Spanish Phrasebook
Basics & Pronunciation
Spanish is spoken (almost) as it is written — a great advantage over French or English. The most important pronunciation rules:
Pronunciation Tips
- ñ — like "ny" (año = "anjo", España = "Espanja")
- j — always like a harsh "ch" (jamón = "chamon")
- ll — like "lj" or "j" (calle = "kalje" or "kaje")
- z / ce, ci — in Spain like English "th" (cerveza = "therwetha"), in the Canary Islands and South America like "s"
- v — pronounced like "b" (vino = "bino")
- h — always silent (hotel = "otel", hola = "ola")
- r / rr — rolled tongue-tip R. Double R (rr) is strongly rolled
- Stress: Words ending in a vowel, -n, or -s are stressed on the penultimate syllable; on other consonants on the last. Accent (´) indicates exceptions
The Absolute Basics
| German | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Yes / No | Sí / No | ßi / no |
| Please | Por favor | por fa-wor |
| Thank you (very much) | Gracias (muchas gracias) | gra-thias (mutschas gra-thias) |
| Excuse me | Perdón / Disculpe | per-don / dis-kulpe |
| I'm sorry | Lo siento | lo ßjento |
| I don't understand | No entiendo | no en-tjendo |
| Do you speak German/English? | ¿Habla alemán/inglés? | abla ale-man / in-gles? |
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | kwanto kwesta? |
| Where is …? | ¿Dónde está …? | donde esta …? |
Tipp
The "you" form (tú) is used much more frequently in Spain than the polite "you" (usted). Among peers and in informal situations, always use "tú." Use "usted" only with significantly older people or in very formal contexts.
Greetings & Politeness
Spaniards greet each other more warmly than Germans — two cheek kisses (air kisses, left-right) are standard among women and between men and women. Among men, a handshake or a pat on the shoulder is customary.
| German | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Hello / Hi | ¡Hola! |
| Good morning | ¡Buenos días! |
| Good afternoon | ¡Buenas tardes! (from around 2 PM) |
| Good evening / Good night | ¡Buenas noches! (from around 9 PM) |
| How are you? | ¿Qué tal? / ¿Cómo estás? |
| Good, thanks. And you? | Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú? |
| My name is … | Me llamo … |
| Nice to meet you! | ¡Encantado/a! / ¡Mucho gusto! |
| Goodbye | ¡Adiós! |
| Bye / See you soon | ¡Hasta luego! / ¡Hasta pronto! |
| See you tomorrow | ¡Hasta mañana! |
| Good night (as a farewell) | ¡Buenas noches! |
| I am from Germany/Austria/Switzerland | Soy de Alemania/Austria/Suiza |
| I speak a little Spanish | Hablo un poco de español |
In the Restaurant & Bar
Ordering food is one of the most important things on vacation — and Spaniards appreciate it when you try it in Spanish. Don't be afraid of making mistakes!
| German | Spanish |
|---|---|
| A table for 2/4 people, please | Una mesa para dos/cuatro personas, por favor |
| The menu, please | La carta, por favor |
| Is there a daily menu? | ¿Hay menú del día? |
| What do you recommend? | ¿Qué recomienda? |
| I would like … | Quiero … / Me pone … (informal) |
| A beer / a glass of red wine | Una caña (small beer) / un vino tinto |
| A glass of white wine / rosé | Un vino blanco / un rosado |
| Water (with / without gas) | Agua (con gas / sin gas) |
| A coffee with milk | Un café con leche |
| A black coffee | Un café solo |
| The bill, please | La cuenta, por favor |
| Pay together / separately | Todo junto / por separado |
| It was very delicious! | ¡Estaba muy rico/bueno! |
| I am vegetarian | Soy vegetariano/a |
| I am vegan | Soy vegano/a |
| Without gluten | Sin gluten |
| I have an allergy to … | Tengo alergia a … |
Useful Vocabulary
- Barra — Counter (often cheaper than at the table)
- Terraza — Outdoor area (sometimes surcharge)
- Ración — Large portion (for 2–3 people)
- Media ración — Half portion
- Tapa — Small portion
- Pincho / Pintxo — Small tapa on bread (Basque Country)
- Caña — Small beer (200 ml), the standard measure
- Tubo — Medium beer (330 ml)
- Jarra — Large beer (500 ml)
Tipp
"¡Oiga!" (Listen!) or hand signals to call the waiter is normal in Spain and not rude. Saying "Camarero" (waiter) is also okay. No one brings the bill without being asked — you must actively ask: "La cuenta, por favor."
Shopping
| German | Spanish |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? / ¿Cuánto es? |
| That's too expensive | Es muy caro |
| Do you have it in another size? | ¿Lo tiene en otra talla? |
| Can I try it on? | ¿Puedo probármelo? |
| Where is the fitting room? | ¿Dónde está el probador? |
| I'll take it | Me lo llevo |
| Can I pay by card? | ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? |
| Is there a discount? | ¿Hay descuento? |
| A bag, please | Una bolsa, por favor |
| I'm just looking | Solo estoy mirando |
| Open / Closed | Abierto / Cerrado |
| Sale | Rebajas |
| Special offer | Oferta |
At the Market
| German | Spanish |
|---|---|
| A kilo / half a kilo of … | Un kilo / medio kilo de … |
| 200 grams of ham | Doscientos gramos de jamón |
| A slice / a piece | Una loncha / un trozo |
| Is it fresh? | ¿Está fresco? |
| Can I try? | ¿Puedo probar? |
| That's all | Eso es todo / Nada más |
Tipp
The major sales (Rebajas) occur twice a year: in January (after Reyes, January 7th to the end of February) and in July (until the end of August). Discounts of 30–70% are not uncommon — especially at Zara, Mango, and El Corte Inglés.
