Image by Ernesto Eslava from Pixabay
In this post we’ll look at some basic greetings, courtesy expressions, and survival expressions in Spanish.
¡Hola! Hello! The Basics
Let’s start with basic greetings.
- Hola. Hello.
- ¿Qué tal? Hi. What’s up?
- Buenos días. Good morning.
- Buenas tardes. Good afternoon.
- Buenas tardes./ Buenas noches. Good evening.
- Buenas noches. Good night.
- Adiós. Good-bye.
See You Soon!
Here are a few more friendly expressions that you might want to be able to use.
- Hasta pronto. See you soon.
- Hasta luego. See you later.
- Hasta mañana. See you tomorrow.
- Encantado./ Encantada./ Mucho gusto. Nice to meet you.
- Que duermas bien. Sleep well.
¿Cómo estás? How Are You?
Let’s see a few expressions that you can use when you meet someone, as well as a few more general courtesy and basic expressions.
- ¿Cómo estás?/¿Cómo está?
How are you? (informal, formal) - Estoy bien.
I’m fine. - Gracias.
Thank you. - De nada.
You’re welcome. - Por favor
Please. - Disculpa./ Disculpe.
Excuse me.(informal, formal) - Lo siento.
Sorry! - ¿Cómo te llamas?/ ¿Cómo se llama?
What is your name? (informal, formal) - Me llamo…
My name is… - ¿De dónde eres?/ ¿De dónde es?
Where are you from? (informal, formal) - Soy de…
I’m from…
No entiendo. I Don’t Understand.
Now let’s turn to some helpful survival expressions that you can use as you learn the language.
- No hablo español.
I don’t speak Spanish. - ¿Hablas inglés?/¿Habla inglés?
Do you speak English? (informal, formal) - No entiendo.
I don’t understand. - Hablo un poco de español.
I speak a little Spanish. - Estoy aprendiendo español.
I’m learning Spanish. - Entiendo un poco de español.
I understand a little Spanish. - ¿Puedes repetir, por favor? / ¿Puede repetir, por favor?
Can you repeat that, please? (informal, formal) - Escribe eso, por favor. / Escriba eso, por favor.
Please write that. (informal, formal) - ¿Cómo se dice … en español?
How do you say… in Spanish?
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