Go beyond "quiero más queso"
If you don't "hablas bien Español" then we have 10 phrases for you!
Published on December 27, 2024
Image: Jon Tyson
As the fourth most spoken language in the world and the second most spoken in the United States, Spanish is definitely one of the most ubiquitous languages. Whether you are on holiday in a Spanish-speaking country, or you need to speak to someone who only speaks Spanish, it is always a good idea to learn a few phrases to make communication easier. The following ten are some of the most used phrases when visiting unfamiliar places. Did you know any of these?
Hello, nice to meet you
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A dialogue has to start somewhere. And what better way to start one than saying "hello" in a friendly manner, right? Spanish-speaking folks are no different and a kind greeting is always a good way to introduce yourself.
The Spanish word for "hello" is Hola (ow·luh). And a perfectly agreeable way to follow that would be a "nice to meet you," which in Spanish translates to es un placer conocerte (ehs oon plah-sehr koh-noh-sehr-teh).
My name is…
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The second part of an introduction is presenting yourself (that is if you are not just simply asking for directions or something along those lines). At this stage, you might want to let your new acquaintance know your name.
You can do so by saying Mi nombre es… (mee nohm-breh ehs) followed by your name. This is the Spanish way of saying "my name is."
Where is this address?
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Another advisable thing to know if you are traveling to a Spanish-speaking region is "Where is this address?" Whether you have a map or not, being able to get assistance from the locals is always a good thing.
If you have a map or can, somehow, show the address you need to get to, the correct way of saying this in Spanish is Dónde queda esta dirección? (don·De ke·Da e·sa Deer x ee on)
If you can pronounce the address, then the way to ask is Dónde queda…? ((don·De ke·Da) and complete the dots with the address.
How do you say…?
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This phrase is a linguistic Swiss Army knife that can be used to get the correct word for absolutely anything you need. Being able to say "How do you say…?" in a foreign language is extremely valuable and luckily, very simple.
To say this in Spanish, you must say ¿Cómo se dice…? (Koh Moe Ze Dee Ze) followed by the thing you need to say in Spanish.
Where is the bathroom?
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This phrase can be of paramount importance if nature calls and you are surrounded by Spanish-speaking individuals. Knowing how to properly ask for a toilette in the local language is, perhaps, not your highest priority when it comes to learning local phrases but maybe it should be, just in case.
The right way to ask for a bathroom in Spanish is to say ¿Dónde queda el baño? (Don Deh Keh Dah L Bah Neeo), which translates to "Where is the bathroom?"
I don't speak your language well
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As a cautionary measure, if you are not fluent in Spanish, it might be a good idea to disclose this information to the person you are speaking to. By doing so, you are excusing yourself for any confusion possible.
To say that you don’t speak the language very well, you can try with No hablo muy bien tu idioma (No Ah Bloh Mooi Bee In Too E deeo Mah). Or you can also say, No hablo bien en Español, which means "I don´t speak Spanish very well."
Please & thank you
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These are pretty basic things to know. Being kind can take you a long way and it’s free so, why not use it, right? The correct way to say "please" in Spanish is Por favor (Pohr Fah Voor). And the right way to say "thank you" is Gracias (Grah See As).
I'm sorry & excuse me
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Likewise, other two very important things to learn are "I’m sorry" and "excuse me." Being courteous and well-mannered is universally appreciated and help will always be more readily available for a person who shows this kind of behavior.
The right way to say "I’m sorry" in Spanish is Perdón (pehr-dohn). And the correct way to phrase "excuse me" is disculpas (dees-kool-pahs).
I need help
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This one can also be crucial if you require assistance and the only people who can provide it are Spanish-speaking individuals. The simple phrase "I need help" can be used for someone who needs advice choosing a wine or someone who is in serious danger.
The correct way to say "I need help" in Spanish is, necesito ayuda (Neh Seh See Toh A Joo Dah).
Goodbye, it was nice meeting you
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The final entry on this list matches the final words of your conversation with a Spanish-speaking person. Or, at least, a version of these words, since there are many ways to say goodbye in any language.
The phrase we are using here is a polite farewell that can be used with someone you have just met, similar to saying, "Goodbye, it was nice meeting you" and it is pronounced Hasta luego, fue un placer conocerte (Fooh Eh Oon Plah Sir Koh No Sir Teh).
