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Are you planning a trip to Spain in the near future, maybe a summer vacation?
Here are some ideas and tips you should consider before you set off on your trip.
The first thing you should know is that Spain is a very diverse country, and depending on the destination you choose, your adventure will be totally different.
In today's Blog I am going to give you some Spanish vocabulary words and expressions that can be very helpful for your trip. Or if you are not going to travel this summer, just to learn a little more about the culture and language of Spain.
1. Most importantly, how do I introduce myself to the Spanish people?
Very simple, in Spain people are very friendly and they will generally do their part to make it easier for you to express yourself, so don't worry too much about that. With these basic expressions you shouldn't have too many problems.
-"Hola, my name is John" would say "Hola, mi nombre es John" or simply "Hola, soy John".
-"Nice to meet you" would be "Encantado (masculine)/Encantada (femenine) de conocerte" or "Un placer".
-"How are you?" would be "¿Cómo estás?" or "¿Qué tal?"
- If you want to say "I'm fine, thank you very much" you would say "Estoy bien, gracias por preguntar". And you can add "¿Y tú?" or "Y tú, ¿Qué tal?" if you want to ask them about their day as well.
But that's enough of introductions.
2. How to ask for directions?
Nowadays, you could simply use a GPS application on your mobile phone to guide you, but just in case, how can you ask for directions in Spanish? Here are some basic ways to do it.
-"Excuse me, how can I get to... the Cathedral?" > "Perdone, ¿Dónde está...la Catedral?"
Nowadays, you could simply use a GPS application on your mobile phone to guide you, but just in case, how can you ask for directions in Spanish? Here are some basic ways to do it.
-"Excuse me, how can I get to... the Cathedral?" > "Perdone, ¿Dónde está...la Catedral?"
(FUN FACT: Use "Perdone" in formal contexts, and "Perdona" for more informal contexts).
As for the directions they give you, these are the key words you should know.
Go straight ahead> Sigue recto
Turn to the> Gira hacia.... la derecha/la izquierda
Right> Derecha
Left> Izquierda
Backwards> Atrás
In front of > Frente a
Close to> Cerca de
Away from> Lejos de
I don't know where the Cathedral is> No sé dónde está...la Catedral
Go straight ahead> Sigue recto
Turn to the> Gira hacia.... la derecha/la izquierda
Right> Derecha
Left> Izquierda
Backwards> Atrás
In front of > Frente a
Close to> Cerca de
Away from> Lejos de
I don't know where the Cathedral is> No sé dónde está...la Catedral
3. Ordering food
One of the most common reasons to travel to Spain is its gastronomy, from the famous Paella to the incredible Pulpo a la Gallega or the Patatas Bravas from the Canary Islands. Today we are going to learn how to order these delicious dishes in Spanish!
One of the most common reasons to travel to Spain is its gastronomy, from the famous Paella to the incredible Pulpo a la Gallega or the Patatas Bravas from the Canary Islands. Today we are going to learn how to order these delicious dishes in Spanish!
When you arrive at a bar or restaurant in Spain, depending on where you go you will need to have made a reservation. In most bars and restaurants you don't need to book in advance, but if you are going to very touristy places, I advise you to check before you go.
If you have made a reservation, when you arrive at the place, you should let them know.
-Excuse me, I've booked a table for two under John's name> Perdone, he reservado una mesa para dos a nombre de John.
If you haven't booked, then you should ask for a table.
If you have made a reservation, when you arrive at the place, you should let them know.
-Excuse me, I've booked a table for two under John's name> Perdone, he reservado una mesa para dos a nombre de John.
If you haven't booked, then you should ask for a table.
-Excuse me, do you have a table for two?> Perdone, ¿Tiene mesa para dos?
If they do, they will just escort you to your table.
Once you've got your table, it's time to order.
-Excuse me, can I have the menu?> "Perdone, ¿El menú?" or "Perdone, ¿Puede darnos la carta?" (Both "Menú" and "Carta" mean "menu")
You've looked at the menu and decided you want to have a "Sangría" to drink (Another fun fact is that "Sangría" is known as "the tourists drink" in Spain, Spaniards don't usually order sangría, here it's more common to order a beer, a fizzy drink, a wine or simply a "tinto de verano", which is the closest thing to sangria).
