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Conversational Spanish for a two-week trip

Handle arrival, food, directions, shopping and small talk in Spanish, with enough grammar to build sentences rather than recite phrases.

lessons
60
to learn
16h 25m
questions
193
written
60/60
Start reading BeginnerEnglish

The path

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  1. Spanish sounds: a pronunciation primer20 min2 questions
  2. Vowel consistency10 min4 questions
  3. Consonant pitfalls15 min4 questions
  4. Accent marks and stress10 min3 questions
  5. The alphabet and spelling aloud10 min3 questions
  6. Greetings, goodbyes, and introductions20 min3 questions
  7. Tú and usted: formal vs. informal15 min4 questions
  8. Regional greetings in Spanish15 min3 questions

Lesson 1

Spanish sounds: a pronunciation primer

You will be able to accurately pronounce Spanish vowels, consonants, and word stress, and read any Spanish word aloud. Covers the alphabet, accent marks, and common pronunciation pitfalls for English speakers. Prevents the habit of applying English vowel sounds to Spanish.

20 min2 assessments

English has about 14 vowel sounds; Spanish has exactly 5. If you bring your English vowels to Spanish, gracias turns into gray-see-as and nobody understands you. The same is true for consonants — Spanish j is not English j, and r flips your tongue in a way you've never done.

This lesson teaches you the exact movements of your mouth that make a Spanish sound, then gives you a word you can say while packing. By the end you will be able to read any Spanish word aloud — even if you have no idea what it means — and be understood.

Steps
0/3

Work through these three stages in order. Do not skip the vowel stage — most mispronunciation starts there.

  1. Produce the five pure vowels

    Shape your mouth for each vowel and hold it — no gliding.

    • a = ah — as in English father, but shorter. Mouth open wide, tongue flat.
    • e = eh — as in met. No /ee/ at the end.
    • i = ee — as in see. Lips stretched, tongue high.
    • o = oh — as in no, but cut off the /oo/ tail. Lips rounded, tongue back.
    • u = oo — as in boot. Lips very rounded, tongue high and back.

    Practise the sequence: /a/ – /e/ – /i/ – /o/ – /u/ five times, holding each for two seconds.

    Your native English diphthong habit will try to turn /e/ into /ei/ and /o/ into /ou/. If your lips move during the vowel, you are adding a glide.

    Can you say each vowel without your lips or tongue shifting position?

  2. Tame the tricky consonants

    Six consonant sounds trip English speakers. Practise each with the example word.

    • b/v → same sound: a soft /b/ where the lips barely touch. Say bien, vino.
    • j → a strong /h/ from the throat, like he but louder. Say jamón, jugo.
    • g before e/i → same as Spanish j. Not a /g/. Say gente, gimnasio. g before a/o/u → hard /g/ like English go. Say gato, gusto.
    • r → single tap: tongue hits the ridge just behind teeth, like the /dd/ in English udder. Say pero (but). rr → trilled: blow air while tongue vibrates. Say perro (dog).
    • ll → in most of Spain and Latin America it is like /y/ in yes. Say llave, lleno.
    • ñ → /ny/ as in canyon. Say niño, españa.

    Don't pronounce b and v like English; they will sound harsh. For r, if you can't trill yet, a single tap is fine — trill comes with practice.

    Does *pero* and *perro* sound clearly different to you? Can you say *jamón* without a /dʒ/ sound?

  3. Apply stress rules — written accent tells you exactly where

    Spanish stress follows two rules, plus an override from accent marks.

    1. 1.If the word ends in a vowel, n, or s, stress falls on the second‑last syllable. casa → CA‑sa, hablan → HA‑blan, libros → LI‑bros.
    2. 2.If the word ends in any other consonant, stress falls on the last syllable. hablar → ha‑BLAR, popular → po‑pu‑LAR, ciudad → ciu‑DAD.
    3. 3.A written accent (´) over a vowel overrides both rules — stress that syllable. teléfono → te‑LE‑fo‑no, canción → can‑CIÓN.

    Read these aloud: público (PEW‑blee‑co), publico (poo‑BLEE‑co), publicó (poo‑blee‑CO) — three different words!

    If you ignore the written accent, *público* (public) becomes *publicó* (he published). That matters when ordering, not just reading.

    Find the stressed syllable in *difícil* — it carries an accent. (Answer: dí‑FI‑cil, stress on FI.)

Checklist
0/7

Your pronunciation field checklist

Keep this open while you practise. Tick each item only after you can do it without thinking.

Say it

Listen to each word, then say it twice. Focus on the vowels and the tricky consonants from the walkthrough.

jamón

ham

/HAH-mohn/

gracias

thank you

/GRAH-see-ahs/

perro

dog

/PEH-roh (rolled r)/

llave

key

/YAH-veh/

teléfono

telephone

/te-LEH-fo-no/

Check yourself

Now test your understanding of the pronunciation rules.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

Arrange the following four learning steps in the order an absolute beginner should practise them. (Drag the options into the correct sequence.)

  • APractise the five pure vowel sounds until they feel natural
  • BLearn the two default stress rules and how written accent marks override them
  • CPractise the consonant sounds that are different from English (j, r, ll, b/v, ñ)
  • DRead short words aloud applying stress rules, e.g., hablo, habló, público
2Short answerMarked by AI

Using English letter approximations (like 'teh' for /te/), write how the Spanish word difícil is pronounced, and then state on which syllable the stress falls (first, second, or third). Remember: the written accent tells you exactly where. Word: difícil

Graded on Correct stress position · Vowel quality without English diphthongs · Consonant handling of c before i

Lesson 2

Vowel consistency

Spanish has only five pure vowel sounds; learning to produce them clearly and consistently unlocks comprehensible pronunciation for English speakers.

10 min4 assessments

English has around fourteen vowel sounds, depending on your accent. Spanish gets by with five — and using the wrong one turns a word into noise.

When an English speaker says gracias, they instinctively say GRAY-see-uhs. The first vowel becomes the English "ay" diphthong (two sounds mashed together), and the second weakens to "uh." A Spanish speaker hears something unrecognisable.

The fix is mechanical. Spanish has five pure vowel sounds, and each has one sound that never changes:

LetterSoundEnglish approximationDon't let it become...
a/a/"father" but shorter"ay" (like in say)
e/e/"bet""ay" (like in day)
i/i/"machine""ih" (like in sit)
o/o/"or" without the R"ow" (like in go)
u/u/"boot" but shorter"yoo" (like in you)

The principle: a Spanish vowel starts at its sound and stays there. Your tongue, jaw and lips do not move during the vowel. If they move, you are speaking English.

Steps
0/5

Practice the five vowels in order — from most open mouth shape (A) to most closed (U). This sequence is deliberate: each position prepares your mouth for the next one. Say each vowel in isolation first, then inside a common word.

  1. A — jaw drops, tongue flat

    Open your mouth wide as if showing your throat to a doctor. Say AH and hold it. Example word: casa (KAH-sah).

    Don't let it glide into 'AY' or relax into 'UH'. 'Casa' with a glided A becomes 'kay-sah' — a different word.

    Hold for 2 seconds. The quality stays identical from start to end — no movement.

  2. E — lips spread slightly, teeth near

    Smile slightly with teeth almost touching. Say EH like in 'bet' and hold. Example word: café (kah-FEH).

    Do not raise your tongue at the end — that creates the 'AY' glide. 'Café' with an English E becomes 'caf-AY'.

    Your jaw stays still; only your tongue moves from the previous A position.

  3. I — lips wide, tongue high and front

    Pull your lips into a wide smile. Say EE like 'see' and hold. Example word: piso (PEE-soh).

    Don't relax it into 'IH' (as in 'sit'). 'Piso' (floor) with a relaxed vowel sounds like 'peso' (weight) — real confusion.

    The tip of your tongue touches your bottom front teeth.

  4. O — lips rounded, tongue pulled back

    Round your lips as if about to whistle. Say OH and hold — no W at the end. Example word: como (KOH-moh).

    English speakers always add a 'w' off-glide. Spanish 'no' is /no/, not /now/. Drop the W.

    Your lip shape remains identical through the whole sound. Release without closing.

  5. U — tight lip circle, tongue high and back

    Round your lips into a tight circle, smaller than O. Say OO like 'boot' and hold. Example word: mucho (MOO-choh).

    Never add the 'y' that English puts before 'u' in 'you'. 'Mucho' is 'MOO-cho', not 'MYOO-cho'.

    Say it slowly in isolation — there must be no consonant sound before the vowel.

Say it

Listen to each Spanish word, then repeat it twice. Focus on keeping every vowel pure — no glides, no off-glides.

casa

house

/KAH-sah/

gracias

thanks

/GRAH-see-ahs/

café

coffee

/kah-FEH/

leche

milk

/LEH-cheh/

piso

floor

/PEE-soh/

vino

wine

/BEE-noh/

como

I eat

/KOH-moh/

dos

two

/dohs/

mucho

much

/MOO-choh/

luna

moon

/LOO-nah/

Checklist
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Vowel practice field checklist

Keep this list visible while you practice. Check every item against every word you say.

  • Spanish has exactly five vowel sounds; English has roughly fourteen.
  • Every Spanish vowel is a pure monophthong — your articulators must not move during the sound.
  • The English habit of turning vowels into diphthongs (e.g., 'ay' for 'e') is the largest source of accent-related misunderstanding.
  • Each Spanish vowel maps to one consistent spelling letter with no silent vowels.
  • Vowel length in Spanish is consistent and short — Spanish vowels are never held longer than one beat.
  • The five vowels follow a progression from most open (a) to most closed (u), tracing the mouth's natural range.
Check yourself

Check your understanding of Spanish vowel sounds.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

Arrange the Spanish vowels in the order you should practice them, from most open mouth shape to most closed.

  • AO (rounded lips)
  • BI (wide smile)
  • CA (jaw dropped)
  • DU (tight lip circle)
  • EE (slight smile)
2Short answerMarked by AI

You're in a Barcelona bakery and want to order 'un café con leche.' Your American friend pronounces it 'oon CAY-fay cone LAY-chay.' Identify exactly two vowel mistakes and state what the correct Spanish vowels should be for each.

