15 essential Spanish travel phrases
We can’t emphasise enough how much it can enhance your experience in Latin America if you spend a short while before your trip learning a few Spanish phrases. The locals you will encounter are some of the warmest and most hospitable people you could wish to meet, so why not return the favour with a small token of respect by impressing them with a Spanish phrase or two?
We’ve been specialising in travel to Central and South America for over 30 years and can tell you that knowing just a little can go a long way!
Here are 15 very simple yet essential phrases you can learn to use on your trip:
1) Hola – Hi
2) Por favor / Gracias – Please / Thankyou
3) Buenos días / Buenas tardes / Buenas noches – Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening
4) ¿Cómo estás? – How are you?
5) Mucho gusto – Nice to meet you
6) Me gustaría – I would like
7) Yo necesito – I need
8) ¿Tiene? – Do you have?
9) ¿Dónde está? – Where is?
10) ¿Cuánto cuesta? – How much does it cost?
11) ¿Qué hora es? – What time is it?
12) A la derecha / A la izquierda / Siga derecho – On the right / On the left / Straight ahead
13) A una cuadra / A dos, tres, cuatro cuadras– In one block / In two, three, four blocks
14) El baño – The bathroom
15) Banco / Dinero / Cambio / La cuenta – Bank / Money / Change / The bill
And finally, if all else fails:
Yo (no) entiendo – I (don’t) understand
¿Habla inglés? – Do you speak English?
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