USEFUL PHRASES IN SPANISH / FRASES TILES EN

ESPAOL
The predominant language in Mxico is Spanish. Mexican Spanish is unlike
Castillan Spanish, the language of much of Spain, in two main respects: in Mexico
the Castillan Lips has more or less disappeared and numerous indigenous have
been adopted, specially from Nhuatl.
Pronuntiation
Pronuntiation of Spanish is not difficult, given that many Spanish sounds are
similar to their English counterparts, and there is a clear and consistent relationship
between pronuntiation and spelling. Unless otherwise indicated, the English words
used below to approximate Spanish sounds take standard America Pronuntiation.
Vowels.
Spanish has five vowels: a, e, i, o and u. They pronounced something like the
highlighted letters of the following English words.
a as in father
e as in met
i as in feet
o as in the british hot
u as in put

Diphthongs
A diphthong is one syllable made up of two vowels, each of which conserves its
own sound. Here are some diphthongs in Spanish, and their approximate
pronunciations:
ai as in hide
au as in how
ei as in hay
ia as in yard
ie as in yes
oi as in boy
ua as in wash
ue as in well
Consonants
Many consonants are pronounced in much the same way as in English, but there
are some exceptions:
C is pronounced like s in sit when before e or i, elsewhere it is like k

Ch as in choose
G as in the g in gate before a, o, and u; before e or i it is a harsh,
breathy sound like the h in hit. Note that when g in followed by ue or ui the
u is silent, unless it has a dieresis (), in which case it functions much like the
English w:
guerra GHE-rra
gero GWEH-ro
H always silent
J a harsh, gutural sound similar to the ch in the Scotthish loch
Ll as the y in yard
nasal sound like the ny in canyon
Q as the k in kick; always followed by a lilent u
R a very short rolled r
RR a longer rolled r
X like the English h when it comes after e or i, othewise it is like English x as
in taxi; in many Indian words (particulary Mayan ones) x is pronounced like
English sh
Z the same as the English s; under no circumstances should s or z be
pronounced like English z that sounds does not exist in Spanish.
There are few other minor pronunciation differences, but the longer you stay in
Mexico, the easier they will become. The letter is considered a separate letter of
the alphabet and follows n in alphabetically organized lists and books, such as
dictionaries and phone books.
Stress
There are three general rules regarding stress:

For words ending in a vowel, n, s, the stress goes on the penultimate

(next-to-the-last) syllable:

naranja na-RAHN- ha

joven HO- ven

zapatos sa-PA- tos

For words ending in a consonant other than n or s, the stress is on the

final syllable:

Estoy es- TOY

ciudad syoo- DAD

catedral ka-teh-DRAL

Any deviation from these rules is indicated by an acent

Mxico MEH- hee-ko

mudjar moo- DEH- har

Crtes cor- TESS

Gender
Nouns in Spanish are either masculine or femenine. Nouns ending in o, e or
ma are usually masculine. Nouns ending in a ion or dad are usually
femenine. Some nouns take either masculine or femenine form, depending on the
ending; for example, viajero is a male traveler, viajera is a female traveler. An
adjetive usually comes after the noun it descibes and must take the same gender
as the noun
English
Saludos cordiales
Hola - hi
Buenos das/ buen da Good morning
Buenas tardes Good afternoon
Buenas tardes/ buenas noches Good evening
Buenas noches Good night
Como ests? How are you?
Qu tal? How do you do?
Que tenga buen da! - Have a nice day!
Hasta luego! Good bye!
Nos vemos! See you!
Hasta pronto! See you soon!
Cortesa
Muchas gracias - Thank you very much
Perdn/ disculpe Im sorry / Excuse me
Por favor - Please
Muy amable you are so kind
Quisiera... I Would
Se lo agradezco Thank you
Gracias por la informacin Thank you for the information
De nada - You are welcome
S - yes
No- no

