Learn Spanish the way you’ll actually use it on the road.
Not textbook filler — this is the vocabulary you’ll reach for at the airport, in a taxi, at the front desk, and lost on a side street looking for the right turn.
Three rules that make Spanish easy to say
Spanish is far more predictable than English — learn these three habits once, and every word on this page becomes easier to sound out.
Vowels never change
a-e-i-o-u“a” always sounds like “ah,” “e” like “eh,” “i” like “ee” — every single time, in every word.
The stress usually lands early
gra-CI-asMost words are stressed on the second-to-last syllable. When it isn’t, you’ll see an accent mark showing you exactly where — like “está” or “café.”
The letter “h” is silent
ha-BLAR, not “hh”-ablar“Hola” is said “OH-lah” — the “h” simply isn’t pronounced. One less sound to worry about.
Five words before you even leave the house
This is the true starting line — five words that carry an enormous amount of goodwill wherever you use them.
Hola
OH-lahHello — works any time of day, to anyone.
Gracias
GRAH-see-ahsThank you — say it more often than feels natural. It’s never too much here.
Por Favor
pohr fah-VOHRPlease — tack it onto the end of almost any request.
Sí / No
see / nohYes / No — the two smallest words that do the most work.
Getting there and getting around
The words that show up the moment you land — on signage, on tickets, and out of a taxi driver’s mouth.
Vuelo / Aeropuerto
BWEH-loh / ah-eh-roh-PWEHR-toh Flight / AirportLook for “Llegadas” (Arrivals) and “Salidas” (Departures) — the two words that matter most the second you land.
Tren / Billete
trehn / bee-YEH-teh Train / Ticket“Billete” is what you ask for at the counter — not “ticket.” High-speed trains (AVE) need a seat number, so listen for “asiento.”
Taxi / Parada
TAHK-see / pah-RAH-dah Taxi / Taxi StandSpanish taxis are metered — ask “¿Cuánto es, más o menos?” (roughly how much?) before a long ride, just to set expectations.
Metro / Parada de Autobús
MEH-troh / pah-RAH-dah deh ow-toh-BOOS Subway / Bus StopBig cities run on the metro — buy a “tarjeta” (rechargeable card) rather than single tickets if you’re staying more than two days.
At the hotel or hostel
Four words that cover almost the entire front-desk conversation.
Habitación
ah-bee-tah-see-OHNRoom — “una habitación doble” is a double room.
Llave
YAH-vehKey — some hotels use “tarjeta” (card key) instead.
Recepción
reh-sehp-see-OHNFront desk — “en recepción” is where you ask questions.
Equipaje
eh-kee-PAH-hehLuggage — “¿Dónde dejo el equipaje?” — where do I leave my bags?
Asking (and understanding) directions
This is the moment beginners freeze — memorize the question and just three answers, and you’re covered.
¿Dónde está…?
DOHN-deh es-TAH Where is…?The single most useful phrase for any traveler. Just add the place: “¿Dónde está la estación?” — where is the station?
Todo Recto
TOH-doh REHK-toh Straight AheadThe answer you’ll hear most — often paired with a hand gesture, so watch as much as you listen.
A la Izquierda / Derecha
ah lah ees-kee-EHR-dah / deh-REH-chah To the Left / RightWorth drilling out loud a few times — “izquierda” trips up almost every beginner’s tongue at first.
Cerca / Lejos
SEHR-kah / LEH-hohs Near / Far“Está muy cerca” — it’s very close — is the phrase you’re hoping for after a long day of walking.
Money and markets
The words that keep you from awkwardly holding out your whole wallet at the register.
Efectivo
eh-fehk-TEE-vohCash — small bars and markets often prefer it.
Tarjeta
tahr-HEH-tahCard — “¿Aceptan tarjeta?” — do you take card?
¿Cuánto Cuesta?
KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tahHow much does it cost? — your most-used question, hands down.
Mercado
mehr-KAH-dohMarket — some stalls expect a little “regateo” (bargaining), most don’t.
Six lines for almost any situation
Short enough to say under pressure, useful enough to actually get you somewhere.
Essentials for emergencies
Not meant to alarm you — just words worth recognizing on a sign before you need them.
Farmacia
fahr-MAH-see-ahPharmacy — look for the green cross sign.
Hospital
ohs-pee-TAHLHospital — the word is nearly identical, just pronounced differently.
Ayuda
ah-YOO-dahHelp — “¡Ayuda, por favor!” is understood everywhere.
Policía
poh-lee-SEE-ahPolice — “comisaría” is the police station itself.
How Spain actually moves
The Siesta Window
Small shops often close from roughly 2–5pm, especially outside big cities. It’s not laziness — it’s a genuinely different rhythm to the day.
Greeting with Two Kisses
One kiss on each cheek is a normal greeting between friends, even new ones. A handshake is fine too if it feels unfamiliar — nobody will mind.
Tipping is Optional
Rounding up or leaving small change is appreciated but never expected — service charges are usually already included in the bill.
Thirty words down, and you haven’t opened a phrasebook once.
That’s the whole idea behind Hispanova — Spanish that meets you exactly where your trip does.
