100 Common Spanish Phrases And Questions To Survive Any Situation + Audio
Whether you’re planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country, looking to learn Spanish, or just wanting to make conversation with friends or family, knowing common Spanish phrases can be incredibly valuable.
Take a look at this video made for you by Juan from Spring Spanish (a project I’m a co-founder):
Not only does it help you navigate daily situations, but it also enriches your experiences and allows you to connect with others more deeply.
From ordering food to making small talk, a foundation of basic Spanish phrases will help you feel more confident and at ease.
1. 25 Common Spanish Phrases to Kickstart Any Conversation: Spanish Greetings
To engage in your first conversation with a native Spanish speaker, greetings are your starting point. And greetings are common Spanish phrases.
We’ve compiled a list of 25 basic Spanish greetings that will help you greet someone warmly.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Hello | |
| Good morning | |
| Good afternoon | |
| Good evening/Good night | |
| How are you? | |
| How’s it going? | |
| Nice to meet you | |
| What’s your name? | |
| My name is… | |
| Delighted/Pleased to meet you | |
| How has your day been? | |
| What are you doing? | |
| Where are you from? | |
| I am from… | |
| See you later | |
| Goodbye | |
| See you tomorrow | |
| Good night | |
| Have a good day! | |
| See you soon! | |
| Welcome | |
| Everything alright? | |
| See you | |
| I have to go | |
| Take care |
If you want to learn more Spanish greetings, check out our article on “50 Vital Spanish Sentences“.
And here’s one more tip: Sign up to our Conversation Based Chunking Starter Pack and get access to our full Spanish language learning program! It will give you a chance to learn more common Spanish phrases and chunks!
2. 10 Useful Common Spanish Phrases When Travelling
When you’re going on a trip, it’s essential to have some useful Spanish phrases for travel that can go a long way in making your experience smoother.
Below are 10 Spanish travel phrases to survive any conversation you might encounter on your travels.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Where is the bathroom? | |
| How much does it cost? | |
| Can you help me? | |
| I need a taxi | |
| A table for two, please | |
| Do you speak English? | |
| I don’t understand | |
| Could you repeat that? | |
| Where is…? | |
| I would like to go to… |
3. 10 Basic Spanish Questions in Restaurants
Dining out is a great way to practice Spanish and learn more about the language and culture. Learn these basic Spanish questions to ask in restaurants and you’ll be able to engage like a local.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| What do you recommend? | |
| Do you have a specialty? | |
| What is the soup of the day? | |
| Can I see the menu, please? | |
| What ingredients does… have? | |
| Is it spicy? | |
| Can I have the bill? | |
| Do you accept credit cards? | |
| Can I order this to go? | |
| Do you have vegetarian options? |
Don’t forget to check out our “Spanish Question Words” article for a deeper dive into asking questions in Spanish.
4. 10 Spanish Phrases to Use Food And Drinks
Talking about food and drinks is a tasty part of learning a new language. Yummy!
These phrases will help you discuss your preferences and make orders confidently.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| I would like… | |
| Do you have…? | |
| I would like to try… | |
| I’m full | |
| I’m hungry | |
| I’m thirsty | |
| A beer, please | |
| A glass of wine | |
| Without ice, please | |
| The dessert, please |
5. 10 Basic Spanish Weather Words
Talking about the weather is a universal starter for making small talk. Here are some basic words and phrases you can use to discuss the Spanish weather.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| What’s the weather like? | |
| It’s hot | |
| It’s cold | |
| It’s sunny | |
| It’s windy | |
| It’s raining | |
| It’s cloudy | |
| Is it going to rain? | |
| It’s snowing | |
| The temperature |
For even more weather-related phrases, see our “Weather in Spanish” article.
6. 10 Common Spanish Slang to Sound Like a Native
Using slang can make your Spanish sound more natural and can help you connect with native speakers on a different level. Here’s a list of common Spanish slang expressions.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| How cool! | |
| Dude/Guy | |
| Okay/Alright | |
| Cool | |
| Great/Nice | |
| Tourist (informal) | |
| Nice/Kind | |
| Money (informal) | |
| Job/Work (informal) | |
| Nonsense/Stupid thing |
7. 15 Spanish Expressions for Emergencies
It’s crucial to know a few emergency phrases when in a Spanish-speaking country. These can be a lifeline in unexpected situations.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Help! | |
| Help! | |
| I need help | |
| Call an ambulance | |
| Where is the hospital? | |
| I’m lost | |
| Can you help me find…? | |
| I’ve been robbed | |
| I need a doctor | |
| It’s an emergency | |
| I don’t feel well | |
| I am sick | |
| I need to speak with the embassy | |
| Can you call the police? | |
| I can’t find my hotel |
8. 10 Basic Spanish Phrases for Small Talk
Making small talk is an excellent way to practice your Spanish and get to know someone better. These basic phrases will help you get started.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Where are you from? | |
| What do you like to do in your free time? | |
| Have you traveled to other countries? | |
| I like music | |
| What kind of music do you like? | |
| I have been learning Spanish for… | |
| Do you have siblings? | |
| What brings you here? | |
| Did you see the game last night? | |
| Do you have pets? |
9. Learn More Spanish with Conversation Based Chunking
Conversation Based Chunking is a technique where you learn language in the context of conversations rather than isolated words or grammar rules. By focusing on common Spanish phrases that you’ll use in everyday interactions, you’ll be able to start speaking Spanish without hesitation and understand native speakers better.
These common Spanish phrases are here for you to survive any conversation in Spanish, and are a great place to start learning, but they’re just the beginning. Remember! Language learning is a journey, and the more you practice, the more confident you’ll become.
Use these common Spanish phrases as you start learning Spanish, and with each new phrase, you’ll find yourself more connected to the world of Spanish speakers and their rich culture. Expand your vocabulary, practice regularly, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—each conversation is a step closer to becoming fluent in Spanish.