Graded on Identifies two vowel substitutions correctly · Explains the principle behind the correction

3Multiple choiceChecked instantly

What is the most common reason an English speaker's Spanish pronunciation sounds foreign to a native speaker?

  • AThey speak too slowly
  • BThey substitute English diphthongized vowels for pure Spanish vowels
  • CThey use the wrong consonants
  • DThey stress the wrong syllable
4Short answerMarked by AI

You overhear a learner saying 'piso' (floor) — but it comes out sounding like 'PEH-soh' to a native speaker. What specific vowel mistake did the learner make? Why would a native speaker hear 'peso' (weight/money) instead of 'piso'?

Graded on Identifies the vowel quality error (tense vs lax I) · Explains the consequence (word confusion)

Lesson 3

Consonant pitfalls

The letters b/v, j, g, r, and ll are common stumbling blocks; this part explains and drills each one so you sound natural, not like an English speaker guessing.

15 min4 assessments

You've already learned that Spanish vowels are pure—each one has a single sound. Now you'll tackle the consonants that trip up English speakers. The letters b/v, j, g, r, and ll are the worst offenders. Miss them and you sound like you're reading English off the page. Hit them right and locals will switch to normal speed, not the slow version they use for tourists.

The single Spanish ‘r’ and the double ‘rr’ (or initial ‘r’) create a meaning-changing distinction. The table below shows what changes.

Single R (tap)

Tongue position
Tip of tongue taps the roof of the mouth just behind the teeth, like the 'dd' in 'ladder'
Sound quality
A quick, light flap – less than a beat
Where it appears
Middle or end of a word (pero, caro, amar)
Example word
pero (but)
Pitfall for English speakers
Using an English 'r' (retroflex) instead of a tap

Best for Any word spelled with a single 'r' in the middle or end

Double RR (trill) or initial R

Tongue position
Tip of tongue vibrates against the ridge behind the teeth, held steady
Sound quality
A sustained roll – one to three vibrations
Where it appears
Between vowels when written as 'rr', or at the start of a word (r-)
Example word
perro (dog), rápido (fast)
Pitfall for English speakers
Making it too short or substituting an English 'r'

‘pero’ vs ‘perro’ – a minimal pair that changes meaning

Compare these two words side by side. The only difference is the number of r's, but the words are unrelated.

WordMeaningPronunciation
perobut/ˈpe.ɾo/ – single tap, like 'pedo' with a light R. Say 'pe-dough' with a quick tongue flick.
perrodog/ˈpe.ro/ – strong trill. Hold the vibration for about two beats. Think of a cat purring.

Your turn: Say them aloud, one after the other. Keep the vowel the same – only the r changes. If you can't hear the difference yet, ask a Spanish speaker to say them or record yourself and compare.

Common misconception

“B and V are different letters, so they must be different sounds – like in English.”

In English, 'b' and 'v' contrast clearly: 'berry' vs 'very'. The letters look and feel distinct, so it's natural to want to keep them separate.

What is actually true

In Spanish, b and v are pronounced identically in all positions. Both are produced with the lips together, not the upper teeth on the lower lip. The sound is a soft /b/ (or a slight friction between vowels, but never an English /v/). Write either letter, say the same sound. This is called 'betacismo' and it's standard throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

Say it

Now you'll practice the most critical distinction: single R vs double R. Listen to each word, then say it twice. Focus on the tap or trill where indicated.

pero

but

/PEH-roh (tap)/

perro

dog

/PEH-roh (trill)/

caro

expensive

/KAH-roh (tap)/

carro

car

/KAH-roh (trill)/

coro

choir

/KOH-roh (tap)/

corro

I run

/KOH-roh (trill)/

Reference

Quick guide: Spanish consonant pitfalls

b / v

Correct sound
/b/ (bilabial stop or fricative)
English mistake to avoid
Don't use English /v/. Bring both lips together.
Example
bello (beautiful) / vaca (cow)

j

Correct sound
/x/ (voiceless velar fricative) – like Scottish 'loch' or a strong 'h'
English mistake to avoid
Don't use English /dʒ/ (as in 'jump') or soft /h/. Throat friction is key.
Example
jamón (ham), ojo (eye)

g (before e/i)

Correct sound
Same /x/ as 'j'
English mistake to avoid
Don't say /g/ as in 'get'. The 'g' softens to the 'j' sound.
Example
gente (people), gitano (gypsy)

g (before a/o/u) and 'gu'

Correct sound
/ɡ/ (hard g) or /ɡʷ/ before ue/ui
English mistake to avoid
Standard – same as English 'go' but slightly softer before e/i? No, that's the j sound.
Example
gato (cat), guerra (war)

r (single)

Correct sound
Tap /ɾ/ – tip of tongue flicks the ridge
English mistake to avoid
Don't use retroflex English /r/. Relax and flick.
Example
pero (but), caro (expensive)

rr (double) or initial r

Correct sound
Trill /r/ – multiple vibrations
English mistake to avoid
Don't shorten to a tap; hold the vibration.
Example
perro (dog), rojo (red)

ll

Correct sound
/ʝ/ or /dʒ/ – like 'y' in 'yes' (yeísmo) or 'j' in 'jazz' (Argentina)
English mistake to avoid
Don't say /lj/ as in 'million'. Keep the tongue flat.
Example
llamar (to call), pollo (chicken)

These guidelines cover standard Latin American Spanish. The 'll' sound varies by region, but the 'y' sound is widely understood.

Check yourself

Check your grasp of the consonant pitfalls.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Which sound does the Spanish letter 'j' make, as in 'jamón'?

  • ALike the 'h' in 'hat' – a gentle breath.
  • BLike the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch' – a throaty friction.
  • CLike the 'k' in 'kite' – a hard stop.
  • DLike the 'sh' in 'shoe' – a hiss at the front of the mouth.
2Select all that applyChecked instantly

Select the letter pairs that are pronounced identically in standard Spanish (yeísmo dialect). (More than one correct)

  • AB and V
  • BLL and Y
  • CJ and G (before a/o/u)
  • DR and RR
  • EC (before e/i) and S
3Short answerMarked by AI

In the sentence 'El perro corre rápido', identify every word that contains a trilled r (not a tap) and explain briefly how you know.

Graded on Identifies the correct words (perro, corre, rápido) · Explanation of why each word is trilled (double rr or initial r)

4Short answerMarked by AI

When you see the letter 'g' before an 'e' or 'i' (e.g., 'gente', 'gitano'), how should you pronounce it? Describe the sound and compare it to the English 'g'.

Graded on States the correct sound (like Spanish 'j' / velar fricative) · Contrasts with English 'g' to prevent confusion

Lesson 4

Accent marks and stress

Written accents are not decoration; they tell you which syllable to stress. This part covers the rules so you read any Spanish word with correct emphasis.

10 min3 assessments

You can already pronounce Spanish vowels and consonants, but without correct stress you'll say papa (potato) when you mean papá (dad). Written accents — the little slash over vowels — tell you which syllable to punch. This node gives you the three rules that cover every Spanish word.

Spanish words are divided into three stress groups:

  • Agudas – stress on the last syllable (e.g., canción, hablar).
  • Llanas (or graves) – stress on the second‑to‑last syllable (e.g., casa, árbol).
  • Esdrújulas – stress on the third‑to‑last syllable (e.g., música, público).

Most words naturally follow a default pattern: if a word ends in a vowel, n, or s, stress falls on the second‑to‑last syllable (llana). If it ends in any other consonant, stress falls on the last syllable (aguda). The written accent mark (´) is used whenever a word breaks that default pattern. All esdrújulas automatically break the pattern, so they always carry an accent.

Reference

Spanish accent rules at a glance

Aguda

Stress falls on
last syllable
Default pattern
ends in consonant (except n, s)
Accent mark needed?
ONLY if word ends in vowel, n, or s

Llana (grave)

Stress falls on
second‑to‑last syllable
Default pattern
ends in vowel, n, or s
Accent mark needed?
ONLY if word ends in consonant (except n, s)

Esdrújula

Stress falls on
third‑to‑last syllable
Default pattern
never default
Accent mark needed?
ALWAYS

Sobresdrújula

Stress falls on
fourth‑to‑last or earlier
Default pattern
never default
Accent mark needed?
ALWAYS

Monosyllables generally do not carry an accent except to distinguish homophones (e.g., *tú* vs. *tu*). That rule is covered in a later node.

Reading any word in three steps

Take the word árbol (tree):

  1. 1.It ends in l – a consonant other than n or s → default pattern says aguda, stress on last syllable bol.
  2. 2.But the actual stress is on ár (first syllable) – that breaks the default.
  3. 3.Therefore it needs a written accent – árbol.

Now canción (song):

  1. 1.Ends in n → default pattern says llana, stress on can (second‑to‑last).
  2. 2.Actual stress is on ción (last syllable) – breaks the default.
  3. 3.So it needs a written accent – canción.

Finally casa (house):

  1. 1.Ends in a (vowel) → default pattern says llana, stress on ca.
  2. 2.Actual stress is indeed on ca – follows the default.
  3. 3.No accent mark needed – casa.
Practice
0/10 known
1 / 10
Check yourself

Now test your grasp of accent rules.

1Fill the blanksChecked instantly

Graded on Correct word type identified · Exact match to accepted answers

2Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Which of the following statements is correct?

  • AEvery Spanish word carries a written accent on the stressed syllable.
  • BWritten accents are only used on words that break the default stress pattern.
  • CWords ending in n or s always have a written accent on the last syllable.
  • DEsdrújulas never carry a written accent because they are rare.

Graded on Correct statement chosen · Elimination of incorrect options

3Select all that applyChecked instantly

Select all of the following words that need a written accent (tilde) according to Spanish rules. (More than one may be correct.)

