Spanish
1. Word Overview
- Native phrase: Que tengas buen viaje
- Translation: Have a good journey
- Part of speech: Subjunctive verb phrase
- IPA pronunciation: /ke ˈteŋɡas βwen ˈbjaχe/
2. Example Sentence
Spanish: Que tengas buen viaje y te diviertas mucho. English: “Have a good journey and have lots of fun.” Usage tip: Subjunctive tengas expresses good wishes—common in Spanish farewells.
3. Mini Grammar/Culture Note
Using que tengas (that you have) plus adjective is a standard way to wish someone well. For plural you say Que tengan buen viaje.
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Speaking prompt: Record yourself saying Que tengas buen viaje as if sending off a friend.
Italian
1. Word Overview
- Native phrase: Buon viaggio!
- Translation: Have a good journey
- Part of speech: Interjection/phrase
- IPA pronunciation: /ˈbwɔn ˈvjad.dʒo/
2. Example Sentence
Italian: Buon viaggio e facci sapere quando arrivi! English: “Have a good journey and let us know when you arrive!” Usage tip: Brief, friendly, used like “Bon voyage!” in English.
3. Mini Grammar/Culture Note
Italian speakers also say Fai buon viaggio! (“Make a good journey!”) when emphasizing personal wishes.
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Writing prompt: Send a short message to a friend heading out: Buon viaggio! plus one detail about their destination.
Portuguese
1. Word Overview
- Native phrase: Boa viagem!
- Translation: Have a good journey
- Part of speech: Interjection/phrase
- IPA pronunciation: /ˈbɔ.a viˈaʒẽj/
2. Example Sentence
Portuguese: Boa viagem e aproveite muito! English: “Have a good journey and enjoy it a lot!” Usage tip: Boa viagem is widely used in Brazil and Portugal for travelers.
3. Mini Grammar/Culture Note
In Brazil you might also hear Tenha uma boa viagem, a fully grammatical alternative using subjunctive.
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Listening activity: Pronounce Boa viagem! out loud, and pay attention to the nasal “-agem” ending.
German
1. Word Overview
- Native phrase: Gute Reise!
- Translation: Have a good journey
- Part of speech: Interjection/phrase
- IPA pronunciation: /ˈɡuːtə ˈʁaɪ̯zə/
2. Example Sentence
German: Gute Reise! Ruf an, wenn du angekommen bist. English: “Have a good journey! Call when you arrive.” Usage tip: Formal or informal, short and to the point—very common.
3. Mini Grammar/Culture Note
Gute is the feminine adjective for Reise. There’s no subjunctive; this is a simple well-wish formula.
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Speaking prompt: Pair Gute Reise! with “Bis bald.” to practice common farewell phrases.
French
1. Word Overview
- Native phrase: Bon voyage !
- Translation: Have a good journey
- Part of speech: Interjection/phrase
- IPA pronunciation: /bɔ̃ vwa.jaʒ/
2. Example Sentence
French: Bon voyage ! Amuse-toi bien en Europe. English: “Have a good journey! Enjoy yourself well in Europe.” Usage tip: Bon voyage is universal; drop the hyphen when speaking casually.
3. Mini Grammar/Culture Note
French also uses Je te souhaite un bon voyage (“I wish you a good journey”) in more formal contexts.
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Writing prompt: Write a short note: Bon voyage ! Profite bien. to a friend going abroad.
5. Multilingual Bonus Comparison
| Language | Phrase | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Que tengas buen viaje | /ke ˈteŋɡas βwen ˈbjaχe/ |
| Italian | Buon viaggio! | /ˈbwɔn ˈvjad.dʒo/ |
| Portuguese | Boa viagem! | /ˈbɔ.a viˈaʒẽj/ |
| German | Gute Reise! | /ˈɡuːtə ˈʁaɪ̯zə/ |
| French | Bon voyage ! | /bɔ̃ vwa.jaʒ/ |
Final Daily Practice Challenge
Choose two phrases and record yourself saying them as if seeing off a friend. Compare rhythm, vowel sounds, and tone—what feels different or similar?