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:
int main() { printf(“[you have the] wrong number”);
return 0;
}
Oh See Paren Left Brace Whatmark
For loads of alternatives, see the Jargon File
VERWÄHLT! <hangs up>.
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.
“New phone. Who dis?”
“U bent verkeerd verbonden” (for calls)
“U heeft het verkeerde nummer” (generic)
Punnological the first sentence can also mean; ‘your bandage has been applied incorrectly’.
It’s hardly relevant, but I felt like sharing that
When you try to call the Red Cross to ask why you failed the first aid exam 😄