  • Ajardin
  • Bcafe
  • Ctelefono
  • Dmesa
  • Elapiz
  • Fcomer

Graded on All correct words selected · No wrong words selected

Lesson 5

The alphabet and spelling aloud

You will be able to spell your name and any word you learn using the Spanish letter names, which differ from English for several letters like c, v, w, and y.

10 min3 assessments

You're at the airport check-in. The agent asks for your name. You say 'Smith' – but she writes 'Esmiz'. The problem isn't your pronunciation; it's the letter names. Spanish uses a different set of names for the alphabet, and several letters (C, V, W, Y) sound nothing like their English counterparts. This two-minute lesson gives you the exact letter names so you can spell any word – your name, a street, a dish – without being misunderstood. You already know how to pronounce Spanish vowels and consonants from the pronunciation primer; now you'll learn what to call each letter when you need to spell it aloud.

  • The Spanish alphabet has 27 letters (including Ñ).
  • C is pronounced 'seh' (not 'see'), V is 'beh' (not 'vee'), W is 'doble veh' (or 'doble u'), Y is 'ye' (or 'i griega').
  • H is always pronounced 'hache' – even though it's silent in words, you say it when spelling.
  • Double letters are spelled by repeating the letter name; for example, double R is 'erre erre'.
  • The letter Ñ is called 'eñe' and is a separate letter, not a variant of N.
Steps
0/5

Follow these steps to spell any word aloud in Spanish. Practice with your own name or a simple word like 'casa'.

  1. Learn the Spanish letter names

    Memorize the names of the key letters that differ from English:

    • A: ah
    • B: beh
    • C: seh
    • D: deh
    • E: eh
    • F: efe
    • G: heh
    • H: hache
    • I: ee
    • J: hota
    • K: kah
    • L: ele
    • LL: elle (though no longer a separate letter, many still use it)
    • M: eme
    • N: ene
    • Ñ: eñe
    • O: oh
    • P: pe
    • Q: koo
    • R: erre
    • RR: erre (just say it twice)
    • S: ese
    • T: teh
    • U: oo
    • V: beh
    • W: doble veh (or doble u)
    • X: ekis
    • Y: ye (or i griega)
    • Z: zeta

    Don't use English letter names for C, V, W, Y – they will confuse the listener.

    Say each letter name aloud without looking at the list. Pause after each one.

  2. Identify the letters in the word you want to spell

    Write the word on a piece of paper or visualize it. For example, if your name is 'Ana', the letters are A, N, A.

    Remember that 'CH' and 'LL' are not separate letters in the modern Spanish alphabet. Spell them as C-H and L-L.

    You have a clear list of letters in order.

  3. Say each letter name in order

    Pronounce each letter's Spanish name one by one, with a brief pause between letters. For 'Ana', you say: 'ah', 'ene', 'ah'.

    Don't rush – a clear pause between letters prevents blending sounds.

    You can say the entire sequence without hesitating on any letter.

  4. Handle double letters

    When a letter appears twice in a row (e.g., the two R's in 'carro'), say the letter name twice. For 'carro', you say: 'seh', 'ah', 'erre', 'erre', 'oh'. There is no special 'double' prefix for most letters; simply repeat the name.

    The exception is W, which is always called 'doble veh' (double V) or 'doble u' – do not say 'weh weh'.

    For a word like 'carrera', you correctly say 'erre' twice.

  5. Spell your own name aloud

    Apply the steps to your own name. Write it out letter by letter, then say each letter's Spanish name. Repeat until you can do it without looking at the list.

    If your name contains letters like 'C' or 'V', double-check you are using the Spanish 'seh' and 'beh', not English.

    You can spell your name to a friend (or yourself) and they can write it down correctly.

Spelling 'guitarra' (guitar)

Word: guitarra

Letters: G U I T A R R A

Spanish letter names:

  • G: heh
  • U: oo
  • I: ee
  • T: teh
  • A: ah
  • R: erre
  • R: erre
  • A: ah

Full spelling: heh – oo – ee – teh – ah – erre – erre – ah

Notice the double R is spelled as two separate 'erre' sounds. The 'U' after 'G' is not silent when spelling – you say 'oo' even though in the word it's part of a digraph.

Role-play

You're at the hotel check-in counter. The receptionist asks you to spell your name so she can enter it into the system.

You are the guest; you're talking to the receptionist.

Goal: Spell your full name (first and last) using Spanish letter names, so the receptionist can write it correctly.

Checklist
0/5

Before you need to spell something aloud

Use this checklist before you check in, order at a restaurant, or give your email address. Tick each item after you've practiced.

Check yourself

Test your ability to spell in Spanish.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

Arrange these steps in the correct order to spell a word in Spanish. (Drag or tap to reorder.)

  • ASay each letter's Spanish name in order
  • BIdentify the letters in the word
  • CHandle double letters by repeating the name
  • DLearn the Spanish letter names for each letter
  • ESpell your own name aloud as practice
2Short answerMarked by AI

Spell the word 'coche' (car) using Spanish letter names. Write your answer as a sequence of letter names separated by dashes, e.g., 'seh-oh-seh-hache-eh'.

Graded on Correct letter names for each letter · Format and clarity

3Multiple choiceChecked instantly

What is the Spanish name for the letter V?

  • Aveh
  • Bbeh
  • Cvee
  • Ddoble veh

Lesson 6

Greetings, goodbyes, and introductions

You will be able to greet people appropriately at any time of day, introduce yourself and others, and say goodbye in both formal and informal settings. Covers hola, buenos días, buenas tardes, how are you, nice to meet you, and deciding between tú and usted. Prevents awkwardly using informal address with someone you should address formally.

20 min3 assessments

You can already read any Spanish word aloud — the pronunciation primer saw to that. That is what separates parroting a phrasebook from speaking: you can deliver a greeting you've never practised, and you'll hear the reply coming back in stress patterns you recognise. This node gives you the five moves of any first contact: the opening, the how-are-you, your name, their name, and the goodbye.

The opening depends on the clock:

PhraseWhenRoughly
Holaany timehello
Buenos díasmorningwaking until lunch
Buenas tardesafternoonlunch until dark
Buenas nochesevening and nightafter dark, and also 'good night'

Hola alone will carry you, but the time-of-day greetings are what make you sound like you belong. The exact boundary between tardes and noches varies by region — a later node drills that.

The second move is the how-are-you, and here Spanish forces a choice English doesn't: tú or usted. Both mean 'you', but they signal the relationship. Tú is for people your age, fellow travellers, anyone you'd share a table with. Usted is for strangers who are older, officials, and formal service roles. Each takes its own verb form: ¿Cómo estás? to a tú, ¿Cómo está usted? to an usted. Notice where the stress sits — es-TÁS in the first, ES-tá in the second. Your ear is learning the register.

Replies need no thought: Bien, gracias. Muy bien. Así así. Then send the question back with ¿y tú? or ¿y usted? — 'and you?'

Introductions run on two formulas. Me llamo + your name means 'my name is'. To ask back: ¿Cómo te llamas? (tú) or ¿Cómo se llama? (usted). Close with mucho gusto — 'nice to meet you' — or encantado if you're a man, encantada if you're a woman.

Farewells, for now: adiós, hasta luego, nos vemos.

The one decision that prevents the most awkwardness: when unsure, pick usted with anyone clearly older than you or in a service role. Too much formality reads as polite; too little reads as rude. The next node gives you the full procedure and the verb tables.

The same hello, two registers

Same afternoon, two faces. Watch what changes — it's only the pronouns and verb endings.

At the hotel reception (usted):

  • You: Buenas tardes. Me llamo Ana.
  • Receptionist: Mucho gusto, Ana. ¿Cómo está usted?
  • You: Muy bien, gracias. ¿Y usted?

In the hostel courtyard with a traveller your age (tú):

  • Traveller: ¡Hola! Me llamo Marco. ¿Y tú?
  • You: Me llamo Ana. Mucho gusto, Marco. ¿Cómo estás?
  • Traveller: Bien, gracias, ¿y tú?

Read both aloud twice. The words are nearly identical — está (usted) becoming estás (tú) is the whole difference in move two, and the question word order stays the same. What you're practising is hearing which pronoun the other person used and matching it. Marco used tú with you immediately; a hotel receptionist never would.

Say it

You'll hear each phrase in a clear Latin American Spanish voice, then say it twice out loud. The stressed syllable is shown in capital letters in the respelling — land on it, exactly as you practised in the primer.

Hola

Hello / hi

/OH-lah/

Buenos días

Good morning

/BWEH-nos DEE-ahs/

Buenas tardes

Good afternoon (until dark)

/BWEH-nahs TAR-dehs/

Buenas noches

Good night / good evening (after dark)

/BWEH-nahs NO-chehs/

Me llamo Ana

My name is Ana

/meh YAH-moh AH-nah/

¿Cómo te llamas?

What's your name? (tú)

/KOH-moh teh YAH-mahs/

¿Cómo está usted?

How are you? (usted)

/KOH-moh ehs-TAH oos-TEHD/

Mucho gusto

Nice to meet you

/MOO-choh GOOS-toh/

Bien, gracias, ¿y tú?

Fine, thanks, and you?

/byehn GRAH-see-ahs, ee TOO/

Hasta luego

See you later

/AH-stah LWEH-goh/

Adiós

Goodbye

/ah-DYOHS/

Role-play

You're in the common room of a hostel in Cusco after dinner. A traveller your age drops onto the sofa opposite and starts talking to you. Greet them, tell them your name, ask theirs, react when you're introduced, and say goodbye when you get up to leave — all in Spanish.

You are the you; you're talking to the fellow traveller.

Goal: Produce an informal greeting, your own name, a name question, a nice-to-meet-you reaction, and a goodbye — entirely in Spanish.

Check yourself

Three checks before you move on.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

It is 3 p.m. You walk up to a hotel reception desk in Bogotá, and the receptionist is a woman in her sixties you have never met. Which greeting opens the exchange appropriately?

