Spanish phrases – Here you will find the most common phrases in Spanish with translation. | Free & useful
Spanish phrases are short expressions or idioms often used in speech to be polite, express gratitude, greet or say goodbye or simply to have a pleasant conversation.
They are an important part of Spanish culture and can be useful in different situations, both in private and business life.
Spanish phrases you should know
OUR TIP: If you want to learn these phrases interactively, we recommend the free language course demo from 17-Minute-Language, where you can learn Spanish phrases and dialogues today.
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Greet someone in Spanish
If you want to greet someone in Spanish, it’s actually quite easy:
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| Welcome to the site. | Bienvenido al sitio. | [bjem.beˈni.ðo al ˈsi.tjo] |
| Welcome to the site | Bienvenido al sitio | [bjem.beˈni.ðo al ˈsi.tjo] |
| Good day to you! | ¡Buen día! | [ˈbwɛn ˈdi.a] |
| Good morning to you! | ¡Buenos días! | [ˈbwɛ.nos ˈdi.as] |
| Good evening! | ¡Buenas noches! | [ˈbwɛ.nas ˈno.tʃes] |
| Good to see you. | Me alegra verte. | [me aˈle.ɣɾa ˈbeɾ.te] |
| I’m glad to see you. | Estoy contento de verte. | [esˈtoj konˈten.to ðe ˈbeɾ.te] |
If you are greeted in Spanish, the best way to respond is as follows:
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| Have a nice day too! | ¡Que tengas un buen día tú también! | [ke ˈteŋ.ɡas um ˈbwen ˈdi.a tu tamˈbjen] |
| Thanks, it’s nice to see you too. | Gracias, también me alegra verte. | [ˈɡɾa.sjas tamˈbjen me aˈle.ɣɾa ˈbeɾ.te] |
How is my dialogue partner?
As in any other country, it is polite to start by asking where the person you are talking to is located. Here’s how you do it:
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| How are you doing? | ¿Cómo estás? | [ˈko.mo esˈtas] |
| Are you doing well? | ¿Estás bien? | [esˈtas ˈbjen] |
If you are asked how you feel, you can answer with the following phrases:
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| Thank you for asking, I am fine. | Gracias por preguntar, estoy bien. | [ˈɡɾa.sjas poɾ pɾe.ɡunˈtaɾ esˈtoj ˈbjen] |
| Thank you, I am fine. | Gracias, estoy bien. | [ˈɡɾa.sjas esˈtoj ˈbjen] |
| Thank you, I am not doing so well. | Gracias, no estoy muy bien. | [ˈɡɾa.sjas no esˈtoj muj ˈbjen] |
| Thanks, I’m fine. How are you doing? | Gracias, estoy bien. ¿Cómo estás? | [ˈɡɾa.sjas esˈtoj ˈbjen ˈko.mo esˈtas] |
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How do I say goodbye to someone in Spanish?
Saying goodbye to a friend or stranger in Spanish is not that difficult. Just use the following phrases:
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| Goodbye! | ¡Adiós! | [aˈðjos] |
| Take care of yourself! | ¡Cuídate! | [ˈkwi.ða.te] |
| Goodbye | Adiós | [aˈðjos] |
| See you tomorrow | Hasta mañana | [ˈas.ta maˈɲa.na] |
| See you soon | Hasta pronto | [ˈas.ta ˈpɾon.to] |
| See you later | Hasta luego | [ˈas.ta ˈlwe.ɣo] |
| Good night | Buenas noches | [ˈbwe.nas ˈno.tʃes] |
| Sleep well | Que duermas bien | [ke ˈdweɾ.mas ˈbjen] |
| Talk to you later. | Hablamos luego. | [aˈβla.mos ˈlwe.ɣo] |
| Nice to have met you! | ¡Encantado de haberte conocido! | [eŋ.kanˈta.ðo ðe aˈβeɾ.te ko.noˈθi.ðo] |
How do I introduce myself in Spanish?
When travelling in Spain, sooner or later you will come into contact with local people. Naturally, you’ll want to introduce yourself in Spanish and know who you’re talking to.
