How to Speak Basic Spanish Phrases
If you are in a foreign country, it is a good idea to learn a little of the language, in case you can't find anyone who speaks English. Spanish is also becoming more and more commonly spoken in the United States. It could be helpful to learn a few phrases if you will be meeting or working with someone who speaks Spanish.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Greet the person. To do this, say, "Hola." The H is not pronounced. Shake the person's hand and tell them, "Mucho gusto." This means, "Nice to meet you." If they say "Mucho gusto" to you, say "Igualmente." This means, "Likewise."
-
2
Ask your question, if you need information from them. One good question is "Habla inglés?" Inglés is pronounced like the word "ace." This means "Do you speak English?" Another good phrase is "Donde está el baño?" Ask this if you need to know where the bathroom is. You can say "Donde está (place or item)?" for anything you need to find. In an emergency, "Necesito ayuda" means, "I need help."
-
-
3
Thank the person. If they have helped you or done business with you, say thank you or "Gracias."
-
4
Say goodbye. To do this informally, say "Adios." Another casual goodbye is "Hasta mas tarde," or "Hasta mañana," which mean, respectively, "Until later," and "Until tomorrow." If it is someone who deserves respect or someone older than you, you should use a formal goodbye, such as "Buenos dias" (good morning), "Buenas tardes," (good afternoon) or "Buenas noches" (good night).
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Before you try to start communication with a Spanish speaker, buy a Spanish-English dictionary. A book version will work for rare encounters, but if you need to communicate on the go, an electronic dictionary is faster and more practical.
Be respectful with your use of the language. Try to use formal speech whenever possible, since many hispanic cultures are much more formal than American culture is.
