English phrases and polite expressions to know when traveling

Going on a trip? Learning the basics of English can be very useful. Here’s an overview of the most important courtesies to know when traveling!

Whether you’re traveling to the U.S., the U.K., Canada or any other country, speaking English is an important asset in facilitating your trip. Indeed, Shakespeare ‘s language is used for international conversation. Mastering it is the key to breaking down communication barriers. But you still need to be polite! To help you learn English, Generation Voyage has put together a guide to mastering the phrases and forms of politeness you’ll need when traveling.

What polite expressions should be used in conversation?

Polite formulas are part of every conversation in English. In principle, their use is similar to that in French. They can therefore be used frequently. Going abroad soon? Here are a few important polite phrases to know when trying to learn to converse in English.

How do you say hello and goodbye in English?

Anyone who’s trying to learn English will quickly realize that there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all greeting. You won’t say the same phrase when greeting a friend as when greeting a stranger. Here are a few examples to help you understand the concept.

For a friend or loved one, you can simply say:

• Hello !
• or Hi!

This is the equivalent of saying « Salut! » in French. It’s also the way to greet someone you meet in a non-professional setting. It’s quite possible to use these phrases with a shopkeeper or a passer-by.

Nevertheless, in a professional setting or in a place of standing, polite formulas are essential. It’s a good idea to say :

• Good Morning, when we greet the morning ;
• Good Afternoon, when you greet someone in the afternoon;
• Or Good Evening and Good Night, if you’re greeting someone in the evening.

If you want to say goodbye to someone, the process is the same. For example, in a friendly, family or casual setting, you can say:

• Bye! which is the most common way ;
• But you can also say Good Afternoon, Good Evening and Good Night.

On the other hand, in a professional or luxury setting, it’s better to use :

• Have a good day!;
• Or Have a good night!

The use of the verb have marks the politeness formula in English. We could compare this idea to its French equivalent: « Passez une bonne soirée ». However, no matter how you choose to learn English, we’ll explain that it’s also possible to use these phrases in any context.

How do you ask for directions in English?

On the street, in a train station or at the airport, you can sometimes get lost. At such times, learning English can save you from an uncomfortable situation. To help you address someone in the most polite way, here are a few phrases to get you started:

• Excuse me! Sorry to bother/interrupt you, could you please tell me how to get to track C/gate C?
  
  Excuse me! Sorry to bother/interrupt you, could you please tell me how to get to track C/gate C?
• Excuse me! Sorry to bother/interrupt you, could you please tell me how to get to Terminal 2?
  
  Excuse me! Sorry to bother/interrupt you, could you please tell me how to get to Terminal 2?
• Excuse me! Sorry to bother/interrupt you, do you know where is Oxford Street, please?
  
  Excuse me! Sorry to bother/interrupt you, do you know where is Oxford Street, please?

How do you thank someone in English?

There are many ways to say thank you in English. Since you’re trying to learn English as part of your future trip, you might as well take the opportunity to learn the most commonly used ones. Here are a few examples of how to say thank you:

• Thank you! (or Thanks! in a friendly setting)
  
  Thank you!
• Thank you very/so much! (or Thanks so much!)
  
  Merci beaucoup!
• Thank you for everything (or Thanks for everything!)
  
  Thank you for everything!
• Thank you so much for your help!
  
  Merci beaucoup pour votre aide!

What kind of etiquette should you use with a shopkeeper?

When you go into a store, hotel or restaurant, it’s always a good idea to include the various forms of politeness that exist in English in your sentences. To help you with this, here are a few sample phrases:

• I am sorry to bother you, could you tell me where the restroom is, please?
  
  Excusez-moi de vous déranger, pourraitriez-vous m’indiquer où se trouvent les toilettes s’il-vous-plaît?
• I am sorry to bother you, could you tell me where the price of this product, please?
  
  Excusez-moi de vous déranger! Could you tell me where the price of this product, please?
• Could you give me some informations about…
  
  Could you give me some information about…
• Could I speak to Mr Lancaster?
  
  Pourrais-je parler à M.Lancaster?
• Do you have an English or French version of the menu?
  
  Avez-vous une version anglaise ou française du menu?

How do I make a reservation in English?

Before or during your stay, it’s highly likely that you’ll need to book an activity, a room or a table. With this in mind, learning English is once again essential. Whether you’re in an English-speaking country or not, it will be easier to speak English to make yourself understood. And avoid any misunderstandings.

By mail

In an e-mail, it’s customary to structure your message. This includes including polite phrases, whether in English or any other language. First of all, you’ll need to greet your contact. Here are a few greetings to start your message:

• Dear John (simple form)
  
  Dear John
• Dear Mr Lancaster (more sustained form)
  
  Dear Mr Lancaster
• Dear Madam/Sir (if you don’t know who your recipient is)
  
  Dear Madam/Sir

You can then start writing your message. To help you with your writing, here are a few sample sentences that may prove useful:

• I am writing in connection with…
  
  I am writing in connection with…
• I would like to make a reservation in your hotel for the nights from February 25, 2020 to March 2, 2020.
  
  I would like to make a reservation in your hotel for the nights from February 25, 2020 to March 2, 2020.
• I would like to have more informations about…
  
  I would like to have more information about…
• I would like to cancel my reservation with your hotel/restaurant.
  
  I would like to cancel my reservation with your hotel/restaurant.
• Thank you for your consideration.
  
  Merci de votre compréhension.
• Thank you for your quick answer.
  
  Merci pour votre réponse rapide.

Finally, to end your e-mail, the polite formulas are back. Here are a few ways to end your e-mail:

• Best regards.
  
  Best regards.
• With kindest regards.
  
  Avec toute mon affection.
• Sincerely.
  
  Sincèrement/Cordialement.

By phone

For telephone reservations, the introduction and conclusion are less formal. However, other forms of politeness will also be used. To help you learn English before you leave, we’ve prepared a few more useful phrases:

• Good morning/afternoon/evening, Thierry Pelouse speaking or Good morning/afternoon/evening, this is Thierry Pelouse.
  
  Bonjour/bonsoir, Thierry Pelouse speaking. (in English, it is planned to introduce himself)
• I am calling you regarding…
  
  I am calling you regarding…
• I am calling you because I would like to have more informations about…
  
  I am calling you because I would like to have more information about…
• I would like to make a reservation/cancel my reservation.
  
  I would like to make a reservation/cancel my reservation.

You’re all set to converse in English during your trip. However, the phrases you want to say are sometimes unpredictable. In that case, there’s nothing like learning English the hard way!