Can You Translate These Basic Spanish Phrases?

By: Isadora Teich
Estimated Completion Time
2 min
Can You Translate These Basic Spanish Phrases?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Do you think you know enough basic Spanish to ace this quiz? Let's find out.

Learning a foreign language is hard. But even if you don't have Rosetta Stone, you've probably picked up a few words of other languages here and there. Words and phrases from other languages naturally make their way into English as people from other countries immigrate to ours. This is a great way to learn to communicate with people from other countries. And, assuming that you'd like to travel one day, knowing even a few basic phrases in the language that's common in the country you plan to visit is not only polite; it's smart.

Common Spanish words and phrases that have made their way into common use include "por favor," which means "please;" "de nada," which means "you're welcome," but which, literally translated, means "it is nothing;" "te amo," which means "I love you" (the word "te" is pronounced "tay"), and "hasta luego," which means see you later, gater... well, not really, but it is a way to say "goodbye" in Spanish.

How well do you think you know these basic Spanish words and phrases? Could you communicate in Spanish?

Take this quiz to find out how much you know.

Buenos días.
Good evening
Good soup
Good morning
"Buenos días" means "good morning" in Spanish. This is a common greeting in the early hours.
I'm hungry
¿Por qué?
What's your name?
I'm tired.
Why?
"¿Por qué?" is Spanish for "why." There are neat Spanish equivalents for many English question words.
How?
Por favor.
Thank you.
Please.
"Por favor" is Spanish for "please." Regardless of where a person happens to be in the world, politeness is always important!
No.
Goodbye.

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¡Feliz Navidad!
I'm lost!
Merry Christmas!
There is a reason that "Navidad" sounds like "nativity." This phrase is the perfect way to wish any Spanish speaker a very merry Christmas.
Happy Halloween!
Bless you!
Lo siento.
It wasn't me.
I'm sorry.
"Lo siento" is Spanish for "I'm sorry." When you're ambling around a Spanish-speaking country without knowing much Spanish, this one can come in handy.
Hello.
No thank you.
¿Qué hora es?
Where am I?
What time is it?
"¿Qué hora es?" is the way to ask for the time in Spanish. Have this phrase on hand, and being too early or late is impossible - if you also understand numbers in Spanish, of course!
I'll take two.
I'm lost.

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¡Feliz Cumpleaños!
Happy birthday!
"Happy birthday" in Spanish can be quite a mouthful for some English speakers. It is important to pronounce the tilde, or the little squiggle on top of the accented ñ, which adds a y sound after the n.
Merry Christmas!
Where are you?
How delicious!
Sí.
No.
Yes.
"Sí" is Spanish for "yes." "No," however, is the same in both English and Spanish.
Green.
Sad.
Hola, me llamo...
Hello, my name is...
"Hola, me llamo..." is Spanish for "Hello, my name is..." For example: "Hola, me llamo Anna."
I'll pay...
Hello, I need...
Hello, I have lost....

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¿Cuánto cuesta?
How many are there?
Can I have this?
How much does it cost?
This Spanish phrase is a must know for shopaholics. "¿Cuánto cuesta?" means "How much does it cost?"
Can I leave?
¿Dónde está el baño?
Where is the bathroom?
One of the most important questions to know how to ask in any language is "Where is the bathroom?" "¿Dónde está el baño?" gets the job done in Spanish.
Who are you?
I need to use the bathroom.
What band is playing?
De nada.
You're welcome.
"De nada" is used to mean "You're welcome." It literally means that there is nothing to thank the other person for.
No thank you.
Goodbye.
I'm thirsty.

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¡Perdón!
I'm lost!
Sorry I'm late!
Excuse me!
This is a far milder apology than "lo siento." Both are important for speaking politely.
Bless you!
¿Cómo está usted?
How are you?
This is the formal way to ask strangers, elders and those in positions of authority how they are. The informal way, which is used with loved ones and friends, is "¿cómo estás?"
Where are you?
How much does it cost?
I'm thirsty!
Estoy perdido.
I'm hungry.
I'm tired.
What's your name?
I'm lost.
Travelers with bad internal compasses find themselves using this phrase a lot in Spanish-speaking countries. It means "I'm lost."

