Beginner Spanish Phrases Every Traveler Needs to Know
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The Basics
When talking to a Spanish speaker, I recommend you start any conversation by letting them know that you’re a beginner. This way, they’ll be more likely to speak slowly, use gestures, or maybe even find someone to help translate. You can use any of the following phrases to let them know about your level.
- No hablo español. – I don’t speak Spanish.
- Solo hablo un poco de español. – I speak only a little Spanish.
- ¿Habla(s)* inglés? – Do you speak English?

Remember the H in Spanish is silent.
* Add an s to turn this phrase into the informal version.
Greetings
Learning some basic Spanish greetings is important because you’ll use them all the time. We have many different ways to say hello and goodbye. These are some of the most common.
- Hola – Hello
- ¿Qué tal? – How’s it going?
- ¿Cómo está*? – How are you?
* Add an s to turn this phrase into the informal version or an n when talking to 2 or more people.
- Adiós. – Goodbye.
- Hasta luego. – See you later.*
* We say this even when we don’t intend to see the other person again. For example, to a storekeeper or a waiter.
The following are used throughout the day and they both can be used to say hello and goodbye.
- Buenos días – Good morning (before 12 pm).
- Buenas tardes – Good afternoon (from 12 pm until sunset).
- Buenas noches – Good evening/Good night (after sunset).
Being Polite
A lot of people from Latin America are really sensitive so we are easily offended when others are too straightforward. I recommend being as polite as possible and to use the following words to avoid any misconceptions.
- Por favor – Please
- Gracias – Thank you
- De nada – You are welcome
- Provecho – Enjoy your meal
- Con permiso – Excuse me*
- Lo siento – I’m sorry**
- Disculpe – Excuse me***
* To ask permission to pass.
** To apologize when doing something wrong or hearing bad news.
*** To get someone’s attention.
Express Understanding or Confusion
It’s important that you let the other person know when you don’t quite understand what they’re saying so they can repeat it, maybe more slowly or maybe using other words. This will help you avoid any misunderstandings.
- ¿Cómo? – When you want the other person to repeat what they said.
- ¿Lo puede* repetir, por favor? – Can you repeat that, please?
- ¿Puede* hablar más despacio, por favor? – Could you please talk more slowly? Entiendo – I understand.
- No entiendo – I don’t understand.
- ¿Qué significa eso? – What does that mean?
* Add an s to turn this phrase into the informal version.
Shopping
Shopping is a must for many travelers, so here are some useful phrases to help you make a purchase in Spanish.
- ¿Qué es esto? – What’s this?
- ¿Qué es eso? – What’s that?
- ¿Cuánto cuesta esto? – How much is this?
- ¿Cuánto es? – What’s the total?
For more useful phrases to go shopping, check out this article.
I’ve known people that, to avoid struggling with numbers, pay with a big bill without actually knowing the amount they’re paying for. Doing this would put you in a position where you can easily get ripped off. Instead, I suggest you ask the vendor to write down the amount on your cellphone or on a piece of paper.
- Me lo puede anotar, ¿por favor? – Can you write it down for me, please?
Reservations
Now, let’s take a look at some important phrases to use at your hotel.
- Tengo una reservación. – I have a reservation.
- Me gustaría hacer una reservación. – I’d like to make a reservation.
- ¿Tienen cuartos disponibles? – Do you have rooms available?
More on how to make a hotel reservation here.
At a Restaurant
- ¿Tienen carta en inglés? – Do you have an English menu?
- ¿Tienen opciones vegetarianas/veganas? – Do you have any vegetarian/vegan options?
- ¿Dónde está el baño? – Where are the restrooms?
- ¿Aceptan tarjetas? – Do you take cards?
- La cuenta, por favor. – The check, please.
Learn more about how to order food in Spanish here.
Other Useful Phrases

These are some other phrases that you might find useful on your next trip.
- ¿Me puede* tomar una foto, por favor? – Can you take my picture, please?
* Add an s to turn this phrase into the informal version.
Asking for Directions
- Disculpe* – Excuse me.
- Un momento, por favor. – One moment, please.
- ¿Dónde está…. – Where is…?
- ¿Dónde está la taquilla? – Where is the ticket office?
For more about how to ask for directions, click here.
* Use “disculpa” for the informal version. If you are not sure when to use the formal or the informal, watch this video.
Expressing Basic Needs and Wants
Finally, some of the most useful verbs in Spanish that can be used in many different situations.
- Necesito… – I need…
- Necesito agua. – I need water.
- Necesito un doctor. – I need a doctor.
- Necesito ayuda. – I need help.
- Quiero… – I want…
- Quiero un café. – I want a coffee.
- Quiero un cuarto doble. – I want a doble room.
- Quiero un boleto. – I want one ticket.
- Busco… – I’m looking for…
- Busco el Museo de Historia. – I’m looking for the History Museum.
- Busco la entrada al metro. – I’m looking for the entrance to the metro.
- Busco a Juan. – I’m looking for Juan.
To learn these phrases, I recommend reading them out loud carefully, paying attention to your pronunciation. One way to improve your pronunciation is by recording you and then comparing it to how May sounds on the main video of this article. If you know someone who speaks Spanish, ask them to correct you. Then set a goal, like memorizing one phrase each day, for example. In a matter of days, you’ll be all set for your next trip to a Spanish speaking country!
In the you tube podcast with traveller se ten es it is mentioned that you have a pdf with these sentences for downloading.
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