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Spanish Phrases for Tourists

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By gamergirl


Eager Tourist and His Wife
Eager Tourist and His Wife

Planning a trip to a Spanish speaking country but you don't know Spanish? No problem! Part of the fun of preparing for a trip is procrastinating on one important detail, so make this the one and just print this Hub out to take with you.

Now, as a tourist, you're going to look like one - meaning everyone who encounters you on your vacation who is a native in the place you visit will be able to pick you out in a crowd as a tourist no matter what ethnicity you are. People in tourist towns gain a sort of sixth sense for identifying tourists. This will make things easier, and in some ways harder for you.

The language barrier is pretty hard to overcome for some people, but Spanish is *easy* so don't be afraid.


Spanish Phrases to Know

Now, here are some phrases you'll really want to know, some of them are invaluable, some of them just might come in handy. If you're headed out on a tour somewhere, take visual clues with you so you have something to point to and emphasize your question.

  • Please help me? - Ayudeme, por favor?
  • Where is a good restaurant? - Donde hay un bien restaurante?
  • Where can I find this? - Donde se puede encontrar esto?
  • Which way do I go to here? - Manera que voy a hacer aqui?
  • Am I near this? - Estoy circa de esto?

Common Spanish Words

Here are some very common words in Spanish, these will help you out greatly in travels through Spanish-speaking locales.

  • Hola/Buenos Dias/Buenas Nochas - Hello/Good Morning/Good Night
  • Senor/Senora - Sir/Madam - Ma'am
  • Abrar - Open
  • Occupado - Occupied/Busy
  • Cerrado - Closed
  • Izquierda / Derecha - Left/Right
  • Norte / Sur / Este / Oeste - North/South/East/West
  • Cuidado - Caution (be careful)
  • La propiedad privada - Private Property

Hablo Inglais? Err, maybe they do!

Final Tips

You're on vacation, so remember to have a good time. Many permanent residents of foreign countries have at least a rudimentary knowledge of the English language, and in major cities the prevalence of English is even more widespread.

But - be wary of those who will try and prey off of your tourist status, and always make sure you're crystal clear on what is said to you. Carrying a Spanish to English dictionary isn't a bad idea either.

Safe Travels!!


Some books for tourists

Off the Tourist Trail: 1,000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives Off the Tourist Trail: 1,000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives
Price: $20.19
List Price: $40.00
The Tourist The Tourist
Price: $5.75
List Price: $24.95
Not for Tourists 2010 Guide to New York City (Not for Tourists Guidebook) Not for Tourists 2010 Guide to New York City (Not for Tourists Guidebook)
Price: $9.74
List Price: $16.99
The Accidental Tourist: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle) The Accidental Tourist: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
Price: $5.48
List Price: $15.00

What Spanish words do you think are most important to know when travelling?

RSS for comments on this Hub

Stacie Naczelnik profile image

Stacie Naczelnik  says:
2 years ago

Just don't say: Estoy muy embarazado. Especially if you are a guy (a dude in my high school did while on a trip to Mexico).

Lissie profile image

Lissie  says:
2 years ago

Nice hub - ROTFL Stacie -also "tiene huevos" at breakfast especailly if you ae pretty girl talking to a guy!

gamergirl profile image

gamergirl  says:
2 years ago

LOL you guys are funny!

*walks of singing about penne pasta... or IS SHE?*

robie2 profile image

robie2  says:
2 years ago

Hola, gamergirl--this hub is really bueno--Feliciationes:-)

Sally's Trove profile image

Sally's Trove  says:
2 years ago

That video is fantastic! Nice chuckle to have with the morning coffee. Muchas gracias.

gamergirl profile image

gamergirl  says:
2 years ago

De nada, Sally's Trove!

Robie!! Muchas Gracias por su visita!

donnaleemason profile image

donnaleemason  says:
2 years ago

Watching Dora the Explorer the week before you leave works too. Bueno.

Donna

rmr profile image

rmr  says:
2 years ago

Great tips. Love the video! It's very Pythonesque.

stephhicks68 profile image

stephhicks68  says:
2 years ago

Fun (love the comments too)! Donna - you're right, I learned my colors in Spanish that way... LOL

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
2 years ago

Great Hub! I cannot get the hang of Spanish no matter what I do. I'd have to use a handheld chalkboard and WRITE phrases copied from a guide book! :)

Karen Ellis profile image

Karen Ellis  says:
2 years ago

My Husband says there's only one phrase you need to know if your going to Mexico, "Una cerveza, por favor."

Peter M. Lopez profile image

Peter M. Lopez  says:
2 years ago

Un hub buenisimo!

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