SPANISH HELPER

In Spanish, all vowels are pronounced the same, no matter where they fall in the word (in sharp contrast to English!). This means that, in theory, once you have learned how to pronounce the vowels, you can say nearly any word In Spanish with a fair degree of intelligibility. This phonetic guide should work for most native English speakers.

  • In Spanish, A is like the 'ah' in 'haha', or 'awe'.
  • In Spanish, E is like the long a, like the 'a' in 'hay'.
  • In Spanish, I is like the long e, like the 'ee' in 'keep'.
  • In Spanish, O is more or less a short 'o', the 'o' in 'or'.
  • In Spanish, U is like the 'oo' in 'zoo'.

Except: We tricked you! In Spanish, some of the consonants are pronounced differently as well.

  • In Spanish, H is silent. Hotel is 'O-tell'.
  • In Spanish, J is the 'H' sound. Jalapeño, is 'haw-la-pain-yo'.
  • In Spanish, Ñ is a sound like 'nyuh' like in the above example.
  • In Spanish, RR is a rolling 'r'. This usually takes practice. Try purring like a cat.
  • In Spanish, B is frequently pronounced like the letter 'V'
  • In Spanish, V is frequently pronounced like the letter 'B'
  • In Spanish, G is pronounced with an 'H' sound unless in front of a 'U' like guacamole, then it is 'GW’.

USEFUL WORDS & PHRASES

  • Yes
  • NoNo
  • No, Thank youNo, gracias
  • PleasePor favor
  • Thank youGracias
  • You’re welcomeDe nada
  • I don’t knowNo sé
  • SorryLo síento
  • Excuse mePerdóname
  • I would like to pay by cashMe gustaria pagar en efectivo
  • I would like to pay by credit cardMe gustaria pager con tarjeta de crédito
  • I need helpNecesito ayuda
  • I think so Creo que sí
  • Forgive meDiscúlpame

GREETINGS

  • HelloHola
  • GoodbyeAdiós
  • Good DayBuen Día
  • Good MorningBuenos Días
  • Good AfternoonBuenas Tardes
  • Good EveningBuenas Noches
  • How are youComo está usted?
  • Very well, thank youMuy bien, gracias
  • Nice to meet youMucho gusto
  • See you soonHasta pronto
  • See you tomorrowHasta mañana
  • See you laterHasta luego

AROUND TOWN

  • Public WashroomsLos baños public
  • ParkingEl estacionamieto
  • SupermarketEl supermercado
  • BakeryLa pandería
  • The beachLa playa
  • Bus stopEl paradero de autobuses
  • DrugstoreLa farmacia
  • PoliceLa policia

FOOD & RESTAURANTS

  • The menu pleaseEl menu por favor
  • The wine list pleaseLa lista de vinos, por favor
  • A glass of waterUn vaso do agua
  • A coffee with milkUn café con leche
  • A beer pleaseUn cerveza, por favor
  • Do you have a vegetarian dishTiene algún plato vegetarian?
  • That is allEso es todo
  • The check pleaseLa cuenta por favor
  • BreakfastDesayuno
  • LunchComida
  • DinnerCena
  • TipPropina
  • PlatePlato
  • Knife, Fork, SpoonCuchillo, Tenedor, Cuchara
  • Glass, CupVaso, Taza
  • NapkinServilleta
  • Bottle of wineBotella de vino
  • Ice cubesHielo
  • Sugar, Salt, PepperAzucar, Sal, Pimienta
  • SoupSopa
  • BreadPan
  • SaladEnsalada
  • ButterMantiquilla
  • RiceArroz
  • CheeseQueso
  • Beef, Pork, ChickenCarne, Cerdo, Pollo,
  • Fish, ShrimpPescado, Camarón
  • JuiceJugo
  • Sweet, Spicy, SourDulce, Picante, Amargo

COMMON QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

  • When?Cuando?
  • Who?Quién?
  • Why?Por Qué?
  • What?Qué?
  • How long?Cuánto tiempo?
  • What is your name?Como se llama?
  • I am Mr/Mrs SmithYo soy Señor/Señora Smith
  • How much does it cost?Cuánto cuesta?
  • What time is it?Qué hora es?
  • Where do you live?Dónde vive?
  • I live in New YorkVivo en Nueva York
  • Where is/areDonde está/están?
  • How do you say.....In Spanish?Come se dice.....en español?
  • Where is the bathroom?Donde está el baño?
  • Where is my hotel?Donde está mi hotel?
  • Where is the airport?Donde está el aeropuerto?
  • How old are you?Cuantos años tiene?
  • When are you going to leave?Cuando va a salir?
  • Can you help me?Usted puede ayudarme?
  • How far?A qué distancia?