Spanish Conversation Cheatsheet: Phrases to Start Speaking Today
The essential Spanish phrases for real conversations, greetings, asking for help and keeping a chat going, all in one quick cheatsheet.
You do not need thousands of words to start talking in Spanish, you need the right few dozen. These are the phrases that carry real conversations. Read each one out loud a couple of times, they stick far better when you say them.
Greetings and basics
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Hola | Hi |
| Buenos días | Good morning |
| ¿Qué tal? | How's it going? |
| Mucho gusto | Nice to meet you |
| Por favor / Gracias | Please / Thank you |
| Sí / No / Tal vez | Yes / No / Maybe |
| Adiós / Hasta luego | Bye / See you later |
Keeping a conversation going
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿Cómo se dice…? | How do you say…? |
| ¿Qué significa…? | What does… mean? |
| Me gusta / No me gusta | I like it / I don't like it |
| Estoy de acuerdo | I agree |
| ¿Y tú? | And you? |
| ¿Puedes darme un ejemplo? | Can you give me an example? |
When you get stuck
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| No entiendo | I don't understand |
| ¿Puedes repetir, por favor? | Can you repeat, please? |
| Más despacio, por favor | Slower, please |
| ¿Cómo? / ¿Perdón? | Sorry? / Pardon? |
| Todavía estoy aprendiendo | I'm still learning |
Use it, don't just read it
A cheatsheet only works when the phrases leave your mouth. Pick five, say them out loud now, and use them in your next conversation.
Want the bigger picture? Read how to learn Spanish by speaking, or get a free call and try these phrases with Mira today.
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