Languages

Basic Words and Phrases in Spanish

The flag of Spain

Exploring Spanish-speaking countries, like Spain and Mexico, becomes a richer experience when you know some Spanish. Speaking the language allows you to connect more deeply with the culture, enjoy local food, and navigate easily. Spanish is a widely spoken language that opens doors to more meaningful experiences. Here are some essential Spanish phrases to help you make the most of your travels in Spanish-speaking regions.

About Spanish

Spanish, also known as Castilian, is a Romance language spoken by millions of people around the world. It is the official language of Spain and is spoken in many Latin American countries, as well as in parts of Equatorial Guinea and the Philippines. Spanish originated from Vulgar Latin and was influenced over time by Arabic, indigenous languages, and other languages. It uses the Latin alphabet with consistent phonetic orthography. Spanish grammar is characterized by the agreement of nouns and adjectives, verb conjugation and grammatical gender. Spanish has a rich literary and cultural heritage and plays an important role in international communication and business.

Basic Words and Phrases

Learning a foreign language opens up a world of opportunities, allowing you to connect with people from different cultures and expand your horizons. Whether you're planning a trip or simply curious about a new language, mastering some basic words and phrases is a great place to start.

Yes
No
No
Please
Por favor
Yes, please
Sí, por favor
No, thank you
No, gracias
Thanks
Gracias
Thank you
Gracias
Thank you very much
Muchas gracias
You're welcome
De nada
No problem
No hay problema
Excuse me
Disculpe
I’m sorry
Lo siento
Sorry
Lo siento
Cheers!
¡Salud!
Okay
De acuerdo

Greetings

Greetings are an essential part of any language. Saying "hello" and "goodbye" can create an instant connection with native speakers. In many languages, "hello" is a universal term, but learning the specific greeting for the language you're interested in can show respect and appreciation. Similarly, learning how to say "goodbye" will help you leave a positive impression.

Hi
Hola
Hello
Hola
Good day
Buenos días
Good morning
Buenos días
Good afternoon
Buenas tardes
Good evening
Buenas noches
Good night
Buenas noches
Goodbye
Adiós
See you later!
Hasta luego!
Have a nice day!
¡Que tengas un buen día!
Bye
Chao

Conversations

Next, let's explore basic conversation starters. Asking "how are you?" or "what's your name?" in another language is a friendly way to engage with others. These simple phrases can pave the way for more meaningful conversations and help you build rapport.

How are you?
¿Cómo estás?
I'm fine
Estoy bien
Good, thank you!
Bueno, gracias!
And you?
¿Y tú?
Nice to meet you!
Encantada de conocerte! (f)
Encantado de conocerte! (m)
Pleased to meet you!
Mucho gusto
What is your name?
¿Cómo te llamas?
My name is …
Mi nombre es …
Where are you from?
¿De dónde eres?
I am from …
Soy de ...
I don't speak Spanish
No hablo español
Do you speak English?
¿Hablas inglés?
I understand
Entiendo
I do not understand
No entiendo
I like it
Me gusta
I don't like it
No me gusta
How is the weather today?
¿Cómo está el tiempo hoy?
Can you recommend any local attractions?
¿Puedes recomendar alguna atracción local?

Hotel

When staying at a hotel in a foreign country, it's helpful to be familiar with some phrases that can assist you during your stay. Here are a few key phrases you can use in a hotel.

Hotel
Hotel
Reception
Recepción
Reservation
Reserva
Hotel room
Habitación de hotel
Key
Llave
Breakfast
Desayuno
I have a reservation
Tengo una reserva
I would like to book a room
Me gustaría reservar una habitación
Do you have any rooms available?
¿Tiene habitaciones disponibles?

Restaurant

When dining at restaurants in a foreign country, it's helpful to know phrases that can assist you during your meal. Being able to request a table, order food and drinks, and ask for the bill are important for a pleasant dining experience.

Restaurant
Restaurante
Menu
Menú
A table for one, please
Una mesa para uno, por favor
A table for two, please
Una mesa para dos, por favor
I would like a coffee, please
Me gustaría un café, por favor
Enjoy your meal!
Buen provecho!
Can I have the bill, please?
¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor?
Can you bring me the bill, please?
¿Puedes traerme la cuenta, por favor?
I would like to pay, please
Me gustaría pagar, por favor
The bill, please
La cuenta, por favor
Can I pay with cash?
¿Puedo pagar en efectivo?
Can I pay with card?
¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?
Can I pay with credit card?
¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta de crédito?
Could you suggest something for me?
¿Podría sugerirme algo?
Can I have a glass of water, please?
¿Puedo tener un vaso de agua, por favor?
Do you have any local specialties?
¿Tienen alguna especialidad local?

