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New Zealand
New Zealand Travel Guide

The most important vocabulary to know during your trip in New Zealand

In New Zealand, they speak English and therefore, as long as you speak basic English, it will be easy to make yourself understood.

An accent that is hard to understand

Even though the main language that is spoken is English, don't be too discouraged if, when you arrive, you don't understand a word that the local say - it's only to be expected! In fact their accent, combined with the speed with which they talk, makes them extremely difficult or even impossible to understand. You'll take a while to adapt and quite honestly, even after living there for a year I still couldn't understand some people! New Zealanders of Maori heritage also have an accent all of their own, which can also be hard to come to terms with. Why not familiarize yourself in advance by watching the movie "Boy" (without subtitles) by the Maori director, Taika Waititi?

Maori craftsmanship

Maori is a language that is still spoken in the country, but generally by the tribes among themselves. If you're feeling brave, you can try to pick up a few words!

For those who want to learn some basic English, here are some words to know and some useful phrases for your stay in the country of New Zealand.

Basic expressions / Common Words

EnglishAnglais
Good morning / Good eveningGood morning/ Good evening
How are you?How are you? / How are you doing?
Fine, thank you, and you?Fine, thank you, and you?
I understand / I don't understandI understand/ I don't understand
SorrySorry
GoodbyeGoodbye
WelcomeWelcome
Thank you (very much)Thank you (very much)
Excuse meExcuse me/ please
My name is...My name is...
No thank youNo thank you
Yes / NoYes/ No
You're welcomeYou're welcome/ that's quite all right

Commerce

EnglishAnglais
How much is it?How much is it?
It is very cheapIt's very cheap
It is too expensive!It's too expensive!
Can you lower the price?Can you lower the price?
I would like to buy ... this one!I would like to buy ... that, this one!
I like it / I don't like itI love/ I hate
MoneyMoney
I'm just looking around.I am just looking

Transportation

EnglishAnglais
I would like to go to ...I would like to go to...
PlanePlane
BoatBoat
TrainTrain
TaxiTaxi
BusBus
I would like to rent ...I would like to rent...
MotorbikeMotorbike
CarCar
BikeBike

Directions

EnglishAnglais
Where is ...? / How can I get to ...?Where is...?/ How to go to...?
BankBank
Train stationTrain station
Centretown center/ city center
HotelHotel
HospitalHospital
Is it close / far?Is it close/ far?
Straight aheadStraight on
Left / RightLeft/ Right
North / South / East / WestNorth/ South/ East/ West

Numberssieben, acht, neun, zehn

EnglishAnglais
one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, tenone, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and ten
twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixtytwenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty
seventy, eighty, ninetyseventy, highty, ninety
One hundreda hundred

Hours/Dates and daysDienstag, Mittwoch, Donnerstag, Freitag, Samstag, Sonntag

EnglishAnglais
What time is it?What time is it?
When?When?
YesterdayYesterday
Today (morning/midday/evening)Today (morning/ midday/evening)
TomorrowTomorrow
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, SundayMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
I am here on vacationI'm here on vacation/ on a trip
I am here for businessI'm here for work/ business

Time to eat!

EnglishAnglais
I am hungry / I am thirstyI'm hungry/ I'm thirsty
EnjoyEnjoy your meal
Cheers!Cheers!
It was deliciousIt was delicious!
What can you recommend?what do you suggest?
I am vegeterianI'm vegetarian
Not spicy please (I don't like spices)Without spices! (I don't like spices)
It's too hotIt's too hot!
I am allergicI'm allergic
Sea foodSeafood
PeanutsPeanut
GlutenGluten
I would like...I would take
WaterWater
Tee / CoffeeTea/ Coffee
Beer / WineBeer/ Wine
The bill, pleaseThe bill, please

Health / Emergency / Security

EnglishAnglais
I need to see a doctor.I need to see a doctor.
Call an ambulance / Call 911Call a doctor/ an ambulance.
Where is the hospital?Where is the hospital?
I do not feel very goodI don't feel very well.
It hurts hereIt hurts here.
Where can I find the restrooms?Where are the toilets?
Help!Help!
PolicePolice
DangerDanger
I'm lostI'm lost.

Other

EnglishAnglais
Have a nice day !Have a good day!
Delphine Teisserenc
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