Survival Spanish Phrases for Your Trip

Picture this: your tickets have been booked and confirmation numbers have come through your email inbox. You’re dreaming about packing outfits and seeing the sights at any of the number of Spanish-speaking countries in the world.

…But what if I were to tell you that there’s one more thing you need to pack?

Using these questions as a guide, you’ll be able to get around safely and comfortably in Spanish – no matter where you are.

The Basics:

These are the basic words that anyone should learn when they go to a different country or location:

·       Where’s the bathroom?   ¿Dónde está el baño?

·       Yes / No   Sí / No

·       Do you speak English?   ¿Usted habla inglés?

·       I don’t speak Spanish.   No hablo español.

·       I only speak a little Spanish.   Hablo sólo un poco español.

·       I need help!   ¡Socorro!

·       Police!   ¡Policía!

·       Stop, thief!   ¡Para, ladrón!

Also, be sure you have any emergency numbers memorized. Some countries have different numbers for Police, Ambulance, and Fire services. Though you may never need these phone numbers, they can be handy for you or someone in your group to know.

Conversational Basics:

·       Hello, I’m (___)   Hola, soy (___)

·       I’m from (___)   Soy de (___)

·       Where is (___)?   ¿Dónde está (___)?

·       I’m waiting for a friend.   Espero por un amigo / una amiga.

·       I’m waiting for someone.   Estoy esperando a alguien.

·       Coffee, please.   Café, por favor.

·       Water, please.   Agua, por favor.

·       Check, please.   La cuenta, por favor.

·       Goodbye!   ¡Adiós!

·       See you later!   ¡Hasta luego!

Some slang and other common words are also good to keep in your arsenal, especially if you’re anxious about fitting into another culture. The words above are listed in order of priority: everyone should know basic phrases to get around and communicate your needs. Conversational phrases come next, and those are good to practice with a native speaker, via YouTube, an app, or a language coach like myself.