69 phrases · 137 replies · audio for every line

Spanish phrases for travelers, and what you’ll hear back

Most phrasebooks stop after your half of the sentence. This one gives you the reply too: what the barista, the waiter and the ticket clerk actually say back. Hear every line in a female or male voice, slowly or at full speed, and print the whole list for the trip.

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Basic Spanish phrases and greetings

In Spain you greet before you ask for anything, and hola is fine with almost anyone, including shop and bar staff. People often shorten buenos días and buenas tardes to a quick buenas.

  1. ¡Hola, buenos días!

    Hello, good morning!

    Buenos días lasts until lunch, around two; then it's buenas tardes until dark, and buenas noches after that.

    You may hear

    • ¡Buenos días! ¿Qué le pongo?

      Good morning! What can I get you?

    • ¡Hola, buenas!

      Hi there!

  2. ¡Muchas gracias!

    Thank you very much!

    You may hear

    • De nada.

      You're welcome.

    • No hay de qué.

      Don't mention it.

  3. Perdón, ¿puedo pasar?

    Excuse me, can I get past?

    You may hear

    • Sí, claro, pase.

      Yes, of course, go ahead.

    • Perdona, no te había visto.

      Sorry, I hadn't seen you.

  4. ¡Lo siento mucho!

    I'm so sorry!

    You may hear

    • No pasa nada.

      It's fine, no harm done.

    • Nada, no se preocupe.

      Don't worry about it.

  5. Perdone, no lo he entendido.

    Sorry, I didn't understand.

    You may hear

    • Vale, se lo repito más despacio.

      OK, I'll say it again more slowly.

    • ¿Y ahora?

      How about now?

  6. ¿Habla inglés?

    Do you speak English?

    You may hear

    • Un poquito.

      A little bit.

    • No, lo siento.

      No, I'm sorry.

  7. ¿Puede hablar más despacio, por favor?

    Could you speak more slowly, please?

    You may hear

    • Sí, claro, perdone.

      Yes, of course, sorry.

  8. Perdone, ¿dónde están los servicios?

    Excuse me, where are the toilets?

    El baño works too. Bar toilets are meant for customers, so order something first if you can.

    You may hear

    • Al fondo a la derecha.

      At the back, on the right.

    • Son solo para clientes.

      They're for customers only.

  9. ¡Gracias, hasta luego!

    Thanks, bye!

    Hasta luego is the everyday goodbye in shops and bars, even if you'll never be back; adiós can sound more final.

    You may hear

    • ¡Venga, hasta luego!

      Right then, bye!

    • ¡Que vaya bien!

      All the best!

Ordering at a Spanish café and tapas bar

A Spanish bar serves coffee and breakfast in the morning and beer, wine and tapas later on, often at the same counter. You usually order, eat and drink first, and pay when you are ready to leave.

  1. Un café con leche, por favor.

    A white coffee, please.

    Café solo is an espresso, a cortado is an espresso with a dash of milk, and café con leche is about half coffee, half milk.

    You may hear

    • ¿En taza o en vaso?

      In a cup or a glass?

    • ¿Para tomar aquí o para llevar?

      For here or to take away?

  2. Un zumo de naranja y una tostada, por favor.

    An orange juice and a piece of toast, please.

    The classic breakfast is toast with grated tomato and olive oil, and orange juice is often freshly squeezed.

    You may hear

    • ¿Con tomate o con mantequilla y mermelada?

      With tomato, or butter and jam?

    • ¿Entera o media?

      A whole one or a half?

  3. Una caña, por favor.

    A small draught beer, please.

    Una caña is a small glass of draught beer; for a bottle, ask for un tercio.

    You may hear

    • ¡Marchando!

      Coming right up!

    • Te pongo unas aceitunas.

      I'll give you some olives with it.

  4. ¿Qué tapas tiene?

    What tapas do you have?

