Learn Spanish Words & Basic Spanish Phrases
Whether you’ve decided to learn Spanish or just need some basic Spanish phrases for your summer holiday, you’ll find some very useful Spanish words and basic Spanish phrases below to get you started.
You shouldn’t visit a Spanish speaking country without learning the essential Spanish words and basic Spanish phrases below. It’s amazing how much you can communicate with only some very basic Spanish! Even a simple “¡Hola!” will impress the locals and gain earn you a warm welcome to their country.
With some basic Spanish phrases under your belt you will feel more confident in many different holiday situations, from eating out to asking for directions if you get lost. You will also feel an enormous sense of achievement when you remember the correct Spanish words and don’t need to resort to sign language!
Sí - Yes
No - No
¡Hola! - Hello!
Adiós - Goodbye
Por favor - Please
Gracias - Thank you
De nada - You’re welcome
Lo siento - I’m sorry
Con permiso / Perdón - Excuse me / Pardon
¡Buenos días! - Good morning!
¡Buenas tardes! - Good afternoon!
¡Buenas noches! - Good evening! / Good night!
Señor / Señora / Señorita - Mr / Mrs / Miss
No hablo español - I don’t speak Spanish
No entiendo - I don’t understand
More Useful Basic Spanish Phrases
If you want to use more than just a simple “”¡Hola!” or “Adiós” to impress your friends and family, then trying adding one of the useful basic Spanish phrases below.
Hasta luego - See you later
Hasta pronto - See you soon
Hasta mañana - See you tomorrow
Bienvenidos - Welcome
¡Vamos! - Let’s go!
¿Cómo está usted? - How are you? (formal)
¿Cómo estás? - How are you? (informal)
¿Qué tal? - How’s it going?
Bien / Muy bien - Good / Very good
Mal / Muy mal - Bad / Very bad
Mucho gusto / Encantado - Nice to meet you
¿Hablas ingles? - Do you speak English? (informal)
¿Puede ayudarme? - Can you help me?
Claro que sí - Of course
¿Qué es esto? - What is that?
No importa - It doesn’t matter
Basic Spanish Directions & Getting Around
Learning the Spanish words and Spanish phrases below will help you to get the most out of your sightseeing when on holiday. Whether it’s reading Spanish words on signs or timetables, negotiating public transport, or stopping to ask a local for directions, with some basic Spanish phrases you’ll be on the right track.
todo recto - straight on
derecha - right
izquierda - left
al final de - at the end of
al lado de - next to
frente a - opposite
arriba - up
abajo - down
sobre - above
debajo - below
entrada - entrance
¿Dónde está…? - where is…?
mapa de la ciudad - map of the city
oficina turística - tourist office
iglesia - church
catedral - cathedral
castillo - castle
museo - museum
plaza - square
calle - street
estación de tren - train station
autobus - bus
horario - timetable
Spanish phrases for Eating Out
Everyone likes to eat out on holiday, but when the menu is in another language entirely it can become more daunting than enjoyable. However, with the basic Spanish words and phrases below you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you’re not going to end up with a plate of baby octopus (a favourite Spanish tapas)! Unless, of course, that’s exactly what you wanted!
La cuenta - the bill
Soy vegitariano/a - I’m vegitarian
lista de vinos - wine list
la carta - menu
camarero/a - waiter/waitress
cuchillo - knife
tenedor - fork
cuchara - spoon
plato - plate
carne de vaca - beef
cordero - lamb
cochino/puerco - pork
pollo - chicken
pato - duck
sopa - soup
pan - bread
queso - cheese
huevo - egg
patatas fritas - french fries
ensalada - salad
agua - water
leche - milk
cerveza - beer
vino - wine
sin gas - still
con gas - sparkling
Now you can make the most of your holiday with these basic Spanish phrases!
For more information on how to learn Spanish and for Spanish learning resources visit our website Learn Spanish Resources.
