Useful foreign phrases, Part 1: how to say, “I’m just looking” in 10 languages

by Laurel Miller on

I’ve frequently pimped Lonely Planet’s Phrasebooks on this site, but I swear I don’t get kickbacks from the company. It’s just that I’m a big believer in not being a). A Tourist (although, let’s face it, if I’m not at home, I am indeed A Tourist) and b). helpless.

Even if you’re the biggest xenophobe on earth–which would make foreign travel a really weird and pointless pastime you might want to reconsider– it’s hard to dispute the importance of knowing how ask “Where’s the bathroom?” in certain urgent circumstances.

It’s with such experiences in mind that I came up with this fun little series. There are a handful of phrases I’ve cultivated in various languages that have served me well, in situations both good and bad. Not only are they inscribed on the dog-eared inner covers of my trusty Phrasebooks; they’re etched into my mind, so I can summon them at will. Whether you need to ward off annoying vendors, personal humiliation, potential suitors, or would-be attackers, it pays to be prepared and know what to say, when. Since things like “Yes, No, Thank you, Please, Hello,” etc. are generally not too challenging, for the purposes of this series, I’ll leave them out. That doesn’t mean they’re not very important to learn, however.

This week’s lesson: “I’m just looking.” Invaluable for politely but firmly stating your desire to see with your eyes, not your wallet. It may not stop persistent hawkers from trying to close a deal, but at least you’re showing respect by speaking in their native tongue (or an approximation thereof). And who knows? If you change your mind, that alone may help you score a better bargain.

P.S. I don’t claim to be polylingual: I’m compiling phrases based on past experience or research. If I offend anyone’s native tongue, please provide a correction in the “Comments” section. Be nice!

1. Spanish: Solo estoy mirando.

2. Italian: Sto solo guardando.

3. French: Je regarde.

[Photo credit: Flickr user Gerry Balding]4. German: Nur schauen.

5. Czech: Jen se dívám.

6. Portuguese: Estou só a olhar.

Many languages, especially those spoken in Asia and the Middle East, use written characters. Transliteration will vary, depending upon the guidebook/translator, which is why the spelling or phonetics below may be different from other sources. Since these languages are largely tonal (and may require accents or characters not available on a Western computer), look at this way: odds are you’re going to mangle the pronunciation anyway, so just do your best! It’s the thought that counts.

7. Chinese (Cantonese): Tái haa.

8. Japanese: Watashi ga mite iru dakedesu (here’s to Japan getting back on its feet and attracting travelers soon!) To make a Red Cross donation, click here.

9. Vietnamese: Tôi chỉ xem thôi.

14. Moroccan Arabic: Ghir kanshuf.

What’s the most useful phrase you’ve ever learned in a foreign language? How has it helped your travels? We want to hear from you!

[Photo credit: Flickr user wanderer_by_trade]


GadlingTV’s Travel Talk – Thailand Part 10: Kanchanaburi

by Stephen Greenwood on

Gadling TV’s Travel Talk, episode 40 – Click above to watch video after the jump

In the first half of Travel Talk’s grand Thai expedition, we’ve tamed elephants, explored Bangkok’s temples, eaten scorpions, taken in a Muay Thai match, and witnessed a train running directly through a bustling market. Now, we’re taking you to explore a lesser known province of Thailand for a closer look at the culture and traditions of rural Thai life.

Kanchanaburi isn’t the first place you might think to visit when planning your trip to Thailand- but in many ways, that’s its charm. We explore this peaceful oasis just outside of Bangkok. The town promises to change dramatically with the recent reopening of the Three Pagodas Border Crossing to Myanmar, and we stayed in a massive 5-star resort that’s anticipating this very change. Exploring the local landmarks, we got a chance to walk across the Bridge over River Kwai- of classic hollywood fame.

If you have any questions or comments about Travel Talk, you can email us at talk AT gadling DOT com.


Subscribe via iTunes:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V).
[RSS M4V] Add the Travel Talk feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.

Hosts: Stephen Greenwood & Aaron Murphy-Crews

Special guests: Joom, Tum, Nikki- the champion bartender & Richard- Dheva manager and businessman extraordinaire
Produced, Edited, and Directed by: Stephen Greenwood & Aaron Murphy-Crews
Special thanks: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Trikaya Tours

Travel Talk took Thailand by storm on invitation from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. No editorial content was guaranteed and Aaron & Stephen were free to openly share all adventures that they embarked upon.

Miniature Thailand – tilt-shift video

by Justin Delaney on


Bustling Bangkok never looked so tiny and cute. Tilt-shift video makes everything look like a miniature play set, and this video of various Thailand locales employs the technique perfectly. The Chao Phraya river that runs through Bangkok looks like a tiny stream in some sort of elaborate diorama, and people taking to the sea in the Phi Phi Islands near Phuket look like small articulated action figures. The effect is both interesting and surreal. Be sure to check out Gadling’s guide on the similar tilt-shift photography technique. “Toy Thailand” was shot in Bangkok, Phuket, Ton Sai, and Railay in Krabi.

Toy Thailand from joerg daiber on Vimeo.

48 Hours in Bangkok

by Matthew Firestone on

Since its emergence as an R&R destination for American servicemen during the Vietnam War, Bangkok has had an infamous reputation as a hedonistic den of sin. But look beyond the tired stereotypes to discover the increasingly swish and stylish capital of a booming Asian tiger.

