When traveling to Mexico or any Spanish-speaking land, it's certainly helpful to know a few phrases 'en espaņol'. One does not necessarily need to know Spanish to visit tourist destinations like Cancun or Playa del Carmen, but it certainly helps to enhance the overall experience if you are able to communicate your wants and needs in the native language of the locals. Plus, it's fun. Being able to say a few things in Spanish on your tropical island vacation will adds to the experience of vacationing abroad.
Here are some common phrases with their Spanish translations. Remember, H's are silent in Spanish, so "hola" is pronounced like "ola". Additionally, J's are pronounced with an H sound and two Ls side by side are pronounced with a Y sound. So "jugo", which means juice, is pronounced like "hugo" while "calle", which means street, is pronounced "cay-ye".
| Hello |
Hola |
| Good day |
Buenos dias |
| Good night |
Buenos noches |
| We go to [location] |
Vamos a [location] |
| Nice to meet you |
Mucho gusto |
| My name is... |
Mi llamo es... |
| What is your name? |
Como se llama? |
| The check, please |
La cuenta, por favor |
| Keep the change |
Es propina |
| Where is... |
Donde esta... |
| What time is it? |
Que hora es? |
| Yes or no? |
Si o no? |
| I like it! |
Me gusta! |
| I don't speak Spanish |
No hablo espaņol |
| I speak a little Spanish |
Hablo poquito espaņol |
| Do you speak English? |
Hablas ingles? |
| I need a doctor |
Necesito un medico |
| At what time? |
A que hora? |
| Where is the bathroom? |
Donde esta el baņo? |
| I am from the United States |
Soy de los estados unidos |
| I love you |
Te amo |
| I am good |
Estoy bien |
| We are good |
Estamos bien |
| How much does it cost? |
Cuanto cuesto? |
| Welcome |
Bienvenido |
| How are you? |
Como esta usted? |
| Cheers! |
Salud! |
| Sorry |
Lo Siento or Perdon |
| Happy Birthday! |
Felix Cumpleaņos! |
| Happy New Year! |
Feliz Aņo Nuevo! |
| Good luck! |
Buena suerte! |
| A little bit |
Un poco |
| I am staying at... |
Estoy en el hotel... |
| Give me a kiss |
Dame un beso |
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