Spanish Travel Language Basics

It doesn't take much to be understood in Spanish-- the folks who speak it in Latin America and Europe are forgiving of errors and very helpful. A combinationof sometimes silly pantomine and Spanish basicwordsand phrases are what you need most to travel in a Spanish-speaking country. "Please"and "thank you" go a long way -- and a phrasebook is a big help. I've handed my phrasebook to folks. Not as embarassing as it sounds.

Spanish Travel Basics -- Words and Phrases

• "Hello" - "hola" (OH lah)

• "Please" - "Por favor" (POR fah-VOHR)

• "Thank you" - "Gracias" (GRAH-see-ahss)

• "Can you help me?" - "Puede ayudarme?" (PWEH-dhe ah-yoo-dh-AHR-meh)

• "I don't understand" -- "No comprende" - (Noh kohm-PREHN-dho)

• "Where is...?" - "Donde esta...?" (DHOHN-dheh ehs-TAH)

• "How far?" - "A que distancia?" (Ah kay dhees-Tan-syah)

• "How much is it?" - "Cuanto cuesta?" (KWAHN-toh KWEH-stah)

• "I don't like it" -- "No me gusta" - (Meh GOOS-tah/No meh GOOS-tah)

• Asking for the check or bill at a restaurant: La cuente, por favor (Lah KWEHN-tah)

Spanish Language for Travelers Basics - Resources

• An index of Spanish basics articles

• A comprehensive list of Spanish basics for travelers

• Lonely Planet Mexican Spanish phrasebook