100+ Common Spanish Phrases Everyone Should Know
The most common Spanish phrases out there are super easy to learn. All you need to do is use them as often as possible. These common Spanish phrases can also help you navigate a new city if you’ve moved abroad and interact with the locals of the city once you’re settled in. In this article we will introduce you to over 100 basic Spanish phrases used in the country of Spain that will help introduce you to this amazing, fiery language.
Once you start introducing these common Spanish phrases into your everyday life, you can start using our favorite funny Spanish phrases and even start using our favourite Spanish curse words!
Common Phrases Covered in this Article:
If you’re moving to Madrid and are looking for some tips, check out our comprehensive guide to Learn Spanish in Madrid! In this guide we highlight Madrid’s top language schools, Languages exchanges, and other diverse ways to learn Spanish in the big city!
1. Essential Spanish Phrases to know
The Spanish phrases in this chapter are perfect for someone who is just starting out. Check it out to learn basic greetings, saying thank you and basic instructions.
Greetings – Saying Hello in Spanish
| Hello! | ¡Hola! |
| Good morning/ Good afternoon/ Good evening | ¡Buenos días!/ ¡Buenas tardes!/ ¡Buenas noches! |
| Hi, how are you? | ¡Hola! ¿Cómo está(s)? |
| I’m good, how are you? | Bien, gracias, y tu? |
| Not really good… | No tan bien |
| Nice to meet you! | ¡Mucho gusto! |
| See you later!/ See you soon!/ See you tomorrow! | ¡Hasta luego!/ ¡Hasta pronto!/ ¡Hasta mañana! |
Being Polite – Saying Thank you in Spanish
| Thank you! | ¡Gracias! |
| You’re welcome! | ¡De nada! |
| Excuse me. | Disculpe/ Con permiso/ Perdóname |
| I’m sorry. | ¡Disculpe!¡Lo siento! |
Introducing Yourself in Spanish
| My name is… | Me llamo…/ Mi nombre es… |
| I am X years old. | (Yo) tengo X años |
| I go to school at … | Voy a la universidad en … |
| I’m here on an Erasmus. | Estoy aquí en Erasmus. |
| What’s your name? | ¿Cómo te llamas? |
| How old are you? | ¿Cuántos años tienes? |
| What school are you going to? | ¿A qué universidad vas? |
2. Asking Questions
You’ll be asking a lot of questions once you start speaking Spanish, so use these common Spanish phrases we’ve collected for you so you can ask for whatever you need!
Essential Question Words
| Who? | ¿Quién? |
| What? | ¿Qué? |
| Where? | ¿Dónde? |
| When? | ¿Cuándo? |
| What time? | ¿A qué hora? |
| Why? | ¿Por qué? |
| How? | ¿Cómo? |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto? |
| How many? | ¿Cuántos? |
| How often? | ¿Cada cuánto? |
| How long? | ¿Por cuánto tiempo? |
Useful Questions
| Do you speak English? | ¿Habla/s inglés? |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño? |
| What is the name of the restaurant? | ¿Cuál es el nombre del restaurante? |
| Where do you live? | ¿Dónde vives? |
| How can I get there? | ¿Cómo puedo llegar hasta allí? |
| Can I have the bill please? | ¿Puede darme la cuenta, por favor? / La cuenta, por favor |
| For me one … please! (Beer, wine, cocktail…) | ¡Para mí uno/a… por favor! (Cerveza, vino, cóctel…) |
| How much does that cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta eso? |
Asking for Help / Assistance in Spanish
| Can you please… | Puedes por favor… |
| Can you help me with this please? | ¿Puede ayudarme? |
Asking About the Time in Spanish
| What time is it? | ¿Qué hora es? |
| It is X o’clock. | Es la 1(una) / Son las XX (for any other time except 1 o’clock) |
| What time are we meeting? | ¿A qué hora nos vemos / quedamos? |
| What time does your school finish? | ¿A qué hora terminas las clases? |
| When do you have time? | ¿Cuándo tienes tiempo? |
| I’m free on / at … | Estoy libre el / a las… |
3. Travel, Directions & Transportation
Asking for directions is a part of everyday life. Whether you’re trying to get around the city or trying to find something at work. These Spanish phrases will help you naviagte your way around any location!