Now, if the waiter does not come directly to take your order (He/She will probably approach you even before you ask), simply call him/she and tell him/she what you have decided to have. For example:
-Excuse me! We would like to have two "Tintos de verano" and Paella to share. We'd also like a pincho of tortilla de patatas and a portion of patatas bravas to snack on > "Perdone, nos gustaría tomar una ración de paella para compartir. También queremos unos pinchos de tortilla de patatas y una porción de patatas bravas para picar".
-Excuse me, can I have the menu?> "Perdone, ¿El menú?" or "Perdone, ¿Puede darnos la carta?" (Both "Menú" and "Carta" mean "menu")
You've looked at the menu and decided you want to have a "Sangría" to drink (Another fun fact is that "Sangría" is known as "the tourists drink" in Spain, Spaniards don't usually order sangría, here it's more common to order a beer, a fizzy drink, a wine or simply a "tinto de verano", which is the closest thing to sangria).
Now, if the waiter does not come directly to take your order (He/She will probably approach you even before you ask), simply call him/she and tell him/she what you have decided to have. For example:
-Excuse me! We would like to have two "Tintos de verano" and Paella to share. We'd also like a pincho of tortilla de patatas and a portion of patatas bravas to snack on > "Perdone, nos gustaría tomar una ración de paella para compartir. También queremos unos pinchos de tortilla de patatas y una porción de patatas bravas para picar".
And then, you simply thank them with a "Gracias" or a "Muchas gracias"
There are many more things to bear in mind when travelling to Spain, but I could go on writing until next summer (and you don't want to read me for so long, trust me), so I'll just add a short vocabulary list that might come in handy.
That is all for today on a more general basis.
As a last tip before finishing the blog, I simply invite you to talk to people and interact with the environment, in Spain people are very friendly and are always willing to help you.
As a last tip before finishing the blog, I simply invite you to talk to people and interact with the environment, in Spain people are very friendly and are always willing to help you.
If you are going to travel to Spain soon, I hope you enjoy this wonderful country.
See you soon!
See you soon!
VOCABULARY LIST (SUMMER EDITION)
Tapas
Spanish typical snacks (I f you go to Andalucia, in some places tapas are free once you pay for a drink)
Cerveza
Beer
Comer
To eat
Ir de compras
Shopping
Shopping
aire condicionado
air-conditioning
ventilador
fan
la arena
sand
protector solar
sunblock
cálido
balmy
caliente
hot
castillo de arena
sandcastle
las chanclas
flip-flops
fresa
strawberry
los fuegos artificiales
fireworks
hacer turismo
to sightsee
el helado
ice cream
húmedo
muggy
la limonada
lemonade
el mosquito
mosquito
nadar
to swim
la ola
wave
la orilla del mar
seashore
el parque acuático
waterpark
la barbacoa
barbecue
el pícnic
picnic
la playa
beach
quemadura solar
sunburn
quemar
to burn
relajarse
to relax
las sandalias
sandals
la sandía
watermelon
la silla de playa
beach chair
sofocante
stifling
el sol
sun
soleado
sunny
el té helado
iced tea
el traje de baño
bathing suit
las vacaciones
vacation
el verano
summer
viajar
to travel
el viaje
trip
el viaje por carretera
road trip
air-conditioning
ventilador
fan
la arena
sand
protector solar
sunblock
cálido
balmy
caliente
hot
castillo de arena
sandcastle
las chanclas
flip-flops
fresa
strawberry
los fuegos artificiales
fireworks
hacer turismo
to sightsee
el helado
ice cream
húmedo
muggy
la limonada
lemonade
el mosquito
mosquito
nadar
to swim
la ola
wave
la orilla del mar
seashore
el parque acuático
waterpark
la barbacoa
barbecue
el pícnic
picnic
la playa
beach
quemadura solar
sunburn
quemar
to burn
relajarse
to relax
las sandalias
sandals
la sandía
watermelon
la silla de playa
beach chair
sofocante
stifling
el sol
sun
soleado
sunny
el té helado
iced tea
el traje de baño
bathing suit
las vacaciones
vacation
el verano
summer
viajar
to travel
el viaje
trip
el viaje por carretera
road trip
EXTRA:
If you have made it this far, I can only say congratulations.
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and I'll answer as soon as I see them.
And lastly, if you could travel to any Spanish-speaking country, where would it be and why?
You can try to answer in Spanish if you feel like practicing :)
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and I'll answer as soon as I see them.
And lastly, if you could travel to any Spanish-speaking country, where would it be and why?
You can try to answer in Spanish if you feel like practicing :)
I will be reading you!
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