The most essential Spanish expressions you need to master on a trip to Spain

Are you going on a holiday under the Spanish sun? We have gathered a handy list of useful expressions that will help you in many situations. If you want to impress yourself, your travelling companion and the local people when travelling, learn at least these!

• ¿Hola, cómo está? – Hi, how are you?
• ¿Me podría ayudar? – Can you help me?
• Una cerveza, por favor. – One beer, please.

You can use the same phrase to order coffee or a glass of sangria when you replace una cerveza with un cafe con leche or una copa de sangría.

Try also the popular drink tinto verano, which is a mix of red wine and lemon-flavoured gaseosa – in other words, sweet carbonated water.

• ¿Cómo puedo llegar a __ ? – How do I get to…?
• ¿Dónde está el baño? – Where is the bathroom?

The are also other words for ‘bathroom’ – for example, el servicio and el aseo – and it’s good to at least understand them.

• La cuenta, por favor. –  The check, please.
• ¿Cuánto cuesta? – How much does it cost?
• ¿Tiene __? – Do you have…?

You can use the expression ¿Tiene? in cafés, restaurants and stores.

• No comprendo. – I don’t understand.
• ¿Habla inglés? – Do you speak English?
• ¿Qué pasa? – What is happening?

¿Qué pasa? is a very common expression and especially popular among young people. The phrase is used a lot in spoken language, and you can also use it to ask ”What’s up?”.

• Gracias. – Thank you.
• Perdón. – Sorry.
• No pasa nada. – No problem.

The Spanish like to use forms of endearment when talking about their friends and family, and sometimes also about total strangers. So, when the waiter or salesman calls you handsome or a beauty, don’t get offended. He or she is probably only trying to cheer you up!

• Guapo / guapa – Handsome / beauty
• Chico / chica – (Young) boy / girl
• Niño / niña – (Little) boy / girl
• Cariño – Sweetheart
• ¡Que chulo! – How adorable!