Giving / Getting Directions in Spanish
| Here | Aqui |
| There | Allí |
| On the right/ On the left | A la derecha/ A la izquierda |
| Turn left./ Turn right. | Gire a la izquierda./ Gire a la derecha. |
| Straight ahead | Todo recto |
| At the corner | En la esquina |
| Where is X? | ¿Dónde está X? |
| How far is it? | ¿A qué distancia está? |
| The first/ second/ third street on the left. The first/ second/third street on the right. | La primera/segunda/tercera calle a la izquierda.La primera/segunda/tercera calle a la derecha. |
| We can meet at X square. | Podemos encontrarnos en la plaza X |
| Near the fountain/ statue/ ect | Cerca de la fuente/ estatua/ ect |
| Where are we meeting? | ¿Dónde nos reunimos/vemos? |
| What street is that on? | ¿En qué calle está? |
| What’s the address? | ¿Cuál es la dirección? |
| How do you get there? | ¿Cómo se llega hasta allí? |
| How can I get there? | ¿Cómo puedo llegar hasta allí? |
Navigating Public Transportation in Spanish
These common Spanish phrases are essential when using public transportation around your city! By practicing these phrases you will navigate the underground system or the city’s bus routes in Spanish like a pro!
| Subway / Underground | Metro |
| Subway station / Bus station | Estación de metro / Estación de autobús |
| Subway stop / Bus Stop | Parada de metro / Parada de autobús |
| On what line is X? | ¿En qué línea está X? |
| My metro station is on line… | Mi estación de metro está en línea.. |
| It’s just X stops away from here. | Está a sólo X paradas de aquí. |
| Where can I get a taxi? | ¿Dónde puedo encontrar un taxi? |
| Where’s the nearest metro/ bus stop? | ¿Dónde está la parada de metro más cercana? |
| How much does a ticket to X cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete para X ? |
4. Housing & Accommodation
If you’re learning Spanish because you’re moving abroad or you are planning to take a vacation in a Spanish speaking country, then surely you will need some housing and accommodation vocabulary! Check out these common Spanish phrases for looking for a hotel or apartment to get off on a good start!
Staying at a Hotel in Spanish
| I’d like to reserve a room | quería reservar una habitación |
| For X nights | para X noches |
| How much does it cost per night? | ¿Cuánto cuesta por noche? |
| Is breakfast included in the price? | ¿Está incluido el desayuno en el precio? |
| I’d like to do the check-in | Me gustaría hacer el check-in |
| My key is not working | Mi llave no funciona |
Searching for Accommodation in Spanish
| Brand new | A estrenar |
| Furnished/ Is it furnished? | Amueblado/ ¿Está amueblado? |
| With an elevator | Con un ascensor |
| Well located | Bien situado |
| Deposit | Depósito / Fianza |
| How much is the deposit? | ¿Cuánto es el depósito / la fianza? |
| What is the length of the contract? | ¿Cuál es la duración del contrato? |
| To share (i.e. flat shares) | Compartir |
| Rooms | Habitación |
| Third floor | 3. piso / 3. planta |
| Renovated | ReformadoRehabilitado |
| How many bedrooms does the apartment have? | ¿Cuántas habitaciones tiene el piso? |
| Is the hob gas or electric? | ¿La cocina es de gas o eléctrica? |
| Does the rent include charges? (i.e. electricity, heating, etc.) | ¿El alquiler incluye gastos? |
| Is the kitchen equipped? i.e. does the flat come with a kitchen and utilities. | ¿La cocina está equipada? |
| When would it be available? | ¿Cuándo estaría disponible? |
| I’m interested in an apartment/a studio/a housethat has a minimum of X bedrooms,with a terrace or balcony | Estaba buscandoun piso/ tico/una casacon al menos X habitacionesy con terraza o balcón |
| I would like to get some information as regards apartments/houses for renting/buying. | Me gustaría obtener información sobre apartamentos/casas para alquilar/comprar. |
5. Food / Bar / Restaurants
Food is a part of our everyday life, so you will definitely need to take note of these basic Spanish phrases for food, visiting a bar or eating at a restaurant! You’ll learn these ones pretty quickly considering how often you will need to use them.
