I get wrong numbers all the time in other languages. I only speak English fluently. The languages I studied previously were mainly in writing so speaking other languages is quite intimidating for me.

Top languages in my area: Spanish (mainly Mexico and Puerto Rico), Vietnamese, Korean, and Russian. I’ve also encountered Igbo, Yoruba, Arabic, and Haitian Creole.

Learning how to say something like “I only speak English” would be helpful as well.

I did find this website but I have no way of knowing how accurate it is:

https://www.indifferentlanguages.com/words/wrong_number

  • Zak@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    12
    ·
    6 months ago

    As a practical point, saying it in English will almost certainly communicate what you need to communicate. Almost everyone who makes international calls will recognize that you’re speaking English even if they don’t understand what you’re saying, which suggests that the Russian or Korean speaking person they’re trying to reach is not at that number.

  • sjmulder
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    7
    ·
    6 months ago

    “U bent verkeerd verbonden” (for calls)

    “U heeft het verkeerde nummer” (generic)

    • Akasazh@feddit.nl
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      6 months ago

      Punnological the first sentence can also mean; ‘your bandage has been applied incorrectly’.

      It’s hardly relevant, but I felt like sharing that

      • sjmulder
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        6 months ago

        When you try to call the Red Cross to ask why you failed the first aid exam 😄

        • Akasazh@feddit.nl
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          6 months ago

          Or when you try to file a complaint with the hospital, but they hang up on you every time…

  • ubergeek77@lemmy.ubergeek77.chat
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    6
    ·
    6 months ago

    I’m really curious to learn how you get calls in so many different languages. I could definitely see Spanish, English, and maybe Vietnamese all being spoken in a general geographic area, but you listed a lot of diverse languages. Pretty cool if that’s really all within one area!

    • acetanilide@lemmy.worldOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      6 months ago

      I would love to know also. They are all spoken here for sure (quite a large population of people who speak the languages I listed) but what confuses me is the area codes are usually not my region for these calls.

    • AdNecrias@lemmy.pt
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      6 months ago

      For European Portuguese it’s the top choice. Or replace the first two words with “tu ligaste” for informal. You can always just answer with “Funerária pizaria Abel Frade, onde a perda da manhã é o almoço à tarde, como posso ajudar?” and that’ll get the desired response.

  • Sudo Sodium @lemdro.id
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    6 months ago

    Uzran , laqad ittasalta birragami alkhata>

    It means " sorry , you had the wrong number " in standard Arabic…

    Ana atahaddathu al-injliziata faqat >

    It means " I only speak English "

  • Sudo Sodium @lemdro.id
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    6 months ago

    Instead of memorizing different phrases in different languages , a good advice would be to change your number if posible , or use a blocker to block strange numbers

    • acetanilide@lemmy.worldOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      6 months ago

      I appreciate it, but I can’t do either unfortunately since I have medical issues and need to answer many unknown numbers.