Travelling becomes more interesting when you communicate with natives and are able to immerse yourselves in a new culture. To make this happen, you have to learn some basic expressions of the official or most spoken language of the country you are traveling to. This way, you can seek assistance and confidently navigate through your favorite destination. Here, we will prepare you for a perfect Spanish trip by teaching you essential Spanish expressions and sentences for travelers.

Greetings and expressions of courtesy

Whether you speak Spanish or any other language, greetings and expressions of courtesy always make a positive impression. They are considered a polite and respectful way to converse with people. Here are some very commonly used Spanish expressions of courtesy and greetings.

  • Hola! ─ Hi!
  • Buenos días! ─ Good morning!
  • Buenas tardes! ─ Good afternoon!
  • Buenas noches! ─ Good evening!
  • ¿Cómo estás? ─ How are you?
  • ¡Bien, gracias! ─ Good, thank you!
  • Por favor! ─ Please!
  • Gracias! ─ Thank you.
  • Perdón! ─ Sorry.

 

For casual use

In a completely new place, you always use basic lines to start a conversation and smoothly interact with natives. The following basic sentences are easy to learn and retain and can assist you in communicating with native speakers.

  • ¿Cómo te llamas? ─  What’s your name?
  • Mi lengua nativa es… ─ My native language is…
  • Me llamo… ─  My name is…
  • Soy un turista ─ I’m a tourist.
  • ¿Dónde está la salida? ─ Where is the exit?
  • Hay algún bar por aquí? – Is there a pub/bar around here?
  • ¿Puede conseguirme usted una entrada? – Can you get me a ticket?
  • ¿Dónde está el baño? – Where is the bathroom?
  • ¿Dónde está la parada de taxis? ─ Where is the taxi stand?
  • ¿Dónde está la parada de autobús? ─ Where is the bus stop?
  • ¿Dónde está la estación de tren más cercana? ─  Where is the nearest train station?
  • ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete de taxi hasta el centro de la ciudad? ─ How much is a taxi ticket to the city center?
  • ¿Cuál es la mejor manera de llegar al centro de la ciudad? ─ What is the best way to get to the city center?
  • ¿Dónde hay un mostrador de cambio de moneda? ─ Where is there a currency exchange desk?
  • Por favor repita ─ Please repeat.

 

For communicating in hotels

To properly communicate in a hotel, you need to learn all these commonly used Spanish expressions and sentences.

  • Tengo una reserva a nombre de… ─ I have a reservation under…
  • ¿Dónde está la recepción? ─ Where is the reception?
  • ¿Cuál es mi número de habitación? ─ What is my room number?
  • ¿A qué hora sirven el desayuno? ─ What time do you serve breakfast?
  • ¿Cuál es la contraseña de Wifi? ─ What ‘s the Wifi password?
  • ¿A qué hora es el desayuno? ─ What time is breakfast?
  • ¿Dónde puedo dejar mi equipaje antes de hacer el check-in? ─ Where can I leave my luggage before checking in?
  • ¿Dónde está la piscina/el gimnasio/el restaurante/el salónel jardín/ el balcón? ─ Where is the swimming pool / the gym / the restaurant/ the hall?
  • ¿Tiene servicio a la habitación? ─ Do you have room service?

 

For shopping

You are always comfortable doing shopping when you can communicate in your native language. In a foreign land, you might feel very unconfident and puzzled while speaking with the shopkeepers. The following sentences can make this conversation easy for you.

  • ¿Cuánto cuesta? ─ How much is it?
  • ¿Tiene esto en otro color?─ Do you have this in another color?
  • ¿Dónde está el probador? ─ Where is the fitting room?
  • ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta de crédito? ─ Can i pay with a credit card?
  • ¿Puedes bajar el precio? ─ Can you lower the price?
  • ¿Hay algún descuento especial? ─ Is there any special discount?

 

For use at the airport

Finding assistance at an airport is not possible without being able to communicate in the native language. These sentences can help you seek assistance and carry everything out properly at an airport.

  • Quisiera cambiar mi asiento ─ I would like to change my seat
  • Quisiera cambiar mi reserva ─ I would like to change my reservation
  • Este es mi equipaje de mano ─ This is my carry-on luggage
  • ¿Dónde puedo recoger mi equipaje? ─ Where can I pick up my luggage?
  • ¿Dónde puedo comprar las entradas? ─ Where can i buy tickets?
  • ¿Dónde está la puerta de embarque? ─ Where is the boarding gate?

 

For emergency situations

The most crucial moment when you are required to communicate in a native language is when you need help in an emergency situation. The following Spanish expressions can assist you in unfortunate circumstances.

  • ¡Ayuda! / Socorro! ─ Help!
  • ¿Podría ayudarme, por favor? ─ Can you help me, please?
  • ¿Puedes llamar a una ambulancia? ─ Can you call an ambulance?
  • Tengo una emergencia medica ─ I have a medical emergency
  • He perdido mi pasaporte ─ I have lost my passport
  • Dónde está la estación de policía ─ Where is the police station?
  • ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano? ─ Where is the nearest hospital?
  • ¿Dónde está la farmacia? ─ Where is the pharmacy?

 

Conclusion

All these words, expressions, and sentences are very helpful for you to interact with locals in the beautiful country of Spain. Learning them properly and retaining them can benefit you also in other areas. These areas might include France, Portugal, Italy, etc. where there is a certain percentage of people speaking Spanish. 

Moreover, learning these basic phrases shows a special interest in that language and native speakers respect this fact. For this, you must properly familiarize yourself with these helpful expressions and sentences before embarking on a memorable journey. If you’d like to level up your Spanish skills, join a course at Eton Institute today!