using the phrase tags

[MamboCube]

how do i use the phrase tags on non-vb pages?

i put this in

<phrase 1="$bbuserinfo[username]">$vbphrase[welcome_x]</phrase>

but it just shows $vbphrase[welcome_x] as text

so i have been using

<?php echo"$bbuserinfo[username]" ?>

which works but i cant seem to include any php values in them when wanting to use custom phrases

so

*is there a way i can include values using php?
or
*how can i get phrases to work on my non vb pages?

any replies would be appreciated

thnx