Presentacin
Le presento a.. This is
Le presento al seor... This is Mr.
Le presento a la seora... This is Mrs.
Mucho gusto Nice to meet you
Me alegro de haberte conocido I am glad to meet you
Bienvenido! Welcome!
Soy.. (nacionalidad) Im (nationality)
Me llamo... My name is
Cmo te llamas? - What is your name
Vivo en.. I live in
Estoy aqu de vacaciones I am here on Holidays
Estoy aqu por razones de trabajo I am here because my work
Estoy contento de estar aqu I am glad to be here
Tengo... aos I am years old
Cuntos aos tienes? How old are you?
De dnde eres? Where are you from
Dnde vives? Where do you live?
Hablas ingles? Do you speak English?
A que te dedicas? What do you do?
Eres estudiante? Are you student?
Estudio... I study
Trabajo I work
En qu trabajas? - What is your profession?
Trabajo en... I work on
Yo tambin Me too
papers
Nombre - Name
Apellido(s) Last name
Nacionalidad - Nationality
Profesin - Profession
Lugar de nacimiento Birth place
Fecha de nacimiento Date of birth
No. de pasaporte Passport number
Acta de nacimiento - Birth certificate
Licencia de manejo - Driver`s license
Identificacin - Identification
Seguro - Insurance

Cambio

Banco - Bank
Billete - Bill
Cajero automtico Cash machine ATM
Cheque - Cheque
Cheque de viajero travellers cheque
Comisin - comission
Cuenta bancaria (bank) account
Moneda - Coin
Nmero personal pin PIN number
Retiro Withdraw money
Sacar dinero To withdraw money
Tarjeta de crdito Credit card
Transferencia - Transfer
Estoy buscando un cajero automtico Im looking for a cash machine
Quisiera hacer una transferencia Id like to transfer some money
Cunto tiempo tardar? how long will it take?
Estoy esperando un giro Im waiting for a Money order
Quisiera comunicar la prdida de mis tarjetas de crdito
Id like to report the loss of my credit card
El cajero se trago la tarjeta Introduzca la tarjeta Please insert your card
Teclee su nmero personal nip Please enter your security number
Cajero(temporalmente) fuera de servicio this machine is temporarily out of
service
Pases
For femenine you have to add a for example: male: mexicano female: mexicana
Country

Pas

Nacionality/nacionalidad

Afghanistan

Afganistn

Afgano(a)

Africa

Africa

africano(a)

Albania

Albania

Albanes(a)

America

Amrica

americano(a)

Argentina

Argentina

argentino(a)

Asia

Asia

asitico(a)

Australia

Australia

australiano(a)

Austria

Austria

austriaco(a)

(The) Bahamas

(las) Bahamas

Bahameo(a)

Belgium

Blgica

Belga

Belize

Belice

Beliceo(a)

Bolivia

Bolivia

Boliviano(a)

Bolivia

Bolivia

Boliviano(a)

Brazil

Brasil

Brasileo(a)

Bulgaria

Bulgaria

Blgaro(a)

Canada

Canad

Canadiense

Chile

Chile

Chileno(a)

China

China

Chino(a)

Columbia

Colombia

Colombiano(a)

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

costarriqueo(a), costarricense

Cuba

Cuba

Cubano(a)

Denmark

Dinamarca

Danes(a)

Dominican Republic

la Repblica Dominicana

Dominicano(a)

Dubai

Dubai

Dubaite

Ecuador

Ecuador

Ecuatoriano(a)

Egypt

Egipto

Egipcio(a)

El Salvador

El Salvador

Salvadoreo(a)

England

Inglaterra

ingles(a)

France

Francia

frances(a)

Germany

Alemania

aleman(a)

Great Britain

Gran Bretaa

britnico(a)

Greece

Grecia

griego(a)

Grenada

Granada

granadino(a)

Guatemala

Guatemala

guatemalteco(a)

Haiti

Hait

haitiano(a)

Hawaii

Hawaii

hawaiano(a)

Holland

Holanda

holandes(a)

Honduras

Honduras

hondureo(a)

Iceland

Islandia

islandes(a)

India

(la) India

indio(a)

Indonesia

Indonesia

indonesio(a)

Irak

Irak, Iraq

iraque

Iran

Irn

irane

Ireland

Irlanda

irlandes(a)

Israel

Israel

israele

Italy

Italia

italiano(a)

Jamaica

Jamaica

jamaicano(a)

Japan

Japn

japons(a)

Laos

Laos

laosiano(a)

Lebanon

Lbano

libanes(a)

Liberia

Liberia

liberiano(a)

Luxemburg

Luxemburgo

luxemburgues(a)

Marruecos

Morocco

Marroque

Mexico

Mxico, Mjico

mexicano(a)

