Useful Spanish Travel Phrases
Getting to know the locals
Believe it or not, Spanish is the primary language in 21 countries. Spain and Mexico are the obvious ones, but Andorra and Tobago offer some of the less obvious examples. In total, it’s spoken by around 450 million people, making it the third most spoken language on the planet. If you’re planning on venturing into a Spanish speaking country to travel, party, board, hike, or take a gap year in somewhere like Venezuela (http://www.yomps.co.uk/trip-search/trips/12013), then you may well find some of the following phrases useful for your travels.
To start off with, here are a few simple phrases to get around a Spanish speaking country.
Hey/Hello = Hola
Good morning = Buenos dias
Good afternoon = Buenas tardes
Goodnight = Buenas noches
Yes = Si
No = No
Please = Por favor
Thank you = Gracias
How are you? = Como estas? (informal)/ Como esta? (formal)
I’m fine thanks = Estoy bien, gracias.
What’s your name ? = Como te llamas ? (informal)/ Como se llama ? (formal)
My name is… = Me llamo…
I’m looking for the youth hostel = Estoy buscando el albergue juvenil
Do you know where I can find the hotel… = Sabes donde puedo encontrar el hotel ? (informal)/ Sabe donde puedo encontrar el hotel ? (formal)
Where do you come from ? = De donde eres? (informal)/ De donde es? (formal)
I come from England/ America/ Australia/ New Zealand/ India/ = Soy/vengo de Inglaterra/America/Australia/Nueva Zelanda/India
Ok, so know that you’ve got to know the person a bit, here’s a few more phrases that you might want to use to describe yourself.
I work for… = Trabajo para...
I’m on a career break = Estoy en un ano sabatico
I’m a student = Soy estudiante
I study… = Estudio...
And now that you’ve really impressed the native Spanish speakers, here’s a chance for you to really shock them.
Where’s the bar? = Donde esta el bar?
Can I have a beer/coffee please? = Puedo tomar una cerveza/un cafe por favor ?
What time are the slopes open until? = Hasta que hora estan las pistas abiertas ?/ Hasta que hora abren las pistas ?
What time does the nightclub close? = A que hora cierra el club nocturno?
Can I have your phone number? = Me puedes dar tu telefono ? (informal)/ Me puede dar su telefono ? (formal)
And the rest is up to you...
About the Author
Tom graduated with a BA (Hons) International Business and languages from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK, where he spent half of his degree on exchanges in Canada and France. Throughout his studies, he spent his summers traveling around North America, including Mexico, as well as Europe and Africa. His love for travel is reflected in his other interests, including foreign cinema, French food and languages. After spending time both volunteering in Africa and living in Spain, Tom returned to the UK where he became the latest addition to the www.yomps.co.uk team. He brings a wealth of travel and international experience to the team and is now the coordinator for the volunteering projects at www.yomps.co.uk.
Tell others about
this page:
Comments? Questions? Email Here