Language
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How to Flirt in French like a Local
So you’re interested to learn how to flirt in French? Well, you’re in the right place! French, the language of love. As a Romance language, almost anything can sound lovely in French. Though, in order to sweep someone off their feet you might want to know a few words and phrases to really go that extra mile. The incredible thing about French is that it is spoken by more than 300 million people, making it the 5th most spoken language globally. So at some point in your life there is a good chance you’ll run into a French speaker. A bonus of learning to flirt is that it is a…
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How to Flirt in German like a Local
So you’re interested to learn how to flirt in German? Right off the bat there are some tips you should know. First, Germans are very direct. If you want to know something, ask! Being blunt is very standard here. If you meet up with someone who speaks English, they will likely say ‘Hey, how’s it going?’ as a casual greeting. In German if you ask ‘How is it going?’ this question is likely to be taken directly and you will hear exactly how they are doing. Second, Germans are very punctual. For many Germans ‘being on time’ is actually being 5 minutes early. If you have a date scheduled, arriving…
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Ultimate and Printable Guide: Basic French for Travelers
Once it is safe to travel again, are you planning on visiting France? France is the most-visited country in the world, with nearly 90 million people visiting annually (in a normal year that is!). French is estimated to be spoken fluently by approximately 235 million people. That means that the French you learn for your trip will likely be useful again in the future as well! It is a great idea to have some knowledge of basic French words and phrases in your repertoire before departing on your trip. In major cities like Paris, it may be true that many people know some English, but most still use French. The…
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Ultimate and Printable Guide: Basic Swedish for Travelers
Are you planning a trip to Sweden soon? Sweden is the largest country in Northern Europe, the third-largest in the European Union and is visited by about 7 million people annually. Sweden is a beautiful country with kind and welcoming citizens. The official language there is Swedish, which is natively spoken by approximately 10 million people. Having some knowledge of basic Swedish words and phrases in your repertoire is a great asset before departing on your trip. Even if a large percentage of Swedes know some English, they may not be comfortable using it. I have found many Swedes to be notorious for saying their English ‘isn’t so good’, only…
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Ultimate and Printable Guide: Basic German for Travelers
Are you planning a trip to Germany soon? If so you’re not alone, approximately 37.4 million people visit Germany every year making it the ninth-most visited country in the world. German is also one of the most prevalent languages spoken and taught worldwide, with over 130 million speaking it around the globe. Having some knowledge of basic German words and phrases in your repertoire is a great asset before departing on your trip. Even if a large percentage of Germans know some English, they may not be comfortable using it. Additionally, locals usually respect the fact that a visitor has taken the time to learn some of their language. Some…
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5 Minute Beginners Guide to IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet)
Have you ever seen those wonky letters under a dictionary definition and wondered? What the heck do those symbols mean? If so you’re in the exact right place. In five minutes, you’ll be on your way to reading those like a pro. First off, what is IPA? IPA, or the International Phonetic Alphabet, is a system of standardized speech sounds. That may sound complicated so let’s back up for a second. English is a pretty confusing language to speak, some of this comes from the fact that English letters are not 1:1 with English sounds. For example, the letter ‘T’ can be pronounced like the ‘t’ in ‘tree’ or the…
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Awesome Hawaiian Words You Can Learn In Under 2 Minutes
What’s not to love about Hawaii? I have visited the Hawaiian islands many times myself and will definitely be going again soon (when it is safe of course!). There is so much these islands have to offer for every kind of traveler; whether you’re looking to take your first trip, find an exciting new adventure, or just relax in the sun. No matter the kind of trip, this post will give you the Hawaiian words you need to know! One of the best things about visiting Hawaii, no matter which island you visit, is getting to experience the wonderful Hawaiian culture. From the second you leave the plane, and the…
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Foreign Travel Words you need to know that English just doesn’t have!
Do you find yourself always dreaming of your next trip? As soon as one adventure ends, you’re thinking up your next one? If this is the case, odds are you have heard of the English word ‘wanderlust’ before, and won’t be shaking that desire to travel any time soon. This post will hopefully find you some new words to describe your wanderlust! So in honour of the languages I have been personally been learning recently (German, French, and Swedish), here are six foreign travel words to help you describe that ever-present wanderlust you have been feeling. Fernweh | German | Noun [ˈfɛrnve:] This is a German word that literally translates…