Food and drinks

Being able to order food and drinks, ask for recommendations, and express preferences or dietary restrictions will enhance your dining experience and allow you to explore the local cuisine.

Breakfast
Desayuno
Lunch
Almuerzo
Dinner
Cena
Food
Comida
Drinks
Bebidas
Bread
Pan
Sandwich
Sándwich
Cheese
Queso
Meat
Carne
Fish
Pescado
Vegetables
Verduras
Fruit
Fruta
Vegetarian
Vegetariano
I am a vegetarian
Soy vegetariano
Coffee
Café
Tea
Beer
Cerveza
Wine
Vino
Juice
Zumo
Water
Agua
Milk
Leche
Dessert
Postre
Salad
Ensalada
Soup
Sopa

Places and Services

Just like how saying hello helps you connect with others, exploring phrases related to locations and services can greatly enhance your travel experience. Whether you're looking for important places like banks or post offices, these expressions can open up doors to immersing yourself in the local culture.

ATM
Cajero automático
Bank
Banco
Beach
Playa
Library
Biblioteca
Museum
Museo
Park
Parque
Pharmacy
Farmacia
Post Office
Oficina de correos
School
Escuela
Tourist Information
Oficina de turismo

Shopping

Knowing how to ask for the price, request a different size or color, or simply say "I'm just looking" can be useful when shopping in local markets or stores.

Store
Tienda
Supermarket
Supermercado
Grocery store
Tienda de comestibles
Market
Mercado
Bakery
Panadería
Bookstore
Librería
How much does this cost?
¿Cuánto cuesta eso?
Can I get a receipt?
¿Puedo obtener un recibo?
I'm just looking
Solo estoy mirando
Sunglasses
Gafas de sol
Umbrella
Paraguas

Directions

Learning phrases related to asking for directions, understanding common landmarks, and getting around the city will help you navigate unfamiliar places with ease.

Where is the toilet?
¿Donde esta el inodoro?
Where is the beach?
¿Dónde está la playa?
How do I get to the airport?
¿Cómo llego al aeropuerto?
Left
Izquierda
Right
Derecha
Straight ahead
Derecho
Is it far from here?
¿Está lejos de aquí?
Can you show it on the map?
¿Puedes mostrarlo en el mapa?
How long does it take to walk there?
¿Cuánto tiempo se tarda en llegar caminando?

Transport

Familiarizing yourself with phrases for using public transportation, such as asking for a ticket, stating your destination, or inquiring about schedules, will make your travel experience smoother and more efficient.

Airport
Aeropuerto
Plane
Avión
Train station
Estación de tren
Train
Tren
Bus station
Estación de autobuses
Bus
Autobús
Taxi
Taxi
Ticket
Entrada
Can I get a ticket to Madrid?
¿Puedo conseguir un ticket para Madrid?
I would like a ticket to Madrid
Me gustaría un ticket para Madrid
I need a ticket to Madrid
Necesito un ticket para Madrid
A ticket to Madrid, please
Un ticket para Madrid, por favor
What time is the next train to Madrid?
¿A qué hora sale el próximo tren a Madrid?
When is the next train to Madrid?
¿Cuándo sale el próximo tren a Madrid?
When does the next train to Madrid leave?
¿Cuándo sale el próximo tren a Madrid?

Emergencies

When you're in a different country, it's really important to be aware of emergency phrases such as 'help,' 'hospital,' and 'police.' Using expressions like 'emergency' and 'I need help' can help you overcome language barriers and make sure you're ready for any unexpected situations that might occur. Having a good grasp of these phrases will help keep you safe and give you peace of mind while traveling.

Help!
¡Socorro!
Help me!
¡Ayuda!
I need help
Necesito ayuda
I need assistance
Necesito ayuda
I need a doctor
Necesito un médico
Police
Policía
Police Station
Comisaría de policía
Hospital
Hospital
Ambulance
Ambulancia
Doctor
Médico
Fire department
Cuerpo de bomberos
Fire!
¡Fuego!

Time

Effortlessly asking and telling the time enhances your travel experience, from coordinating schedules to catching transportation, adding a valuable layer to your linguistic toolkit for effective communication during your stay.

What time is it?
¿Qué hora es?
It is one o'clock
Es la una
It is half past two
Son las dos y media
Morning
Mañana
Afternoon
Tarde
Evening
Noche
Night
Noche
Today
Hoy
Tomorrow
Mañana
Yesterday
Ayer

Numbers

Learning numbers is essential for tasks like counting, ordering quantities, or understanding prices.

