Spanish is the official language of 20 countries and there are around 500 million native speakers of Spanish around the world. Spanish is also the world’s second-most spoken native language after Mandarin Chinese.
Whether you want to travel to Spain, tour South America or explore Central America – you really need to make some effort to speak Spanish, especially as not many people you will meet will be able to speak English.
Don’t be daunted it’s amazing how easily you can pick up basic Spanish – if you stay away from other English-speakers, that is!
There is the option to download apps, buy phrases book or learn online. You can even book language courses abroad in popular locations like Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Cusco, Antigua, San Jose and Mexico City. On some programs you can stay with a local family, do fun social activities and even book a tour afterwards – adding greatly to your appreciation of Spain or Latin America.
So whether you’re wanting to start out as fluent as possible, or whether you’d like to polish up that vocabulary you picked up around the markets and the bars, you can add a short language course to your tour.
Useful Spanish Words and Phrases
The following list will be very helpful whilst travelling to Spain or Latin America. Practice a few phrases before you go or take a print-out with you. A little effort speaking the local language goes a long way and will be well received.
Greetings
Hello / Hi = Hóla
Good day = Buenos diás
Good evening = Buenos tardes
Good night = Buenos noches
Good bye = Adiós
See you soon = Hasta luego
Questions
Where = Dónde
When = Cuándo
Why = Por qué
What = Qué
Who = Quién
How = Cómo
How much/many = Cuántos / cuánto
Is/are there = Hay
Pleasantries
Please = Por favor
Thank you (very much) = (Muchas) Gracias
Excuse me = Perdone
I’m sorry, but… = Lo siento, pero…
That’s a shame = Es una lástima
May I… = Puedo…
Conversational
My name is Mark. = Me llamo Mark.
I am 27 years old. = Tengo veintisiete años.
I am English.= Soy inglés/inglesa.
I live in London. = Vivo en Londres.
How do you do? / Nice to meet you. = Tanto gusto?
How are you? = Cómo se va?
I’m very well, thank you. = Muy bien, gracias.
What is your name? = Cómo se llama?
How old are you? = Cuántos años tenéis?
Where are you from? = De dónde venéis?
Where do you live? = Dónde vivéis?
Numbers
0 = cero
1 = uno / una
2 = dos
3 = tres
4 = cuatro
5 = cinco
6 = seis
7 = siete
8 = ocho
9 = nueve
10 = diez
20 = veinte
30 = treinta
40 = cuarenta
50 = cincuenta
60 = sesenta
70 = setenta
80 = ochenta
90 = noventa
100 = cien
200 = doscientos/as
300 =trescientos/as
General Responses
Yes = Sí
No = No
That depends = Depende
I don’t know = No lo sé
I don’t think so = Creo que no
I think so = Creo que sí
It doesn’t matter = No importa
I don’t mind = No me molesta
Of course = Claro
True = Es verdad
With pleasure = Con gusto
Time of Day
Morning = Por la Mañana
Afternoon = De la Tarde
Evening = De la Tarde
Night = De la Noche
Yesterday = Ayer
Today = Hoy
Tomorrow = Mañana
Days of the Week
Monday = Lunes
Tuesday = Martes
Wednesday = Miércoless
Thursday = Jueves
Friday = Viernes
Saturday = Sabado
Sunday = Domingo
day = Día
week= Semana
last, previous = El/la último/a
next = El/la próximo/a
Accommodation
the hotel = el hotel
Have you got…? = Tiene…?
a room = una habitación
double = doble
single = individual
the bathroom = el baño
For how many days? = Para cuántos días?
I have a reservation = Tengo una reserva
Your name? = Su nombre?
Your passport? = Su pasaporte?
Food & Drink
What would you like? = Qué va a tomar?
as first course = de primero
as second course = de segundo
the menu = el menú
And to drink? = Para beber?
a beer = una cerveza
a glass of red wine = un vino tinto
a glass of water = un vaso de agua
the bill = la cuenta
Our list will be very helpful whilst travelling to a Spanish speaking country. Practice a few phrases before you go or take a print-out with you. A little effort speaking the local language goes a long way and will be well received.
Do you have any favourite Spanish words or phrases? Or something you think we have missed which will come in handy when on the road? Let us know!
