You don’t have to be fluent in Spanish to visit Los Cabos, but a few key words could help you on your trip. Whether you took a little Spanish years ago, or you’ve never taken it at all, it helps to take advantage of a quick refresher. You may need it to better communicate, especially if you’re planning to venture a bit farther away from your Sun Cabo Vacations villa.
Unlike the English language, each vowel sounds the same, no matter where it is in a Spanish word. When compared to their English counterparts, though, vowels do sound a little different in Spanish, so keep these in mind:
A= ‘ah’ (as in ‘awe’)
E= long ‘a’ sound (as in ‘hay’)
I= long ‘e’ sound (as in ‘keep’)
O= short ‘o’ sound (as in ‘or)
U= ‘oo’ sound (as in ‘zoo’)
There are also some trickier consonants in Spanish. For example:
B= pronounced like the letter ‘V’
G= usually pronounced with ‘H’ sound, unless in front of a ‘U’
H= this letter is silent
J= uses ‘H’ sound
RR= this is a rolling ‘r’ sound
V= pronounced with a ‘B’ sound
These are just some of the basics in terms of letters and how to pronounce certain words. It will likely help to know a few key words in Spanish that can help you during your vacation, as well.
Common words & phrases:
Yes= Si
No= No
Please= Por favor
Thank you= Gracias
I need help= Necesito ayuda
Hello= Hola
Goodbye= Adios
Out in town, you may find some other words helpful:
Public Washrooms= Los banos public
The beach= La playa
Bus stop= El paradero de autobuses
The menu please= El menu por favor
The check please=La cuenta por favor
How much does it cost? =Cuanto cuesta?
Where is the bathroom? = Donde esta el bano?
If you’re at a restaurant and confused about the menu, here are some common items you might see:
Beef= Carne
Chicken= Pollo
Pork=Cerdo
Fish=Pescado
Shrimp=Camaron
Rice=Arroz
Soup=Sopa
Salad=Ensalada
Bread=Pan
Also, it helps to know which type of meal:
Breakfast= Desayuno
Lunch= Comida
Dinner=Cena
While obviously this is just a taste of the Spanish language, understanding a few key words ahead of time will only help if you’re having trouble communicating in Los Cabos.
