Spanish Basics: Learning how not to be a Gringo
That's right I called you out.
Learning Spanish can be hard, but things will be harder if you don't even try.
Now that I've got your feathers ruffled, learning a language can be one of the most valuable skills you can have, even in this new world of AI. One thing about Mexican culture is that a little can go a long way. When you take the time to learn a little Spanish, even just the basics, that will take you from "gringo/a" status to "guerito/a" faster than your worn out "una cerveza por favor" can.
Why learn Spanish basics?
Depending on where you are in Mexico you might not find a lot of English speakers, so rather than being stranded, staring at the bus driver wondering how you're getting home maybe you should learn some everyday phrases.
Greetings & Farewells
Hola – Hello
Buenos días – Good morning
Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
Buenas noches – Good evening / Good night (this one confused me for a while, you can say it when you go to bed or if you are meeting someone at night time. I thought everyone was telling me they were going to bed the first few days xD)
Adiós – Goodbye (formal)
Hasta luego – See you later
Hasta pronto – See you soon
Hasta mañana – See you tomorrow
Chau – Bye (informal)
Que tengas un buen día – Have a good day
Cuídate – Take care
Nos vemos – We’ll see each other
Hasta la próxima – Until next time
Polite Expressions
Por favor – Please
Gracias – Thank you
De nada – You’re welcome
Lo siento – I’m sorry
Perdón/ Disculpa - Excuse me
Con permiso - Excuse me (used to pass/ get by someone on the bus/ metro/ etc)
Common Questions
¿Cómo estás? – How are you?
¿Qué tal? – How’s it going?
¿Cuál es tu nombre? – What is your name?
¿Dónde está…? – Where is…?
Basic Responses
Sí – Yes
No – No
Tal vez – Maybe
Entiendo – I understand
No entiendo – I don’t understand
Everyday Vocabulary
Casa – House
Comida – Food
Agua – Water
Amigo/a – Friend
Familia – Family
Ayuda - Help
Directions
¿Dónde está...? – Where is...?
¿Cómo llego a...? – How do I get to...?
Estoy perdido/a – I’m lost
¿Puede ayudarme? – Can you help me?
¿Está lejos/cerca? – Is it far/close?
A la derecha – To the right
A la izquierda – To the left
Todo recto – Straight ahead
Cerca – Near
Lejos – Far
Calle – Street
Esquina – Corner
Plaza – Square
Semáforo – Traffic light
Parada de autobús – Bus stop
Metro – Subway
Banco – Bank
Restaurante – Restaurant
Ordering Food
Common Phrases
Quisiera... – I would like...
¿Me puede traer...? – Can you bring me...?
La cuenta, por favor – The bill, please
¿Qué me recomienda? – What do you recommend?
¿Hay opciones vegetarianas? – Are there vegetarian options?
Sin gluten – Gluten-free
Food Vocabulary
Comida – Food
Bebida – Drink
Agua – Water
Cerveza – Beer
Vino – Wine
Ensalada – Salad
Carne – Meat
Pescado – Fish
Postre – Dessert
Pan – Bread
Time
¿Qué hora es? – What time is it?
Es la una – It’s one o'clock
Son las dos – It’s two o'clock
Days
Hoy – Today
Mañana – Tomorrow
Ayer – Yesterday
Lunes – Monday
Martes – Tuesday
Miércoles – Wednesday
Jueves – Thursday
Viernes – Friday
Sábado – Saturday
Domingo – Sunday
Numbers
Small Numbers | Tens & Large Numbers |
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Common Verbs
Tener – To have
Ser – To be (permanent) (think core values, where you are from, etc)
Estar – To be (temporary) (think moods, current location, etc)
Hacer – To do / to make
Ir – To go
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