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 combination of sometimes silly pantomine and Spanish basic words and 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