    In some cities, Granada best known among them, a small tapa comes free with each drink; elsewhere you usually order and pay for them.

    You may hear

    • Tenemos croquetas, tortilla y boquerones.

      We've got croquetas, tortilla and fresh anchovies.

    • Están en la pizarra.

      They're on the board.

  5. Una ración de patatas bravas para compartir.

    A plate of patatas bravas to share.

    A tapa is a small plate, a media ración is half a portion, and a ración is a full plate for sharing.

    You may hear

    • ¿Algo más?

      Anything else?

    • Ahora mismo os la saco.

      I'll bring it out to you right away.

  6. ¿Podemos sentarnos en la terraza?

    Can we sit outside?

    You may hear

    • Sí, sentaos donde queráis.

      Yes, sit wherever you like.

    • ¿Qué vais a tomar?

      What are you having?

  7. ¿Me cobra, por favor?

    Can I pay, please?

    Tipping is not expected at the bar; leaving the small change is plenty.

    You may hear

    • Son seis euros con cincuenta.

      That's six euros fifty.

    • ¿Con tarjeta o en efectivo?

      Card or cash?

Spanish phrases for the restaurant

Spain eats late: lunch runs from about two to four, and dinner rarely starts before nine. Wait to be shown to a table in a restaurant, and ask for the bill when you want it, because it will not come on its own.

  1. Buenas noches, ¿tiene mesa para dos?

    Good evening, do you have a table for two?

    You may hear

    • ¿Tenéis reserva?

      Have you booked?

    • ¿Dentro o en la terraza?

      Inside or on the terrace?

  2. ¿Tiene menú del día?

    Do you have a set lunch menu?

    The menú del día is a fixed-price lunch, usually on weekdays: a starter, a main, bread, a drink, and dessert or coffee.

    You may hear

    • Sí, son catorce euros con bebida y postre.

      Yes, it's fourteen euros with a drink and dessert.

    • Solo a mediodía, entre semana.

      Only at lunchtime, on weekdays.

  3. De primero, el gazpacho, y de segundo, la merluza.

    The gazpacho to start, and the hake for my main.

    You may hear

    • ¿Y para beber?

      And to drink?

    • La merluza, ¿a la plancha o rebozada?

      The hake, grilled or in batter?

  4. ¿Qué nos recomienda?

    What do you recommend?

    You may hear

    • El pulpo hoy está buenísimo.

      The octopus is really good today.

    • Fuera de carta tenemos rabo de toro.

      Off the menu, we have oxtail stew.

  5. No como carne.

    I don't eat meat.

    Ham turns up in dishes that sound meat-free, from vegetable stews to salads and croquetas, so ask.

    You may hear

    • ¿Y pescado?

      What about fish?

    • Lleva jamón, pero se lo quitamos.

      It has ham in it, but we'll leave it out.

  6. ¿Tiene algo sin gluten?

    Do you have anything gluten-free?

    You may hear

    • Sí, en la carta están marcados los alérgenos.

      Yes, the allergens are marked on the menu.

    • Lo pregunto en cocina.

      I'll ask in the kitchen.

  7. ¿Nos trae una jarra de agua del grifo?

    Could you bring us a jug of tap water?

    Since 2022, Spanish law says bars and restaurants must offer tap water free of charge.

    You may hear

    • Claro, ahora os la traigo.

      Of course, I'll bring it over now.

    • ¿Fría o del tiempo?

      Cold or room temperature?

  8. ¡Perdone!

    Excuse me!

    You may hear

    • ¡Voy!

      Coming!

    • ¿Queréis algo de postre o café?

      Would you like any dessert or coffee?

  9. La cuenta, por favor.

    Could we have the bill, please?

    Bread brought to the table is often charged for. Tipping is optional; rounding up or leaving a euro or two is plenty.

    You may hear

    • ¿Juntos o por separado?

      Together or separately?

    • Ahora mismo se la traigo.

      I'll bring it right away.

