Spanish Phrases

In Spanish, all vowels are pronounced the same. Proper pronunciation of the vowel sounds allows one to speak nearly any Spanish word so that it may be understood.

Vowels

• In Spanish, A is like the 'ah' in 'haha', or 'awe'.
• In Spanish, E is like the long a, like the 'a' in 'hay'.
• In Spanish, I is like the long e, like the 'ee' in 'keep'.
• In Spanish, O is more or less a short 'o', the 'o' in 'or'.
• In Spanish, U is like the 'oo' in 'zoo'.

Consonants

• In Spanish, H is silent. Hotel is 'O-tell'.
• In Spanish, J is the 'H' sound. Jalapeño, is 'haw-la-pain-yo'.
• In Spanish, Ñ is a sound like 'nyuh' like in the above example.
• In Spanish, RR is a rolling 'r'. This usually takes practice. Try purring like a cat.
• In Spanish, B is frequently pronounced like the letter 'V'
• In Spanish, V is frequently pronounced like the letter 'B'
• In Spanish, G is pronounced with an 'H' sound unless in front of a 'U' like guacamole, then it is 'GW'.

Greetings

• Hello / Hola
• Goodbye / Adios
• Good morning/good day / Buenos dias
• Good afternoon / Buenas tardes
• Good evening/night / Buenas noches
• How are you? / Como esta usted?
• Very well thank you / Muy bien, gracias
• See you soon / Hasta luego
• That’s all right / Esta bien
• Don’t worry / No se preocupe

Useful Statements

• I (don’t) like it / (No) me gusta
• I’m not sure / No estoy seguro
• I don’t know / No se
• I think so / Creo que si
• I’m hungry (thirsty) / Tengo hambre (sed)
• I’m tired / Estoy cansado
• I’m ready / Estoy listo
• Leave me alone / Dejame solo por favor
• Just one minute / Un minuto por favor
• One moment please / Un momento por favor
• Come in / Adelante
• It’s cheap (expensive) / Es barato (caro)
• It’s cold (hot) / Hace frio (calor)
• It’s too much / Es demasiado
• That’s all / Es todo
• Thank you for your help / Gracias por tu ayuda
• Taxi please / Taxi por favor

Opposites

• Before (After) / Antes (Despues)
• Early (Late) / Temprano (Tarde)
• First (Last) / Primero (Ultimo)
• Here (There) / Aqui (Alli)
• Now (Then) / Ahora (Entonces)
• Small (Large) / Pequeño (Grande)
• Empty (Full) / Vacio (Lleno)
• Few (Many) / Pocos (Muchos)
• More (Less) / Mas (Menos)
• Beautifu l(Ugly) / Bonito (Feo)
• Better (Worse) / Mejor (Peor)
• Clean (Dirty) / Limpio (Sucio)
• Cold (Hot) / Frio (Caliente)
• Free (Taken) / Libre (Ocupado)
• Open (Closed) / Abierto (Cerrado)

Common Phrases

• Yes / Si
• No / No
• Please / Por favor
• Thank you / Gracias
• You’re welcome / De nada
• No thank you / No gracias
• Sorry / Perdone
• What is your name? / Como se llama?
• My name is ___ / Me llamo ___

Language Problems

• Do you speak English? / Habla Ingles?
• Do you understand me? / Me entiende?
• I don’t speak Spanish / No hablo Español
• Please speak slowly / Hable despacio por favor
• I don’t understand / No entiendo

Questions

• Where is(are)? / Donde esta(estan)?
• When? / Cuando?
• Who? / Quien?
• Why? / Por que?
• What? / Que?
• How much is (are)? Cuanto es(son)?
• How far? / Que distancia hay?
• I want (would like...) / Quiero...
• What is the matter? / Que pasa?
• Can you help me? / Puede usted ayudarme?
• Can you show me? / Puede usted enseñarme?
• Can you tell me? / Puede usted decirme?

In A Restaurant

• I’ve reserved a table / Reserve una mesa
• Waiter(Waitress) / Camarero(Camarera)
• May I have the menu? / El menu por favor?
• May I have the wine list? / La lista de vinos?
• I’d like... / Quiero...
• A little more / Un poco mas
• What will you drink? / Que desea beber?
• This is bad / No esta buena
• One beer please / Una cerveza por favor
• Glass of water / Un vaso de aqua
• Ice (cubes) / Hielo
• The bill please / La cuenta por favor
• Cheers! / Salud!
• Breakfast / El desayuno
• Lunch / El almuerzo
• Dinner / La comida(la cena)