The best, easiest, and fastest way to learn a language is to greet people you meet in their native language. It's a creative way to immerse yourself in another language without having to travel to another country.

The basic phrases I've listed above are the ones I use often on a daily basis when meeting or speaking with a native speaker. Saying 'hello' in Tagalog and telling him/her I'm learning their language is a great ice breaker plus, you can continue a conversation by asking, "How do you say...?" in Tagalog. Not only would you get the correct pronunciation from a native speaker, but it's great practice without speaking much English.

So don't be afraid to go out and practice speaking another language. It's a fun, easy, and inexpensive way to immerse yourself without having to step foot inside a classroom.

The world is your classroom.



Korean Basic Phrases

How do you say...? = uel eoddeokke malhamnikka
How are you? = annyeonghasheosseoyo?

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Italian Basic Phrases

Basic Phrases in Italian
  • Thank you = Grazie.
  • Thank you very much. = Grazie tante.
  • You're welcome. = Prego.
  • Please. = Per favore.
  • Yes.= Sì.
  • No. = No.
  • Excuse me. = Mi scusi.
  • Pardon me. = Mi scusi.

The area in which I live is very diverse, Washington, DC, yet I found it very difficult to find native Italian speakers to practice or speak with or perhaps, I'm just not looking hard enough. The only people I get a chance to practice with are a few of my co-workers who are trying to learn the language and one Italian native.

Through my own experience, I've encountered many Italian-Americans who doesn't speak their native language due to their parents preference for them to speak and learn English only. It's very unfortunate because now a days, the core languages for many families in the U.S. are not being spoken or learned as much as English.

The only time I can figure out if someone's Italian is by their family's name and/or when I ask them if they still speak their native language. Most often then not, I'm told their parents wanted them to blend in at school and work with friends and co-workers and that they only speak English at home. Many people I've talk to speak fluent English without a hint of an accent.

I've always been interested in languages and find it fascinating when I encounter people who are multi-lingual. Not only does it keep languages from going obsolete, but every language to me is beautiful. With the high demands of multi-lingual speakers in the workforce, it's a shame more families aren't speaking their native language at home. It's free and easy learning which every generation to take advantage of.

Add to that, Italian, is rated as one of the most beautiful romance language in the world. I enjoy listening to  Andrea Bocelli , a famous Italian singer, who has such an incredible voice that I wish I could understand what he is saying.



One of my favorite Andrea Bocelli song.

French Basic Phrases

Basic French phrases 
Excuse me, please. = Excusez-moi, S'il vous plait.
Do you speak____? = Do you speak___?
How do you say...? = Comment dites-vous...?
Hello (Good Morning) = Bonjour
Good bye = Au-revoir
Please (formal) = S'il vous plait.
Thank you (very much) = Merci (beaucoup)
You're welcome (formal) = Je vous en prie.

Spanish Basic Phrases

Basic Phrases in Spanish

EnglishSpanishPronunciation
Good morning.Buenos días.booEHN-os DEE-as
Good afternoon.Buenas tardes.booEHN-as TAR-dehs
Good evening. (greeting)Buenas noches.booEHN-as NO-chehs
Hello, my name is xxxxHola, me llamo xxxx.OH-la meh YA-mo xxxx
How do you say = Como se dice...?


These are the words I'm learning so far in Spanish. Just basic words and phrases I feel everyone could easily learn without paying for a class, books, or Apps. The best, easiest, and fastest way to learn a language is to greet people you meet in their native language. It's a creative way to immerse yourself in another language without having to travel to another country.

The basic phrases I've listed above are the ones I use often on a daily basis when meeting or speaking with a native speaker. Saying 'hello' in Spanish and telling him/her I'm learning their language is a great ice breaker plus, you can continue a conversation by asking, "How do you say...?" in Tagalog. Not only would you get the correct pronunciation from a native speaker, but it's great practice without speaking much English.

So don't be afraid to go out and practice speaking another language. It's a fun, easy, and inexpensive way to immerse yourself without having to step foot inside a classroom.

The world is your classroom.