48 common Spanish phrases to survive any situation

Introduction

Learning Spanish is an excellent way to enhance your life and broaden your horizons. Not only is it a useful tool for work or travel, but it can also improve communication with Spanish-speaking friends, family, and colleagues.

In this article, we will provide you with 48 common Spanish phrases that will help you survive any situation when traveling or just communicating with native Spanish speakers.

Greetings

It’s always essential to know how to greet people in Spanish. Here are some of the most common ways to say hello and goodbye:

Hello

– Hola! – Hello!
– Buenos días! – Good morning! (Used from sunrise to noon)
– Buenas tardes! – Good afternoon! (Used from noon to sunset)
– Buenas noches! – Good evening! (Used from sunset to bedtime)
– ¿Cómo estás? – How are you?
– Mucho gusto – Nice to meet you
– ¿Qué tal? – What’s up?

Goodbye

– Adiós! – Goodbye!
– Hasta luego! – See you later!
– Hasta la vista! – Until we see each other again!
– Chao! – Bye!
– Nos vemos! – See you later!
– Buenas noches! – Goodnight!

Basic Conversational Phrases

Knowing basic conversational phrases will help you communicate effectively in Spanish. Here are some of the most common phrases:

Yes and No

– Sí – Yes
– No – No

Please and Thank You

– Por favor – Please
– Gracias – Thank you
– De nada – You’re welcome

Excuse Me and Sorry

– Perdón – Excuse me
– Lo siento – I’m sorry

Asking for Help

– ¿Puedes ayudarme? – Can you help me?
– ¿Dónde está el baño? – Where is the bathroom?
– ¿Hablas inglés? – Do you speak English?
– No entiendo – I don’t understand
– ¿Qué significa ____? – What does ____ mean?
– ¿Podrías repetir, por favor? – Could you repeat that, please?
– ¿Cómo se dice ____ en español? – How do you say ____ in Spanish?

Ordering Food and Drinks

Spanish cuisine is one of the most delicious in the world. Here are some phrases that will help you order your favorite dishes and drinks:

Ordering Food

– Quiero ____, por favor. – I want ____, please.
– ¿Qué recomienda? – What do you recommend?
– La cuenta, por favor. – The bill, please.
– Sin gluten – Gluten-free
– Sin lactosa – Lactose-free
– ¿Tiene algún vegetariano? – Do you have any vegetarian options?
– ¿Tiene alguna opción sin carne? – Do you have any meatless options?

Ordering Drinks

– Quiero una cerveza / vino / refresco, por favor. – I want a beer / wine / soft drink, please.
– ¿Puede traerme agua, por favor? – Can you bring me some water, please?
– ¿Tienes algún cóctel especial? – Do you have any special cocktails?

Transportation

Getting around in a foreign country can be stressful, but with these phrases, you’ll be able to navigate public transportation and taxis with confidence:

On Public Transportation

– ¿A qué hora sale el próximo autobús / tren? – What time does the next bus / train leave?
– ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete / boleto? – How much is a ticket?
– ¿Cuántas paradas hay hasta ___? – How many stops are there until ___?
– ¿Dónde está la parada de autobús / tren? – Where is the bus / train stop?

In Taxis

– ¿Cuánto cuesta ir a ___? – How much does it cost to go to ___?
– ¿Puede llevarme a ___? – Can you take me to ___?
– ¿Puede encender el taxímetro, por favor? – Can you turn on the meter, please?

Emergencies

In case of an emergency, it’s essential to know how to ask for help or let people know that you need assistance. Here are some phrases that can be helpful in emergencies:

Asking for Help

– ¡Ayuda! – Help!
– ¡Llama a la policía / ambulancia / bomberos! – Call the police / ambulance / firefighters!
– ¡Socorro! – Help!
– ¿Puedes ayudarme, por favor? – Can you help me, please?

Medical Emergencies

– Necesito un médico – I need a doctor
– Me duele mucho_____ – My ____ hurts a lot
– Me siento mal – I feel sick
– ¿Dónde está el hospital / la clínica más cercana? – Where is the nearest hospital / clinic?

Conclusion

In conclusion, these phrases will help you navigate any situation while traveling or communicating in Spanish. Whether you’re ordering food, asking for directions, or in an emergency, having a basic understanding of the language will make your experience much more enjoyable.

Don’t be afraid to practice your Spanish with native speakers. As with any language, the more you practice, the better you will become. So, start practicing and ¡buena suerte! (good luck!)
100+ Common Spanish Phrases Everyone Should Know