Mexican Spanish Phrasebook
Basics & Greetings
Mexicans communicate more politely and indirectly than Spaniards. The "tú" (you) is often used, but "usted" (formal you) shows respect, especially towards older people.
Greetings & Politeness
| German | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | ¡Hola! | O-la |
| Good morning | Buenos días | BWE-nos DI-as |
| Good afternoon | Buenas tardes | BWE-nas TAR-des |
| Good evening | Buenas noches | BWE-nas NO-tsches |
| How are you? | ¿Cómo está? | KO-mo es-TA |
| What's up? (informal) | ¿Qué onda? | Ke ON-da |
| Good, thanks | Bien, gracias | Bien, GRA-ssi-as |
| Please | Por favor | Por fa-WOR |
| Thank you | Gracias | GRA-ssi-as |
| Thank you very much | Muchas gracias | MU-tschas GRA-ssi-as |
| You're welcome (response to thanks) | De nada / Con gusto | De NA-da / Kon GUS-to |
| Excuse me | Disculpe / Perdón | Dis-KUL-pe / Per-DON |
| Goodbye | Adiós / Hasta luego | A-di-OS / AS-ta LWE-go |
| Yes / No | Sí / No | Si / No |
In the Restaurant & Dining
| German | Spanish |
|---|---|
| The menu, please | La carta, por favor |
| What do you recommend? | ¿Qué me recomienda? |
| I would like... | Me gustaría... / Quisiera... |
| The bill, please | La cuenta, por favor |
| The daily menu | La comida corrida / El menú del día |
| Is the tip included? | ¿Incluye la propina? |
| Without chili, please | Sin chile, por favor |
| Is it spicy? | ¿Pica mucho? |
| It's delicious! | ¡Está delicioso! / ¡Está riquísimo! |
| A beer, please | Una cerveza, por favor |
| Another one | Otra, por favor |
| Water (purified) | Agua purificada |
| With cheese / Without cheese | Con queso / Sin queso |
| To go | Para llevar |
| Cheers! | ¡Salud! |
Tipp
"¿Qué onda?" (What's up?) is the universal informal greeting in Mexico — it always works and shows that you know a bit. But use "¿Cómo está usted?" for older people.
On the Road & Traveling
| German | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Where is...? | ¿Dónde está...? |
| The bus station | La terminal de autobuses |
| The airport | El aeropuerto |
| An ATM | Un cajero automático |
| The toilet | El baño |
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? |
| That's too expensive | Es muy caro |
| Is there a cheaper price? | ¿Hay un precio más barato? |
| I don't understand | No entiendo |
| Do you speak English? | ¿Habla inglés? |
| Can you help me? | ¿Me puede ayudar? |
| Left / Right / Straight ahead | A la izquierda / A la derecha / Derecho |
| Stop here! | ¡Bajan! / ¡Aquí, por favor! |
| A ticket to... | Un boleto a... |
| When does the next bus leave? | ¿A qué hora sale el próximo camión? |
Mexican Particularities
| Mexican | Spanish (Spain) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Camión | Autobús | Bus |
| Güey (wey) | Tío / Colega | Buddy, dude |
| Chido / Padre | Genial / Guay | Cool, great |
| Neta | En serio | Really? / Seriously |
| ¡No manches! | ¡No me digas! | You're kidding! |
| Chela | Cerveza | Beer |
| Chambear | Trabajar | To work |
| Fresa | Pijo | Snob |
| Mande | ¿Cómo? / Diga | Pardon? (very polite) |
| Ahorita | Ahora | In a moment (can mean 5 min. or 3 hrs!) |
Tipp
"Ahorita" is the most important word you will learn in Mexico — it theoretically means "right now," but can also mean "sometime in the next hour." Mexicans have a different relationship with time than Germans. Practice being relaxed!
Emergencies
| German | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Help! | ¡Ayuda! |
| Emergency call | 911 |
| Police | ¡Policía! |
| I need a doctor | Necesito un doctor |
| Hospital | El hospital |
| Pharmacy | La farmacia |
| I'm sick | Estoy enfermo/a |
| It hurts here | Me duele aquí |
| I was robbed | Me robaron |
| Fire! | ¡Fuego! |
| I'm allergic to... | Soy alérgico/a a... |
| I need my embassy | Necesito mi embajada |
Important Numbers
- General emergency number: 911 (police, fire department, ambulance)
- Tourist police: 078 (English-speaking, 24/7)
- Red Cross: 065
- Roadside assistance (Angeles Verdes): 078 — green assistance vehicles on main roads, free for tourists!
Tipp
The Ángeles Verdes (Green Angels) are a state-run roadside assistance service on Mexico's main roads — free of charge! Green trucks with mechanics who also speak English. In case of car trouble: call 078.
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