Essential Spanish Phrases for Holidaymakers: Eat, Drink & Travel Like a Local!
Essential Spanish Phrases for Holidaymakers: Eat, Drink & Travel Like a Local! 🇪🇸🍷🌞
Ever noticed how you get better service when you make an effort to speak the local language? In Spain, even attempting basic Spanish—no matter how bad—can go a long way. It’s not about being fluent, but about showing respect and making connections.
The waiters, bartenders, and shopkeepers appreciate the effort and will often be warmer, more patient, and even throw in a little extra—maybe a free tapa with your drink or a friendlier experience overall.
So, whether you’re ordering paella, asking for the bill, or just greeting people, here’s your ultimate cheat sheet of Spanish words and phrases for a smoother, more enjoyable holiday!
1. Essential Greetings & Pleasantries
Start every conversation with a friendly greeting—it makes all the difference!
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hola | OH-lah |
| Good morning | Buenos días | BWEH-nos DEE-as |
| Good afternoon | Buenas tardes | BWEH-nas TAR-des |
| Good evening/night | Buenas noches | BWEH-nas NOH-ches |
| Please | Por favor | por fah-VOR |
| Thank you | Gracias | GRA-thee-as (Spain) / GRA-see-as (Latin America) |
| You’re welcome | De nada | de NAH-da |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Perdón / Lo siento | pehr-DOHN / lo SYEN-toh |
| Do you speak English? | ¿Habla inglés? | AH-blah een-GLAYS? |
💡 Tip: If someone responds in rapid Spanish, don’t panic! Just say:
“Lo siento, no entiendo.” (I’m sorry, I don’t understand.)
2. Ordering Food & Drinks Like a Pro 🍽️🍷
Spanish restaurants and cafés love it when you try to order in Spanish. Even if your accent is terrible, they’ll appreciate the effort and might even treat you better!
Getting a Table
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| A table for two, please | Una mesa para dos, por favor | OO-nah MAY-sah PAH-rah dos, por fah-VOR |
| Do you have a menu? | ¿Tienen un menú? | TYEH-nen oon meh-NOO? |
| Can I see the menu, please? | ¿Puedo ver el menú, por favor? | PWEH-doh ver el meh-NOO, por fah-VOR? |
| Do you have an English menu? | ¿Tienen un menú en inglés? | TYEH-nen oon meh-NOO en een-GLAYS? |
💡 Tip: Many restaurants have an English menu, but ordering in Spanish makes a great impression!
Ordering Drinks 🍷🍻
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| A beer, please | Una cerveza, por favor | OO-nah ser-VAY-thah (Spain) / ser-BAY-sah (Latin America) |
| A glass of red/white wine, please | Un vaso de vino tinto/blanco, por favor | OON VAH-soh deh VEE-noh TEEN-toh / BLAN-coh |
| A bottle of water, please | Una botella de agua, por favor | OO-nah boh-TAY-yah deh AH-gwah |
| With / Without ice | Con / Sin hielo | KON / SEEN YEH-loh |
| I would like a coffee | Quisiera un café | Kee-SYEH-rah oon kah-FAY |
💡 Tip: In Spain, if you just ask for “café” (coffee), they’ll likely bring you an espresso. If you want a larger or milkier coffee, say:
- “Un café con leche” (A coffee with milk) ☕
- “Un café americano” (A black coffee)
Ordering Food 🍽️
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I would like… | Quisiera… | Kee-SYEH-rah… |
| The same, please | Lo mismo, por favor | Lo MEES-mo, por fah-VOR |
| What do you recommend? | ¿Qué me recomienda? | Keh meh reh-koh-mee-EHN-dah? |
| Is this spicy? | ¿Es picante? | Es pee-KAN-teh? |
| I am vegetarian | Soy vegetariano/a | Soy veh-heh-tah-ree-AH-no (m) / AH-nah (f) |
💡 Tip: If you want authentic Spanish tapas, don’t just stick to paella—ask what’s fresh!
Try saying: “¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa?” (What’s the house speciality?)
Asking for the Bill 💰
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Can I have the bill, please? | La cuenta, por favor | Lah CWEN-tah, por fah-VOR |
| Can I pay by card? | ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? | PWEH-do pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah? |
| Do you accept cash? | ¿Aceptan efectivo? | Ah-SEP-tan eh-fehk-TEE-boh? |
| Keep the change | Quédese con el cambio | KEH-deh-seh kon el KAM-byoh |
💡 Tip: Tipping in Spain is not expected, but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% for excellent service is appreciated.
3. Getting Around & Basic Directions 🚖🗺️
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is…? | ¿Dónde está…? | DOHN-deh es-TAH…? |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | CWAN-toh CWES-tah? |
| I need a taxi | Necesito un taxi | Neh-seh-SEE-toh oon TAHK-see |
| The bus stop | La parada de autobús | Lah pah-RAH-dah deh ow-toh-BOOS |
🇪🇸 Final Thoughts: Make an Effort & Get Treated Like a Local!
Even if your Spanish isn’t perfect, locals love it when you try. A little effort can mean better service, warmer hospitality, and a more immersive experience.
So next time you’re in Spain, ditch the English menu, throw in some Spanish, and enjoy the best of what this incredible country has to offer!
📌 What Spanish phrase do you always use on holiday? Let us know in the comments! ✈️🍷
