Spry Spanish - Learning the Basics of the Spanish Language

It's not a requirement, you won't need to become proficient in the language to get what you want in Puerto Rico, but having a general grasp of key Spanish words and phrases can get you out of confusing situation and, at times, help you get to exactly where you need to be.

Note: If all else fails, just say, "Habla Ingles?" for, "Do you speak English," and hope that the answer is "yes."

Bread Pan

The basics are nearly universal, but worth mentioning because they adhere to a code of overall politeness that any tourist visiting the country should observe.

For a request say, "Por favor" (Please).
To refuse something say, "No, gracias" (No, thank you)
When giving a compliment say, "Gracias" (Thank you)
When accepting a compliment say, "De nada" (You're welcome)

Because your Spanish may still be a little rough, learning and applying a set of apologies will make you appear earnest and afford you some slack while you're attempting to conquer the language.

"I don't understand." - "No entiendo."
"Please speak more slowly." - "Hable lento, pro favor."
"I'm sorry." - "Lo siento."
"I don't know." - "No lo se."

There are a myriad of routes you can take to greet someone, but for the sake of memorizations and all things simple, opting for the basics will never disappoint.

For "Hello," say, "Hola."
For "Goodbye," say, "Adios."
To ask for someone's name say, "Como se llama?"
To give your name say, "Mi nombre es..."

Questions, whether you're posing or responding, are commonly a source of confusion. It's very easy to mix them up, confuse them, and use them in the wrong scenarios. That's why we recommend taking a few flashcards to the problem and branding them into memory.

Where (is/are)? - Donde (esta/estan)?
Who? - Quien?
Why? - Por que?
What? - Que?
How (much)? - Cuanto (cuesta)?
What time is it? - Que hora es?

While most luxury resorts in Puerto Rico, Gran Melia Puerto Rico included, offer a bilingual staff, it is still a good idea to familiarize one's self to a handful of simple hotel terms.

For "Swimming pool," say, "La alberca."
For "Bed," say, "Coma."
For "Bathroom," say, "El bano."
For "Open," say, "Abierto."
For "Closed," say, "Cerrado."
For "I have a problem," say, "Tengo problema."

Foods in Spanish have gradually seeped their way into English and, as a result, are fairly easy to recall.

Coffee - "Café"
Milk - "Leche"
Wine - "Vino" (red/tinto, white/blanco)
Beer - "Cerveza"
Water - "Agua"
Egg - "Huevo"
Cheese - "Queso"
Bread - "Pan"

Days of the week, like questions, are easy to mix up and forget.

Sunday - "Domingo"
Monday - "Lunes"
Tuesday - "Martes"
Wednesday - "Miercoles"
Thursday - "Jueves"
Friday - "Viernes"
Saturday - "Sabado"

Spry Spanish - Learning the Basics of the Spanish Language

Enid Glasgow is a product of unbridled wanderlust and a knack for gab.

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