Netherlands

Pases Bajos

holandeses(a)

New Zealand

Nueva Zelanda

neozelandes(a)

Nicaragua

Nicaragua

nicaragense

Norway

Noruega

noruego(a)

Pakistan

Paquistn

paquistane

Palestine

Palestina

palestino(a)

Panama

Panam

panameo(a)

Paraguay

Paraguay

paraguayo(a)

Persia

Persia

persa

Peru

Per

peruano(a)

Philippines

Filipinas

filipino(a)

Poland

Polonia

polaco(a)

Portugal

Portugal

portugues(a)

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

puertorriqueo(a)

Rumania

Rumana

rumano(a)

Russia

Rusia

ruso(a)

Scotland

Escocia

escoces(a)

Spain

Espaa

espaol(a)

Sweden

Suecia

sueco(a)

Switzerland

Suiza

suizo(a)

Taiwan

Taiwn

taiwanes(a)

Thailand

Tailandia

tailandes(a)

Turkey

Turqua

turco(a)

United States

Estados Unidos

estadounidense

Uruguay

Uruguay

uruguayo(a)

Venezuela

Venezuela

venezolano

Museos lugares de inters

Cunto cuesta la entrada? How much does it cost to get in?
La entada al museo cuesta... pesos Entry to the museum costs pesos
La entrada vale tambin para la exposicin? Is this ticket valid for the
exhibition?
Hay descuentos para jvenes?- Are there any discounts for young people?
Est abierto los domingos? Is i topen on Sundays?
Dos entradas con descuento y una normal two consessions and one full price
A qu hora es la prxima visita guiada? When is the next guided tour?
Cunto dura la visita? How long does the tour last?
Silencio por favor silence, please
Quisiera informacin sobre... id like some information about
Dnde puedo encontrar informacin sobre...? Where can i find information
about?
Tiene algn mapa de la ciudad? do you have a street map of the city?
Me puede ensear donde esta el mapa? can you show me where it is on the
map?
Cmo llego? How do i get there?
Es gratis? Is it free?
Comidas y bebidas
Vamos a comer algo? Shal we go and get something to eat?
Vamos a tomar algo? Shal w ego for a drink?
Vamos a tomar un caf? Shall w ego for a coffee?
Nos podra recomendar un restaurante? Could you recommend a restaurant?
No tengo mucha hambre Im not very hungry
Me muero de hambre Im starving
Disculpe! Excuse me!, please!
Quisiera un sndwich de atn, por favor id like a tuna sndwich, please
Tomar otro ill have the same again
Buen provecho! enjoy your meal
Salud! Cheers!
Est delicioso Its delicious
Estuvo delicioso It was delicious
Tiene mucha grasa It is very greasy
Le falta sal It needs a bit more salt

Tiene demasiadas especias Its too spicy

Ayer beb demasiado I drank too much yesterday
Podra traer un cenicero? Could you bring us an ashtray, please?
Disculpe, dnde estn los baos? where are the toilets, please?
Yo quiero... Id like
Yo tomar... y... pero sin... id like. And but without
En el hotel
Reserve a nombre de... I made a booking in the name of
Admiten tarjetas de crdito? do you take credit cards?
Me permite ver su pasaporte? Can I see your passport?
Puede llenar este formato? Could you fill in this form?
Quedan habitaciones libres? do you have any rooms available?
No, lo siento, estamos llenos No Im sorry, were full
Slo queda una habitacin doble I only have one double room left
Una habitacin individual que no sea cara a cheap single room
Para cuantas noches es? How many night is it for?
Puedo ver la habitacin? Can i see the room?
Est bien, la tomo Its fine, Ill take it
Se podra poner una cama adicional? World it be possible to add an extra bed?
El desayuno esta incluido? Is breakfast included?
La llave de la ..., por favor The key for room, please
Me gustara cambiar de habitacin la ma es demasiado ruidosa Id like another
room, mine is too noisy
El aire acondicionado no funciona The air conditioning isnt working
No tenemos toallas we dont have any towels
No hay papel higinico theres no toilet paper
Puedo dejar la mochila en la recepcin? Can I leave my backpack at reception?
No hay agua caliente Theres no hot water
Tienes tarjeta de socio? Do you have a membership card?
No encuentro el /la... i cant find the
Cerr la puerta y deje las llaves adentro - Ive locked myself out
Salud
Tienen alguien una aspirina por casualidad? Would anyone have an aspirine by
chance?
Tengo que ir al medico I need to see a doctor
Dnde puedo encontrar un medico en domingo? Where can i find a doctor on
Sunday
Quisiera pedir cita para hoy - I`d like to make an appointment for today
Lo antes posible as soon as possible
No, no es grave no, it`s not so serious
Podra mandar una ambulancia a...? Could you send an ambulance to...?
Quisiera un liquido limpiador para lentes de contacto I`d like some rinsing
solution for soft glasses

