Go beyond "quiero más queso"

10 Spanish phrases worth knowing

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As the fourth most spoken language in the world and the second most spoken in the United States, Spanish is definitely one of the most ubiquitous languages. Whether you are on holiday in a Spanish-speaking country, or you need to speak to someone who only speaks Spanish, it is always a good idea to learn a few phrases to make communication easier. The following ten are some of the most used phrases when visiting unfamiliar places. Did you know any of these?

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A dialogue has to start somewhere. And what better way to start one than saying "hello" in a friendly manner, right? Spanish-speaking folks are no different and a kind greeting is always a good way to introduce yourself.

The Spanish word for "hello" is Hola (ow·luh). And a perfectly agreeable way to follow that would be a "nice to meet you," which in Spanish translates to es un placer conocerte (ehs oon plah-sehr koh-noh-sehr-teh).

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The second part of an introduction is presenting yourself (that is if you are not just simply asking for directions or something along those lines). At this stage, you might want to let your new acquaintance know your name.

You can do so by saying Mi nombre es… (mee nohm-breh ehs) followed by your name. This is the Spanish way of saying "my name is."

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Another advisable thing to know if you are traveling to a Spanish-speaking region is "Where is this address?" Whether you have a map or not, being able to get assistance from the locals is always a good thing.

If you have a map or can, somehow, show the address you need to get to, the correct way of saying this in Spanish is Dónde queda esta dirección? (don·De ke·Da e·sa Deer x ee on)

If you can pronounce the address, then the way to ask is Dónde queda…? ((don·De ke·Da) and complete the dots with the address.

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This phrase is a linguistic Swiss Army knife that can be used to get the correct word for absolutely anything you need. Being able to say "How do you say…?" in a foreign language is extremely valuable and luckily, very simple.

To say this in Spanish, you must say ¿Cómo se dice…? (Koh Moe Ze Dee Ze) followed by the thing you need to say in Spanish.

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This phrase can be of paramount importance if nature calls and you are surrounded by Spanish-speaking individuals. Knowing how to properly ask for a toilette in the local language is, perhaps, not your highest priority when it comes to learning local phrases but maybe it should be, just in case.

The right way to ask for a bathroom in Spanish is to say ¿Dónde queda el baño? (Don Deh Keh Dah L Bah Neeo), which translates to "Where is the bathroom?"

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As a cautionary measure, if you are not fluent in Spanish, it might be a good idea to disclose this information to the person you are speaking to. By doing so, you are excusing yourself for any confusion possible.

To say that you don’t speak the language very well, you can try with No hablo muy bien tu idioma (No Ah Bloh Mooi Bee In Too E deeo Mah). Or you can also say, No hablo bien en Español, which means "I don´t speak Spanish very well."

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These are pretty basic things to know. Being kind can take you a long way and it’s free so, why not use it, right? The correct way to say "please" in Spanish is Por favor (Pohr Fah Voor). And the right way to say "thank you" is Gracias (Grah See As).

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Likewise, other two very important things to learn are "I’m sorry" and "excuse me." Being courteous and well-mannered is universally appreciated and help will always be more readily available for a person who shows this kind of behavior.

The right way to say "I’m sorry" in Spanish is Perdón (pehr-dohn). And the correct way to phrase "excuse me" is disculpas (dees-kool-pahs).

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This one can also be crucial if you require assistance and the only people who can provide it are Spanish-speaking individuals. The simple phrase "I need help" can be used for someone who needs advice choosing a wine or someone who is in serious danger.

The correct way to say "I need help" in Spanish is, necesito ayuda (Neh Seh See Toh A Joo Dah).

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The final entry on this list matches the final words of your conversation with a Spanish-speaking person. Or, at least, a version of these words, since there are many ways to say goodbye in any language.

The phrase we are using here is a polite farewell that can be used with someone you have just met, similar to saying, "Goodbye, it was nice meeting you" and it is pronounced Hasta luego, fue un placer conocerte (Fooh Eh Oon Plah Sir Koh No Sir Teh).

Today's words

You may be acting "extra" without even knowing! Learn 10 new slang terms

We know it's hard to keep up with the trends all the time. On the streets and in the media, new music, dance moves, hair and clothing styles, apps, or even new flavors are constantly emerging. But also new words. Gen Z people have found original and clever ways to name all kinds of everyday things and situations. If you want to stay up to date with the latest slang, don't miss this article with 10 today's terms and expressions.