  • A¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás?
  • BBuenas tardes, ¿cómo está usted?
  • CBuenos días, ¿cómo estás?
  • DAdiós, ¿cómo se llama usted?
2Fill the blanksChecked instantly
3Short answerMarked by AI

A person your age at a hostel café says: '¡Hola! Me llamo Carmen, ¿y tú?' Write the Spanish sentences you'd say back: introduce yourself by name, say you're pleased to meet her, and ask how she is. Keep it to three sentences.

Graded on Produces the three required moves in Spanish · Matches the informal register Carmen used

Lesson 7

Tú and usted: formal vs. informal

You will be able to choose between tú and usted based on context and relationship, and conjugate verbs accordingly. Covers the conjugation differences and cultural expectations. Prevents offending a stranger or sounding stiff with a child.

15 min4 assessments

You already know how to say buenos días and mucho gusto. But when you meet someone, which you do you use? Spanish has two pronouns for "you" — tú and usted — and picking the wrong one can make you sound rude or overly stiff.

Tú is the informal, familiar form. Use it with friends, family, people your age or younger, and in casual settings. Usted is the formal form. It shows respect and distance — use it with strangers, elders, authority figures, and in professional or service situations.

The key difference is verb conjugation: tú uses the second-person singular (e.g., hablas), while usted uses the third-person singular (same as él/ella: habla). This is a small change that carries big social meaning.

In some regions, like much of Spain, tú is the default even with strangers in casual settings. In many parts of Latin America, usted is more common with strangers and older people. The safest choice when in doubt: start with usted and let the other person invite you to use tú.

The choice between tú and usted depends on context. Here are the axes that decide it.

tú

Relationship to speaker
Friend, family, peer, child
Age of listener
Same age or younger
Power / authority
Equal or lower
Region (Spain vs Latin America)
Default in Spain for casual; common in Latin America with peers
Verb conjugation pattern
Second-person singular (hablas, eres, tienes)

Best for Casual interactions with people you know well or who are younger than you.

usted

Relationship to speaker
Stranger, elder, authority figure, service provider
Age of listener
Older than you
Power / authority
Higher (boss, police, teacher)
Region (Spain vs Latin America)
Default in much of Latin America with strangers; used in Spain for formal situations
Verb conjugation pattern
Third-person singular (habla, es, tiene)

Best for Formal situations, first encounters, or when you want to show respect.

Choosing the right form at a hotel

You arrive at a hotel in Mexico City. The receptionist is a woman in her 50s. You don't know her, so you use usted:

  • You: Buenos días, ¿tiene una habitación disponible? (Good morning, do you have a room available?)
  • Receptionist: Sí, tenemos una. ¿Cuántas noches va a quedarse? (Yes, we have one. How many nights will you be staying?)

Later, you meet a friend you've known for years in the lobby. You switch to tú:

  • You: ¡Hola! ¿Qué tal? ¿Tienes planes para cenar? (Hey! How are you? Do you have plans for dinner?)
  • Friend: ¡Hola! No, no tengo planes. ¿Vamos juntos? (Hey! No, I have no plans. Shall we go together?)

Notice the verb forms: tiene (usted) vs tienes (tú); va (usted) vs vas (tú). The same meaning, different level of formality.

Common misconception

“Using *tú* with everyone is more friendly and will make people like me.”

In English, there is only one "you" for almost all situations, and being informal is often seen as warm. Many beginners assume Spanish works the same way.

What is actually true

In many Spanish-speaking cultures, using tú with a stranger or an elder can be perceived as disrespectful or pushy. Usted signals respect and creates a polite distance that is expected in first encounters. A native speaker may feel offended if you use tú too soon, especially if they are older or in a position of authority. The safe approach is to start with usted and let the other person suggest switching to tú by saying something like Puedes tutearme (You can use tú with me).

Reference

Present tense conjugation for tú and usted (regular verbs + common irregulars)

hablar (to speak)

tú form
hablas
usted form
habla

comer (to eat)

tú form
comes
usted form
come

vivir (to live)

tú form
vives
usted form
vive

ser (to be)

tú form
eres
usted form
es

estar (to be)

tú form
estás
usted form
está

ir (to go)

tú form
vas
usted form
va

tener (to have)

tú form
tienes
usted form
tiene

poder (to be able to)

tú form
puedes
usted form
puede

querer (to want)

tú form
quieres
usted form
quiere

decir (to say)

tú form
dices
usted form
dice

Usted always uses the same verb form as él/ella. Memorize the irregulars — they're very common in conversation.

Role-play

You are at a market in Bogotá. You want to buy a bag of coffee. The vendor is an older man. You must use *usted* to ask the price and thank him. Then a friend arrives — you switch to *tú* to greet them.

You are the customer; you're talking to the vendor.

Goal: Greet the vendor, ask for the price of coffee, and say thank you using *usted*. Then greet a friend using *tú*.

Check yourself

Check your understanding of when to use *tú* and *usted*.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

You are at a restaurant in Mexico City. The waiter is older than you. Which pronoun should you use to address him?

  • Atú
  • Busted
  • Cvos
  • DNo pronoun is needed.
2Select all that applyChecked instantly

Which of the following situations are appropriate for using tú? (Select more than one.)

  • ATalking to a child at a park
  • BAddressing a police officer who just pulled you over
  • CAsking a friend for directions to a restaurant
  • DSpeaking to your boss in a formal meeting
3Short answerMarked by AI

Explain why you might use usted with a stranger even if they are the same age as you.

Graded on Recognizes that *usted* signals respect or politeness toward a stranger. · Recognizes cultural norms and the possibility of switching to *tú* later.

4Short answerMarked by AI

In Spain, it's common to use tú with classmates. In parts of Colombia, the same situation might call for usted. This difference is an example of:

Lesson 8

Regional greetings in Spanish

You will recognise that greetings differ across Spain and Latin America, so you aren't thrown off by an unfamiliar phrase. Covers typical variations like 'buenas' and handshake customs. Prevents assuming voseo is a mistake.

15 min3 assessments

You've practiced hola and buenos días in one accent, but Spanish is spoken by over 500 million people across more than 20 countries. The greeting that sounds natural in Madrid might confuse someone in Buenos Aires — and vice versa. This variation isn't random; it's the result of centuries of history, geography, and identity. By understanding these differences, you won't be thrown off by a buenas instead of buenos días, or by hearing vos instead of tú. You'll also avoid sounding stiff or overly formal in casual settings. The key is to recognise a handful of regional markers and adapt your own expectations.

  • In large parts of Spain and Argentina, buenas (short for buenos días/buenas tardes) is a common informal greeting, while most of Latin America uses buenos días literally.
  • Voseo (using vos instead of tú for informal 'you') is standard in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and parts of Central America, and is not a mistake but a valid regional form.
  • The pronoun vos changes verb conjugations: ¿Cómo estás? becomes ¿Cómo andás? in Argentina; eres becomes sos.
  • Greetings often include a kiss on the cheek (one in Spain, two in many Latin American countries) among acquaintances, but handshake customs vary by social distance and situation.
  • Regional vocabulary extends to farewells: adiós is common everywhere, but chau (from Italian ciao) is used widely in Argentina, Uruguay, and parts of Colombia.
How it got here

  1. 1492

    Conquest and colonisation bring Castilian to the Americas

    The same language was planted across a vast territory, but with no central authority to enforce uniformity, local variations began to emerge almost immediately. Problem solved: a common colonial administration language.

  2. 16th–18th centuries

    Geographic isolation preserves medieval forms

    The pronoun *vos* (originally the formal 'you' in Spanish) fell out of use in Spain as it evolved into *usted*, but it was retained in remote regions of the Americas. Problem solved: communities kept a familiar, respectful address system.

  3. 1810–1825

    Independence movements strengthen regional identity

    Newly independent nations consciously promoted their local speech patterns as a break from Spain. Voseo and distinct vocabulary became markers of national pride. Problem solved: cultural differentiation helped build separate national identities.

  4. 1920s–1970s

    Mass media pushes a 'neutral' Spanish

    Radio, film, and TV dubbed in a centralised accent (often Mexico City or Castilian) created a standardised broadcast Spanish. Problem solved: advertisers and filmmakers could reach all Spanish speakers with one version.

  5. 2010s–present

    Internet and streaming expose everyone to variation

    Netflix, YouTube, and social media let speakers from all regions hear each other daily. Learners now encounter *vos*, *buenas*, and local slang naturally. Problem solved: learners can now learn from real input, but they must recognise variation as normal.

Say it

Listen to each regional greeting, then say it twice. Focus on the vowel sounds and the rhythm — especially in the voseo form, where the stress moves.

Hola

Hello (universal)

/OH-lah/

Buenas

Hello / Good day (casual, Spain & Argentina)

/BWEH-nahs/

¿Qué tal?

How’s it going? (Spain, casual)

/keh TAHL/

¿Cómo estás?

How are you? (tú form, most of LATAM)

/KOH-moh es-TAHS/

¿Cómo andás?

How are you? (vos form, Argentina/Uruguay)

/KOH-moh ahn-DAHS/

Check yourself

Check your understanding of regional greeting patterns.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

In which of these countries is voseo (using 'vos' instead of 'tú') the standard informal address?

  • AMexico
  • BArgentina
  • CSpain
  • DColombia (Bogotá)
2Put in orderChecked instantly

Arrange these historical events in chronological order to show how regional greeting differences developed.

  • AIndependence movements promote local speech as national identity
  • BColonisation spreads Castilian to the Americas
  • CMass media creates a 'neutral' broadcast Spanish
  • DIsolation preserves medieval pronouns like 'vos' in remote areas
  • EInternet exposes all speakers to regional variation
3Short answerMarked by AI

A Colombian friend texts you: '¡Hola! ¿Cómo andás?' Does this likely come from someone in Colombia? Explain why or why not, referencing regional greeting patterns.

Graded on Identifies the voseo verb form correctly · Explains regional distribution and gives plausible alternative · Writes clearly and concisely

Lesson 9

Greetings by time of day

Spanish has distinct greetings for morning, afternoon, and evening. You will practise buenos días, buenas tardes, and buenas noches, and learn when each one is appropriate.