Train tickets and platforms

Cercanías are the local commuter trains around the big cities. Long-distance tickets, including the high-speed AVE, are for one train and one seat, and your bag goes through a scanner before you reach the platform.

  1. Un billete para Sevilla, por favor.

    A ticket to Seville, please.

    Boards and tickets use the Spanish city names: Sevilla, Zaragoza, A Coruña.

    You may hear

    • ¿Solo ida o ida y vuelta?

      One way or return?

    • ¿Para qué hora?

      For what time?

  2. Perdone, ¿de qué andén sale el tren a Madrid?

    Excuse me, which platform does the Madrid train leave from?

    Departure boards show the track number (vía), and at big stations it often appears only shortly before the train leaves.

    You may hear

    • De la vía cinco.

      From track five.

    • Todavía no ha salido en la pantalla.

      It isn't up on the screen yet.

  3. ¿Este tren para en Alcalá de Henares?

    Does this train stop at Alcalá de Henares?

    You may hear

    • Sí, para en todas.

      Yes, it stops at all of them.

    • No, tiene que coger el de la vía dos.

      No, you need the one on track two.

  4. ¿Dónde se saca el billete de Cercanías?

    Where do I get a Cercanías ticket?

    You may hear

    • En esas máquinas de ahí.

      From those machines over there.

    • En la taquilla, al final del pasillo.

      At the ticket office, at the end of the corridor.

  5. ¿Con cuánta antelación tengo que llegar?

    How early do I need to get here?

    You may hear

    • Con media hora le sobra.

      Half an hour is plenty.

    • Hay que pasar el control de equipajes.

      You have to go through the baggage check.

  6. ¿El tren viene con retraso?

    Is the train running late?

    You may hear

    • Sí, unos veinte minutos.

      Yes, about twenty minutes.

    • Lo han cancelado, lo siento.

      It's been cancelled, I'm sorry.

  7. Perdone, creo que este es mi asiento.

    Excuse me, I think this is my seat.

    You may hear

    • ¿Seguro? Esto es el coche seis.

      Are you sure? This is coach six.

    • Ay, perdona, me he equivocado.

      Oh, sorry, my mistake.

Metro, buses, taxis and directions

Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao and several other cities have a metro, with tickets sold at station machines and often loaded onto a reusable travel card. You can hail a taxi in the street when the green light on its roof is on.

  1. ¿Se puede pagar en el autobús?

    Can you pay on the bus?

    You may hear

    • Sí, acerque la tarjeta aquí.

      Yes, tap your card here.

    • No, tiene que sacar el billete antes.

      No, you have to get your ticket beforehand.

  2. ¿Qué billete me recomienda para tres días?

    Which ticket do you recommend for three days?

    You may hear

    • El abono turístico le sale mejor.

      The tourist travel pass works out cheaper.

    • Con uno de diez viajes tiene de sobra.

      A ten-trip ticket will be more than enough.

  3. Perdone, ¿qué línea tengo que coger para Sol?

    Excuse me, which line do I take for Sol?

    Metro lines go by number and colour, and the signs give the direction by the last station on the line.

    You may hear

    • La uno, dirección Valdecarros.

      Line one, towards Valdecarros.

    • Tiene que cambiar en la siguiente.

      You need to change at the next stop.

  4. ¿Me avisa cuando tenga que bajarme?

    Could you tell me when I need to get off?

    You may hear

    • No te preocupes, yo te aviso.

      Don't worry, I'll tell you.

    • Es la próxima.

      It's the next one.

  5. Perdone, ¿cómo llego a la Plaza Mayor?

    Excuse me, how do I get to the Plaza Mayor?

    You may hear

    • Todo recto y la segunda a la izquierda.

      Straight on and the second left.

    • Siga esta calle hasta el final y ya la verá.

      Follow this street to the end and you'll see it.

  6. ¿Está lejos andando?

    Is it far to walk?

