A Little Guide to Spanish! - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Ziggy7 · 11-25-2007, 10:55 PM

I thought it would be nice for those that don't speak Spanish and want to learn some before you go to any Mexican port, to try out these most used Spanish words and sentences.

In our destination the vast majority of the employees that you'll have contact with at hotels, restaurants, shops, tourist related services, etc. are fully bilingual or at least good enough with the English language so you'll understand each other.

But if you are planning to stay in a budget hotel or go to an off tourist area or even on a tour on your own, a refresher to your Spanish or learning a few new words through this little guide will be very helpful to communicate with the locals.

Besides and regardless of the place you will be in, if you make an effort to communicate in the Spanish language, your efforts will be greatly appreciated and encouraged by the locals and your vacation will probably be even more enjoyable. When you return home, you can also brag about the new words you just learned and that helped you communicate with your new AMIGOS.

If you want something more complete, there are many Spanish phrase handbooks available in most book stores that you can get before your trip. This is very basic help.

GREETINGS

Good morning / Good day Buenos días
Good afternoon Buenas tardes
Good evening / Good night Buenas noches
Good bye Adios
Hello Hola
Happy to meet you Mucho gusto
My name is... Me llamo... / Mi nombre es...
How are you? Como está usted?
Very well, thank you Muy bien, gracias
See you later Hasta luego

GENERAL

Yes Si
No No
Please Por favor
Thank you / (very much) Gracias / Muchas gracias
You're welcome De nada / Por nada
No, thank you No, gracias SorryPerdón / Disculpe
Entrance / In Entrada
Exit / Out Salida
Pull (on doors) Jale
Push (on doors) Empuje
We are Open (businesses) Abierto / Pase
We are Closed (businesses)Cerrado

LANGUAGE PROBLEMS

Do you speak English? Habla usted inglés?
I don't speak Spanish No hablo español
Do you understand me? Me entiende?
I don't understand No entiendo
Please speak slowly Por favor hable despacio
What does it mean? Que significa eso?

POLITE PHRASES

Sorry / Excuse me Perdóneme
That's all right Está bien
Don't worry No se preocupe
I beg your pardon Discúlpeme
I'm sorry to trouble youPerdone la molestia

QUESTIONS

When? Cuando?
Who? Quién?
Why? Porqué?
What? Que?
Where? Donde?
How much is it? Cuanto cuesta?
Is it your best price? Es su mejor precio?
How far is...? Que distancia hay...?
What do you want? Que desea?
I want... / I would like... Quiero... / Quisiera...
What is the matter? Que pasa?
Can you help me? Puede ayudarme?
Can you show me...? Puede mostrarme...?
Can you tell me...? Puede decirme...?
Where is... / are... Donde está... / están...
...the restaurant? el restaurante?
...the hotel...? el hotel...?
...the pool? la alberca?
...the ladies' bathroom / toilet? el baño de señoras?
...the men's bathroom / toilet? el baño de hombres?
...the bus stop to...? la parada del autobus para...?
...the market? el mercado?
Do you accept credit cards?Acepta tarjetas de crédito?

Ziggy7 · 11-25-2007, 10:56 PM

LODGING

How much are your rooms? Cuanto cuesta el cuarto?
Does it have...? Tiene...?
...air conditioner? / fan? aire? / ventilador?
...pool? / t.v.? alberca? / televisión?
...hot water? / kitchenette? agua caliente? / cocineta?
Bath / Bathroom Baño
Key / My room key Llave / La llave de mi cuarto
Room Cuarto / Habitación
Beach Playa Towel / Towels Toalla / Toallas
Soap Jabón
When is check-out time? A que hora vence el cuarto?

STATEMENTS

I (don't) like it (No) Me gusta
I'm not sure No estoy seguro
I don't know No sé
I think so Creo que si
I'm hungry / thirsty Tengo hambre / sed
I'm tired Estoy cansado
Just a minute / Just a moment Un momento
Come in Adelante / Pase
It's cold / hot (weather) Hace frio / calor
It's cold / hot / spicy-hot (food) Está fria / caliente / picosa
It's cheap / expensive Es barato / caro
It's too much Es demasiado
That's all Es todo
You are right / wrong Tiene razón / Está equivocado
I'm not interested No me interesa

MISCELLANEOUS

I need a doctor Necesito un doctor
I need a taxi to go to... Necesito un taxi para ir a...
I need a policeman Necesito un policía
I need a chamber maid Necesito una recamarista
I need a waiter Necesito un mesero
I need a bellboy Necesito un botones
I need información Necesito información
Thank you for you help Gracias por su ayuda

