Barcelona is a great place to visit, and being a top tourist destination, there are plenty of languages flying around the city. While most services have English and other language options, knowing a few simple Spanish phrases will make your time in Barcelona even more special. Although the city’s first language is Catalan, practicing a little bit of Spanish while you’re here will allow you to fully immerse yourself into the culture and create a truly authentic vacation.
An easy start
Here are a few simple phrases that everyone visiting Barcelona should know.
Hola – Hello
Adiós – Good-bye
Hasta luego – See you later
Hasta mañana – See you tomorrow
Buenos días – Good morning
Buenas noches – Good evening/night
Por favor – Please
Muchas gracias – Thank you
Conversation starters
Those are all the simple phrases so now we are going to help you with some conversation…
¿Qué tal?/¿Cómo estás? – How are you?
Bien, ¿y tú? – Well, and you?
¿Cómo te llamas? – What’s your name?
Me llamo… – My name is
¿De dónde eres? – Where are you from?
Yo soy de… – I´m from
Mucho gusto – Nice to meet you
¿Hablas inglés? – Do you speak English?
No entiendo – I don’t understand
Eat up!
Trying all the delicious food options in Barcelona is a must, so here are some phrases that will help…
Una mesa para dos, por favor – A table for two please
La carta – The menu
Menú del día – Daily set menu
Desayuno – Breakfast
Almuerzo – Lunch
Cena – Dinner
Bebidas – Drinks
Un agua – A water
Una cerveza – A beer
Pan – Bread
¿Qué hay en este plato? ¿Qué lleva este plato? – What’s in this dish?
Una copa de vino (tinto/blanco/rosado) – A glass of (red/white/rosé) wine
Soy vegetariano – I’m vegetarian
¿Qué nos aconsejas? – What do you recommend?
Soy vegetariano – I’m vegetarian
La cuenta, por favor – The check, please.
Getting Around
There phrases are a must for getting around such a busy city…
¿Me puedes ayudar por favor? – Can you help me please?
Perdona/Disculpa – Excuse me…
Estoy perdido – I’m lost
¿Dónde está…? – Where is…?
Entrada – Entrance
Salida – Exit
Sigue todo recto – Go straight ahead
Derecha – Right
Izquierda – Left
Necesito ir a… – I need to go to…
Busco la estación de tren/metro – I’m looking for the train/metro station
Necesito un taxi – I need a taxi
¿Cuánto cuesta un billete para ___? – How much does a ticket to ___ cost?
Abierto – Open
Cerrado – Closed
¿Conoces un buen lugar para…? – Do you know a good to/for…?
¿Dónde puedo cambiar divisas? – Where can I exchange currency?
¿Dónde puedo encontrar un buen restaurante? – Where can I find a good restaurant?
¿Está cerca de aquí? – Is it near here?
¿Está lejos de aquí? – Is it far from here?
Shop ’til you Drop
You will be amazed at all the shopping there is in and around Barcelona, so a day shopping is a day well spent here. Check out some of these helpful phrases to make sure you go home with a full bag…
¿Cuánto cuesta? – How much is it?
Sólo estoy mirando. Gracias. – I´m just looking, thank you.
¿Aceptan las tarjetas de crédito? – Do you accept credit cards?
¿Dónde está el probador? – Where is the changing room?
¿Tienes…? – Do you have…?
Me gustaría… – I would like…
Pequeño – Small
Medio – Medium
Grande – Large
Tienen más colores? – Do you have other colors?
¿Puedo cambiarlo? – Can I exchange this?
So there you have it! Don’t forget, you can also try out some Catalan!
Bon dia! – Good morning!
Si us plau – Please
Gràcies/Merci – Thank you
