Have you planned a trip to a Spanish-speaking country? Would you like to impress some Spanish-speaking friends?
No matter your reason, learning a language like Spanish will help you better communicate (not just in Spanish) and understand more about Spanish-speaking cultures.
Learning some common Spanish phrases and expressions is an excellent way to start. This can also include learning entire phrases, common words, and the correct pronunciation.
Let's get into it.
Why Should You Learn Spanish
Of all the languages in the world, Spanish is certainly one of the most useful. While learning any foreign language is useful, Spanish is spoken in over 20 countries around the world and is the second most spoken language in terms of native speakers.
There are actually more native Spanish speakers than English speakers. However, Spanish is fourth in terms of total speakers, with more people speaking English, Mandarin Chinese, and Hindi.
That said, Spanish is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, a recognised language in the European Union, and the second most common language in the United States.
Learning Spanish can open doors to job opportunities and provide insights into diverse cultures. Even mastering a few common Spanish phrases demonstrates respect for Spanish-speaking people and their way of life.
Whether you're in Spain, chatting with friends from Mexico, or exploring South America, simple expressions like "Hola, ¿cómo estás?" (Hello, how are you?) or "Gracias" (Thank you) can easily initiate a conversation and foster connections.
In terms of work, Spanish will give you an advantage over other applicants. Many businesses and companies regularly seek out multilingual employees; Spanish could be the second language that sets you apart.
It can also give you new opportunities in jobs and careers that you would never have considered without a second language.
Everyday Spanish Phrases You Can Use
When you start to learn Spanish, don't set your sights on becoming fluent. After all, fluency is a complicated concept to define, even harder to set goals for and something that most people will spend a lifetime trying to achieve.
Instead, set achievable goals based on your level and set new ones once you achieve them.
The first achievable goal is to learn these five basic expressions:
- Me llamo [tu nombre]. (My name is [your name].)
- ¿Cómo te llamas? (What's your name?)
- Mucho gusto. (Nice to meet you.)
- ¿De dónde eres? (Where are you from?)
- ¿Qué te gusta hacer? (What do you like to do?)
These are great expressions for starting conversations and getting to know new people. Don't worry too much about fully understanding people's responses, and get comfortable with making mistakes—they'll happen.
Even with little to no Spanish, some miming and gesturing should be enough for somebody to explain where they come from or what they like to do. From there, you'll learn some new Spanish words.
Common Spanish Phrases for Travelling
Travelling is one of the most common reasons for needing foreign language skills, and with so many Spanish-speaking countries, you may just find yourself needing some of these essential phrases. These are useful for transport, food, and directions, or all three if you're doing a Spanish wine tour!
Not only will they improve your experience, but they can also make you more liked by locals, especially those in the service industry, who may be tired of hearing English speakers make no effort to speak their language.
These key phrases are a good place to start:
- ¿Dónde está el baño? (Where is the bathroom?)
- Quisiera una mesa para dos, por favor. (I would like a table for two, please.)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much does it cost?)
- ¿Me puede dar una recomendación? (Can you give me a recommendation?)
- Por favor. (Please.)
Idioms and Saying to Impress Spanish-speaking Locals
Nothing impresses a native Spanish speaker like somebody learning and using idiomatic Spanish expressions correctly.
While it won't necessarily make you fluent in the language, it will certainly make you sound more eloquent and like a native Spanish speaker.
There are literally thousands of Spanish idioms, and a surprising number of them refer to milk or excrement, but we'll keep things clean here and introduce you to five fairly standard ones.
- No hay mal que por bien no venga. (Every cloud has a silver lining.)
- Más vale tarde que nunca. (Better late than never.)
- A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente. (Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.)
- Quien madruga, Dios le ayuda. (The early bird catches the worm.)
- En boca cerrada no entran moscas. (Silence is golden.)
How to Master Spanish Pronunciation
Pronouncing Spanish words can be challenging for English speakers. This is because several sounds in the Spanish language don't exist in English.
Luckily for you, however, there's a fairly consistent relationship between the letters in Spanish and how they're pronounced.
Once you learn how all the letters are pronounced, you can read a word in Spanish and instantly know how to say it.
Each letter has one pronunciation, with the exceptions of “c”, “gu”, “qu”, and “x”. Every other letter, including “ch”, “ll”, and “ñ” (which Spanish considers as separate letters in their own right) is always pronounced in the same way.
Here are some valuable tips for improving your Spanish pronunciation:
- Practice every day. The more you speak, the better you’ll get.
- Listen to native speakers and imitate their pronunciation.
- Focus on vowels – Spanish vowels are shorter and crisper than English vowels.
- Pay attention to accent marks (á, é, í, ó, ú), as they indicate which syllable to stress.
- Use a language learning app or online resources that provide pronunciation practice.
Helpful Online Resources for Learning Spanish
The internet is awash with resources for learning languages and popular languages like Spanish.
You can use online learning platforms, apps, and language exchange websites. These range from free resources to premium services and subscriptions.
Some of the most recommended resources (and practices) include:
- Language learning apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and Rosetta Stone are great for building vocabulary and practising phrases.
- Watch Spanish films and TV shows to hear the language in a conversational context. Subtitles can help bridge the gap if you're still getting familiar with the language.
- Listen to Spanish music and podcasts to immerse yourself in the sounds of the language.
- Practice speaking with a native Spanish person through language exchange platforms like Tandem or HelloTalk.
And as with any language, practice makes perfect. The more you practise speaking, reading, writing, and listening to Spanish, the more fluent you'll become.
The Advantages of Learning Spanish
We've already mentioned why you should learn Spanish, but did you know that learning a language has many other benefits?
Firstly, the language is a tool for communication. This will allow you to speak with Spanish speakers, and your broadened understanding of languages will also help you with any other languages you speak.
Learning a language is also a gateway to the cultures that speak it. You can use Spanish to better understand Spanish cinema, music, literature, etc.
Studying Spanish is also good for your brain, and not just because you learn more things. Research has shown that bilingualism improves memory, problem-solving skills, and creativity.
You should also know that there's no age limit on learning a language. While babies are certainly set up to learn languages, there isn't a cut-off point where you can no longer learn a language. Naturally, the longer you have to learn a language, the better you'll become, but you can start whenever you like.
Learning Spanish with a Private Tutor
One of the best ways to learn Spanish is with a private tutor. On the Superprof website, for example, you can find experienced and talented tutors who can tailor and adapt every session and lesson to your specific learning needs.
There are tutors offering one-on-one lessons in person and a huge number of online tutors from all over the world (including Spanish-speaking countries) who can help you learn.
One of the best things about tutoring is that the tutor can incorporate your hobbies and interests into the lessons. This is particularly useful with languages as it can give you opportunities to talk about things you're interested in (in Spanish), and the more you talk, the more fluent you'll become.
Many of the tutors on the Superprof website offer the first lesson for free, so be sure to try a few potential tutors before choosing the one that's right for you.
You can find your perfect tutor simply by searching for "Spanish" on the Superprof website today!
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
