Many people consider Spanish to be one of the most joyful languages, full of warmth, passion and earthy exuberance. It’s also among the most useful, spoken across Central and South America, and one of the easier to learn. Here, then, are a few handy phrases to get you started.

Hello

How are you?

Goodbye

Yes

No

Please

Thank you

You’re welcome

What’s your name?

My name is…

Do you speak English?

Hola

¿Cómo está?

Adiós

Si

No

Por favor

Gracias

De nada

¿Cómo se llama?

Me llamo…

¿Habla usted Inglés?

oh-lah

koh-moh ehs-tah

ah-deeyohs

see

noh

pehr fah-bohr

grah-theeyahs

deh nah-dah

koh-moh seh yah-mah

meh yah-moh

ah-blah oos-teth een-glehs

At the restaurant

I’d like

The menu, please

Do you have…?

…a menu in English

Is it spicy?

The bill, please

Is service included?

That was delicious!

Quiero

La carta, por favor

¿Tiene…?

…una carta en inglés

¿Es picante?

La cuenta, por favor

¿Está incluido el servicio?

¡Estuvo delicioso!

keeyee-roh

lah kahr-tah pohr fah-bohr

teeyeh-neh

oo-nah kahr-tah ehn een-glehs

Ehs pee-kahn-teh

lah kwehn-tah pohr fah-bohr

ehs-tah een-kla-ee-doh ehl sehr-bee-theeyoh

ehs-too-boh deh-lee-theeyoh-soh

Spanish courses

A starter’s guide, from basics to slang

www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/

Learn by CD

www.rosettastone.co.uk

Learn by podcast

www.spanishpod.com

Learn in Spain

www.donquijote.org

www.languagesabroad.co.uk/