Mealtimes in Spanish & Related Vocabulary
| Breakfast | Desayuno |
| Bread | Pan |
| Jam | Mermelada |
| Scrambled eggs | Huevo revuelto |
| Omelet | Tortilla |
| Bacon | Tocino |
| Oatmeal | Avena |
| Lunch | Almuerzo / Comida |
| Lunch Combo | Menu del día |
| What’s for lunch today? | ¿Qué tiene el almuerzo/ comida de hoy? |
| What’s today’s menu? | ¿Cuál es el menú de hoy? |
| Does this come with X? | ¿Viene con X? |
| Main course / Entree | Plato principal/ Entrante |
| Dessert | Postre |
| Seafood | Mariscos |
| Meat | Carne |
| Fruits & vegetables | Frutas y verduras |
Eating at a Restaurant in Spanish
| Restaurant | Restaurante |
| To order | Pedir |
| I would like | Quisiera |
| The menu | El menú |
| Waiter, waitress | Camarero, camarera |
| Table | Mesa |
| Plate | Plato |
| Napkin | Servilleta |
| Fork | Tenedor |
| Spoon | Cuchillo |
| Knife | Cuchara |
| Glass (cup | Vaso |
| What is the typical food of this region? | ¿Cuál es la comida típica de esta región? |
| What do you recommend? | ¿Qué me recomienda? |
| Can I have the menu please? | ¿Me puede dar el menú, por favor?¿Puedo ver la carta, por favor? |
| Are there any vegetarian/vegan options? | ¿Hay opciones vegetarianas/veganas? |
| Do you have gluten-free options? | ¿Tienen opciones sin gluten? |
| Do you have any lactose-free options? | ¿Tienen opciones sin lactosa? |
| What’s your best-selling dish? | ¿Cuál es su plato más vendido? |
| Does this dish contain meat/fish/lactose/gluten? | ¿Este plato contiene carne/pescado/lactosa/gluten? |
| Can we just have a drink here? | ¿Podemos tomar algo aquí? |
| We’re a group of X | Somos X |
| Do you have a table available on the terrace? | ¿Tienen alguna mesa disponible en la terraza? |
| I would like to reserve a table. | Me gustaría reservar una mesa. |
| Is it possible to make a reservation on the … | ¿Es posible hacer una reserva en la … |
| For me the … please. | Para mí el … por favor. |
| Can we have the bill please? | La cuenta, por favor |
| Can we pay separately? | ¿Podemos pagar por separado? |
| Can I have some ice please? | ¿Puedo tener un poco de hielo, por favor? |
| Do you have… ? | ¿Tiene…? |
That’s it for our 100+ common Spanish phrases that will help you start your Spanish speaking journey! Do you have some suggestions for us? Feel free to share them in the comments below!
Leah Warner
Leah has been living in and exploring Madrid since 2013 when she moved to the city for a simple summer abroad. She started the Citylife Blog in 2014 with the goal to share everything there is to know about her favourite place on earth!
5 Comments. Leave new
bbe
Do you have suggestions for phrases specifically for traveling by train or metro in Madrid?
Hey Desain, you could use the following:
1. Managing your Abono
¿Dónde puedo recargar el Abono? (Where can I recharge the Abono?)
La tarjeta no funciona en el torno. (The card isn’t working at the turnstile.)
¿Mi Abono cubre hasta esta zona? (Does my Abono cover up to this zone?)
2. Navigating the Stations
¿Este es el andén para ir a Atocha? (Is this the platform to go to Atocha?)
¿Dónde se hace el transbordo para la línea 6? (Where do I transfer for line 6?)
¿Cuál es la salida para la calle de Alcalá? (Which is the exit for Alcala Street?)
3. Moving through the Crowd
¿Se baja en la próxima? (Are you getting off at the next one?)
Perdone, ¿me deja pasar? (Excuse me, will you let me pass?)
Pro Tip for Madrid: Remember that the Abono Joven covers all zones from A to E2. If you are heading to places like Segovia or Toledo on the green Interurbanos buses, your pass has you covered at no extra cost!
Safe travels on the Metro!
bbe
for someone visiting Spain for the first time, which category of phrases (like greetings, ordering food, or asking directions) do you think they should focus on first to make their trip smoother?
For a first-time visitor, while greetings are polite, ordering food is the absolute priority for a smooth and delicious trip. Eating is the heart of Spanish social life, and the dining culture has specific customs that are much easier to navigate with a few key phrases. Here is why you should prioritize the “Table Talk” first:
1. Navigating the Bar and Tapa Scene
¿Me pone una caña, por favor? (Can I have a small draft beer, please?)
¿Qué tiene esta tapa? (What is in this tapa?)
¿Nos puede traer la cuenta cuando pueda? (Can you bring us the bill when you can?)
2. Mastering the Menú del Día (Lunch)
¿Tienen menú del día? (Do you have the set lunch menu?)
De primero quiero… y de segundo… (For my first course I will have… and for my second…)
¿Qué hay de postre? (What are the options for dessert?)
3. Essential Interactions
Perdone (Excuse me) Use this to get a waiter’s attention politely.
¿Tienen alguna opción vegetariana? (Do you have any vegetarian options?)
¿Se puede pagar con tarjeta? (Can I pay with a card?)
Pro Tip for Spain: Remember that the bill almost never comes automatically because it is considered rude to rush guests. You aren’t being ignored! When you are ready to leave, simply catch the waiter’s eye and ask for la cuenta.
Thank you for this list.