Typical phrases in Spanish

If you are thinking about traveling to learn Spanish in Spain, let us tell you that it is an ideal opportunity to discover typical phrases in Spanish, experience the culture, delicious food, varied landscapes, and improve your language skills.

If you are planning your vacation in Spain to try jamón serrano and tapas, here are some typical phrases in Spanish to make your stay more enjoyable. In addition, in Spain you will learn many expressions that do not appear in textbooks and vocabulary that is perfect Spanish for travelers.

Everyday Spanish phrases

When you arrive in Spain, if you are not used to it, you may find that the way the locals speak is very fast. Many use nuances and expressions that are not learned in intensive Spanish courses. That's why we've put together a list of phrases you're likely to hear while traveling around Spain:

• Perdona, una cosa (Excuse me, just one thing): This typical Spanish phrase is used to get someone's attention before asking a question. It's more natural and informal than saying “excuse me”.
• ¿Sabes si por aquí hay un cajero? (Do you know if there's an ATM around here?): An informal and very typical way to ask for an ATM or directions.
• Esto está petado (This is crazy): this common Spanish phrase means that there are a lot of people in a place. You'll hear it in different contexts, such as at the beach or in a bar.
• Voy tirando: if you ask someone how they are, this is a common response that means “I'm getting by.” You may also hear “voy tirando yo,” which in this context means that someone is going ahead or continuing their own.

In bars and restaurants

In Spain, eating out or having a drink on a terrace is part of the culture, especially in the summer. Here are some common phrases in Spanish that will make you sound more local in casual conversation with friends or colleagues:

• Una caña, por favor (A beer, please): used to order a small draft of beer from waiters.
• ¿Tenéis algo fuera de carta? (Do you have anything off the menu?): to ask if they have any dishes of the day that aren't on the menu.
• Vamos a hacer el café aquí (Let's take coffee here): means that you're going to stay and drink it there, rather than taking it away.
• ¡Está de muerte! (It’s awesome): if something is delicious, this is a very typical way of saying so.

In shops and markets

If you like shopping or visiting local markets, Spain has a wide variety in all its cities and towns. Enjoy a fun experience among the locals, where you can hear typical Spanish phrases such as:

• ¿Esto cómo va de precio? (How much does this cost?): a very colloquial way of asking the price of something.
• ¡Venga, va! Me lo llevo (Come on! I'll take it): An informal way of saying that you've decided to buy something.
• ¿No tendrás algo más apañado? (Will you have something more suitable?): Ask for something cheaper than the item you're interested in.
• ¿Me haces precio? (Can you give me a price?): A friendly way of asking for a small discount, typical in street markets.

Common Spanish phrases

In addition to all the common Spanish phrases you have learned so far, Spaniards use many colorful expressions. Some very common ones that you can hear and use if you dare are:

• Está tirado (It’s very cheap): refers to something that is very easy or cheap.
• Menuda pasada (What a blast): used in many contexts to indicate that something is impressive or great.
• Ni fu ni fa (It makes no difference): an expression used for something that is neither good nor bad, but completely neutral.
• Me estoy quedando sopa (To conk out or To drop off): when you are tired and falling asleep anywhere, you can use this expression, which means you are very sleepy.
• No me rayes (Don't bother me or Don't annoy me): a very popular expression used to say, “don't bother me” or “don't make things difficult for me.”
• Estoy hecho polvo (I'm exhausted): means to be very tired.

To meet up or make plans

If you make friends or meet someone during your stay in Spain, these Spanish typical phrases will be very useful:

• Nos vemos en un rato (See you in a little while): informal way of saying that you will meet up soon.
• Quedamos donde siempre (Let's meet where we always do): very common among locals; it implies that both of you already know the place.
• Vamos a tomar algo (Let's go for a drink): an open invitation that can mean anything from a coffee to a few drinks.
• ¿Nos vamos de terraceo? (Shall we go out to a terrace bar?): this expression is very colloquial and means to have a drink, usually in the afternoon, at a terrace.

However, not all phrases are typical expressions. There are many pet words and phrases that are used in every conversation and are very common. Learning them will help you fit in better:

• ¡Vaya tela! (What a mess): expresses surprise or resignation during a conversation.
• ¡No me digas! (No way!): used when someone tells you something surprising.
• ¡Madre mía! (Oh my god!): another expression of surprise, annoyance, or enthusiasm, depending on the context.
• En plan...: a very commonly used filler to explain something with examples.
• Tú verás: used in a warning tone or to leave the decision to someone else.

Of course, to end any conversation, there are thousands of ways that are more familiar than a simple “adiós”:

• Venga, ¡nos vemos! (Come on, see you later!)
• ¡Cuídate mucho! (Take care!)
• ¡Un abrazo! (Hugs!)
• ¡Dale recuerdos de mi parte! (Say hi to everyone for me!)
• Chao, hasta mañana (Bye, see you tomorrow)
• Te veo mañana, cuídate (See you tomorrow, take care)

Examples with typical phrases

Here are some examples to clarify the typical phrases in Spanish that we have explained above:

1. Hola, perdona, ¿sabes si por aquí hay un cajero que no cobre comisión? (Hello, excuse me, do you know if there is an ATM around here that doesn't charge a fee?)
2. ¡Buah, esto está petado! No hay ni sitio para sentarse (Wow, this place is packed! There's nowhere to sit!)
3. ¿Qué tal vas con el curro? Bueno, voy tirando, no me puedo quejar (How's work going? It's okay, I'm getting by, I can’t complain)
4. Me apetece pescado. ¿Tenéis algo fuera de carta hoy? (I feel like eating fish. Do you have anything special today?)
5. ¿Te apetece moverte o hacemos el café aquí? (Do you want to go somewhere or have coffee here?)
6. Prueba esta tarta... ¡está de muerte! (Try this cake... it's awesome!)
7. Me gusta, pero se me va un poco de precio... ¿no tendrás algo más apañado? (I like it, but it's a little pricey... Do you have anything else that's more affordable?)
8. Si me llevo dos, ¿me haces precio? (If I take two, can you give me a discount?)
9. ¡Oye, este vuelo a Mallorca está tirado! Solo 20 euros (Hey, this flight to Mallorca is very cheap! Only €20)
10. ¿Te ha gustado la peli? Sí, pero ni fu ni fa. Esperaba más (Did you like the movie? Yeah, but it was okay. I was expecting more)
11. Necesito un café, me estoy quedando sopa (I need a coffee, I'm falling asleep)
12. No salgo hoy, estoy hecho polvo después de la caminata (I'm not going out today, I'm exhausted after the walk)
13. ¿Te parece a las 8? Quedamos donde siempre (How about 8 o'clock? Same place as usual)
14. Hace un día espectacular... ¿nos vamos de terraceo? (It's a beautiful day... shall we go to a terrace?)
15. Madre mía, cómo ha crecido tu hijo (Oh my goodness, your son has grown!)

Although you don't need to master all these phrases before getting on the plane, we do recommend that you at least familiarize yourself with some of them. You're sure to hear many of these typical Spanish phrases and even use them during your time in Spain. What's more, using these expressions will open doors, bring smiles to people's faces, and make you feel like a local, even if it's only for a few days.