    You may hear

    • Andando, un cuarto de hora.

      About a quarter of an hour on foot.

    • No, está aquí al lado.

      No, it's just round the corner.

  7. ¿Cuánto cuesta ir al aeropuerto?

    How much is it to the airport?

    Madrid's airport taxis charge a fixed fare to anywhere inside the M-30 ring road; in other cities, ask what it will cost before you set off.

    You may hear

    • Hay tarifa fija desde el centro.

      There's a fixed fare from the centre.

    • Depende del tráfico, unos treinta euros.

      It depends on the traffic, about thirty euros.

Spanish phrases for the hotel

Hotels ask for every guest's passport or ID card at check-in, because Spanish law requires them to register each guest. Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and a few other places add a small tourist tax per person per night.

  1. Buenas tardes, tengo una reserva a nombre de Smith.

    Good afternoon, I have a booking under the name Smith.

    You may hear

    • ¿Me deja su pasaporte, por favor?

      Could I see your passport, please?

    • ¿Me firma aquí, por favor?

      Could you sign here, please?

  2. ¿A qué hora es el desayuno?

    What time is breakfast?

    You may hear

    • De siete y media a diez y media.

      From half past seven to half past ten.

    • El desayuno no está incluido.

      Breakfast isn't included.

  3. ¿Cuál es la contraseña del wifi?

    What's the wifi password?

    You may hear

    • Viene en el sobre de la llave.

      It's on the key card holder.

    • Ahora se la apunto.

      I'll write it down for you.

  4. ¿Podemos dejar las maletas aquí hasta las cinco?

    Can we leave our bags here until five?

    You may hear

    • Sí, claro, dejadlas ahí.

      Yes, of course, leave them over there.

    • Aquí tiene el resguardo.

      Here's your ticket.

  5. ¿Nos podría traer toallas limpias?

    Could you bring us some clean towels?

    You may hear

    • ¿Me dice el número de habitación?

      Could you give me your room number?

    • Ahora mismo se las subo.

      I'll bring them up right away.

  6. El aire acondicionado no funciona.

    The air conditioning isn't working.

    In many rooms the air conditioning only runs while the key card is in the slot by the door.

    You may hear

    • ¿Ha puesto la tarjeta en la ranura?

      Did you put the key card in the slot?

    • Ahora mismo mando a alguien.

      I'll send someone up right away.

  7. ¿A qué hora hay que dejar la habitación?

    What time do we have to check out?

    You may hear

    • Antes de las doce.

      Before twelve.

    • Si quiere, puede quedársela hasta la una.

      If you like, you can keep it until one.

Shopping and paying

Many small shops close for a long lunch, roughly from two to five, while supermarkets and chain stores stay open all day. Most shops are shut on Sundays, except in Madrid and some tourist areas.

  1. Solo estoy mirando, gracias.

    I'm just looking, thanks.

    Shop staff often use tú with younger customers; it's friendly, not rude, and you can answer the same way.

    You may hear

    • Vale, cualquier cosa me dices.

      OK, just ask if you need anything.

    • Muy bien, sin problema.

      That's fine, no problem.

  2. ¿Me lo puedo probar?

    Can I try it on?

    You may hear

    • ¿Qué talla usas?

      What size are you?

    • Los probadores están al fondo.

      The fitting rooms are at the back.

  3. ¿Lo tiene en una talla más grande?

    Do you have it in a bigger size?

    You may hear

    • Déjeme que mire en el almacén.

      Let me check in the stockroom.

    • Es el último que queda.

      That's the last one.

  4. ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?

    Can I pay by card?

    You may hear

    • Sí, acérquela al datáfono.

      Yes, tap it on the card machine.

    • Solo en efectivo, lo siento.

      Cash only, I'm sorry.

  5. ¿Me da una bolsa, por favor?

    Could I have a bag, please?

    Shops have to charge for plastic bags, usually a few cents.

