Basic Spanish words and travel phrases for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
During our own trips to Mexico I’ve compiled a list of basic Spanish words and travel phrases that I’ve personally found to be the most helpful in a variety of situations. With just a little time and effort these basic Spanish words can be memorized quickly and easily. And if you feel more comfortable having a cheat sheet with you on your trip, just print out the chart below and take it with you to Puerto Vallarta. You’ll find that using some basic Spanish words will greatly enhance your interaction with locals in town, employees at your hotel, and with tour providers. Although Puerto Vallarta is a tourist town where visitors can get by with only English, knowing some basic Spanish travel phrases will be quite helpful when dining at restaurants and when communicating with taxi drivers and bus drivers. These basic Spanish words will also come in very handy when shopping, bargaining with beach vendors, and when you’re out and about walking the safe and beautiful streets of Puerto Vallarta.
Another great language tool for your upcoming trip is a downloadable Spanish translation app (Google Translate) for your cell phone. You can translate using speech, camera (e.g., taking a photo of a menu in Spanish and the words are translated into English), handwriting and while off-line. At various times when my Spanish-speaking husband is not with me and I’ve been in a pinch, I’m happy to report that I’ve used this app with much success!
Most travelers quickly find that mastering and using just a few basic Spanish words and travel phrases on their vacations in Spanish-speaking countries really adds warmth and zest to their cultural experiences. When traveling internationally, bridging the language gap is rewarding, enjoyable and fun. And it’s a great way to make new friends!
BASIC SPANISH WORDS AND TRAVEL PHRASES
GREETINGS
BASIC PHRASES
Hello
Hola
Hello, my name is_________
Hola, me llamo___________
Good afternoon
Buenas tardes
It’s nice to meet you
Mucho gusto de conocerlo
Good evening
Buenas noches
What’s your name?
¿Cómo te llamas?
Goodbye
Adiós
I’m from Canada
Soy de Canadá
Welcome
Bienvenido
I’m from the United States
Soy Americano
Welcome to Puerto Vallarta!
Bienvenidos a Puerto Vallarta!
I don’t speak Spanish
No hablo Español
BASIC VOCABULARY FOR DINING
I only speak a little Spanish
Hablo poquito (or: Solo hablo poquito Español)
Water
Agua
I don’t understand
No entiendo
Sparkling (carbonated) water
Agua con gas
Let’s go
Vámonos
Water without carbonation
Agua sin gas
OUT AND ABOUT
Bottled water
Una botella de agua
Shopping
Ir de compras
Breakfast
Desayuno
Market
Mercado
Lunch
Almuerzo
Jewelry
Joyería
Dinner
Cena
Silver jewelry
Joyería de plata
Appetizer
Aperitivo
Is it real
¿Es real?
Salad
Ensalada
Is it genuine 925 sterling silver?
¿Es plata genuina de 925?
Soup
Sopa
How much?
¿Cuánto cuesta?
Dessert
Postre
What’s the price?
¿Cuál es el precio?
I’m hungry
Tengo hambre
That’s expensive
Eso es caro
I want to eat
Quiero comer
That costs way too much
Eso cuesta demasiado
Meal
Comida
That’s cheap
Eso es barato
The menu
El menú
Do you have it in another color?
¿Lo tienes en otro color?
I’m thirsty
Tengo sed
I love it!
¡Me encanta!
I want to drink
Quiero beber
It’s perfect!
¡Es perfecto!
Drink (beverage)
La bebida
Do you take credit cards?
¿Aceptas tarjetas de crédito?
Cool drink
Refresco
Where’s the restroom?
¿Dónde está el baño?
Cool or cold
Frio
Taxi
Taxi
Ice
Hielo
Bus
Autobús
Hot (temperature)
Caliente
Car
Coche
Coffee
Café
Where’s the bus stop?
¿Dónde para el autobús?
Tea
Te
Parking
Estacionamiento
Milk
Leche
What time is it?
¿Qué hora es?
Juice
Jugo
One minute, please
Un momento, por favor
Fruit
Fruta
Where is _____________?
¿Dónde está ____________?
Meat
Carne
Is that near here?
Esta cerca de aquí
Chicken
Pollo
Is it far?
¿Está lejos?
Fish
Pescado
Left
Izquierda
Seafood
Mariscos
Turn left
Vira a la izquierda
Shrimp
Camarón
Right
Derecho
Lobster
Langosta
Turn right
Vira a la derecha
Fried
Frito
Straight
Derecho
Grilled
A la parrilla
Continue straight
Sigue derecho
Spicy hot
Picante
Continue forward
Sigue adelante
Bread
Pan
Turn around
Date vuelta
Butter
Mantequilla
Look over there
Mira allá
Potato
Papa
There it is
Allá esta
Rice
Arroz
Here
Aquí
Beans
Frijoles
North
Norte
Cheese
Queso
South
Sur
Eggs
Huevos
East
Este
Veggies
Verduras
BASIC COMMUNICATION
Vegetarian
Vegetariano
Yes
Sí
Waiter
Camarero
Yes, thank you
Sí, gracias
Fork
Tenedor
No
No
Knife
Cuchillo
No, thank you
No, gracias
Spoon
Cuchara
Please
Por favor
Napkin
Servilleta
Thank you
Gracias
Salt
Sal
Thank you very much
Muchas Gracias
Pepper
Pimienta
Excuse me
Disculpa
Sugar
Azúcar
Pardon me
Perdón
The bill, please
La cuenta, por favor
What’s happening
¿Qué pasa?
Tip
Propina
How beautiful
Qué linda
HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR BASIC SPANISH WORDS & TRAVEL PHRASES