Phrases for Living Abroad: Bank, Doctor, Landlord and Paperwork
Tourist phrasebooks stop at ordering coffee. After a move you need different sentences: opening a bank account, describing symptoms, reporting a broken boiler, asking what a letter from the tax office means. Below are the phrases people use most in their first months abroad, grouped by situation, with tips for each.
The first months in a new country are full of conversations where details matter. A misheard date at the bank or a wrong word at the pharmacy costs more than a wrong dish at a restaurant. These phrases cover the situations people find hardest.
Say them through a translator app, or show them on screen. In AI Translator, the free Phrase Book groups ready phrases like these by situation: Basics, Bank, Health & Pharmacy, Hotel, Law & Taxes, Local Transport, Restaurant and Shopping. It covers 15 languages, from Spanish and German to Ukrainian, Arabic and Chinese; for other languages, use Dialog to speak them.
At the bank
| Phrase | When you need it |
|---|---|
| I’d like to open a bank account. | Your first visit |
| What documents do I need? | Before you queue for an appointment |
| I have a residence permit and a rental contract. | Proving your address and status |
| Is there a monthly fee for this account? | Comparing accounts |
| My card is blocked. Can you help me? | Card problems |
| I need to make an international transfer. | Sending money home |
Tip: banks often require an appointment for new accounts. Ask by email or on the bank’s website, and bring copies of every document.
At the doctor’s
| Phrase | When you need it |
|---|---|
| I need to make an appointment with a doctor. | Booking |
| I have had a fever since yesterday. | Describing when it started |
| It hurts here. | Pointing helps more than any word |
| I’m allergic to penicillin. | Allergies, always first |
| I take this medication every day. | Show the box or a photo of it |
| Can you write that down for me, please? | Diagnoses and instructions |
Tip: write your symptoms, allergies and regular medication in your own language before the visit, translate them, and show the screen. It is calmer than translating live in a waiting room.
At the pharmacy
| Phrase | When you need it |
|---|---|
| Do I need a prescription for this? | Rules differ by country |
| I need something for a headache. | Common problems |
| Is this safe for children? | Buying for family |
| How many times a day should I take it? | Dosage |
Tip: photograph the medicine box with camera translation to read the label and leaflet, and ask the pharmacist to confirm the dose.
With your landlord
| Phrase | When you need it |
|---|---|
| The heating isn’t working. | Repairs |
| There is a leak in the bathroom. | Urgent repairs |
| When can someone come to fix it? | Arranging a visit |
| Are utilities included in the rent? | Before signing |
| How much notice do I need to give before moving out? | Contract terms |
| Can you send me that in writing? | Anything about money or dates |
Tip: keep agreements in writing, by message or email, so you can translate them again later.
At government offices and with taxes
| Phrase | When you need it |
|---|---|
| I’d like to register my address. | Registration after moving |
| I received this letter. What do I need to do? | Official letters |
| What is the deadline? | Every letter, every form |
| Can I book an appointment with an interpreter? | Complicated cases |
| Which form do I need to fill in? | Paperwork |
| I need a tax number. | Work, banks, rentals |
Tip: photograph the letter first. Camera translation tells you what it is about and whether there is a deadline; then you know what to ask.
At school or nursery
| Phrase | When you need it |
|---|---|
| I’d like to enrol my child. | Registration |
| My child doesn’t speak the language yet. | Asking about support |
| What time does school start and finish? | Daily routine |
| My child is sick and will stay home today. | Absence messages |
When an app is not enough
Translator apps handle everyday conversations well. For medical consent, court, police, immigration interviews, contracts and anything where a mistake has serious consequences, ask for a professional interpreter. Many hospitals, courts and public offices provide one if you request it in advance.
Bottom line
Prepare the words before you go: write down what you need to say, translate it, and keep it on screen. For live conversations, see how to translate a conversation in real time; for letters and labels, camera translation does the reading for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a translator app at the doctor's?
For describing symptoms and understanding everyday advice, yes, and many doctors are used to it. For a diagnosis, consent to treatment or anything serious, ask whether the clinic can provide a professional interpreter.
Can a translator app help with official letters?
Yes. Photograph the letter with camera translation to understand what it is about and any deadline. For the exact legal meaning, ask the office that sent it or a local advisor.
Is AI Translator's Phrase Book free?
Yes. Browsing phrases, viewing translations and listening to audio are free, with no subscription. It covers 15 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, Turkish, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
Should I learn the language or rely on an app?
Both. An app gets you through the first months and urgent situations; learning the language makes daily life easier and helps you understand what an app can’t, like tone and small talk.