10 min3 assessments

Spanish has three common greetings that depend on the time of day. Use buenos días (good morning) from sunrise until around noon. Switch to buenas tardes (good afternoon) from noon until the evening, typically after sunset or around 8 PM. After that, use buenas noches (good evening / good night). Notice the gender agreement: días is masculine plural, so the adjective is buenos; tardes and noches are feminine plural, so the adjective is buenas. You will hear these greetings in shops, restaurants, and when meeting someone for the first time each day.

Reference

Spanish Time-of-Day Greetings

buenos días

Time of Day
Morning (sunrise–noon)
When to Use
Arrival, breakfast, errands
Literal Meaning
Good days

buenas tardes

Time of Day
Afternoon (noon–evening)
When to Use
Lunch, shopping, afternoon meetings
Literal Meaning
Good afternoons

buenas noches

Time of Day
Evening (after sunset)
When to Use
Dinner, night out, bedtime
Literal Meaning
Good nights

Use these greetings when you first see someone each day. After that, you can use 'hola' for a casual hello.

Practice
0/8 known
1 / 8
Say it

Listen to each greeting spoken by a native speaker. Repeat each one twice, focusing on the pronunciation.

Buenos días

Good morning

/BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs/

Buenas tardes

Good afternoon

/BWEH-nahs TAR-dehs/

Buenas noches

Good evening/night

/BWEH-nahs NOH-chehs/

Check yourself

Test your knowledge of time-of-day greetings.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

You meet a colleague at 3 PM. Which greeting is most appropriate?

  • ABuenos días
  • BBuenas tardes
  • CBuenas noches
  • DHola
2Select all that applyChecked instantly

Which of the following greetings are used during the daytime? (Select all that apply)

  • ABuenos días
  • BBuenas tardes
  • CBuenas noches
  • DHola
3Fill the blanksChecked instantly

Lesson 10

Introductions and pleasantries

How to say your name, ask someone theirs, express pleasure (mucho gusto, encantado), and introduce a third person. This covers both formal and informal formulas.

10 min3 assessments

You've greeted someone. Now you need to exchange names and show you're pleased to meet them. In Spanish, this follows a short sequence: you say your name, ask theirs, then respond with a formula. The formulas change depending on whether you're being informal (with people your age or younger) or formal (with strangers, elders, or in professional settings). This lesson walks you through that sequence step by step, so you can handle introductions without hesitation.

Steps
0/5

Follow these steps in order. Each step tells you what to say and what to watch out for.

  1. Say your name

    Use "Me llamo [name]" or "Soy [name]" . Both are common. "Me llamo" is slightly more formal; "Soy" is direct and casual. Your name stays the same as in English.

    Don't add an article before your name. Never say "El me llamo" or "La soy".

    You have said your name and the other person is looking at you.

  2. Ask the other person's name

    If you're using the informal tú form (likely at a party, with classmates, or with someone your age), say "¿Cómo te llamas?" . If you need to be formal (with a boss, a stranger, or an older person), say "¿Cómo se llama?" .

    Using the wrong form can sound rude or too familiar. When in doubt, use the formal form — it's safer.

    The other person understands and responds with their name.

  3. Say you're pleased to meet them

    After they say their name, respond with "Mucho gusto" (pleasure). For a warmer tone, you can say "Encantado" (if you are male) or "Encantada" (if you are female). Both mean "delighted".

    Don't forget the gender agreement on "encantado/a". If you're male, say "encantado"; if female, "encantada". Using the wrong one sounds like a mistake.

    The other person smiles or nods — the phrase worked.

  4. Introduce a third person

    To bring someone else into the conversation, say "Te presento a [name]" (informal) or "Le presento a [name]" (formal). Then gesture to the person you're introducing.

    Don't forget the "a" before the name. It's required: "Te presento a María", not "Te presento María".

    The new person steps forward and is ready to greet.

  5. The third person responds

    The person you introduced should now say "Mucho gusto" or "Encantado/a" (matching their own gender). If you are the one being introduced, you say the same phrase.

    After introducing someone, don't repeat your own name. Let the new person speak for themselves.

    Both people have exchanged pleasantries.

Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it twice. Focus on the rhythm and the rolled 'r' in 'mucho' and 'encantado'.

Me llamo

My name is

/meh YAH-moh/

Soy

I am

/soy/

¿Cómo te llamas?

What's your name? (informal)

/KOH-moh teh YAH-mahs/

¿Cómo se llama?

What's your name? (formal)

/KOH-moh seh YAH-mah/

Mucho gusto

Nice to meet you

/MOO-choh GOOS-toh/

Encantado

Delighted (male speaker)

/en-kan-TAH-doh/

Role-play

You're at a language exchange meetup. You see a new person and want to introduce yourself and your friend. Use informal Spanish (tú).

You are the yourself; you're talking to the new person at the meetup.

Goal: Introduce yourself and your friend, using the full sequence: say your name, ask theirs, say 'mucho gusto', then introduce your friend.

Checklist
0/5

Before you finish this lesson, check that you can:

Keep this checklist open while you practice. Tick each item only after you can say it naturally.

Check yourself

Test your understanding of the introduction sequence.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

Put the steps for introducing yourself and a friend in the correct order. The steps are the actions YOU perform. (Drag the options into the right sequence)

  • ASay your name: "Me llamo [name]"
  • BAsk the other person's name: "¿Cómo te llamas?"
  • CRespond with "Mucho gusto"
  • DIntroduce your friend: "Te presento a [friend]"
2Short answerMarked by AI

Write a short dialogue (3–4 lines) in Spanish where you introduce yourself and a friend to someone at a party. Use informal Spanish. The dialogue should include: your greeting, your name, asking the other person's name, saying 'mucho gusto', and introducing your friend. Write the lines as if you are speaking.

Graded on Includes all required elements: greeting, name, asking name, 'mucho gusto', introducing friend · Correct use of informal Spanish (tú forms) · Spelling and grammar of Spanish phrases

3Multiple choiceChecked instantly

When should you use "¿Cómo se llama?" instead of "¿Cómo te llamas?"?

  • AWhen talking to a close friend
  • BWhen talking to someone older or in a formal setting
  • CWhen talking to a child
  • DWhen you are in a hurry

Lesson 11

Farewells

From casual 'adiós' and 'chao' to 'hasta luego' and 'nos vemos', you will learn a range of goodbyes and the contexts for each.

5 min3 assessments
Practice
0/9 known
1 / 9
Reference

Spanish farewells at a glance

Adiós

Formality
Formal / Neutral
When to use it
Any situation; final or long-term goodbye
Literal meaning
To God

Chao

Formality
Informal
When to use it
Friends, peers, casual settings
Literal meaning
Ciao (Italian loan)

Hasta luego

Formality
Neutral
When to use it
You expect to see them again today or soon
Literal meaning
Until later

Hasta mañana

Formality
Neutral
When to use it
You will see them tomorrow
Literal meaning
Until tomorrow

Hasta pronto

Formality
Neutral
When to use it
You expect to see them within days
Literal meaning
Until soon

Nos vemos

Formality
Informal
When to use it
Everyday casual goodbye
Literal meaning
We see each other

Que tengas buen día

Formality
Informal
When to use it
Wishing someone a good day as you part
Literal meaning
May you have a good day

Que te vaya bien

Formality
Informal
When to use it
General well-wishing farewell
Literal meaning
May it go well for you

Cuídate

Formality
Informal
When to use it
To a friend you won't see for a while
Literal meaning
Take care of yourself

In Latin America, 'chao' is very common; in Spain, 'adiós' and 'hasta luego' dominate. Stick with 'adiós' or 'hasta luego' for anyone you address as 'usted'.

You already know how to start a conversation with hola and buenos días. Now you need to end one — and the wrong goodbye can feel as awkward as the wrong greeting.

The most common mistake beginners make is using adiós for every situation. It works, but it sounds overly final when you're just stepping out for coffee and will be back in ten minutes. Spanish has a whole spectrum of farewells that signal how soon you expect to see the person again, how formal the relationship is, and whether you're wishing them well or just saying "see you."

Think of it as a distance scale: adiós is for the end of a trip or a phone call you won't repeat, hasta luego is for later the same day, hasta mañana is for tomorrow, and nos vemos is for any casual "see you around." The well-wishing phrases — que tengas buen día, que te vaya bien, cuídate — add warmth without changing the distance.

One rule of thumb: if you would say "take care" in English, say cuídate. If you would say "see you later," say hasta luego or nos vemos. If you are never coming back, adiós is exactly right.

Say it

Listen to each farewell, then say it twice out loud. Pay attention to the rhythm — Spanish vowels are short and crisp.

Adiós

Goodbye

/ah-dee-OHS/

Hasta luego

See you later

/AH-stah LWEH-go/

Nos vemos

See you

/nohs VEH-mohs/

Cuídate

Take care

/KWEE-dah-teh/

Check yourself

Check that you can pick the right farewell for the situation.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

You've just finished dinner at a friend's apartment in Madrid. You'll see them tomorrow for a day trip. Which farewell fits best?

  • AAdiós
  • BHasta mañana
  • CChao
  • DQue te vaya bien
2Short answerMarked by AI

You're at the airport in Mexico City, saying goodbye to a hostel friend you met three days ago. You don't expect to see them again. Which farewell is most appropriate?

3Fill the blanksChecked instantly

Lesson 12

Building basic sentences: nouns, articles, and the verb 'to be'

You will be able to construct simple, correct Spanish sentences to describe people, things, and states. Covers noun gender and number, definite and indefinite articles, subject pronouns, and the difference between ser and estar. Prevents saying 'yo soy cansado' and wondering why it sounds foreign.

45 min3 assessments

You've learned to greet people. Now you want to say something about yourself: 'I am a tourist', 'The hotel is far', 'She is tired'. In Spanish, every noun has a gender, every article must match that gender, and there are two verbs for 'to be'. Let's build your first sentences.

Noun gender and number Most nouns ending in -o are masculine (el hotel, el libro), most ending in -a are feminine (la playa, la casa). Exceptions exist (el día, la mano). To make a noun plural, add -s to a vowel-ending noun or -es to a consonant-ending noun.

