Essential Spanish for the non-Spanish speaking traveler.

Do you know the essential Spanish words?

Habla español? Going to a Spanish speaking country with little or no knowledge of the Spanish language? Not to worry! Here is your essential Spanish for the non-Spanish speaker! We were in Ecuador for 3 months, then spent a couple of weeks in Peru before stopping by Mexico on our way home to Kauai. Do we speak Spanish? “Un poquito….”

Learning Basic Spanish Words.

We try to learn some basic Spanish before our departure, me by listening to “Spanish with Paul” on-line and Jack by using Pimsleur. Both are excellent programs to get started, but honestly, it’s hard to study while still at home dealing with your everyday responsibilities. However, If you have a concern about going to a country where you do not speak the language; don’t worry!

First off, the locals we meet in all three countries are very helpful and encouraging and appreciate our attempts to speak the language. All have a welcoming attitude and many go out of their way to help us. One young woman, upon seeing our puzzled looks as we review a restaurant menu, voluntarily comes to our table to translate for us!

Basic Spanish language knowledge – and I do mean basic – and a smile will get you through most anything. Add in your Google Translate app, (downloaded onto your phone before you leave) and you’re good to go.

Essential Spanish: Common Courtesy.

Here is your essential Spanish for common courtesy:

Gracias – Thank you. Probably THE most important word to know.
Por favor – Please. Right up there along with Gracias.
Perdóne – Pardon me.
Lo siento – I’m sorry.

Hola – Hello.
Bueno and Muy bueno – Good, and very good.
Buenos Días – Good morning. 
Buenas Tardes – Good afternoon.
Buenas Noches – Good evening.

One of the MOST essential Spanish phrases – and this is important – is “Donde esta el banos?”  (Where is the bathroom?) – Don’t forget to have some tp in your purse or pocket and some change handy.  Some bathrooms charge to enter but these do provide you with tp.  “Hombre/Hombres or Caballaros” indicates the men’s room while “Mujer or Senorita” is the women’s bathroom.

Essential Spanish: Numbers & Shopping.

If you plan to buy anything, you must know basic numbers and how to ask the price. “Cuanto cuesta” (kwanto kwesta – how much does it cost?) is handy to know.  The numbers 1 through 15 are used quite often, along with 20, 25 and 50.  If you are really at a loss, most vendors will either write the number down, or take the correct amount from your hand. They have never taken more from us than what is owed.

These are your basic Spanish numbers:
1 – uno (u – pronounced like the u in you, u no)
2 – dos (dose)
3 – tres – (trace)
4 – cuatro (kwatro)
5 – cinco (syn cho) think Cinco de Mayo
6 – seis (say ees)
7 – siete (see et a) e in Spanish is pronounced like the letter “a”
8 – ocho (o cho)
9 – nueve (new wave a)
10 – diez (dee ace)

11- once (own say), 12 – doce (dose say), 13 – trece (trace say), 14 – catorce (ca tore say), 15 – quince (keen say), 20 – veinte (bent tay) “v’s” are pronounced like a “b”, 25 – veinticinco (bent tay syn cho), 50 – cincuenta (syn kwen tah.)

Essential Spanish: For when you do not understand.

To let people know you do not speak Spanish,  say – “No hablo Espanol.”  That, along with “No entiendo” (I don’t understand) and “No se” (I don’t know) gets you through those awkward times when you just can’t figure out what is being said.  Also, pointing at what you want, be it an item to buy or something on the menu, helps during these times.

For proper pronunciation on these words, there is a small “volume” icon under each word or sentence on your Google app on your phone or Google Translate on your computer. (translate.Google.com) Just click on it to hear the pronunciation.

Basic Spanish just takes a little time!

These few words will give you a good start to getting what you need during your stay. You’ll generally find the locals very happy to educate you as you point. The “mercado” (market) ladies most always say the name of the fruit or veggie when you point at it.  Most of all, don’t be discouraged if you don’t catch what they are saying right off. It takes a bit of time to get your “ear” adjusted to another language.

It ends up that I listened so hard for Spanish that on several occasions someone would go by and say something that I totally missed, but my husband caught it. When I’d ask him how he knew what they were saying, he’d laugh and say “because they were speaking English!” Yes, watch out for those gringos. Just when you get into the Spanish groove they’ll throw you an English curveball.

We’re still beginning Spanish speakers but we did learn quite a few new words and phrases while there. Just have fun, keep that smile and when all else fails, say Gracias!

We hope you found this post on Essential Spanish useful as we plan to create a downloadable version next. In the meantime, please check in the sidebar to sign up and join us in our journey. We’d love to have you along. Of course, we value your privacy and would never sell or share your email. For more on our Spanish Speaking journey, you may want to visit our previous post, Walking Hazards in Cuenca or our Favorite Lunch Restaurants in Cuenca. Want to use your Spanish elsewhere?  Check our post on San Miguel de Allende in Mexico!  Until then, Adios!

Planning a Spanish Speaking Vacation? Pin it!