Is there anything nicer than knowing a little bit of the language when visiting a new place?

Learning how to say ‘good morning’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ are simple ways to have locals take to you during your holiday – and the hotel staff may even look after you that little bit more!

As it’s almost Christmas and Britain’s cultural diversity continues to grow we thought we would make this blog post a festive one and teach you how to say “Merry Christmas” in 15 different countries around the world. So if you have family visiting from overseas, are heading abroad yourself or just want to impress the grandchildren on the big day, you can get practicing with our easy-to-follow guide below.

Country     Translation     How to pronounce

Spain     Feliz Navidad     Fell-eez Nah-vee-dahd

Portugal     Feliz Natal     Fe-liz Na-tal

Greece     Kalá Christoúgenna     Kal-ah Hree-stoo-yen-ah

Italy     Buon Natale     Bwon Nah-tah-ley

France     Joyeux Noël     Je-why-eu No-elle 

Germany     Fröhliche Weihnachten     Fro-lick Weih-nach-ten

Malta     Il-Milied It-Tajjeb     Il-Mil-et It-Ti-eb

Turkey     Mutlu Noeller     Mut-low No-ell-er

Belgium (Dutch/Flemish)     Vrolijk Kerstfeest     Vully Kirst-feast

Poland    Wesołych Świąt     Ves-o-vish Sv-ond

South Africa     Geseënde Kersfees     Ger-seen Kurs-fees

China (Mandarin)     Shèngdàn Jié Kuàilè      Shang-dan Ko-bye-ali

India      Śubh Krisamas      Soo-ba Kris-mas

Japan      Merīkurisumasu      Meri-krish-i-mastu

Thailand     S̄uk̄hs̄ạnt̒ Wạn Khris̄t̒mās̄     Suk Sarn Warn Christmas

We know Christmas is a hectic time and many of you will be too busy wrapping presents and panic buying vegetables to learn something new, so if you’re waiting until 2018 to put your language skills to the test then don’t forget to arrange your travel insurance before you go (sooner the better really so you’re covered for cancellation and you can get back to eating Mince Pies safe in the knowledge you’re covered).

Plus, if you’re looking for some escapism away from it all take a look at our recent blog posts on eight of the world’s most spectacular Christmas Trees or the top 10 festive markets in Europe as you start to look ahead to your next getaway.

Please remember our office opening times over the festive period: We are open until 23rd December and selected days during Christmas and New Year but we will be closed 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st December and 1st January.

Call our award winning UK call centre on 0800 294 69 67 or get your quote online.