Articles Definite articles: el (masc. sing.), la (fem. sing.), los (masc. pl.), las (fem. pl.). Indefinite: un, una, unos, unas. The article must agree with the noun in gender and number.

Subject pronouns Yo (I), tú (you informal), él/ella/usted (he/she/you formal), nosotros (we), vosotros (you pl. informal in Spain), ellos/ellas/ustedes (they/you pl.). Often you can drop the pronoun because the verb ending shows the subject.

Ser vs. Estar

  • Ser is for identity, origin, profession, time, and inherent qualities. Example: Soy turista (I am a tourist – that's what I am).
  • Estar is for location, temporary states, and moods. Example: Estoy cansado (I am tired – right now).

Using soy cansado would mean you are a permanently tired person. Choose carefully.

Decision flow for building a basic Spanish sentence.

Analogy

Think of ser as the data on your passport: your nationality, profession, height – things that don't change on a trip. Estar is like your current location and mood: you are at the hotel, you are tired – these change throughout the day.

Where the analogy breaks down

When describing events or time, ser is used even though those seem temporary (e.g., *la fiesta es en el parque* – the party is at the park, *son las dos* – it's two o'clock). Also, some adjectives change meaning: *ser listo* = to be smart, *estar listo* = to be ready.

Common misconception

“I can use 'soy' for everything because English uses 'I am'.”

English has only one verb 'to be', so it's natural to assume Spanish works the same.

What is actually true

Spanish has two verbs: ser for permanent or defining characteristics, estar for temporary states. Saying 'soy cansado' implies you are a tired person by nature, not that you are tired right now. Use 'estoy cansado' for temporary tiredness.

  • Spanish nouns have gender: -o masculine, -a feminine.
  • Articles must match noun gender and number.
  • Subject pronouns are often dropped because verb endings show the subject.
  • Ser is for permanent traits, origin, time; estar is for location, temporary states.
  • Using the wrong 'to be' changes the meaning completely.
Say it

Listen to each sentence, then say it twice. Pay attention to the verb choice and article agreement.

Yo soy turista

I am a tourist

/yo soy too-REES-tah/

Ella es mexicana

She is Mexican

/EH-yah es meh-hee-KAH-nah/

Estamos en el hotel

We are at the hotel

/eh-STAH-mos en el oh-TEL/

¿Estás cansado?

Are you tired?

/eh-STAHSS kahn-SAH-doh/

El libro es interesante

The book is interesting

/el LEE-bro es een-teh-reh-SAHN-teh/

Check yourself

Check your understanding.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

You are a male traveler. Which sentence correctly says 'I am tired' in Spanish?

  • ASoy cansado
  • BEstoy cansado
  • CSoy cansada
  • DEstoy cansada
2Short answerMarked by AI

Write a sentence in Spanish meaning 'The woman is a doctor.' Use the correct article, noun, and verb. Assume the woman is female and the doctor is her profession.

Graded on Correct use of ser vs estar · Correct article and noun agreement

3Short answerMarked by AI

Explain why 'Soy cansado' is incorrect for saying 'I am tired' and what it would actually mean.

Graded on Identifies the ser/estar distinction · Explains the change in meaning

Lesson 13

Noun gender and number

Spanish nouns are masculine or feminine, singular or plural. You will learn the patterns (-o vs. -a, -s for plural) and exceptions so you never guess wrong.

15 min4 assessments

Every Spanish noun has a gender — masculine or feminine — and a number: singular or plural. There is no neutral. The gender affects the articles (el/la, un/una) and adjectives that go with the noun. The good news: you can predict the gender of most nouns by their ending. Nouns ending in -o are usually masculine; nouns ending in -a are usually feminine. For example, el libro (the book) and la mesa (the table). To make a noun plural, add -s if it ends in a vowel, or -es if it ends in a consonant: libros, mesas, ciudad → ciudades. There are exceptions — el día (day) ends in -a but is masculine, la mano (hand) ends in -o but is feminine. You'll learn the common ones quickly.

  • Spanish nouns are either masculine or feminine; there is no neuter gender.
  • Nouns ending in -o are almost always masculine; nouns ending in -a are almost always feminine.
  • To form the plural, add -s to nouns ending in a vowel, and -es to nouns ending in a consonant.
  • Nouns ending in -z change -z to -c before adding -es: lápiz → lápices.
  • Common exceptions: el día (masculine), la mano (feminine), el agua (feminine but takes el before stressed a).

Gender and number in action

Singular

  • el libro (masculine, ends in -o) → los libros
  • la mesa (feminine, ends in -a) → las mesas
  • el lápiz (masculine, ends in -z) → los lápices
  • la ciudad (feminine, ends in -d) → las ciudades

Exceptions

  • el día (masculine, ends in -a) → los días
  • la mano (feminine, ends in -o) → las manos
  • el agua (feminine, takes el before stressed a) → las aguas
Reference

Spanish noun gender and number patterns

-o

Usually gender
masculine
Example
el libro
Plural form
libros

-a

Usually gender
feminine
Example
la mesa
Plural form
mesas

-e

Usually gender
masculine or feminine
Example
el puente (m), la leche (f)
Plural form
puentes, leches

-z

Usually gender
masculine or feminine
Example
el lápiz (m), la luz (f)
Plural form
lápices, luces

-ción / -sión

Usually gender
feminine
Example
la canción
Plural form
canciones

-dad / -tad

Usually gender
feminine
Example
la ciudad, la libertad
Plural form
ciudades, libertades

-ma (Greek origin)

Usually gender
masculine
Example
el problema, el tema
Plural form
problemas, temas

-pa (Greek origin)

Usually gender
masculine
Example
el mapa
Plural form
mapas

-ista

Usually gender
masculine or feminine
Example
el artista, la artista
Plural form
artistas

consonant other than -z

Usually gender
masculine or feminine
Example
el profesor (m), la flor (f)
Plural form
profesores, flores

When in doubt, learn the article along with the noun. The article is the best clue to gender.

Practice
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Check yourself

Check your understanding of noun gender and number.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Which ending typically indicates a feminine noun in Spanish?

  • A-o
  • B-a
  • C-e
  • D-s
2Select all that applyChecked instantly

Select all the nouns that are feminine. (More than one is correct.)

  • Ael libro
  • Bla mesa
  • Cel mapa
  • Dla mano
3Fill the blanksChecked instantly
4Fill the blanksChecked instantly

Lesson 14

Definite and indefinite articles

Articles must agree in gender and number with the noun. This part covers el, la, un, una, los, las, unos, unas and the neutral article lo.

10 min3 assessments

English gets by with ‘the’ and ‘a/an’, but Spanish articles change their face depending on the noun’s gender (masculine / feminine) and number (singular / plural). If you say ‘the house’ as ‘el casa’, a native speaker will understand you but will notice the mismatch — it’s like saying ‘a apple’ in English. To sound natural and to be sure you are understood, you need to match the article to the noun. There are eight common forms: definite (el, la, los, las) and indefinite (un, una, unos, unas), plus a neutral article lo used with adjectives (e.g., lo bueno – ‘the good thing’). Below you will find the forms, rules, and practice you need to get them right.

Reference

Spanish Articles at a Glance

Definite

Gender/Number
Masculine singular
Article
el
Example with Noun
el libro (the book)

Definite

Gender/Number
Feminine singular
Article
la
Example with Noun
la mesa (the table)

Definite

Gender/Number
Masculine plural
Article
los
Example with Noun
los libros (the books)

Definite

Gender/Number
Feminine plural
Article
las
Example with Noun
las mesas (the tables)

Definite neutral

Gender/Number
Invariable
Article
lo
Example with Noun
lo importante (the important thing)

Indefinite

Gender/Number
Masculine singular
Article
un
Example with Noun
un libro (a book)

Indefinite

Gender/Number
Feminine singular
Article
una
Example with Noun
una mesa (a table)

Indefinite

Gender/Number
Masculine plural
Article
unos
Example with Noun
unos libros (some books)

Indefinite

Gender/Number
Feminine plural
Article
unas
Example with Noun
unas mesas (some tables)

Use ‘lo’ only with adjectives, not with nouns. It forms abstract concepts (lo bueno, lo malo).

  • Every Spanish noun has a gender; learn the noun together with its article (e.g., ‘la mano’ even though it ends in -o).
  • Definite articles (el/la/los/las) mean ‘the’. Use el with masculine singular, la with feminine singular, los with masculine plural, las with feminine plural.
  • Indefinite articles (un/una/unos/unas) mean ‘a/an/some’. The same gender/number rules apply.
  • The neutral article ‘lo’ turns an adjective into an abstract noun and never changes form.
  • Use ‘un’ (not ‘una’) before a feminine singular noun that starts with a stressed ‘a’ or ‘ha’ sound, e.g., ‘un agua’ (a water).
  • Articles must agree in both gender and number with the noun they modify.
Practice
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Articles in action with ‘chico’ and ‘chica’

Take the nouns chico (boy) and chica (girl). Notice how the article changes:

ArticleWith chico (masc.)With chica (fem.)
elel chico—
la—la chica
loslos chicos—
las—las chicas
unun chico—
una—una chica
unosunos chicos—
unas—unas chicas

The gender of the noun stays the same; it is the article that changes to match.

Check yourself

Test your knowledge of Spanish articles. Each question is worth 1 point.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Which definite article is used with 'mesa' (table)?

  • Ael
  • Bla
  • Clos
  • Dlas
2Select all that applyChecked instantly

Which of the following are feminine articles? Select all that apply.

  • Ael
  • Bla
  • Clos
  • Dlas
  • Eun
  • Funa
  • Gunos
  • Hunas
3Fill the blanksChecked instantly

Lesson 15

Subject pronouns

Yo, tú, él, ella, usted, nosotros, vosotros, ellos, ellas, ustedes. You will learn which ones to use and when you can drop them because the verb already carries the person.

10 min4 assessments

You can already say La casa es grande — a complete sentence. But what if you want to say I am tall, or you are hungry? That's where subject pronouns come in.