Se me rompieron los lentes I`ve broken my glasses

No me siento bien I don`t feel well
Me siento muy dbil I feel very week
Me pico... I`ve been stung by...
Me mordi I`ve been bitten by...
Me mareo I feel sick(dizzy)
Me duele la cabeza I have a headache
Me duele el estomago I have sore stomach
Tengo fiebre I have a fever
Me pica it`s itchy
Estoy enfermo del corazn I have a Heart condition
Llevo una semana tomando antibiticos y no mejoro I`ve been on antibiotics for a
week and i`m not any better
Necesito la pldora del da siguiente I need the morning-after pill
Estoy embarazada de .... meses I`m ... months pregnant
Dnde le duele? Where does it hurts
Podra ayudarme? Could you help me?
Hay alguien que hable ingls? Is there anyone here who speaks English?
Accidentes y problemas
Tengo que llamar al consulado I need to get in touch with the consulate
Me torc el tobillo I`ve been sprained my ankle
Me ca de espaldas I`ve fallen and hurt my back
Es grave? Is it serious?
Qu debo hacer? what I am supposed to do?
Me robaron la documentacin my identity papers have been stolen
Me sigue un hombre desde hace rato a man has been following me for some
time
Tengo que denunciar un robo I`d like to report something stolen
Cundo ocurri? when did this happen?
Tuvimos un accidente we`ve just had an accident
la hora
qu hora es? what time is it?
Perdone, me podra dar la hora por favor? Excuse me, do you have the time,
please?
Son las tres en punto It`s three o`clock on the dot
Son casi las tres It`s almost three o`clock
Es la una y diez It`s ten past one
Es la una y cuarto It`s a quarter past one
Nos vemos en media hora? shall we meet in half an hour?
regreso en... una media hora I`ll be back in a quarter of an hour
a tiempo on time
de la maana in the morning
de la noche in evening

de la tarde in the afternoon

las doce( de la noche) - midnight
las doce (del medio da) midday, noon
llegar antes de tiempo to be early
llegar tarde to be late
media hora half an hour
un cuarto de hora a quarter of an hour
veinte minutos twenty minutes
Nmeros
0 cero
1 uno
2 dos
3 tres
4 cuatro
5 cinco
6 seis
7 siete
8 ocho
9 nuevo
10 diez
11 once
12 doce
13 trece
14 catorce
15 quince
16 diecisis
17 diecisiete
18 dieciocho
19 diecinueve
20 veinte
21 veintiuno
22 veintids
30 treinta
35 treinta y cinco
40 cuarenta
50 cincuenta
60 sesenta
70 setenta
80 ochenta
90 noventa
100 cien
101 ciento uno
200 doscientos
500 quinientos
1 000 mil

2 000 dos mil

10 000 diez mil
1 000 000 un milln
1 primero 2 segundo
3 tercero
4 cuarto
5 quinto
6 sexto
7 sptimo
8 octavo
9 noveno
10 dcimo
20 vigsimo
21 vigsimo primero
30 trigsimo
40 cuadragsimo
Das
Lunes - Monday
Martes - Tuesday
Mircoles - Wednesday
Jueves - Thursday
Viernes - Friday
Sbado - Saturday
Domingo - Sunday
Meses
Enero - January
Febrero - February
Marzo - March
Abril - April
Mayo - May
Junio - June
Julio - July
Agosto - August
Septiembre - September
Octubre - October
Noviembre - November
Diciembre - December

