We like to try and learn at least the basics of a local language when we’re travelling somewhere. Here’s how to say ‘Hello’ around the world…

‘Ni Hau’ – Mandarin – mainly spoken in China

‘Hola’ – Spanish – mainly spoken in Spain and Central/South America apart from Brazil

‘Namaste’ – Hindi – mainly spoken in Northern India and Nepal, but will be recognised across India

‘Bonjour’ – French – mainly spoken in France, Belgium and Switzerland as well as Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Cameroon, Guinea and Mauritius

‘Salaam’ – Farsi – mainly spoken in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan and sometimes in Uzbekistan and Bahrain

‘Ohayo’ (morning)/’Konnichiwa'(daytime)/’Konban wa’ (evening) – Japanese – mainly spoken in Japan

‘Marhaba’ – Arabic – mainly spoken in North Africa and the Middle East, especially Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Western Sahara and Yemen

‘Jambo’/’Habari’ – Swahili – mainly spoken in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya and used as a second language across most of East Africa

‘Hallo’/’Guten Tag’ – German – mainly spoken in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

‘Ahn-young-ha-se-yo’ – Korean – mainly spoken in North and South Korea

‘Ciao’ – Italian – mainly spoken in Italy

‘Zdras-tvuy-te’ – Russian – mainly spoken in Russia and as a second language in some of Eastern Europe

‘Ola’ – Portuguese – mainly spoken in Portugal and Brazil

‘Merhaba’ – Turkish – mainly spoken in Turkey and Cyprus

‘Szia’ – Hungarian – mainly spoken in Hungary and sometimes Austria and the Balkans

‘Sannu’/’Salama Aleikum’ – Hausa – mainly spoken in Niger and Northern Nigeria and used a second language across many places in West and Central Africa

‘Nay hoh’ – Cantonese – mainly spoken in Southern China, Hong Kong & Macau

‘Sain Bainuu’ – Mongolian – mainly spoken in Mongolia and sometimes Russia and China