Zero
Cero
One
Uno
Two
Dos
Three
Tres
Four
Cuatro
Five
Cinco
Six
Seis
Seven
Siete
Eight
Ocho
Nine
Nueve
Ten
Diez
Eleven
Once
Twelve
Doce
Thirteen
Trece
Fourteen
Catorce
Fifteen
Quince
Sixteen
Dieciséis
Seventeen
Diecisiete
Eighteen
Dieciocho
Nineteen
Diecinueve
Twenty
Veinte
Twenty-one
Veintiuno
Twenty-two
Veintidós
Twenty-three
Veintitrés
Twenty-four
Veinticuatro
Twenty-five
Veinticinco
Twenty-six
Veintiseis
Twenty-seven
Veintisiete
Twenty-eight
Veintiocho
Twenty-nine
Veintinueve
Thirty
Treinta
Forty
Cuarenta
Fifty
Cincuenta
Sixty
Sesenta
Seventy
Setenta
Eighty
Ochenta
Ninety
Noventa
Hundred
Cien
Two hundred
Doscientos
One thousand
Mil
Two thousand
Dos mil
Three thousand
Tres mil
Hundred thousand
Cien mil
Million
Millón

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers play a crucial role in conveying sequence and order. Whether you're navigating travel itineraries, selecting seats, or exploring historical sites, understanding expressions like 'first,' 'second,' and so on is essential.

First
Primero
Second
Segundo
Third
Tercero
Fourth
Cuarto
Fifth
Quinto
Sixth
Sexto
Seventh
Séptimo
Eighth
Octavo
Ninth
Noveno
Tenth
Décimo
Eleventh
Undécimo
Twelfth
Duodécimo
Thirteenth
Decimotercero
Fourteenth
Decimocuarto
Fifteenth
Decimoquinto
Sixteenth
Decimosexto
Seventeenth
Decimoséptimo
Eighteenth
Decimoctavo
Nineteenth
Decimonoveno
Twentieth
Vigésimo

Days of the week

Knowing the names of the days of the week will help you schedule activities, make appointments, or plan your itinerary.

Monday
Lunes
Tuesday
Martes
Wednesday
Miércoles
Thursday
Jueves
Friday
Viernes
Saturday
Sábado
Sunday
Domingo

Months

Being familiar with the names of the months will allow you to discuss dates, make reservations, or talk about specific time frames.

January
Enero
February
Febrero
March
Marzo
April
Abril
May
Mayo
June
Junio
July
Julio
August
Agosto
September
Septiembre
Oktober
Octubre
November
Noviembre
December
Diciembre

Question Words

Understanding basic question words like who, what, where, when, why, and how will enable you to ask for information or clarification in various situations.

What?
¿Qué?
What is that?
¿Qué es eso?
What do you need?
¿Qué necesitas?
What time is it?
¿Qué hora es?
What day is it today?
¿Qué día es hoy?
What do you like?
¿Qué te gusta?
Where?
¿Dónde?
Where is the toilet?
¿Dónde está el baño?
When?
¿Cuándo?
When is the next train?
¿Cuándo es el próximo tren?
When can we meet?
¿Cuándo podemos encontrarnos?
Why?
¿Por qué?
Why is it expensive?
¿Por qué es caro?
How?
¿Cómo?
How are you doing?
¿Cómo estás?
How would you like to pay?
¿Cómo te gustaría pagar?
Which?
¿Cuál? (sg)
¿Cuáles? (pl)
Which book belongs to your sister?
¿Cuál libro le pertenece a tu hermana?
Which car is yours?
¿Cuál coche es tuyo?
Which sandwich is yours?
¿Cuál sándwich es tuyo?
Who?
¿Quién?
Who is that?
¿Quién es eso?
Who is your travel companion?
¿Quién es tu compañero de viaje?
Whose?
¿De quién?
Whose keys are these?
¿De quién son estas llaves?
Whose phone is ringing?
¿De quién es el teléfono que suena?
Whose bag is this?
¿De quién es esta bolsa?
How many?
¿Cuántos?
How many people were at the concert?
¿Cuántas personas había en el concierto?
How much?
¿Cuánto?
How much does this cost?
¿Cuánto cuesta esto?

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Abbreviations used

infInformal
frmFormal
fFeminine
mMasculine
sgSingular
plPlural

About Me

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Hey there! I'm Rainier and I'm the person behind Roaming with Rainier. I've always been really into traveling and photography. I've been fortunate enough to visit incredible destinations and there are still so many more on my bucket list. My plan is to explore breathtaking places around the world and share my experiences through articles and reviews.

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