Expresiones
Es genial It`s cool
Me gusta I like it
Me gusta mucho... I like it a lot
No me gusta mucho... I don`t like it that much
Me gustara... I`d like
Me encanta - I love it
Me parece... I think...
Estoy de acuerdo I agree
No estoy de acuerdo I disagree
No lo s I don`t know
Me da igual It`s the same
Me pone nervioso(masc.)/ nerviosa (fem.) It/ he/ she make me feel nervous
Sabe un poco raro it tastes strange
Hay demasiada gente It`s crowded
El tiempo
Qu tiempo prevn para maana? what`s the weather forecast for tomorrow?
Va a hacer mal clima it`s going to be bad
Qu asco de clima! whar horrible weather!
Va a hacer buen clima It`s going to be nice
Qu da tan bonito what a beautiful day
Tenemos suerte con el clima we`re lucky with the weather
Hace calor! It`s really hot!
El clima estuvo magnifico the weather was beautiful
Por la noche hace fri It`s cold in the evenings
Hay mucha humedad it`s damp
Viajar
Dnde puedo comprar boletos? where can I buy tickets?
Un boleto a... one ticket to...
Cunto cuesta un boleto a...? how much is a ticket to...?
Quisiera reservar un boleto I`d like to book a ticket
Hay descuentos para estudiantes? are there any concessions for students?
Podra darme un folleto con los horarios? do you have a timetable, please?
Le quedan boletos para...? are there any tickets for?
No hay ms tmpano/ tarde? is there an earlier/ later one?
Cunto dura el viaje? how long does the journey take?
Esta libre este asiento? is this seat free?
Lo siento, esta ocupado I`m sorry, this SEAT is taken
Me puede dar un mapa del metro? can I have a map of the subway?
Qu lnea tengo que tomar para ir a...? which line do I take to get to...?

Sale de aqu el autobs a...? does the bus for... leave from here?
sta es la parada de...? is this the right stop for...?
podra decirme cuando hay que bajar? could you tell me when I have to get off?
Necesito un taxi a las ocho - i`d like to book a taxi for... o`clock
Voy a... i`d like to go to
Puede parar aqu, gracias can you drop me off here, thanks
Cunto es al aeropuerto? how much will it cost to go to the air port?

Salir
Calle- Street
Bulevar, boulevard - Boulevard
Avenida - Avenue
Camino - Road
Carretera - Highway
Esquina (de) - Corner(of)
Cuadra - Block
A la izquierda - To the left
A la derecha - To the right
Adelante - Forward, ahead
Por aqu - This way
Por all - That way
Norte - North
Sur - South
Este - East
Oeste - West
Dnde est? where is?
A dnde podemos ir? where can we go?
Te gustara ir? how about going?
Qu vas a hacer esta noche? what are you doing tonight?
Vamos a tomar algo? shall we go for a drink?
Tienes algn plan? have you anything planned?
Hoy no puedo pero quedamos otro da si puedes I can`t today what about some
other time?
A qu hora quedamos? what time shall we meet?
Dnde nos vemos? where shall we meet?
Te voy a dar mi numero, llmame maana I`ll give you my number, call me
tomorrow
Hay alguna gua de espectculos? is there a listings magazine?
Quiero tres entradas para... i`d like three tickets for...
A qu hora es la funcin? Y la pelcula? what time does the program starts?,
what about the film?
Me gustara mucho ir a ver un espectculo I`d like to go to a show
Quedan entradas para otro da? Is there any tickets left for a different day?

Ya no hay entradas para esta funcin this showing is sold out

Me gustara mucho ir a un concierto en un caf I`d like to go and see some live
music in a bar
Hay conciertos gratuitos? are there any free concerts?
Que estilo de msica es? what kind of music it is?
No me gusta mucho ese tipo de msica I don`t like that type of music much
Apaguen telfonos celulares, por favor please switch off your mobile phones
Podramos ir al antro despus? can we go to a club afterwards?
Hay que pagar entrada? do you have to pay to get in?
Bailo muy mal I can`t dance to save my life
Cmo se baila esto how do you dance to this?
Disculpa tienes un cigarro? - could i have a cigarette?
Perdona, tienes encendedor? do you have a light?
Podemos vernos otro da? could we see each other again?
Podra sacarnos una foto? could you take us a photo?
bar - bar
Cine - movie
Concierto - concert
Antro (discoteca) (night) club
Espectculo - show
Fiesta - party
Grupo(banda) group, band
Pelcula - film
Deportes
Quisiera alquilar una bici por una hora I`d like to hire a bike for an hour
Cunto cuesta por hora y por persona? how much is it per hour and per person?
Soy psimo para... I`m useless at...
Me duele todo my body`s aching
Jugamos a/ al we played...
Tiene algo de experiencia o es principiante? do you have any experience or are
you a complete beginer?
Hay senderos para caminar? are there any hiking paths?
Nos podra recomendar alguna ruta para andar por los alrededores? what walks
can you recommend us in the area
Queremos dar un pequeo paseo por aqu cerca we would like to go for a gentle
walk somewhere in the area
Hay pistas de bicicleta? are there any clycle tracks?
Tendr alguien un baln de ftbol? does anyone have a foot ball ?

