Are you thinking of traveling to Valencia or any other Spanish city, but you feel a little insecure because you don’t know the language well or basic Spanish phrases to communicate?
It is true that knowing how to speak the native language makes things much easier when you arrive in a foreign country or when you’re moving around a city in another country.
However, from Españolé we believe that with a bit of effort and a little help, this task is easier than it may seem. Therefore, we recommend that you take a look at our Spanish language course in Spain as well as our intensive Spanish courses in Spain for foreigners.
In this article, we have decided to give you a brief overview of basic Spanish phrases for foreigners and some general tips on how to use them correctly.
Thanks to them, you will be able to make yourself understood, meet new people, get through everyday circumstances and situations as well as travel around Spain with no problems.
In addition, we are convinced that they will also help you learn and improve your Spanish much faster.
5 reasons to learn Spanish phrases before your trip
Before we start, we would like to tell you some of the benefits of learning these phrases and using them in their appropriate context.
- If you have some Spanish phrases memorized, you will feel more confident, you will be less self-conscious, and you won’t be afraid of looking silly when you speak.
- Knowing words is not the same as speaking a language fluently. Therefore, it doesn’t matter what your current vocabulary level is. In fact, these Spanish phrases are within everyone’s reach.
- You will understand your conversation partners better. The basic phrases we have selected are general and simple, which will help you communicate in day-to-day situations such as reserving a table and ordering a menu in a restaurant, asking for your size when buying clothes or following directions to get around town.
- Spanish people are very friendly, and they will appreciate you making an effort to speak Spanish.
Find out how to learn to speak Spanish fast.
- You will be able to get along better on your trip to Spain and enjoy your experience to the fullest.
Top basic Spanish phrases for traveling: useful expressions
Spanish phrases to say hello (and greetings)
These types of phrases are very important and believe it or not, you will use them more than you think on your trip to Spain.
- ¡Hola!: Hello!
- ¡Adiós!: Bye!
- ¡Buenos días!: Good morning!
- ¡Buenas tardes!: Good afternoon!
- ¡Buenas noches!: Good evening!
- ¡Muchas gracias!: Thanks very much!
- De nada: You’re welcome
- ¡Hasta pronto!: See you soon!
- Perdón: I’m sorry
- No hablo español: I don’t speak Spanish
- No le he entendido: I didn’t understand you
Useful Spanish phrases to use at the airport
If you have decided to travel by plane, you should have some basic Spanish phrases ready to help you get around the airport.
These are the most important ones:
- ¿Cuándo es el embarque?: When does the boarding begin?
- ¿A qué hora sale/llega el avión?: At what time does the plane leave/arrive?
- ¿Dónde está el mostrador de facturación?: Where is the checking desk?
- He perdido mi billete: I’ve lost my ticket
- ¿Cuál es el número de la puerta de embarque?: What’s the number of the boarding gate?
- Aquí está mi pasaporte: Here’s my passport
- Me gustaría reservar un vuelo: I’d like to book a flight
- Vengo de vacaciones: I’m here on holiday
- He perdido mi equipaje, ¿podría ayudarme?. I’ve lost my luggage, could you help me?
- ¿Dónde puedo alquilar un coche?: Where can I rent a car?
- ¿Cómo puedo ir al hotel?: How can I get to the hotel?
- ¿Dónde está la parada de taxis?: Where is the taxi stop?
Popular Spanish phrases to use in bars/restaurants
Spanish cuisine is very famous. So, on your trip around Spain, you will surely want to make a stop and try the most popular tapas or typical dishes of each city.
Some useful Spanish phrases for you are:
- Una mesa para xx personas, por favor: A table for xx people, please
- ¿Me podría traer la carta?: Could you bring me the menu?
- Me gustaría tomar xx: I’ll have xx
- ¿Cuál es el vino de la casa?: What is the house wine?
- ¿Qué me recomienda?: What do you recommend?
- ¿Tienen platos vegetarianos?: Do you have any vegetarian dishes?
- Soy alérgico a xx: I’m allergic to xx
- Es para llevar: It’s to take away.
- Es para tomar aquí: It’s to eat here
- Por favor, puede traer más xx: Can you bring more xx, please?
- La cuenta, por favor: The bill, please
- ¿Nos puede hacer cuentas separadas?: Could you bill us separately, please?
- Quédese con el cambio: Keep the change
Learn the tips to get a good pronunciation of the Spanish alphabet.
Spanish phrases for going shopping
Do you like going shopping? If so, this list is perfect for you.
- ¿Dónde están los probadores?: Where are the fitting rooms?:
- Me viene demasiado largo/corto/justo/grande: It’s too long/short/tight/big for me
- Uso una talla pequeña/mediana/grande/extra grande: I am a small/medium/large/extra large size.
- Me llevo estos zapatos: I will buy these shoes
- Quisiera devolver esta falda: I would like to return this skirt.
- ¿Aceptan tarjeta de crédito?: Do you accept credit cards?
Common Spanish phrases to get around the city
Visit museums, go to trendy neighborhoods, ride a bike, walk to the beach. In some Spanish cities, such as Valencia, you will discover places full of charm.
That is why we are teaching you some basic phrases so that you can get around the city with more confidence.
- Perdone, ¿habla inglés?: Excuse me, do you speak English?
- Me he perdido, necesito ayuda: I’m lost, I need help
- ¿Puedo hacerle una pregunta?: Can I ask you a question?
- Me gustaría ir a xx: I would like to get to xx
- No le he entendido, ¿lo puede repetir?: I didn’t understand, can you repeat?
- ¿Dónde puedo coger un taxi?: Where can I get a taxi?
- ¿Dónde está la oficina de turismo?: Where is the tourist office?
- ¿Tienen un mapa de la ciudad?: Do you have a map of the city?
- ¿Qué monumentos se pueden visitar en xx?: What monuments can be visited in xx?
- ¿Dónde puedo comer algo?: Where can I eat something?
Popular Spanish phrases to use in your hotel
Although in most hotels you will find staff who speak several languages, you can take note of these phrases in case you encounter any problems with your accommodation during your trip to Spain.
- Tengo una reserva: I have a reservation
- ¿Tienen una habitación para esta noche?: Do you have a room for tonight?
- ¿A qué hora es el desayuno?: What time is breakfast?
- ¿A qué hora tengo que dejar la habitación?: What time is checkout?
- Quisiera otra habitación: I’d like another room
- Tengo un problema con mi habitación: I have a problem with my room
- Por favor, ¿podría darme dos toallas más?: Could I have some extra towels, please?
- ¿Tenéis servicio de consigna?: Do you have a luggage service?
- Recogeré mi equipaje a las cinco en punto: I’ll collect my luggage at five o’clock
Spanish phrases you can use in museums, monuments, etc.
On your trip it is possible that you will visit museums, cultural centers and monuments, and these Spanish phrases can help you improve your experience.
- ¿Tiene un catálogo de la exposición?: Do you have a catalog for the exhibition?
- ¿Puedo hacer fotografías?: Can I take pictures?
- ¿Cuál es el precio de la entrada a la exposición?: How much does the exhibition cost?
- ¿Hay descuento para niños/personas mayores/grupos/estudiantes?: Are there any discounts for children/the elderly/groups/students?
Learn the basic phrases in Spanish for foreigners with Españolé
From Españolé, our Spanish school in Spain, we hope that this list of basic Spanish phrases for foreigners will help you to enjoy your trip to Spain.
Don’t forget that we also offer preparation courses in Spain for Spanish exams.
If you have any other comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us!
