
Top 50 phrases to get by Spain: Getting around and shopping
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Key Phrases
¿Dónde está...?
Where is...
Quiero ir a...
I want to go to...
¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?
Can I pay by card?
Skills You'll Learn
Asking for directions
Preguntar por direcciones
Expressing a destination
Expresar un destino
Inquiring about payment methods
Preguntar sobre métodos de pago
Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases
¿Dónde está...?
DOHN-deh ehs-TAH
Where is...?
💬 Useful for asking directions. Remember, 'dónde' has an accent mark!
🇪🇸 Spanish people are generally helpful when asked for directions. Try to approach them politely!
See breakdown →¿Dónde está el baño?
DOHN-deh ehs-TAH ehl BAH-nyoh
Where is the bathroom?
💬 Essential phrase! 'Baño' is pronounced 'bah-nyo'.
🇪🇸 In Spain, public restrooms are not as common as in other countries. You might need to use one in a café or restaurant.
See breakdown →¿Dónde está la estación de metro?
DON-deh ehs-TAH lah ehs-ta-SYON deh MEH-tro
Where is the metro station?
💬 Note the use of 'estación' for station — it sounds similar!
🇪🇸 Metro systems in bigger cities like Madrid and Barcelona are efficient; knowing this phrase can save you time.
See breakdown →Taxi
TAHK-see
Taxi
💬 Easy to remember, it's the same as in English!
🇪🇸 Taxis in Spain are usually white with a red diagonal stripe. Look for a green light indicating that they are free.
See breakdown →Izquierda
ees-KYEHR-dah
Left
💬 Make a 'z' sound, just like a buzzing bee: 'eez-kyair-dah'.
🇪🇸 When giving directions, using left ('izquierda') and right ('derecha') helps make your guidance precise.
See breakdown →Derecha
deh-REH-cha
Right
💬 Pronounced 'deh-reh-cha'. Beware of the soft 'ch' sound!
🇪🇸 Spanish traffic signs often use arrows, but locals appreciate clear verbal directions.
See breakdown →Recto
REHK-toh
Straight ahead
💬 A straightforward word. Remember not to roll the 'r' too much!
🇪🇸 In Spanish directions, 'seguir recto' (go straight) is commonly used.
See breakdown →Quiero ir a...
kee-EH-roh eer ah
I want to go to...
💬 Use 'quiero' (I want) to express your destination wish. It's polite yet direct.
🇪🇸 Having the address written or on your phone map can be very helpful, especially in busy areas.
See breakdown →Esta dirección
EH-stah dee-rehk-SYOHN
This address
💬 Combine with pointing gestures for clarity!
🇪🇸 Spain has a mix of new and old streets, so showing an address helps avoid confusion.
See breakdown →Learn this vocabulary list the easy way
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