Compras
Barato - cheap

Caja cash desk

Caro - expensive
Centro comercial shopping center (mall)
Mercado - market
Tienda store / shop
Panadera bakers
Precio - price
Hay algn supermercado en la colonia? is there a supermarket nearby?
Donde puedo comprar cigarros? where can I buy cigarettes?
Quisiera... i`d like...
Estoy buscando... I`m looking for ...
Tienen...? do you have...?
Cunto cuesta este...? how much is this?
Est bien, lo llevo that`s fine I`ll take it
Me puede hacer un descuento? could you give me something off it?
No tengo mucho dinero I don`t have much money
Nada ms gracias that`s everything, thanks
Me puede dar una bolsa(de plstico)? Could I have a (plastic) bag?
No tengo suficiente dinero I don`t have enough money
Cometi un error, me dio mal el cambio you made a mistake with my change
Cunto le debo? how much do I have to pay?
Me lo podra escribir, por favor? could you write it down, please?
Se puede pagar con tarjeta? can I pay by credit card?
Puede darme cambio? could you give me change, please?
Me puede dar un recibo? could I have a receipt?
Voy a pagar en efectivo? I`ll pay cash
Lo siento, no tengo cambio sorry, I don`t have change
Hay algn mercado? is there a market?
?Puedo probrmelo/ probrmela? can I try it on?
?Dnde estn los probadores? where are the fitting rooms?
Busco un regalo para llevar a casa I`m looking for a present to take back home
Estaciones - seasons
Primavera - Spring
Verano Summer
Otoo - Autumn
Invierno - Winter
Colores
Negro - black
Azul - blue
Rojo - red
Blanco - white
Verde - green

Amarillo - yellow
Rosa - pink
Morado - purple
Caf - brown
Gris - grey
Naranja orange
Plateado - silver
Dorado - golden
Mexican slang
You will hear many of this slang words and phrases all around Mexico, but others
are particular to Mexico City.
Qu onda? what`s up?, what`s happening?
Qu pex? - what`s up?
Qu pasin? (Mexico City only) - what`s up?, what`s going on?
Qu padre! how cool!
Fregn really good at something, way cool, awesome
-este club esta fregn this club is way cool
- El cantante es un fregn the singer is really awesome
Ser muy buena onda to be really cool, nice
- mi novio es muy buena onda my boyfriend is really cool
- eres muy buena onda you`re really cool, nice
Estar de pelos to be super, awesome
- la msica esta de pelos the music is awesome
Pisto (in the noth) booze
Alips booze
- echarse un alips, echarse un trago to go get a drink
- echamos un alips/ trago let`s go have a drink
Tirar la onda try to pick someone up, to flirt
Ligar to flirt
Irse de reventn go partying
- vmonos de reventn! let`s go party!
Reven a rave huge party, lots of loud music and wild atmosphere
Un desmadre a mess
Simn yes
Nel no
No hay tos no problem (literally there`s no cough)
rale! (positive) sounds great! (responding to an invitation)
rale! (negative) what the *#*? (taunting exclamation)
caray! shit!
Te cae? are you serious?
Me late sounds really cool to me
Me vale I don`t care, whatever
Sale y vale I agree. Sounds good

Gucatelas!, Gucala! how gross!, disgusting

bjale! don`t exaggerate!, come on!
!chle?! (Mexico City only) really?, no way!
Te pasas! that`s it!, you`ve gone to far!
Un resto a lot
Lana money, dough
Carnal brother
Cuate buddy
Chavo guy, dude
Chava girl
Jefe father (literally boss)
Jefa mother
La tira the police