Spanish is spoken by over 500 million people in 21 countries. From Madrid to Mexico City, from Buenos Aires to Bogota: with this kit, you have the bare minimum to get by in any Spanish-speaking city in the world.
Spanish (castellano) has more than 500 million native speakers and ranks among the most widely spoken languages in the world, just behind Mandarin. Twenty-one countries have adopted it as their official language, from Spain to Equatorial Guinea, including Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Peru. This massive reach makes it an exceptional travel companion: with a few well-chosen phrases, you cross the Andes, order coffee in Madrid, or negotiate a taxi in Cartagena. Regional varieties (Castilian Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Argentine voseo) remain mutually intelligible without major difficulty. Pronunciation is one of the most accessible for French speakers thanks to a system of five pure vowels and a transparent phonetic reading: what is written is pronounced. A few typical pitfalls (the "ll" that becomes "y" in Latin America, the hissing "z" in Spain) are quickly mastered. Beyond the language, the Hispanic world opens the door to precise cultural codes: the sobremesa after meals, the late evening schedules in Spain, the flexible relationship with time in Latin America. This kit gathers the bare essentials to handle an airport arrival, a taxi ride, a restaurant order, a medical emergency and a smooth departure. You will find indispensable greetings, survival phrases for orientation, key words for eating and sleeping, as well as cultural tips to avoid faux pas. Memorize these expressions before leaving and you will gain confidence from the very first hours on site.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You land at Madrid Barajas in the early evening. The hall is huge and you are looking for the taxi exit. An agent meets your gaze, you greet him and ask for directions.
The taxi driver loads your suitcase and asks for your destination. You give him the hotel address, you want to check the price before leaving, then you will ask him to stop right in front of the entrance.
You enter a tapas bar in the early evening. The waiter seats you and hands you the menu. You hesitate over the daily special and ask for advice before ordering water and the bill.
You feel sick after a meal and you need help quickly. You ask where the nearest hospital is and you mention that you are allergic to certain foods.
On the morning of departure, you want to confirm check-out time at the reception, then catch a taxi to the airport. Before leaving, you warmly say goodbye to the hotel staff.
What you need to know before travelling to a spanish-speaking country.
The "tuteo" (using "tu") is very common in Spain and Latin America even with strangers of the same age. When in doubt, start with "usted" (formal) and follow the person if they switch to "tu".
The "sobremesa" is an unmissable ritual: staying at the table talking after the meal. Getting up immediately after eating can seem rude.
In Spain, schedules are shifted: lunch between 2pm and 4pm, dinner rarely before 9pm. Don't be surprised if restaurants are empty at 7pm.
The "bise" (cheek kisses) is the standard greeting in Spain. In Latin America, customs vary by country. Wait for the other person to initiate the gesture.
Bargaining is common in informal Latin American markets but rare in Spanish shops. Adapt your approach depending on the country.
The siesta is less practiced than one might think, especially in large Spanish cities. However, coffee breaks and long meals remain sacred.
In Latin America, "manana" can mean "tomorrow" but also "later, someday". Don't be surprised if timelines are more flexible than in Europe.
Talking about politics, colonial history or regional rivalries can become sensitive. Listen before giving your opinion on topics you don't master.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
Si
see
Yes
No
no
No
Gracias
GRA-thyas
Thank you
De nada
de NA-da
You're welcome
Perdon
per-DON
Sorry
Agua
A-gwa
Water
Comida
ko-MEE-da
Food
Hotel
o-TEL
Hotel
Aeropuerto
a-eh-ro-PWEHR-to
Airport
Hospital
os-pi-TAL
Hospital
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Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
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