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Words you'd take with you to a desert island
Basic phrases for any language
If you were going to a place where
they didn't speak your language
and could only take a few pieces of
paper with some words and phrases
that you thought you should know,
which ones would you choose to include?
After you make this list, go find a place where
they don't speak your language and live there for a while.
Don't bring any books, just your list, a pad of paper,
and a pencil.
People have been learning second languages for
thousands of years, even before there were any books
or pencils or paper. Try it.
Here's one possible list:
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Things to say to people you meet:
- What a good-looking shirt (or animal skin)
- Your child is very cute (smile when you say this)
- Hello, how are you?
- Fine
- Goodbye (I'm going now.)
- Good luck.
- Thank you.
- Excuse me.
- Sorry.
- No problem/Never mind.
- What is your name?
- How old are you?
- Have you ever...?
- Have you met him before?
- It really surprised me.
What a nice smile/frown.
- He's shy.
- He made me laugh/cry.
- Don't be afraid.
- Don't get angry.
- Don't hit me, please.
- I didn't mean to be rude.
- It was only a joke.
- I was only joking
- Do you think I need to cut my hair?
- Don't be so kind/cruel.
- Enough work, let's go play!
- Are you having fun?
- I like you
- I love you
- I'm bored/excited.
- She's hard-working/lazy.
- He's very crazy
- She's smart/clever/stupid
- He's fat/thin.
- He is proud/arrogant/haughty/humble.
- He's smart/cunning/sneaky.
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Description:
- What is this called?
- What are you doing?
- Please, speak slowly.
- I don't know.
- Do you understand?
- What did you say?
- Please repeat what you said.
- I cannot speak Eskimo/English/Watusi very well.
- Can you speak Eskimo/English/Watusi?
- He speaks Eskimo/English/Watusi well.
- He's fluent.
- This is useless
- Do it this/that way.
- Don't do it like that.
- There is a lot/are a few left.
- This is the big/small size.
- I want some/all of them.
- I always/never do that.
- How many people are there?
- Did you hear that?
- Listen to her.
- Do you see it?
- Look at that.
- Say what?
- It's a waste of time/money
- It uses a lot of time/money
- Stand over there, please.
- Sit over there, please.
- That's good/bad.
- That's better.
- That's the best
- He's in a good/bad mood, today.
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Food:
- Have you eaten yet?
- I've eaten
- I haven't eaten yet.
- This is delicious.
- A little bit more please.
- One more please.
- I'm full.
- Are you hungry?
- Are you thirsty?
- This is hot/bitter/sweet/bitter/greasy.
- It's not ripe yet.
- Eat it raw. You won't get worms. I promise.
- This food has spoiled
- I burnt myself with the fire
- Cut it with this knife, please.
- This knife is a little sharp/dull.
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Market:
- How much is that/this?
- That's expensive/inexpensive.
- I'd like to give you this gift.
- I need 1-99,000 pieces/items/units.
- He's a little stingy.
- I don't have any money.
- What would you like?
- What do want/need me to buy at the market?
- Exactly how much was it?
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Location and Motion:
- Where is the bathroom?
- It's here/there/over there..
- Let's go to the market hang-out and have a good time.
- Let's go together.
- Let's walk/go by car/motorcycle/bus
- Turn right/left, please.
- It's on the right/left side
- Is it far/near from here?
- It's on that side of the border/river/street.
- Where do you want to get off? (bus)
- Where do you want me to stop? (car)
- Where are you going?
- Where are you coming from?
- Can I put/keep/store this here?
- Can I sit/stand here?
- I'm going on a trip/journey.
- What are you taking with you?
- You go first, because I'm an outsider/foreigner/stranger
- That mountain is very high.
- Where does that path go/lead?
- Let's walk/ride an elephant.
- I love living deep in the forest
- Let's swim/play in the river
- Have you ever gone there?
- I've never gone there.
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Time:
- Now
- Later
- Late
- Early
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
- Night
- Tommorrow
- Today
- Yesterday
- This year
- Last year
- Next year
- Day
- Month
- Year
- Hour
- 3 days from now (in the future)
- 3 days ago
- How long have you been here?
- How long will you stay here?
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Health:
- Are you tired?
- You have a mosquito bite right here/on your arm.
- Do you have a stomach ache?
- I have a headache.
- I had a little accident.
- Does it hurt?
- Ouch!
- Where is the injury.
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Weather:
- I'm hot/cold.
- Ah, it's so cool here.
- It will probably rain heavily today.
- It's cloudy today.
- The wind is blowing hard outside.
- It's been very wet/dry recently
- The street is very dusty
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At home with the family:
- I feel like sleeping.
- What time will you wake up?
- Let's go take a bath in the river.
- I'm going to take a rest.
- I'm going to wash the clothes.
- They're dirty/clean.
- I live in a jungle village.
- Where do you want to build the house?
- Property/land/earth.
- Where do you live?
- Where are you staying?
- A room.
- How many brothers and sisters do you have?
- Child/son/daughter
- Mother/father
- Relatives
- Younger sister/brother
- Older brother/sister
- Father-in-law
- Brother-in-law
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