The summer holidays are approaching. You thought that this time your vacation days had to have sun, blue water, palm trees and sea breeze. After checking several options, you decided to take a trip to the Caribbean Sea.
You have already bought tickets; you have a hotel reservation and some tours on your agenda. There is a small detail that you still have not considered. You don’t speak Spanish.
Don´t you think that knowing a few words and some basic expressions might do a big difference in your trip to the Caribbean Sea experience?
Spanish has an advantage in the fact that most of the words are pronounced as they are written. That will facilitate your attempt. Also, remember that you will always find kind people who will have patience and will be able to understand that you don’t dominate the language.
Even more, if local people see that you are learning, they will help you for sure. So, to the water ducks!
To the water ducks!
Let’s begin. What does “to the water ducks” mean? This is a colloquial expression used to incite to realize a certain, generally unknown action and is very important when doing your trip to the Caribbean.
One believes that the expression has to do with the custom of the ducks, more precisely the baby ducks, who get forced to go into the water, in spite of not doing it still right, when the mother does it, in order to don´t get separated from the familiar group.
Next, we share a brief list for you to begin, but sure you will be able to create your own once you tackle the adventure of your trip to the Caribbean.
Greetings
Hello – Hola
Good morning – Buenos días
Good afternoon – Buenas tardes
Good evening – Buenas noches
How are you? – ¿Cómo está?
Fine, thank you – Bien, gracias
Nice to meet you – Mucho gusto
Several uses
Thank you – Gracias
You´re welcome – De nada
Please – Por favor
Sorry – Perdón
Excuse me – Disculpe
Excuse me, can you repeat that? – Disculpe, ¿Puede repetirlo?
Excuse me, can you say it slower? – Disculpe, ¿Lo puede decir más lento?
Can you help me? – ¿Puede ayudarme?
I understand – Yo entiendo
I don´t understand – Yo no entiendo
I need – Yo necesito
I am looking for (a hotel, a bank, a shop…) – Yo busco un… (hotel, un banco, una tienda…)
How much does it cost? – ¿Cuánto cuesta?
What time is it? – ¿Qué hora es?
I like it – Me gusta
I am happy – Estoy feliz
Location
Street – Calle
Where is …? – ¿Dónde está…?
I’m lost – Estoy perdido
How can I get to the main street/the station/the hotel?… – ¿Cómo puedo llegar a la calle principal?/ a la estación?/al hotel?
Right – A la derecha
Left – A la izquierda
Straight ahead – Derecho
Where is the bathroom? – ¿Dónde está el baño?
Restaurant and meals
A table – Una mesa
The menu – El menú
A drink – Una bebida
Dessert – Postre
Water – Agua
Coffee – Café
Wine – Vino
Red wine – Vino tinto
White wine – Vino blanco
Beer – Cerveza
Can I take your order? (waiter) – ¿Puedo tomar su pedido?
I’ll have/ I would like/ I want… the grilled chicken – Voy/ Quisiera/ Quiero… el pollo a la parrilla
¿Can you bring the check please? – ¿Puede traer la cuenta, por favor?
(Calling a waiter) – ¡Señor!
(Calling a waitress) – ¡Señorita!
Holidays/Caribbean
Sun cream – Protector solar
Cap – Gorra
Hat – Sombrero
Under the sun – Bajo el sol
Sundeck – Terraza
Swimming pool – Piscina
Beach – Playa
Sand – Arena
It´s hot – Hace calor
Shade – Sombra
Parasol – Sunshade
I am thirsty – Tengo sed
Towel – Toalla
Sandals – Sandalias
Bathing suit – Vestido de baño
Scuba dive – Bucear
Swim – Nadar
If you liked this first step
We hope these essential phrases help you feel more confident expressing yourself and to enjoy better your trip to the Caribbean. Sure, you will have the opportunity to practice this vocabulary on different occasions and you will do some new friends thanks to these basic resources.
If you feel that this first approach to Spanish and the experience of knowing a little more of the Hispanic culture attracts your attention, cheer up to learn the language definitely.
Write to us at information@spanishexpress.co.uk and we will give you further information about our immersion programme in Spain or Latin America. Fancy coming to the Caribbean with us?
Look for our full immersion programme: Live and study at your teacher’s home.
Marcela Castellanos
Spanish Express Blogger
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