On the Move & Transport
| German | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Where is the train station? | ¿Dónde está la estación de tren? |
| Where is the nearest metro station? | ¿Dónde está la estación de metro más cercana? |
| Where is the bus stop? | ¿Dónde está la parada de autobús? |
| A ticket to …, please | Un billete a …, por favor |
| One way / Round trip | Solo ida / Ida y vuelta |
| When does the next train/bus to … leave? | ¿Cuándo sale el próximo tren/autobús a …? |
| From which platform/track? | ¿De qué andén/vía? |
| Left / right / straight ahead | A la izquierda / a la derecha / todo recto |
| Is it far? | ¿Está lejos? |
| Can you show me on the map? | ¿Puede enseñármelo en el mapa? |
| I'm lost | Me he perdido |
| To the airport, please (Taxi) | Al aeropuerto, por favor |
| Stop here, please | Pare aquí, por favor |
| Where can I rent a car? | ¿Dónde puedo alquilar un coche? |
| Fill it up, please | Lleno, por favor |
| Where is the nearest gas station? | ¿Dónde está la gasolinera más cercana? |
Important Traffic Vocabulary
- Salida — Exit
- Entrada — Entrance
- Llegadas — Arrivals
- Salidas — Departures
- Andén — Platform
- Vía — Track
- Retraso — Delay
- Desvío — Detour
- Obras — Construction
- Peaje — Toll booth
Emergencies & Health
| German | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Help! | ¡Socorro! / ¡Ayuda! |
| Call the police! | ¡Llame a la policía! |
| Call an ambulance! | ¡Llame a una ambulancia! |
| I need a doctor | Necesito un médico |
| Where is the nearest hospital? | ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano? |
| Where is the nearest pharmacy? | ¿Dónde está la farmacia más cercana? |
| I am sick | Estoy enfermo/a |
| I feel dizzy/nauseous | Estoy mareado/a / Tengo náuseas |
| I have pain here | Me duele aquí |
| Headache / Stomachache | Dolor de cabeza / Dolor de estómago |
| I have a fever | Tengo fiebre |
| I am allergic to … | Soy alérgico/a a … |
| Sunburn | Quemadura de sol |
| Insect bite | Picadura de insecto |
| I've been robbed | Me han robado |
| I've lost my passport | He perdido mi pasaporte |
| I need to file a report (Denuncia) | Necesito poner una denuncia |
| Fire! | ¡Fuego! |
| Watch out! | ¡Cuidado! |
At the Pharmacy
| German | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Sunscreen | Crema solar / Protector solar |
| Painkillers | Pastillas para el dolor / Analgésicos |
| Band-aid | Tiritas |
| Diarrhea | Diarrea |
| Constipation | Estreñimiento |
| Mosquito repellent | Repelente de mosquitos |
| Cough syrup | Jarabe para la tos |
Achtung
In a medical emergency, always call <strong>112</strong> — the control center is multilingual (English, French, German). "Ambulancia" and your address are sufficient if your Spanish skills are lacking.
Useful Phrases & Expressions
At the Hotel
| German | Spanish |
|---|---|
| I have a reservation | Tengo una reserva |
| A room with a sea view | Una habitación con vistas al mar |
| The air conditioning doesn't work | El aire acondicionado no funciona |
| Can you call me a taxi? | ¿Puede llamarme un taxi? |
| When is check-out? | ¿A qué hora es el check-out? |
| Is there parking? | ¿Hay aparcamiento? |
At the Beach
| German | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Can you swim here? | ¿Se puede nadar aquí? |
| Are there jellyfish? | ¿Hay medusas? |
| Is the current strong? | ¿Hay corriente fuerte? |
| Rent a parasol | Alquilar una sombrilla |
| Two sunbeds, please | Dos tumbonas, por favor |
Typical Spanish Expressions
| Spanish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ¡Qué aproveche! | Enjoy your meal! (literally: "May it benefit!") |
| ¡Salud! | Cheers! / Bless you! (when toasting and sneezing) |
| ¡No pasa nada! | No problem! / It's okay! (THE phrase of Spain) |
| ¡Venga! | Come on! / Let's go! / Okay! (universally usable) |
| ¡Vale! | Okay! / All right! (the most used word in Spain) |
| ¡Mola! | Cool! / Awesome! (youth slang, but widely used) |
| ¡Qué bonito/a! | How beautiful! |
| ¡Qué calor! | What a heat! (heard constantly in summer) |
| ¡Vamos! | Let's go! / Come on! |
| Mañana, mañana … | Tomorrow, tomorrow … (= sometime, not today) |
Numbers
| Number | Spanish | Number | Spanish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | cero | 10 | diez |
| 1 | uno | 20 | veinte |
| 2 | dos | 30 | treinta |
| 3 | tres | 50 | cincuenta |
| 4 | cuatro | 100 | cien |
| 5 | cinco | 200 | doscientos |
| 6 | seis | 500 | quinientos |
| 7 | siete | 1,000 | mil |
| 8 | ocho | 2,000 | dos mil |
| 9 | nueve | 1,000,000 | un millón |
Days of the Week & Months
Days of the Week: lunes (Mon), martes (Tue), miércoles (Wed), jueves (Thu), viernes (Fri), sábado (Sat), domingo (Sun)
Months: enero, febrero, marzo, abril, mayo, junio, julio, agosto, septiembre, octubre, noviembre, diciembre
Tipp
"¡Vale!" is the Spanish universal word — it means "okay," "all right," "understood," "agreed." You can use it in practically any situation. Spaniards say it dozens of times a day, often multiple times in a row: "Vale, vale, vale."
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