A1 Survival phrases and words in Spanish
The absolute minimum Spanish you need to stay afloat as a tourist or newcomer in Spain or Latin America. These phrases help you slow things down, ask for what you need, and recover gracefully when you lose the thread of a conversation. Spanish speakers are generally warm and patient with learners — a genuine attempt goes a long way.
15 phrases · meanings & example sentences
“Habla más despacio, por favor”
Ask someone to speak more slowly. This is one of the most useful phrases you will ever learn. Native speakers often don't realize how fast they're going. In Latin America you might say 'Habla', in Spain with strangers use 'Hable' (formal usted form).
- The hotel receptionist is rattling off check-in instructions — you say 'Habla más despacio, por favor' and she immediately slows down.
- Your taxi driver in Mexico City is explaining the route quickly — 'Habla más despacio, por favor' and he repeats it clearly.
- A shopkeeper in Buenos Aires is telling you about a discount — you pause her with 'Habla más despacio, por favor' and suddenly you understand everything.
“No hablo mucho español todavía”
Tell someone honestly that you don't speak much Spanish yet. The word 'todavía' (yet/still) signals you're learning, which tends to make people more patient and encouraging rather than switching to English immediately.
- You walk into a pharmacy in Bogotá — before the pharmacist launches in, you say 'No hablo mucho español todavía' and she switches to simple, clear sentences.
- At a dinner party in Madrid someone asks you a complicated question — you smile and say 'No hablo mucho español todavía' and they immediately simplify.
- The barista in a café in Lima tries to make small talk — 'No hablo mucho español todavía' lets you both laugh it off without awkwardness.
“¿Cuánto cuesta?”
How much does it cost? Essential for markets, taxis, street food, and any situation without a price tag. In some Latin American countries you may also hear '¿Cuánto es?' or '¿A cuánto está?' — all mean the same thing.
- You spot a beautiful scarf at a market stall in Oaxaca — you hold it up and ask '¿Cuánto cuesta?'
- A mototaxi in Cartagena pulls up — before you get in, you ask '¿Cuánto cuesta?' so there are no surprises.
- At a juice stand in Santiago you point to the papaya smoothie and ask '¿Cuánto cuesta?' before ordering.
“¿Dónde está el baño?”
Where is the bathroom? An urgent classic. In Spain 'baño' and 'aseo' are both common. In Latin America 'baño' is universal. 'Servicio' also works in Spain. Don't overthink it — any of these will be understood.
- You arrive at a busy restaurant in Seville and need to find the bathroom before sitting down — '¿Dónde está el baño?' to the first staff member you see.
- You're at a petrol station in Mexico and the bathrooms aren't signposted — you ask the cashier '¿Dónde está el baño?'
- In a shopping mall in Bogotá you can't find the facilities — you stop a security guard and ask '¿Dónde está el baño?'
“¿Me lo puede repetir?”
Can you repeat that for me? More polite and complete than just '¿Qué?' (What?), which can sound abrupt. The 'me lo' construction is natural and conversational — it won't mark you as a textbook learner.
- The tour guide in Cusco just explained the history of an Incan site and you caught maybe half — '¿Me lo puede repetir?' and he happily goes again.
- A waiter in Barcelona rattles off the daily specials — '¿Me lo puede repetir?' and he slows right down.
- Someone gives you directions and you lose track after the second turn — '¿Me lo puede repetir?' lets you start fresh.
“Solo estoy mirando”
I'm just looking / browsing. This saves you from sales pressure in shops without being rude. It's a natural, polite way to buy yourself time. Shopkeepers in Spain and Latin America often greet customers very proactively, so having this phrase ready prevents awkward hovering.
- You walk into a leather goods shop in Córdoba and the owner immediately approaches — 'Solo estoy mirando, gracias' lets you browse comfortably.
- In a boutique in Mexico City the assistant asks if she can help you find something — 'Solo estoy mirando' with a smile keeps things relaxed.
- At a souvenir market in Cartagena a vendor follows you hopefully — 'Solo estoy mirando' is polite and clear.
“¿Me trae la cuenta?”
Can you bring me the bill? In Spain and Latin America, waiters typically don't bring the bill until asked — hovering with the check would be considered rude. You will often wait forever if you don't ask. This is completely normal and not impolite.
- You've finished lunch at a tapas bar in Valencia and the waiter is nowhere near — you catch his eye and say '¿Me trae la cuenta?'
- After a long dinner in Buenos Aires, you're ready to leave — you signal the waiter and ask '¿Me trae la cuenta?'
- At a café terrace in Medellín you want to keep moving — '¿Me trae la cuenta?' is all you need.
“¿Hay algo que me recomiende?”