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| My name is Jonas. | Me llamo Jonas. | [me ˈʝa.mo xoˈnas] |
| What is your name? | ¿Cómo te llamas? | [ˈko.mo te ˈʝa.mas] |
| What is your surname? | ¿Cuál es tu apellido? | [kwal es tu a.peˈʝi.ðo] |
| What is your first name? | ¿Cuál es tu nombre? | [kwal es tu ˈnom.bɾe] |
| What is your surname? | ¿Cuál es tu apellido? | [kwal es tu a.peˈʝi.ðo] |
If you want to tell people where you come from, the following sentences are useful:
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| Where do you come from? | ¿De dónde eres? | [de ˈðon.de ˈe.ɾes] |
| I am from London. | Soy de Londres. | [soj de ˈlon.dɾes] |
| Are you from Birmingham? | ¿Eres de Birmingham? | [ˈe.ɾes ðe ˈbɪɾ.mɪŋ.əm] *(adapted pronunciation)* |
| No, I’m from Madrid. | No, soy de Madrid. | [no soj de maˈðɾið] |
| Great, I’m from Madrid too. | Genial, yo también soy de Madrid. | [xeˈnjal ʝo tamˈbjen soj de maˈðɾið] |
| Where do you live? | ¿Dónde vives? | [ˈðon.de ˈbi.βes] |
| I live in Berlin. | Vivo en Berlín. | [ˈbi.βo en beɾˈlin] |
If you have problems with your Spanish, it is good to know which languages are still spoken:
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| Do you speak English? | ¿Hablas inglés? | [ˈa.βlas iŋˈɡles] |
| Yes, I speak English. | Sí, hablo inglés. | [si ˈa.βlo iŋˈɡles] |
| Yes, I speak some English. | Sí, hablo un poco de inglés. | [si ˈa.βlo um ˈpo.ko ðe iŋˈɡles] |
| No, I do not speak any English. | No, no hablo nada de inglés. | [no no ˈa.βlo ˈna.ða ðe iŋˈɡles] |
| I only speak English. | Solo hablo inglés. | [ˈso.lo ˈa.βlo iŋˈɡles] |
| I understand some Spanish. | Entiendo un poco de español. | [enˈtjɛn.ðo um ˈpo.ko ðe espaˈɲol] |
Useful sentences with ‘I am…’
The following sentences will help you orientate yourself in Spanish and express your wishes and concerns:
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| I am English. | Soy inglés. | [soj iŋˈɡles] |
| I am injured. | Estoy herido. | [esˈtoj eˈɾi.ðo] |
| I am here. | Estoy aquí. | [esˈtoj aˈki] |
| I am hungry. | Tengo hambre. | [ˈteŋ.ɡo ˈam.bɾe] |
| I am thirsty. | Tengo sed. | [ˈteŋ.ɡo ˈseð] |
| I am a single person. | Estoy soltero. | [esˈtoj solˈte.ɾo] |
| I need help! | ¡Necesito ayuda! | [ne.seˈsi.to aˈʝu.ða] |
| I am tired. | Estoy cansado. | [esˈtoj kanˈsa.ðo] |
| I am happy. | Estoy feliz. | [esˈtoj feˈlið] |
| I am sad. | Estoy triste. | [esˈtoj ˈtɾis.te] |
| I am in love. | Estoy enamorado. | [esˈtoj e.na.moˈɾa.ðo] |
| I am ill. | Estoy enfermo. | [esˈtoj enˈfeɾ.mo] |
| I am ready. | Estoy listo. | [esˈtoj ˈlis.to] |
| I am busy. | Estoy ocupado. | [esˈtoj o.kuˈpa.ðo] |
| I am lost. | Estoy perdido. | [esˈtoj peɾˈði.ðo] |
| I am a tourist. | Soy turista. | [soj tuˈɾis.ta] |
| I am new here. | Soy nuevo aquí. | [soj ˈnwe.βo aˈki] |
| I am confident. | Tengo confianza. | [ˈteŋ.ɡo kom.fjanˈθa] |
| I am proud. | Estoy orgulloso. | [esˈtoj oɾ.ɣuˈʝo.so] |
| I am a teacher. | Soy profesor. | [soj pɾo.feˈsoɾ] |
| I am late. | Llego tarde. | [ˈʝe.ɣo ˈtaɾ.ðe] |
