Here are some basic Spanish phrases which you can use in everyday conversation, as well as some common words you will see on signs.
| sí | yes |
| no | no |
| tal vez | maybe |
| por favor | please |
| gracias | thanks |
| muchas gracias | thanks very much |
The following are some polite ways you can reply to someone who thanks you:
| de nada | you're welcome |
| no tiene importancia | don't mention it |
| no pasa nada | not at all |
Decir hola y adiós – Saying hello and goodbye
Here are some different ways to greet people:
| hola | hello |
| buenas | hi (informal) |
| buenos días | good morning (used before noon) |
| buenas tardes | good afternoon, good evening (used from noon until around 8pm) |
The following expressions, on the other hand, are some different things you can say when saying goodbye:
| adiós | goodbye |
| buenas noches | goodnight |
| ¡nos vemos! | see you! |
| ¡nos vemos pronto! | see you soon! |
| ¡hasta luego! | see you later! |
| ¡qué tengas un buen día! | have a nice day! |
| ¡qué tengas un buen fin de semana! | have a good weekend! |
Llamar la atención de alguien y disculparse – Getting someone's attention and apologising
| disculpe | excuse me (can be used to get someone’s attention, to get past someone, or to apologise) |
| perdón | sorry |
If someone apologises to you, you can reply using one of the following expressions:
| no hay problema or no pasa nada | no problem |
| está bien | it's OK |
| no te preocupes | don't worry about it |
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Sound is available for all the Spanish phrases on this page — simply click on any phrase to hear it.
Haciéndote entender – Making yourself understood
| ¿habla usted español? | do you speak Spanish? |
| no hablo español | I don't speak Spanish |
| no hablo mucho español | I don't speak much Spanish |
| solo hablo un poquito de español | I only speak very little Spanish |
| hablo un poco de español | I speak a little Spanish |
| por favor, hable más despacio | please speak more slowly |
| por favor, escríbelo | please write it down |
| ¿podría, por favor, repetir eso? | could you please repeat that? |
| comprendo or entiendo | I understand |
| no comprendo or no entiendo | I don't understand |
Otras frases básicas – Other basic phrases
| lo sé | I know |
| no lo sé | I don't know |
| disculpe, ¿dónde está el baño? | excuse me, where's the toilet? |
| disculpe, ¿dónde está el aseo? | excuse me, where's the toilet? |
Cosas que podrías ver – Things you might see
| Entrada | Entrance |
| Salida | Exit |
| Salida de emergencia | Emergency exit |
| Empujar | Push |
| Tirar | Pull |
| Aseos | Toilets |
| WC | WC |
| Caballeros | Gentlemen |
| Señoras | Ladies |
| Libre | Vacant |
| Ocupado | Engaged |
| Fuera de servicio | Out of order |
| No fumar | No smoking |
| Privado | Private |
| No pasar | No entry |
