Speak Spanish Even If You Don't Speak It
- Date: 2007-07-25 - Word Count: 416
Share This!
Though there are many words in the Spanish language, only about 500-1,500 words are used in active vocabulary, or conversational vocabulary. Thus, unless you seek to become a Spanish poet, you need not to memorize all the words in the Spanish dictionary.
Even if you don't speak a word of Spanish, it will only take a few minutes to learn some basic phrases that will help you communicate. When traveling to Spanish speaking countries, don't expect that people there know English. Locals will appreciate even the most rudimentary attempts to speak their language and it will certainly help you get around.
Here are some very basic phrases to help you get around even if you don't speak a word of Spanish.
- Use "hola" ("OH-lah") for "hello", and "adios" (ah-dee-OHS) for "goodbye".
- Introduce yourself by saying "Mi nombre es" (mee NOHM-breh ehs) and then your name.
- Always use the two magic words: "por favor" (pohr fah-vohr) for "please", and "gracias" (GRAH-see-ahs) for "thank you".
- Say "si" (SEE) for "yes", and "no" (NOH) for "no". Or just nod or shake your head.
- Use "yo quisiera" (yoh kee-SYEH-rah), which means "I would like", or simply "quiero" (KYEH-roh), which means "I want", and just point to whatever you want, remembering to finish it off with "por favor".
- Use "donde" (DOHN-deh), which means "where", when you're looking for something.
- Use "donde esta" (DOHN-deh ehs-TAH), which means "where is", and just point with your finger at whatever it is that you're looking for, again remembering to finish it off with "por favor".
- When explaining, use "me comprende" (meh kohm-PREHN-deh), which means "Do you understand me?"
- When the Spanish speaker is telling you something and you cannot understand a thing, simply say "no entiendo" (noh ehn-TYEHN-doh), which means "I don't understand".
- When the Spanish speaker is giving you a name of a street or a place and you cannot understand it, ask him or her "escribalo, por favor" (ehs-KREE-bah-loh, pohr fah-vohr), which means "please write it down".
- If any attempt of communication fails, ask "Habla ingles?" (AH-blah een-GLEHS), which means "Do you speak English?" If the Spanish speaker doesn't, he or she can probably find someone who does.
When traveling to Spanish speaking countries, remember to carry around a small phrase book or dictionary. You can look up words you don't know - and even point to them if you can't pronounce them. But, the best of all, use the power of body language: pointing, drawing, gesturing and pantomiming will all help you get your point across.
Even if you don't speak a word of Spanish, it will only take a few minutes to learn some basic phrases that will help you communicate. When traveling to Spanish speaking countries, don't expect that people there know English. Locals will appreciate even the most rudimentary attempts to speak their language and it will certainly help you get around.
Here are some very basic phrases to help you get around even if you don't speak a word of Spanish.
- Use "hola" ("OH-lah") for "hello", and "adios" (ah-dee-OHS) for "goodbye".
- Introduce yourself by saying "Mi nombre es" (mee NOHM-breh ehs) and then your name.
- Always use the two magic words: "por favor" (pohr fah-vohr) for "please", and "gracias" (GRAH-see-ahs) for "thank you".
- Say "si" (SEE) for "yes", and "no" (NOH) for "no". Or just nod or shake your head.
- Use "yo quisiera" (yoh kee-SYEH-rah), which means "I would like", or simply "quiero" (KYEH-roh), which means "I want", and just point to whatever you want, remembering to finish it off with "por favor".
- Use "donde" (DOHN-deh), which means "where", when you're looking for something.
- Use "donde esta" (DOHN-deh ehs-TAH), which means "where is", and just point with your finger at whatever it is that you're looking for, again remembering to finish it off with "por favor".
- When explaining, use "me comprende" (meh kohm-PREHN-deh), which means "Do you understand me?"
- When the Spanish speaker is telling you something and you cannot understand a thing, simply say "no entiendo" (noh ehn-TYEHN-doh), which means "I don't understand".
- When the Spanish speaker is giving you a name of a street or a place and you cannot understand it, ask him or her "escribalo, por favor" (ehs-KREE-bah-loh, pohr fah-vohr), which means "please write it down".
- If any attempt of communication fails, ask "Habla ingles?" (AH-blah een-GLEHS), which means "Do you speak English?" If the Spanish speaker doesn't, he or she can probably find someone who does.
When traveling to Spanish speaking countries, remember to carry around a small phrase book or dictionary. You can look up words you don't know - and even point to them if you can't pronounce them. But, the best of all, use the power of body language: pointing, drawing, gesturing and pantomiming will all help you get your point across.
Related Tags: spanish, learn spanish, spanish language, spanish course, spanish software, free spanish course
Article by Learning-Spanish.SourceYouWant.com - helping people like you learn Spanish. We're giving away a free Spanish language course for a limited time. Go to Learning-Spanish.SourceYouWant.com, and if the offer is still valid, get the course before it's all gone. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Some Free Games To Learn Spanish
Today there are many more resources available to help individuals find fun games to learn Spanish or - What To Look Forward To Learn Spanish
When trying to learn Spanish, it is good to first get the basics down. Some of the first things peop - Learning Spanish For The Job
It's a very good idea to learn Spanish in today's world. When a person learns Spanish, they gain the - Learn Spanish Phrases For Your Trip Abroad
It's nice when you get a chance to take a trip abroad. If you are going to a Spanish speaking countr - What Should You Do To Get A Good Score In The 4 Ielts Papers?
As IELTS is the most widely used test for entry to UK universities, I will look at it in more detail - Selling Gold Jewelry
The optimal items to sell in this manner are the ones that possess zero resale worth as jewelry, suc - Major Aspects To Be Considered While Teaching Sign Language
Teaching is a very difficult task as you are completely responsible for those whom you are teaching. - Sign Language - An Incredible Language For Children
Learning sign language has become very common as it is one of the most popular languages in America. - Five Things To Know About Italian Culture Before Visiting Italy
It is an art lover's paradise, a country that hosts some of the world's greatest architectural maste - Economical Methods To Pick Up The Language Of Arabic
Whenever individuals desire to learn Arabic by themselves he or she can find lots of tactics availab
Most viewed articles in this category:
- TEFL Visits - London Numbers
TEFL Visits - London numbers Although we live outside London, it's still a major tool in our Teachin - Using the Press as a Language Teaching Tool
One of a 'toolbox' of teaching techniques that I use with my overseas students in my role as a Teach - Learning Spanish For Kids: Your Kid Will Thank You In The Future
Today, learning Spanish is something that anyone can do even those that are as young as toddlers. I - TEFL Techniques: Comparing Cathedrals
The value of getting your student or students out of the confines of the classroom cannot be underes - Learn How To Speak Spanish
There are a variety of reasons that you may want to learn how to speak Spanish. Some people want to - How To Learn Spanish From The Comfort Of Your Own Home
Learning Spanish is not an easy process, but with some guidance in the right direction you could be - TEFL Visits - Stonehenge Mysteries
TEFL Visits - Stonehenge Mysteries Not far from where I teach is a World Heritage site - Stonehenge. - Can You Learn Spanish Without a Formal Education?
A question I get quite a lot is "Can I really learn a language properly without going to formal clas - Learning Spanish - It's All About Repetition
When it comes to learning Spanish, or any language for that matter, it's all about repetition just a - American English in the ESL Class - Learning the Differences Between British and American English
Which English do you want to speak? There isn't one, but several Englishes that people all over the