Spanish has eight subject pronouns. The good news: you can often leave them out. The verb ending already tells you who is doing the action. But you need to know them so you recognise them when you hear them, and so you can add emphasis when you want to.

Here is the full set, with the one you will use most on your trip marked.

Reference

Spanish subject pronouns

yo

English
I
Person
1st singular
When to use
Emphasis or clarity; often dropped

tú

English
you (informal)
Person
2nd singular
When to use
Friends, family, people your age

usted

English
you (formal)
Person
2nd formal singular
When to use
Strangers, elders, officials

él

English
he
Person
3rd singular
When to use
A man or a male animal

ella

English
she
Person
3rd singular
When to use
A woman or a female animal

nosotros

English
we (masculine/mixed)
Person
1st plural
When to use
Group of men, or men and women

nosotras

English
we (feminine)
Person
1st plural
When to use
Group of only women

vosotros

English
you all (informal, Spain)
Person
2nd plural
When to use
Only in Spain; use ustedes in Latin America

ellos

English
they (masculine/mixed)
Person
3rd plural
When to use
Group of men, or men and women

ellas

English
they (feminine)
Person
3rd plural
When to use
Group of only women

ustedes

English
you all (formal/anywhere)
Person
2nd plural
When to use
Everywhere in Latin America; formal in Spain

In Latin America, _ustedes_ is used for all plural 'you', both formal and informal. In Spain, _vosotros_ is informal plural and _ustedes_ is formal plural.

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When to drop the pronoun

In English, you must say I speak — the pronoun is required. In Spanish, the verb ending already shows the person: hablo means 'I speak' all by itself. So you say Hablo español, not Yo hablo español, unless you need emphasis or clarity.

You keep the pronoun when:

  • Contrasting people: Yo hablo inglés, pero ella habla francés. (I speak English, but she speaks French.)
  • Being polite: Usted tiene razón. (You are right — formal.)
  • The verb form is ambiguous: hablaba can be 'I spoke' or 'he/she spoke' — adding the pronoun removes the doubt.

Tú vs. usted

This is the most important choice you will make. Use tú with people your own age, friends, family, and children. Use usted with strangers, older people, your hotel receptionist, a police officer, or anyone in a position of authority. If you are unsure, start with usted — it is safer to be too formal than too familiar.

Vosotros vs. ustedes

If you are going to Spain, you will hear vosotros used among friends. If you are going anywhere in Latin America, use ustedes for every plural 'you'. The verb forms are different, so learn which one your destination uses.

Pronouns in real sentences

Situation: Checking into a hotel in Mexico City

Guest: Buenas tardes. Yo tengo una reservación. (Good afternoon. I have a reservation.) → Keeps yo for emphasis — the guest is distinguishing themselves from others.

Receptionist: Sí, usted tiene la habitación 305. (Yes, you have room 305.) → Uses usted because the guest is a stranger in a service context.

Situation: Talking to a friend in Madrid

Friend 1: ¿Tú quieres café? (Do you want coffee?) → Tú is normal between friends.

Friend 2: Sí, quiero. Nosotros tomamos café a las tres. (Yes, I want. We have coffee at three.) → Nosotros clarifies who 'we' is; the verb tomamos alone could mean 'we have' or 'you all have' in some contexts.

Common misconception

“You must always include the subject pronoun in Spanish, just like in English.”

English sentences require a subject — 'Speak Spanish' is a command, not a statement. Every Spanish textbook lists the pronouns first, so it looks like they are mandatory.

What is actually true

Spanish verbs are conjugated for each person, so the pronoun is optional. Native speakers drop it 80-90% of the time. Including it when it is not needed marks you as a beginner who is translating from English word-for-word.

Check yourself

Check that you can pick the right pronoun for the situation.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

You are in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and you want to ask a taxi driver (a stranger) if he can take you to the airport. Which pronoun do you use?

  • Atú
  • Busted
  • Cvosotros
  • Dél
2Short answerMarked by AI

You are telling a friend in Spain that we (a mixed group of men and women) are going to the beach. Which pronoun fits best?

3Fill the blanksChecked instantly
4Select all that applyChecked instantly

Which of the following are valid reasons to KEEP the subject pronoun in a Spanish sentence? Select all that apply.

  • ATo contrast two people doing different things
  • BBecause the verb is always enough by itself
  • CTo be polite with 'usted'
  • DWhen the verb form is the same for 'I' and 'he/she'
  • EEvery sentence needs a pronoun like in English
Say it

Listen to each pronoun, then say it twice. Focus on the vowel sounds — Spanish vowels are short and pure, not drawn out like English.

Yo

I

/joh/

Tú

you (informal)

/too/

Usted

you (formal)

/oos-TEHD/

Él

he

/ehl/

Ella

she

/EH-yah/

Nosotros

we

/noh-SOH-trohs/

Ellos

they (masculine)

/EH-yohs/

Ustedes

you all

/oos-TEH-dehs/

Lesson 16

Ser vs. estar: the two 'to be' verbs

Ser expresses essence, origin, and time; estar expresses location, mood, and temporary states. This part gives you the mental model to choose correctly every time.

15 min3 assessments

Spanish has two verbs that translate to "to be": ser and estar. The reason isn't a grammar trap—it's a conceptual split that exists throughout the language.

Ser deals with what something is at its core: identity, origin, material, occupation, time. Use it for facts that define a person or thing.

Estar deals with how something is right now: location, mood, physical state, ongoing action. Use it for conditions that can change.

QuerySer exampleEstar example
OriginSoy de España (I'm from Spain)—
Location—Estoy en casa (I'm at home)
CharacteristicEs inteligente (He is intelligent)—
Mood—Está feliz (He is happy)
TimeSon las tres (It's three o'clock)—
Temporary condition—La sopa está fría (The soup is cold)

Notice the pattern: if you can replace it with "consists of" or "takes place," use ser; if you can replace it with "currently" or "located," use estar.

Decision tree for choosing ser vs. estar

Analogy

Think of ser as the permanent label on a product: "Made in China", "Stainless steel", "Electrical appliance". It tells you what the thing fundamentally is.

Estar is the sticker someone writes on with a marker and sticks to the same product: "On sale", "Broken", "Expected back Friday". It tells you the current state.

The product doesn't stop being a stainless steel appliance even when it's broken. The change is temporary; the essence is not.

Where the analogy breaks down

Some permanent labels can be updated too: a person can change nationality (ser) over time, and some temporary conditions (like "estar muerto"), while temporary in grammar, are effectively permanent in reality. The analogy works for most cases but fails when ser is used for time expressions (hours, dates) where the time changes constantly—ser there treats the time as a defining attribute of the event, not a state.

Common misconception

“"You can use 'soy' for both 'I am a teacher' and 'I am tired' because English uses 'am' for both."”

In English, the same verb 'to be' covers identity and condition. Spanish learners transfer that pattern automatically.

What is actually true

"Soy profesor" (I am a teacher) is correct ser because profession is defining. "Estoy cansado" (I am tired) needs estar because tiredness is a temporary state. "Soy cansado" would be understood as 'I am a boring/tiring person'—a completely different meaning. The difference isn't optional; it changes the message.

Same adjective, different meaning

AdjectiveWith serWith estar
verde (green)La manzana es verde (The apple is of the green variety)La manzana está verde (The apple is unripe)
listo (ready / clever)Él es listo (He is clever – a trait)Él está listo (He is ready – current state)
aburrido (boring / bored)La película es aburrida (The movie is boring – quality)Yo estoy aburrido (I am bored – temporary feeling)

These pairs show why choosing the wrong verb confuses your listener. If you say "Estoy verde" about a green apple you intend to eat, you're claiming you yourself are unripe. With these examples, you can see how ser describes the nature of something, while estar describes its condition.

Check yourself

Check your understanding of ser vs. estar.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Your friend has just cooked a meal. He says: "La sopa ___ muy buena." Which verb is correct?

  • Aestá
  • Bes
  • Cser
  • Destar
2Short answerMarked by AI

Which sentence correctly uses ser to describe a permanent characteristic?

3Short answerMarked by AI

Your friend María is from Colombia, but right now she is visiting you in Madrid. She looks tired because she flew all night. Write two short Spanish sentences using the correct forms of ser and estar:

  1. 1.State that she is from Colombia.
  2. 2.State that she is tired right now.

Then explain in English why you chose each verb.

Graded on Correct verb selection · Correct conjugation and agreement · Explanation clarity and accuracy

Lesson 17

Numbers, time, and dates

You will be able to say and understand any number you encounter, tell the time, and talk about days and months. Covers numbers 0 to 1000, asking what time it is, days of the week, months, and simple date expressions. Prevents mixing up catorce and cuarenta or misreading a bus timetable.

25 min5 assessments

You’re at the bus station in Madrid. The board says the 14:00 bus leaves at catorce horas. If you mix catorce (14) with cuarenta (40), you miss the bus. Numbers, days, months and time expressions are the scaffolding of every transaction, from buying a coffee to asking when the museum opens. This node gives you the exact words and patterns so you never guess again.

Practice
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Reference

Quick Reference: Numbers, Days, Months, Time

Number 0

English
zero
Spanish
cero

Number 1

English
one
Spanish
uno

Number 2

English
two
Spanish
dos

Number 3

English
three
Spanish
tres

Number 4

English
four
Spanish
cuatro

Number 5

English
five
Spanish
cinco

Number 6

English
six
Spanish
seis

Number 7

English
seven
Spanish
siete

Number 8

English
eight
Spanish
ocho

Number 9

English
nine
Spanish
nueve

Number 10

English
ten
Spanish
diez

Number 11–15

English
eleven to fifteen
Spanish
once, doce, trece, catorce, quince

Number 16–19

English
sixteen to nineteen
Spanish
dieciséis, diecisiete, dieciocho, diecinueve

Number 20

English
twenty
Spanish
veinte

Number 30

English
thirty
Spanish
treinta

Number 40

English
forty
Spanish
cuarenta

Number 50

English
fifty
Spanish
cincuenta

Number 100

English
one hundred
Spanish
cien

Number 101–199

English
one hundred one...
Spanish
ciento + number (e.g., ciento uno)

Number 200

English
two hundred
Spanish
doscientos

Days and months are not capitalised in Spanish. For dates, use 'el' + number + 'de' + month, except the 1st ('primero').