    You may hear

    • Son diez céntimos.

      That's ten cents.

    • ¿Es para regalo?

      Is it a present?

  6. ¿Quién es el último?

    Who's last in the queue?

    At market stalls and small shops there is often no visible queue, so ask who is last and go after that person.

    You may hear

    • Soy yo.

      Me.

    • Esa señora de ahí.

      That lady over there.

  7. Medio kilo de tomates, por favor.

    Half a kilo of tomatoes, please.

    You may hear

    • ¿Los quiere maduros o para ensalada?

      Do you want them ripe, or firm for a salad?

    • ¿Algo más?

      Anything else?

  8. Cien gramos de jamón serrano, por favor.

    A hundred grams of serrano ham, please.

    You may hear

    • Son ciento veinte gramos, ¿vale?

      It's a hundred and twenty grams, is that OK?

    • ¿Se lo pongo en lonchas finas?

      Shall I slice it thin?

Museums and sightseeing

Book timed tickets online for the big sights: the Alhambra in Granada often sells out weeks ahead. Many museums close one day a week, often Monday, and several have free entry for the last hours of the day.

  1. Dos entradas, por favor.

    Two tickets, please.

    You may hear

    • ¿Generales o reducidas?

      Full price or reduced?

    • ¿Las habéis comprado por internet?

      Have you bought them online?

  2. ¿Hay descuento para estudiantes?

    Is there a discount for students?

    Reduced prices often depend on your age as well as a student card, so carry your passport or ID.

    You may hear

    • Sí, con el carné de estudiante.

      Yes, with a student card.

    • Solo hasta los veinticinco años.

      Only up to age twenty-five.

  3. ¿A qué hora es la entrada gratuita?

    What time is free entry?

    You may hear

    • De seis a ocho, pero hay mucha cola.

      From six to eight, but there's a long queue.

    • Hoy no hay, solo los domingos por la tarde.

      Not today, only on Sunday afternoons.

  4. ¿A qué hora cierra el museo?

    What time does the museum close?

    You may hear

    • A las ocho, pero la taquilla cierra a las siete y media.

      At eight, but the ticket office closes at half past seven.

    • Los lunes está cerrado.

      It's closed on Mondays.

  5. Perdone, ¿por dónde se entra?

    Excuse me, where's the way in?

    You may hear

    • Por la otra puerta, a la vuelta.

      Through the other door, round the corner.

    • Por aquí es solo la salida.

      This way is only the exit.

  6. ¿Se pueden hacer fotos?

    Can we take photos?

    You may hear

    • Sí, pero sin flash.

      Yes, but no flash.

    • No, aquí está prohibido.

      No, it's not allowed in here.

  7. ¿Hay audioguía en inglés?

    Is there an audio guide in English?

    You may hear

    • Sí, son cinco euros.

      Yes, it's five euros.

    • Se la puede descargar en el móvil.

      You can download it on your phone.

Pharmacy, doctor and emergencies

Pharmacies have a green cross sign, and medicines, even paracetamol and ibuprofen, are sold only there, not in supermarkets. For an emergency, call 112 from any phone.

  1. Perdone, ¿hay una farmacia por aquí?

    Excuse me, is there a pharmacy near here?

    At night and on holidays a duty pharmacy (farmacia de guardia) stays open, and every pharmacy door posts which ones are on duty nearby.

    You may hear

    • Sí, al final de la calle.

      Yes, at the end of the street.

    • A estas horas solo está abierta la de guardia.

      At this time only the duty pharmacy is open.

  2. Me duele la cabeza. ¿Me puede dar algo?

    I have a headache. Can you give me something for it?

    You may hear

    • ¿Es alérgico a algún medicamento?

      Are you allergic to any medicines?

    • Tómese una cada ocho horas.

      Take one every eight hours.

  3. Mi hijo tiene fiebre.

    My son has a temperature.

    You may hear

    • ¿Le ha puesto el termómetro?