| I am 30 years old. | Tengo 30 años. | [ˈteŋ.ɡo ˈtɾen.ta ˈa.ɲos] |
| I am in a hurry. | Tengo prisa. | [ˈteŋ.ɡo ˈpɾi.sa] |
| I am happy. | Estoy feliz. | [esˈtoj feˈlið] |
| I am surprised. | Estoy sorprendido. | [esˈtoj soɾ.pɾenˈdi.ðo] |
| I am angry. | Estoy enojado. | [esˈtoj e.noˈxa.ðo] |
Apologising in Spanish
Here’s how to apologise to a Spanish speaker:
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| I apologise. | Pido disculpas. | [ˈpi.ðo ðisˈkul.pas] |
| Sorry, that was not the intention. | Lo siento, no fue mi intención. | [lo ˈsjɛn.to no fwe mi in.tenˈsjon] |
| Sorry, I did not do it on purpose. | Lo siento, no lo hice a propósito. | [lo ˈsjɛn.to no lo ˈi.θe a pɾoˈpó.si.to] |
| Sorry, that was very clumsy of me. | Lo siento, fue muy torpe de mi parte. | [lo ˈsjɛn.to fwe muj ˈtoɾ.pe ðe mi ˈpaɾ.te] |
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Useful signs and notices in Spanish
Useful signs and messages in Spanish that you will often see.
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| Entrance | Entrada | [enˈtɾa.ða] |
| Toilet | Baño | [ˈba.ɲo] |
| Exit | Salida | [saˈli.ða] |
| Attention! | ¡Atención! | [a.tenˈθjon] (Spain) / [a.tenˈsjon] (Latin America) |
| Police | Policía | [po.liˈθi.a] (Spain) / [po.liˈsi.a] (Latin America) |
| Emergency services | Servicios de emergencia | [seɾˈβi.θjos ðe e.meɾˈθen.θja] (Spain) / [seɾˈβi.sjos ðe e.meɾˈxen.sja] (Latin America) |
| Fire brigade | Bomberos | [bomˈbe.ɾos] |
| Passage forbidden. | Prohibido el paso. | [pɾoiˈβi.ðo el ˈpa.so] |
| Caution! | ¡Cuidado! | [kwiˈða.ðo] |
| This building is under video surveillance. | Este edificio está bajo vigilancia por video. | [ˈes.te eðiˈfi.θjo esˈta ˈβa.xo βi.xiˈlan.θja poɾ βiˈðe.o] (Spain) / [ˈes.te eðiˈfi.sjo esˈta ˈba.xo βi.xiˈlan.sja poɾ βiˈðe.o] (Latin America) |
Numbers to 25 in Spanish
Counting in Spanish is not that difficult. Here are the numbers in Spanish from 1 to 25.
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| 1 | Uno | [ˈu.no] |
| 2 | Dos | [dos] |
| 3 | Tres | [tɾes] |
| 4 | Cuatro | [ˈkwa.tɾo] |
| 5 | Cinco | [ˈθiŋ.ko] (Spain) / [ˈsiŋ.ko] (LatAm) |
| 6 | Seis | [sejs] |
| 7 | Siete | [ˈsjɛ.te] |
| 8 | Ocho | [ˈo.tʃo] |
| 9 | Nueve | [ˈnwe.βe] |
| 10 | Diez | [djeθ] (Spain) / [djes] (LatAm) |
| 11 | Once | [ˈon.θe] (Spain) / [ˈon.se] (LatAm) |
| 12 | Doce | [ˈdo.θe] (Spain) / [ˈdo.se] (LatAm) |
| 13 | Trece | [ˈtɾe.θe] (Spain) / [ˈtɾe.se] (LatAm) |
| 14 | Catorce | [kaˈtoɾ.θe] (Spain) / [kaˈtoɾ.se] (LatAm) |
| 15 | Quince | [ˈkin.θe] (Spain) / [ˈkin.se] (LatAm) |
| 16 | Dieciséis | [dje.siˈsejs] |
| 17 | Diecisiete | [dje.siˈsjɛ.te] |
| 18 | Dieciocho | [dje.sjoˈtʃo] |
| 19 | Diecinueve | [dje.siˈnwe.βe] |
| 20 | Veinte | [ˈbein.te] |
| 21 | Veintiuno | [bein.tjuˈno] |
| 22 | Veintidós | [bein.tiˈdos] |
| 23 | Veintitrés | [bein.tiˈtɾes] |
| 24 | Veinticuatro | [bein.tiˈkwa.tɾo] |
| 25 | Veinticinco | [bein.tiˈθiŋ.ko] (Spain) / [bein.tiˈsiŋ.ko] (LatAm) |
The colours in Spanish
The most common colours in Spanish with phonetic transcription for pronunciation.