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Yo no comprendo.
I'm not from around here.
I'm not tired.
I'll pay.
I don't understand.
For those learning the ropes when it comes to Spanish, this is a must. It means "I don't understand."
Buenas tardes.
Good morning.
Good afternoon.
"Buenas tardes" is Spanish for "good afternoon." Night owls who get up late may never hear a greeting meant for an earlier time than this.
My friend will pay.
I don't want it.
Quiero agua.
I want chicken.
I want water.
"Quiero" is the conjugated form of the verb "querer," which means "to want." This phrase can come in handy at restaurants and bars.
I need money.
I understand.

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¿Cómo te va?
What are you doing?
I'm sorry.
How's it going?
This easy phrase lets people ask how others are doing in a snap. It's a casual hello, meant for friends.
I'm busy!
Estoy enfermo(a).
I'm great.
I'm sick.
When people are ill, this phrase is how they express it. Whether medical attention is needed or just some rest, these words certainly get the point across.
She's my sister.
How are you?
Te amo.
I'm hungry.
I love you.
Spanish is one of the world's romance languages. "Te amo" and "Te quiero" are two romantic ways to express love in Spanish.
Hello, gorgeous.
I need to leave.

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Necesito ayuda.
I need to use the bathroom.
Can you talk slower?
I need help.
This is an important phrase to keep in mind, especially for avid travelers. Knowing how to ask for help can get people out of sticky situations.
Thank you.
Hasta luego.
See you later.
There are ways to say goodbye in Spanish, other than the famous "adiós." You can say "hasta luego," and even "chau" or "chao."
How are you?
Can you help me?
I love this.
¡Felicitaciones!
Surprise!
Congratulations!
Congratulate Spanish speakers with this phrase. It makes well wishes roll right off the tongue!
Oh no!
Incredible!

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¿Habla inglés?
Do you speak English?
This phrase is important for beginner Spanish speakers who travel. Finding others who can understand English can be vital.
Can I pet your dog?
Where is the bathroom?
How are you?
Derecho
Straight ahead
When you ask for directions, if someone replies "derecho," you are on the right track. Whatever you are looking for is straight ahead.
At the corner
I'm tired
Soup
Tarjeta de crédito
Debit card
Check
Menu
Credit card
This phrase makes it easy to find out if a restaurant or shop will accept credit cards. This information can be vital for travelers.

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Buenas noches.
Good evening.
This common greeting is used after nightfall in many Spanish speaking countries. Unlike in English, good night does not necessarily mean goodbye in Spanish.
Goodbye.
What's up?
What's your name?
¿Dónde está…?
Where is...?
For travelers with a bad sense of direction, this is another must. Fill in the blank with a destination.
Do you have...?
Where is the hospital?
I'll take two.
Me gustas mucho.
I like to take walks.
I like you a lot.
This easy Spanish phrase is a great way to be cute and romantic at the same time. It's a little lighter than "Te amo," which means "I love you."
I can cook.
Where is the hotel?

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¿Cómo te llamas?
What's your name?
This is the informal version of the phrase. If talking to a stranger or older person, ask "¿Cómo te llama usted?" to show respect.
How are you?
Where are you from?
Is there a bank nearby?
No lo sé.
I have nothing.
I don't know.
All travelers find out just how much they don't know as they travel. This can be an important phrase.
Who are you?
Do you want to dance?
¡Salud!
Excuse me
I'm sorry
I feel sick
Bless you
"¡Salud!' can be used to mean "bless you" after someone has sneezed. It also is used as a toast, in place of "cheers!" in many Spanish-speaking countries.

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En la esquina
To the right.
At the corner.
When you're asking for directions, this phrase means your destination can be found at the corner. Pay attention to the street names given.
In the city.
I'm thirsty.
¿Cómo se dice...?
Where is the...?
What is your...?
How do you say...?
This phrase can help to vastly expand the vocabulary of any beginning Spanish speaker. Learning new words is the key to mastering any language.
Happy...!
You Got:
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