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
YesSí
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?