The Spanish phrases that carry your first week

Terms used

• Tú — Tú is the informal word for "you", used with friends, young people and in most bars.
• Usted — Usted is the formal word for "you", used with older strangers, officials and doctors.
• Cercanías — Cercanías are the suburban commuter trains that serve big Spanish cities.
• Renfe — Renfe is Spain's national rail operator.

Key rules

• Greeting: Say hello when you enter and thank people when you leave, even if you skip "por favor".
• Tú or usted: Use tú in bars and with young people, and usted with older strangers, officials and doctors.
• Direct requests: Short requests like "Ponme un café" are normal and not rude.
• Emergencies: Call 112 in an emergency.

Start with a greeting and a thank-you

Greet people when you walk in and thank them when you leave. This matters more than saying "please" every time. Spanish speakers often skip "por favor", and direct requests like "Ponme un café" are normal, not rude.

Tú or usted

Use tú (the informal "you") in bars, with young people and in most casual shops. Use usted (the formal "you") with older strangers, officials, doctors and in formal service. Waiters often use tú and "vosotros" (informal "you all") with you. In the Canary Islands, and in Latin America, people say "ustedes" instead of "vosotros".

If you are unsure, "Perdone" and "Disculpe" are the formal way to get attention. "Perdona" is the informal one. Any of them works.

Bars and restaurants

• "Hola, buenas": a general greeting.
• "Una mesa para dos, por favor": a table for two.
• "Ponme una caña" or "Quería una caña": a small draught beer. The same pattern works for "un café con leche" (coffee with milk) and "unas tapas" (small plates).
• "¿Qué tenéis?": what do you have?
• "La carta, por favor": the menu.
• "Para mí...": what you are ordering.
• "La cuenta, por favor": the bill.
• "¿Se puede pagar con tarjeta?": can you pay by card?

Shops

• "Hola, buenos días": the greeting when you enter.
• "¿Cuánto cuesta?": how much is it?
• "Solo estoy mirando": you are only browsing.
• "Gracias, hasta luego" or "adiós": the goodbye.

Transport

Ticket machines usually offer an English option. Long-distance national rail tickets name a specific train and seat ("coche", "asiento").

Words to recognise: "billete" (ticket), "billete sencillo" or "de ida" (single), "ida y vuelta" (return), "abono" (travel pass), "recargar" (top up), "taquilla" (ticket counter), "andén" or "vía" (platform), "parada" (stop), "transbordo" (change of line), "salida" (exit), "retraso" (delay), "cancelado" (cancelled) and "validar" (stamp your ticket at the turnstile). Cercanías are suburban trains, Renfe is the national rail operator and AVE is high-speed rail. Pass names and card systems differ by city.

Phrases:

• "Un billete a Valencia, por favor"
• "Ida y vuelta para mañana"
• "¿De qué vía sale el tren?"
• "¿Este tren para en...?": does this train stop at...?
• "¿Dónde tengo que hacer transbordo?"
• "¿A qué hora sale?" or "¿A qué hora llega?"
• "Quisiera recargar la tarjeta": a polite way to ask to top up a card.
• "Perdone, ¿es esta la parada de...?": is this the stop for...?

Pharmacy and supermarket

At the pharmacy, say what hurts: "¿Tiene algo para el dolor de cabeza?" (headache), "la tos" (cough) or "la garganta" (throat). Useful follow-ups are "¿Necesito receta?" (do you need a prescription?) and "¿Cuántas veces al día?" (how many times a day?). "Soy alérgico" (or "alérgica") "a..." tells them your allergy. With an electronic prescription, say "Tengo una receta electrónica" and show your health card.

At the supermarket:

• "¿Dónde está...?": where is...?
• "Una bolsa, por favor": a bag.
• "Con tarjeta" or "en efectivo": card or cash.
• "Medio kilo de...": half a kilo.
• "Un poco más" or "un poco menos": a bit more or less.
• "Para llevar": to take away.

At a deli counter, people take a number or ask "¿Quién es el último?". That means "who is last in the queue?". Answer when it is your turn to say you follow them.

When you get stuck

• "Perdone, ¿me puede ayudar?": can you help?
• "No entiendo, ¿puede hablar más despacio?": slower, please.
• "¿Puede repetirlo, por favor?": say it again.
• "¿Cómo se dice...?": how do you say...?
• "¿Habla inglés?": do you speak English?

In an emergency, call 112. The questions below cover common worries.

Frequently asked questions

Should I use tú or usted with strangers in Spain?

Yes, use tú in bars and most casual shops, but switch to usted with older strangers, officials and doctors. Waiters often use tú with you first. A greeting and a thanks matter more than saying por favor every time.

How do I get a waiter's attention politely?

Say "Perdona" or "Disculpe" and catch their eye, then order with "Quería una caña" or "Ponme un café". Short commands like "ponme" are normal and not rude.

What does "¿Quién es el último?" mean at a deli counter?

It means "who is last in the queue?", and you ask it when you arrive at a counter where people take a number. The person who answers is the one you follow. Then wait for your turn.

What can I say if I do not understand the reply?

Say "No entiendo, ¿puede hablar más despacio?" or "¿Puede repetirlo, por favor?". You can also ask "¿Habla inglés?" or "¿Cómo se dice...?". In an emergency, the EU number is 112.