What we used to call just a "phase" has taken on a more epic tone and is now called an "era." This slang term describes a period marked by certain behaviors or characteristics that define a person's current situation.

If you are trying to see the world with different eyes and find the bright side in every situation, let's say you are in your "positive era." Do you have a friend who got tired of being told what to do and now speaks her mind without fear? Well, it's clear she has entered her "villain era." And what about that cousin who got his first job recently? Today's teens would say he's in his "independent era." And so we could go on all day. What would you say is your current era?

This term first appeared in the 2000s, but it has successfully re-emerged in recent years, especially on social media.

Have you ever seen someone desperately crying because they dropped a piece of toast? Remember that colleague who wore an overly formal suit to a casual barbecue? Well, you could say they were being "extra."

"Extra" is a slang word used to describe people, behaviors, or situations that are excessive or overdramatic. You know, anything that's just too much. Does anyone in your life come to mind?

When someone takes a bite, and you hear "mmm," it can only mean one thing: the food is delicious. But now there's a new word to express your approval when tasting a dish: "Bussin'"

If you buy some snacks for your nephew and he says, "Yeah, bussin'!" Congratulations, you've made the right choice. "Bussin'" is used to describe anything considered excellent or well done, especially when it's about food and drink.

Next time you want to recommend a restaurant, you can say their desserts are bussin'!

We've all been in love. Especially when we're young, the idea of that elusive crush is always on our minds. In other cases, it's not love but worries that occupy our minds all day long. There are also moments when we can't stop thinking about a book or series we want to return to when we get home.

There is an expression to refer to all those thoughts: they are said to be living "rent-free" in our minds. This witty expression implies that these recurrent ideas emerge without the need for any external stimulus, reason, or effort, and they will probably stay there.

When your outfit, attitude, words, or anything you do goes well and impresses others, you may hear "Slay!"

While confusing at first, this is a slang term for showing approval. When this word appears, it means someone is doing a great job or "killin' it." You've probably read it in the comments under a photo of celebrities "slaying" on a red carpet, or maybe under a video with many likes. Even famous people have adopted the word, helping it become more popular.

Next time you like what you see or hear, you know what expression to use to compliment the person in front of you.

We already have the term to show approval; now it's time for a word that expresses the opposite.

New generations have this term for when something unexpected or unacceptable happens. If someone suddenly changes their attitude toward you and starts being rude, if someone uses a weird word at work, or if that person you've been dating says something a little embarrassing or even offensive, the word you're looking for to describe how you feel is "ick." When something makes you uncomfortable or disgusts you, it's said it "gave you the ick."

Fun fact: The word was added to the dictionary in 2024.

There are people who know how to stand out wherever they go. Whether it's their style, their way of speaking, the confidence they show, or their talent to make great decisions, today's slang has an expression for these people: they are the "main characters."

Have you ever felt that powerful emotion after finally setting boundaries and deciding for yourself? You know those days when you wake up in a great mood and feel extremely confident? Well, in those moments, you are definitely the main character.

Do you recognize that anecdote, song, joke, or expression that only you and your best friend understand and share? While it sounds like a word in some foreign language, "Iykyk" stands for "if you know, you know." This written expression is used as a kind of warning or disclaimer: only a privileged few will understand the information, which is presented in code or as an inside joke.

This term appeared on social media around 2010, and since then, it has become more and more popular. Have you ever read it before?

The word "vibe" is one of the most used terms by young people in their daily conversations as well as in their online chats, and it's used to describe the mood or the energy emanating from a person or even an entire place.

It's all about emotions and sensations. You know that colleague who's always complaining or that person who has a special talent to bring everyone's mood down? Well, you can confidently say they "don't pass the vibe check."

If, on the other hand, someone immediately connects with you or makes you feel great, we would say that they have "good vibes" or they "passed the vibe check."

You're starting to see someone you really like, and it's been several months of dating and romantic messaging. You're on a date night with him or her, and you suddenly see a friend of yours at the same bar. So, the question comes: "Is he/she your boyfriend/girlfriend?" Uncomfortable!

Some connections are difficult to define. But there is a new way to express that: If it is too risky to say that you are in a relationship, you can say you're in a "situationship."

What used to be defined by Facebook's "it's complicated" status can now be described with this new slang term that's perfect for when it's not a formal relationship but also more than just a friendship.