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| Red in Spanish | Rojo | [ˈro.xo] |
| Blue in Spanish | Azul | [aˈθul] (Spain) / [aˈsul] (LatAm) |
| Green in Spanish | Verde | [ˈbeɾ.ðe] |
| Yellow in Spanish | Amarillo | [a.maˈɾi.ʝo] |
| Black in Spanish | Negro | [ˈne.ɣɾo] |
| White in Spanish | Blanco | [ˈblan.ko] |
| Orangd in Spanish | Naranja | [naˈɾaŋ.xa] |
| Purple in Spanish | Morado | [moˈɾa.ðo] |
| Brown in Spanish | Marrón | [maˈron] |
| Pink in Spanish | Rosa | [ˈro.sa] |
Days of the week, months and seasons in Spanish
Of course, you will also need the days of the week in Spanish and the pronunciation of the months and seasons in dialogues and daily communication in Spanish.
| Days of the Week in Spanish | ||
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| Monday in Spanish | Lunes | [ˈlu.nes] |
| Tuesday in Spanish | Martes | [ˈmaɾ.tes] |
| Wednesday in Spanish | Miércoles | [ˈmjɛɾ.ko.les] |
| Thursday in Spanish | Jueves | [ˈxwe.βes] |
| Friday in Spanish | Viernes | [ˈbjeɾ.nes] |
| Saturday in Spanish | Sábado | [ˈsa.βa.ðo] |
| Sunday in Spanish | Domingo | [doˈmiŋ.ɡo] |
| Months in Spanish | ||
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| January in Spanish | Enero | [eˈne.ɾo] |
| February in Spanish | Febrero | [feˈβɾe.ɾo] |
| March in Spanish | Marzo | [ˈmaɾ.θo] (Spain) / [ˈmaɾ.so] (LatAm) |
| April in Spanish | Abril | [aˈβɾil] |
| May in Spanish | Mayo | [ˈma.ʝo] |
| June in Spanish | Junio | [ˈxu.njo] |
| July in Spanish | Julio | [ˈxu.ljo] |
| August in Spanish | Agosto | [aˈɣos.to] |
| September in Spanish | Septiembre | [sepˈtjem.bɾe] |
| October in Spanish | Octubre | [okˈtu.βɾe] |
| November in Spanish | Noviembre | [noˈβjem.bɾe] |
| December in Spanish | Diciembre | [diˈθjem.bɾe] (Spain) / [diˈsjem.bɾe] (LatAm) |
| Seasons in Spanish | ||
| English | Spanish | IPA |
| Spring in Spanish | Primavera | [pɾi.maˈβe.ɾa] |
| Summer in Spanish | Verano | [beˈɾa.no] |
| Autumn / Fall in Spanish | Otoño | [oˈto.ɲo] |
| Winter in Spanish | Invierno | [inˈbjeɾ.no] |
OUR TIP: If you want to learn these Spanish phrases interactively, we recommend the free language course demo from 17-Minute-Language, where you can learn Spanish phrases and dialogues.
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More information about the Spanish Business Course.
Additional links
- Learn Spanish with Mondly
- Learn Spanish with Babbel
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