Is there something you'd recommend? Useful in restaurants, shops, and markets. It shows respect for local knowledge and often gets you the best item on the menu rather than the tourist default. Locals love being asked for their opinion.
- You're in a seafood restaurant in San Sebastián with a huge menu — '¿Hay algo que me recomiende?' and the waiter brings you to the best pintxo of the day.
- At a mezcal shop in Oaxaca you're overwhelmed by the selection — '¿Hay algo que me recomiende?' and the owner pours you the one he's proud of.
- In a panadería in Lima the baker seems to know her pastries — '¿Hay algo que me recomiende?' scores you something still warm from the oven.
“Soy alérgico/a a ___”
I'm allergic to ___. Use 'alérgico' if you're male, 'alérgica' if female. Fill in the blank with the item: mariscos (shellfish), nueces (nuts), gluten, lácteos (dairy), etc. In a country where you can't always read every ingredient, this phrase could genuinely matter.
- At a restaurant in Mexico City you ask the waiter before ordering: 'Soy alérgico a los mariscos — ¿este plato lleva?'
- At a bakery in Madrid you ask 'Soy alérgica al gluten — ¿tienen opciones sin gluten?' before choosing.
- A street food vendor in Bogotá offers you a sample — you explain 'Soy alérgico a las nueces' before trying it.
“¿Qué significa ___?”
What does ___ mean? Your most powerful learning tool when out in the world. Point at a menu item, a sign, or repeat a word you just heard and ask this. People usually enjoy explaining and you'll remember the word forever.
- The menu says 'cecina' and you have no idea — you ask the waiter '¿Qué significa cecina?' and get a full explanation.
- A sign in a Madrid shop says 'rebajas' — you ask the assistant '¿Qué significa rebajas?' and discover it means sales.
- Someone just used the word 'ándale' in Mexico City — you ask '¿Qué significa ándale?' and learn it all at once.
“Lo voy a pensar”
I'm going to think about it. A polite, non-committal way to exit a sales situation without saying no directly. Very useful at markets or with persistent vendors. It leaves the door open without committing you to anything.
- A vendor at a craft market in Antigua is pushing hard on a handwoven bag — 'Lo voy a pensar' lets you walk away without confrontation.
- A tour company rep in Cancún is quoting you a price for a day trip — 'Lo voy a pensar' buys you time to compare.
- A phone shop assistant is suggesting an expensive SIM plan — 'Lo voy a pensar' ends the pitch gracefully.
“Un momento”
One moment / just a second. Buy yourself a few seconds to think, find something in your bag, or check your translation app. Simple, universally understood, and feels completely natural.
- The cashier asks you a question at the supermarket and you need to check your translation app — 'Un momento' while you find the right word.
- The taxi driver asks for your destination and you're fumbling with the address on your phone — 'Un momento' while you pull it up.
- A waiter is ready to take your order but you haven't decided — 'Un momento, por favor' and he comes back shortly.
“¿Acepta tarjeta?”
Do you accept card? Cash is still very important in many parts of Latin America and Spain. Markets, small restaurants, and independent shops often don't take cards. Ask before you eat or commit to a purchase to avoid an awkward scramble for an ATM.
- You're about to pay at a small restaurant in Havana — '¿Acepta tarjeta?' saves you from the panic of having only a debit card.
- At a market in Lima you've fallen in love with a painting — '¿Acepta tarjeta?' before you negotiate the price.
- A taxi in Guatemala City drops you off — '¿Acepta tarjeta?' before you get out.
“¿Habla inglés?”
Do you speak English? Use this as a last resort rather than a first resort — trying Spanish first is always appreciated. But when you genuinely need it, this is the right way to ask. In tourist areas of Spain and major Latin American cities, staff often do speak some English.
- At a hospital in Madrid with a complex medical situation — '¿Habla inglés?' is completely reasonable and expected.
- You're trying to explain a problem with your hotel room in detail and your Spanish runs out — '¿Habla inglés?' to the manager.
- At a bus station in Santiago with a complicated route — '¿Habla inglés?' when the details really matter.
“¡Ayuda, por favor!”
Help, please! For genuine emergencies. Say it loudly and clearly. Knowing this phrase cold — without having to think — is the whole point. In an urgent situation, panic can blank your memory, so it's worth drilling until it's automatic.
- Your bag has just been grabbed on the street in Barcelona — '¡Ayuda, por favor!' immediately and loudly.
- Someone collapses near you at a market in Mexico City — you shout '¡Ayuda, por favor!' to get attention.
- You're lost in an unfamiliar area at night and feel unsafe — '¡Ayuda, por favor!' to anyone nearby.