Fueled by manufacturing and heavy industry, Thailand is currently experiencing an annual GDP growth rate of 7.8%. If you’re not easily swayed by numbers, just step off the plane in

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), a soaring steel and glass behemoth of modern engineering.

Make no mistake about it. Thailand is on the rise.

The red-light district of Patpong may still be earning a quick baht, though Bangkok is anything but a one-trick pony. On the contrary, the city is flush with investment, boasting a new subway system, luxury shopping complexes, elite hotels and cosmopolitan restaurants.

Even Khao Sahn Road, SE Asia’s legendary backpacker ghetto, is all-grown up. Peddlers selling banana pancakes and pad thai now share the streets with fashionable bistros, health and beauty spas, quaint B&Bs and child-friendly entertainment options.

As a nod to this impressive urban transformation, Gadling is proud to present ’48 Hours in Bangkok.’1) What’s a wat? Go find out. European capitals may have skylines of soaring cathedrals, but here in Thailand, architectural elegance reaches its pinnacle in the wat. Inclusive of Buddhist temples and monastaries, wats are typified by their golden spires, curved awnings, white-washed walls and elaborate red and green tiled roofs.

One necessary stop is Wat Pho, which houses a golden reclining Buddha statue that is reportedly one of the largest in the world. Wat Pho is also the traditional birthplace of Thai massage, and there is an eager staff of highly talented masseurs on-hand to work the knots out of your travel-worn body.


2) Shop ’til you drop at Siam Paragon. With favorable exchange rates and duty-free prices, Bangkok is nothing less than a shopper’s paradise. The city’s central metro stations are adjacent to palatial malls, including the $450 million installation that is the Siam Paragon.

Compared to luxury-branded Gaysom, Siam Paragon’s retail offerings are a notch below. But Siam Paragon ultimately proves to be a more well-rounded destination, complete with a food court, supermarket, cinema and aquarium alongside well-regarded department stores and franchises.

3) Splurge on a proper English afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental. The original wing of this chic five-star offering is centered on the Authors’ Lounge. A colonial throwback complete with rattan furniture and Siamese umbrellas, the lounge honors past guests including literary greats Joseph Conrad and Barbara Cartland.

In the afternoons, the Authors’ Lounge is the scene of well-heeled patrons sipping organic teas and munching on scones with clotted cream. The rhythm is set by an in-house pianist, and accompanied by the subtle clanking of fine silverware against bone china.

4) Let your hedonism run wild on Koh Sahn. Evenings on this raucous road have something of a split personality. In some stretches, you can booze until the wee hours of the morning while grinding it out on the dance floor. In others, you can relax on a tealight-strewn patio while puffing away on an apple sheesa.

Things are no different on the menu – or in the spa. Street food is hawked in generous portions at rock-bottom prices, while fusion restaurants offer up European comfort food alongside Thai delicacies. Discount massage parlors run less than $10 per hour, while boutique salons prim and pamper from head to toe.

5) Tie up your apron and take cooking classes. Your average gourmand can seek out the best dining establishments in Bangkok, but it takes a hard-core foodie to go back to basics. Sounds like your cup of jasmine tea? If so, don’t leave Bangkok without a crash course in Thai cooking.

In French cuisine, the secret is in the sauce. But when it comes to Thai, it’s all about the ingredients. Not surprisingly, cooking courses start with a quick tour through the local markets. With fresh produce in hand, it’s easy to capture the signature Thai blend of hot, sour, sweet and salty.

Even with all the suggestions we’ve listed above, 48 hours isn’t nearly enough time to scratch the surface of Thailand’s dynamic capital. And, we haven’t even mentioned the stunning nature and cultural sites that lie just outside Bangkok’s confines.

Had a positive experience in Bangkok? Feel free to chime in and share some personal tips.

Sawadee khup. Bangkok awaits.

BONUS FUN FACT: In the Thai language, the official name of Bangkok is “Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.”

Registered in the Guineess Book of World Records as the longest place name, Bangkok’s official name translates to “The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarma.”

** All images are original photographs produced by this blogger **

GadlingTV’s Travel Talk – Thailand Part 9: Hellfire Pass

by Stephen Greenwood on

Gadling TV’s Travel Talk, episode 39 – Click above to watch video after the jump

In the first half of Travel Talk’s grand Thai expedition, we’ve tamed elephants, explored Bangkok’s temples, eaten scorpions, taken in a Muay Thai match, and witnessed a train running directly through a bustling market. Now, we’re taking you to explore a lesser known province of Thailand for a closer look at the culture and traditions of rural Thai life.


In order to supply their expansion into Burma during WWII, the Japanese built the so-called “Death Railway,” which claimed over 100,000 lives from the Asian labourers and Allied POWs forced to work it. We get to experience the memorial at Hellfire Pass- the most grueling section of this infamous railway, then take on some hellfire of our own with the spiciest food Thai cuisine has to offer!

If you have any questions or comments about Travel Talk, you can email us at talk AT gadling DOT com.


Subscribe via iTunes:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V).
[RSS M4V] Add the Travel Talk feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.

Hosts: Stephen Greenwood & Aaron Murphy-Crews
Produced, Edited, and Directed by: Stephen Greenwood & Aaron Murphy-Crews
Special thanks: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Trikaya Tours

Travel Talk took Thailand by storm on invitation from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. No editorial content was guaranteed and Aaron & Stephen were free to openly share all adventures that they embarked upon.