FOOD RELATED

Breakfast Desayuno
Lunch Comida
Dinner / Supper Cena
Menu Menú
Waiter / Waitress Mesero / Mesera
Knife / Fork / Spoon Cuchillo / Tenedor / Cuchara
Glass / Napkin Vaso / Servilleta
Water / Ice Agua / Hielo
Coffee (with milk) / Tea Café (con leche) / Té
Sugar / Salt / Pepper Azucar / Sal / Pimienta
Oil / Vinegar / Mustard Aceite / Vinagre / Mostaza
Bread / Butter Pan / Mantequilla
Beef / Pork / Chicken / Fish Res / Puerco / Pollo / Pescado
Rare / Medium (cooking) Rojo / Medio
Medium-Well / Well done Tres cuartos / Bien cocido
May I have the menu please? El menú por favor
May I have the wine list? La lista de vinos por favor
May I have the bill please? La cuenta por favor
The service was good / bad El servicio fue bueno / malo
I'd like... Quiero...
...a little more un poquito más
...a glass of water un vaso de agua
...a beer / ...a glass of wine una cerveza / una copa de vino
...the same again lo mismo otra vez
Cheers! Salud!

Ziggy7 · 11-25-2007, 10:57 PM

OPPOSITES

Good / Bad Bueno / Malo
Before / After Antes / Después
Early / Late Temprano / Tarde
First / Last Primero / Ultimo
Now / Then Ahora / Entonces
Here / There Aquí / Allí
Large / Small Grande / Pequeño
Empty / Full Vacío / Lleno
Many / Few Mucho / Poco
More / Less Más / Menos
Beautiful / Ugly Bonito / Feo
Better / Worse Mejor / Peor
Clean / Dirty Limpio / Sucio
Cold / Hot Frio / Caliente
Free / Taken Libre or Vacío / Ocupado
Open / Closed Abierto / Cerrado

DAY OF THE WEEK

Monday Lunes
Tuesday Martes
Wednesday Miércoles
Thursday Jueves
Friday Viernes
Saturday Sábado
Sunday Domingo

NUMBERS

0 Cero … 10 Diez … 20 Veinte … 30 Treinta
1 Uno … 11 Once … 21 Veintiuno … 40 Cuarenta
2 Dos … 12 Doce … 22 Veintidos … 50 Cincuenta
3 Tres … 13 Trece … 23 Ventitres … 60 Sesenta
4 Cuatro … 14 Catorce … 24 Veinticuatro … 70 Setenta
5 Cinco … 15 Quince … 25 Veinticinco … 80 Ochenta
6 Seis … 16 Dieciseis … 26 Veintiseis … 90 Noventa
7 Siete … 17 Diecisiete … 27 Veintisiete
8 Ocho … 18 Dieciocho … 28 Veintiocho
9 Nueve … 19 Diecinueve … 29 Veintinueve
100 Cien (as unit) / Ciento … 600 Seiscientos
200 Doscientos … 700 Setecientos
300 Trescientos … 800 Ochocientos
400 Cuatrocientos … 900 Novecientos
500 Quinientos … 1000 Mil

After the number 30 it is a combination of the denary with the unit. e.g. 31 = Treinta y Uno; 163 = Ciento Sesenta y Tres

and last, their very favorite phrase...

Thanks God I'm finally going on a vacation !!!

Gracias a Dios al fin salgo de vacaciones !!!

Ziggy7 · 11-25-2007, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MilliesMom

Spanish Phrase Finder

Here's another site I found ...lots of phrases and shows how to pronounce them too.

Spanish Phrases
Over 70 topics from Accommodation to Work. Each Phrase is accompanied by a simple pronunciation guide which ensures that there's no problem pronouncing the foreign words.
English words are in black text; Spanish words are in red. Practical hints and useful vocabulary are highlighted. Where the English words appear first, this indicates vocabulary you may need. Where the red Spanish words appear first, these are words you are more likely to see written on signs and notices. Where appropriate, possible phrases you may hear in reply to your questions are indicated under You May Hear

Here's an example:

Do you speak English?
¿Habla usted inglés?
a-bla oosted een-gles

More to share!

kcurrin · 02-27-2008, 04:15 PM

Thank you for posting this. It was very helpful!

melika091900 · 03-07-2008, 01:36 AM

those were great i needed those last week when we were in mexico they kept calling my husband codo.. hahahaha it means cheap

LuLu · 06-16-2008, 11:54 AM

Zig & All .... My daughter gave me a book for "grand kitten sitting" her old Siamese cat that I've been reading this week: TALK DIRTY IN SPANISH.

I'm learning MANY new words!

Ziggy7 · 06-17-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuLu

Zig & All .... My daughter gave me a book for "grand kitten sitting" her old Siamese cat that I've been reading this week: TALK DIRTY IN SPANISH.

I'm learning MANY new words!

ROTFLMBO!!!!!!!

nealberk · 06-17-2008, 08:49 PM

As opposed to London where the only foreign phrase you hear is "Mind the gap" (Sorry Ziggy, couldn't help it!)

packercruising · 06-17-2008, 09:01 PM

So should I thank Lulu for bringing this thread up or Ziggy for the great definitions?

How about both!