Phrasebook · Spain
Spanish for your trip
36 words and phrases that get you through a day in Spain.
Compare with other languages →How it sounds
The syllable in capitals is the one to stress.
- j, and g before e or i
- a throaty h, like the ch in Scottish loch
- ll and y
- the y in yes
- ñ
- the ny in canyon
- z, and c before e or i
- th in thin in most of Spain; this guide writes s, understood everywhere
- h
- always silent
- b and v
- the same soft b, lips almost touching
Essentials
36 phrasesBasics
Food and drink
Getting around
Money
Help
Only in Spain
Help
Emergency numbers
Eating out
24 phrasesWhat you'll hear back
Diet cards
Getting around
27 phrasesTaxis and tickets
Signs you'll see
- sah-LEE-dahExit
- ehn-TRAH-dahEntrance
- ah-BYEHR-tohOpen
- sehr-RAH-dohClosed
- ah-SEH-ohsToilets
- kah-bah-YEH-rohsMen
- seh-NYOH-rahsWomen
- ehm-poo-HAHRPush
- tee-RAHRPull
- proh-ee-BEE-doh ehl PAH-sohNo entry
Time and opening hours
Shopping
14 phrasesNumbers and prices
Prices are said as euros 'con' cents: tres con cincuenta (trehs kohn seen-KWEHN-tah) is €3.50.
Outdoors
8 phrasesOn the trail
Culture
18 phrasesNo word for it in English
Festival words
Catalan · Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearics
Basque · the Basque Country and Navarre
Galician · Galicia
Where other languages are spoken
- Catalan
- Basque
- Galician
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Say hola when you walk into a small shop or a lift, and adiós when you leave.
- Eat late: lunch is around two, dinner rarely before nine.
- In Granada, order a drink and a tapa comes with it; the next drink brings a different one.
Don't
- Don't wait for the bill to come: nobody brings it until you ask, and lingering is normal.
- Don't count on small-town shops between about two and five; many close for the afternoon.
Gestures
- Dos besosA light kiss on each cheek, right cheek first, when meeting friends or being introduced. Hello between friends; two men usually shake hands instead.
On the map
Heard at our spots
The words you'll use at the places we filmed. Pick a place to see it on the map.
GranadaFotografía PhotoVista ViewBuenos días Good morningCalle Plegadero AltoSee it on the map
MuroVista ViewPuesta del sol SunsetGracias Thank youMirador MuroSee it on the map
GranadaMercado MarketLibro Book¿Cuánto cuesta? How much is it?Flea Market (First Saturday Only!)See it on the map
GranadaVista ViewPuesta del sol SunsetGracias Thank youMirador Placeta de CarvajalesSee it on the map
GranadaProcesión ProcessionPermiso Excuse me, may I get by?Semana SantaSee it on the map
GranadaFuente FountainAgua WaterBuenos días Good morningFuente de las GranadasSee it on the map
GranadaJardines GardensAgua WaterGracias Thank youCarmen de la VictoriaSee it on the map
MonachilSendero TrailAgua WaterGracias Thank youLos Cahorros - HikeSee it on the map
MonachilVista ViewFotografía PhotoHola HelloMonachil ViewpointSee it on the map
PradollanoEsquí SkiMontaña MountainBuenos días Good morningPradollanoSee it on the map
CapileiraVista ViewFotografía PhotoBuenos días Good morningMirador Cuesta del LugarSee it on the map
CapileiraMontaña MountainVista ViewHola HelloMirador Sierra NevadaSee it on the map
CapileiraAldea VillagePlaza SquareBuenos días Good morningCapileiraSee it on the map
CapileiraVista ViewPuesta del sol SunsetBuenos días Good morningMirador del PerchelSee it on the map
CapileiraFotografía PhotoCámara CameraBuenos días Good morningCapileira Photo SpotSee it on the map
BubiónBuen provecho Enjoy your mealVino Wine¡Salud! CheersTaberna El SecaderoSee it on the map
MálagaGaviota SeagullPuerto HarbourBuenos días Good morningLife as a SeagullSee it on the map
MálagaVista ViewPuesta del sol SunsetHola HelloMirador de la CorachaSee it on the map
MálagaCarnaval CarnivalPermiso Excuse me, may I get by?Carnival de Málaga 2025See it on the map
MálagaSendero TrailVista ViewBuenas tardes Good afternoon, good eveningCamino "Mirador de Gibralfaro"See it on the mapTake it with youJust the words, in two columns. Print it, or save it as a PDF for when there's no signal.
Where the words come fromPhrases and pronunciation adapted from Wikivoyage's Spanish phrasebook, Catalan phrasebook, Basque phrasebook, Galician phrasebook and Wiktionary, under CC BY-SA 4.0.