When going to a country where you don’t speak the language, I recommend having a translation tool on your phone like google translate.  Make sure to download the language you need to go before going out so it’s ready to use

Google translate is very helpful, but sometimes has epic fails, like the above where the ice cream I was looking at translated to “he mutinied” or to the left where “noodles to the Iron”, and “sole to the Iron or pinky” are entrees at a restaurant.  I’m not even sure what these items could be.

 

It can also be interesting to see how locals translated words to English.  Menus can be especially hilarious when the translations are poorly done.

 

So, it is often helpful to have backup plans for translation, whether that’s a phrasebook or the PointIt book I have used on many trips. [Note; as an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases]  Click on the picture to see more info.