      Have you taken his temperature?

    • ¿Qué edad tiene?

      How old is he?

  4. Soy alérgico a la penicilina.

    I'm allergic to penicillin.

    A woman says alérgica.

    You may hear

    • ¿Toma algún otro medicamento?

      Are you taking any other medicines?

    • Entonces le doy otra cosa.

      Then I'll give you something else.

  5. Necesito un médico.

    I need a doctor.

    You may hear

    • ¿Es urgente?

      Is it urgent?

    • Vaya al centro de salud, está aquí al lado.

      Go to the health centre, it's just round the corner.

  6. ¡Llame a una ambulancia, rápido!

    Call an ambulance, quick!

    You may hear

    • ¿Qué ha pasado?

      What happened?

    • Ya viene de camino.

      It's on its way.

  7. He perdido el pasaporte.

    I've lost my passport.

    Report it at a police station (comisaría) first; your embassy or consulate needs the police report to issue an emergency travel document.

    You may hear

    • Tiene que poner una denuncia.

      You need to report it to the police.

    • Luego vaya a su consulado.

      Then go to your consulate.

  8. Me han robado la cartera.

    My wallet has been stolen.

    You may hear

    • ¿Dónde ha sido?

      Where did it happen?

    • Llame al banco para anular las tarjetas.

      Call your bank to cancel your cards.

Questions travellers ask

01

How do you say hello and thank you in Spanish?

Hola is hello, and it is fine with anyone. Buenos días (good morning) until lunch, around two, then buenas tardes, and buenas noches late in the evening. Gracias is thank you, muchas gracias thank you very much.

02

What are the most useful Spanish phrases for travel?

Five get you through most of a trip: hola, buenos días (hello, good morning), por favor (please), muchas gracias (thank you very much), perdone (excuse me) and la cuenta, por favor (the bill, please). This page takes you further: the café and tapas bar, the restaurant, the station, the hotel and the pharmacy, with the replies you will get.

03

Do I need to speak Spanish to travel in Spain?

No. In the big cities and holiday areas plenty of people speak some English. But a few words of Spanish change how you are treated, and away from the main sights the answer often comes back in Spanish. That is why every phrase here comes with its likely replies. In Catalonia, the Valencia region, the Balearic Islands, the Basque Country and Galicia you will also see a second official language on signs, but everyone there speaks Spanish too.

04

Should I use usted or tú?

Spain uses tú more than most Spanish-speaking countries. Bar and shop staff will often call you tú, especially if you are young, and it is friendly, not rude. Use usted with older people and in more formal places such as hotel reception, the pharmacy or a police station, and follow the other person's lead. Every phrase on this page uses usted. For two or more people, Spain uses vosotros wherever it would use tú, where Latin America says ustedes, so waiters use it with groups all the time: ¿Qué vais a tomar? means what are you having?

05

How do I get the pronunciation right?

Spanish is read almost exactly as it is written, so listening is the quickest teacher. Play a line slowly, then at normal speed, and say it aloud with the voice. In most of Spain, z and c before e or i sound like the th in think (zumo, gracias). Words ending in a vowel, n or s are stressed on the second-to-last syllable, and others on the last; a written accent (café, andén) marks a word that breaks that rule.

06

Can I download these phrases?

Yes. The printable PDF has every phrase and reply on a few pages, with a code beside each section that opens its audio here. It is free and asks for nothing, not even an email address.

Before you go

Replies are where a phrasebook runs out. The words that come back most often are the most common words in the language, and the 1,000 most common Spanish words are free to download. The vocabulary quiz estimates how far beyond them your vocabulary already reaches.

Staying longer than the trip? The phrases here are the same for everyone. Apera chooses words from the Spanish you read there — a book page, subtitles or lyrics — using what you already know.

The phrases were drafted with AI, and the voices are synthetic. The audio is free for personal study; please do not use it to train AI or speech models.