Say it

Listen to each Spanish phrase, then say it twice. Focus on the pronunciation hints.

catorce

fourteen

/kah-TOHR-say/

cuarenta

forty

/kwah-REN-tah/

¿Qué hora es?

What time is it?

/keh OH-rah ehs/

Son las dos y cuarto

It's two fifteen

/sohn las dohs ee KWAHR-toh/

Hoy es martes

Today is Tuesday

/oy ehs MAHR-tehs/

El tres de julio

July 3rd

/el trehs deh HOO-lyoh/

Check yourself

Check your ability to use Spanish numbers, time, and dates.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

A friend asks you the time. It's 2:15. Which Spanish sentence is correct?

  • ASon las dos y cuarto.
  • BSon las dos y media.
  • CEs las dos y cuarto.
  • DSon las tres menos cuarto.
2Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Which day of the week is 'jueves'?

  • ATuesday
  • BWednesday
  • CThursday
  • DFriday
3Select all that applyChecked instantly

Select all numbers that are between 30 and 50 (inclusive).

  • Atreinta
  • Bcuarenta y cinco
  • Ccincuenta
  • Dsesenta
4Fill the blanksChecked instantly
5Short answerMarked by AI

You are at a train station in Barcelona. The departure screen shows 16:45. Write two Spanish sentences: first, ask what time it is; second, state the time as you would say it in Spanish (using the quarter‑to pattern).

Graded on Correct question phrase · Correct time expression · Spelling and accents

Lesson 18

Money and prices: euros and cents

You will be able to understand prices spoken aloud and read them on a menu or tag. Covers numbers in a money context, céntimo, and common expressions like how much does it cost. Prevents misinterpreting treinta y cinco as thirty point five instead of thirty-five.

15 min4 assessments

You already know numbers up to 1000. Now put them to work with money.

In Spain, prices are written with a comma as the decimal separator: 2,50 € means two euros and fifty cents. You say it as dos euros con cincuenta (or dos euros con cincuenta céntimos). The word céntimo (cent) is feminine and pluralises: un céntimo, dos céntimos.

Key patterns:

  • Amounts under one euro: say the cents only – cincuenta céntimos (not cero euros con cincuenta).
  • Whole euros: veinte euros (no cents mentioned).
  • Euros and cents: X euros con Y céntimos – the con is the standard connector. In casual speech you may hear X euros Y (e.g., diez euros veinte), but stick with con to avoid confusion.
  • The decimal trap: treinta y cinco is 35 (thirty-five). Treinta y cinco céntimos is 0,35 €. Never drop the word céntimos when talking about cents – without it, you are saying euros.

Common questions:

  • ¿Cuánto cuesta? – How much does it cost? (singular)
  • ¿Cuánto cuestan? – How much do they cost? (plural)
  • ¿Cuánto es? – How much is it? (general)

Answers often start with Cuesta… (it costs) or Son… (they are). For example: Cuesta veinte euros con cincuenta céntimos or Son dos euros.

Reference

Euro denominations and common price phrases

1 céntimo coin

Spanish
un céntimo
English
one cent

2 céntimos coin

Spanish
dos céntimos
English
two cents

5 céntimos coin

Spanish
cinco céntimos
English
five cents

10 céntimos coin

Spanish
diez céntimos
English
ten cents

20 céntimos coin

Spanish
veinte céntimos
English
twenty cents

50 céntimos coin

Spanish
cincuenta céntimos
English
fifty cents

1 euro coin

Spanish
un euro
English
one euro

2 euros coin

Spanish
dos euros
English
two euros

How much does it cost? (singular)

Spanish
¿Cuánto cuesta?
English
How much does it cost?

How much does it cost? (plural)

Spanish
¿Cuánto cuestan?
English
How much do they cost?

It costs…

Spanish
Cuesta…
English
It costs…

They are…

Spanish
Son…
English
They are…

The bill / check

Spanish
La cuenta
English
The bill / check

Change (money returned)

Spanish
El cambio
English
Change

Receipt

Spanish
El recibo / el ticket
English
Receipt

The coin denominations are legal tender in all eurozone countries. The phrases are the ones you will hear most often in shops and markets.

Practice
0/10 known
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Check yourself

Check your understanding of Spanish prices and money expressions.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

You hear 'treinta y cinco céntimos'. What amount is being said?

  • A35 euros
  • B35 cents
  • C35.5 cents
  • D30.5 cents
2Fill the blanksChecked instantly
3Select all that applyChecked instantly

Which of the following are correct ways to say 1,20 € in Spanish? (Select all that apply.)

  • Aun euro con veinte céntimos
  • Bun euro con veinte
  • Cun euro y veinte céntimos
  • Dun euro veinte
  • Euno con veinte
4Fill the blanksChecked instantly

Lesson 19

Numbers 0–1000

You will master counting and understanding numbers in Spanish, with special attention to the teens (once, doce… diecisiete), the tens (veinte, treinta…), and hundreds up to mil.

20 min3 assessments

You already know a few numbers, but the teens and hundreds in Spanish have patterns that trip up even intermediate speakers. The key is to learn the building blocks: 0–15 are irregular and must be memorized; 16–19 are built from diez and y with a spelling change; 20–29 also have a special form; 30–99 are regular (tens + y + unit); 100–999 use cien or ciento plus the hundreds word; and 1000 is mil. Once you understand these patterns, you can say any number from 0 to 1000.

Steps
0/7

Follow these steps to build numbers from 0 to 1000. Each step introduces a new group, and the check tells you when you're ready to move on.

  1. 0–15: Memorize the irregulars

    Learn these by heart: 0 cero, 1 uno, 2 dos, 3 tres, 4 cuatro, 5 cinco, 6 seis, 7 siete, 8 ocho, 9 nueve, 10 diez, 11 once, 12 doce, 13 trece, 14 catorce, 15 quince.

    Don't confuse *once* (11) with *uno* (1) or *once* (11) with *once* (a word in English).

    Say them aloud without looking – you should be able to recite 0–15 in under 10 seconds.

  2. 16–19: The dieciséis pattern

    16 = dieciséis (diez + y + seis but spelled as one word, dropping the z). 17 = diecisiete, 18 = dieciocho, 19 = diecinueve.

    Common mistake: writing *diez y seis* as two words. It's always one word *dieciséis*.

    Write 16, 17, 18, 19 in Spanish from memory.

  3. 20–29: The veintiún pattern

    20 = veinte. 21 = veintiuno (not veinte y uno). 22 = veintidós (with accent), 23 = veintitrés, 24 = veinticuatro, 25 = veinticinco, 26 = veintiséis (accent on é), 27 = veintisiete, 28 = veintiocho, 29 = veintinueve.

    Accents are important: *veintiséis* has an accent on the é of *seis*.

    Say 21, 22, 25, 29 aloud.

  4. 30–99: Regular tens

    30 = treinta, 40 = cuarenta, 50 = cincuenta, 60 = sesenta, 70 = setenta, 80 = ochenta, 90 = noventa. For numbers like 31, 42, 55, etc., say the tens + y + unit: treinta y uno, cuarenta y dos, cincuenta y cinco. Note: the unit is always in the base form (uno becomes uno not un).

    Don't forget the *y* – *treinta y uno* not *treinta uno*.

    Write 34, 47, 68, 93 in Spanish.

  5. 100–199: Cien and ciento

    100 = cien (when used alone or before a noun, e.g. cien euros). For numbers 101–199, cien becomes ciento: ciento uno, ciento treinta y cinco, etc.

    After 100, never say *cien y uno* – it's always *ciento uno*.

    Say 100, 101, 150, 199 in Spanish.

  6. 200–999: Hundreds

    200 = doscientos, 300 = trescientos, 400 = cuatrocientos, 500 = quinientos, 600 = seiscientos, 700 = setecientos, 800 = ochocientos, 900 = novecientos. Then add the rest as before: doscientos treinta y cuatro.

    500 *quinientos* and 700 *setecientos* are irregular – don't say *cinco cientos*.

    Write 234, 506, 789 in Spanish.

  7. 1000: Mil

    1000 = mil. It doesn't change for plural: mil (1000), mil doscientos (1200), mil quinientos (1500). For numbers like 1001, say mil uno.

    Don't say *un mil* – just *mil*.

    Say 1000, 1100, 1350, 1999 in Spanish (for 1999: *mil novecientos noventa y nueve*).

Checklist
0/8

Number Mastery Checklist

Tick each item only after you can say the numbers aloud without looking at notes.

Say it

Listen to each number, then say it twice. Focus on the tricky parts: the accent on dieciséis, the 'y' in treinta y uno, and the cien/ciento change.

ocho

eight

/OH-choh/

quince

fifteen

/KEEN-say/

dieciséis

sixteen

/dee-ay-SEE-sayss/

veintiuno

twenty-one

/vayn-TEE-oo-noh/

treinta y cinco

thirty-five

/TRAYN-tah ee SEEN-koh/

cien

one hundred

/see-EN/

doscientos

two hundred

/dohs-see-EN-tohs/

mil

one thousand

/meel/

Number Formation Examples

Here are a few numbers constructed using the rules above:

NumberSpanishNotes
16dieciséisdiez + y + seis, but spelled as one word, drop the z and add an accent on the e.
21veintiunonot veinte y uno; it's a single word.
35treinta y cincoregular tens + y + unit.
103ciento tres100 is cien alone, but before another number it becomes ciento.
250doscientos cincuenta200 = doscientos, then 50 = cincuenta.
1000milnever un mil.
1999mil novecientos noventa y nueve1000 + 900 + 90 + 9.
Check yourself

Test your ability to produce and understand Spanish numbers.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

Place these numbers in the order they appear in Spanish (from smallest to largest): diecisiete, veintidós, treinta y uno, quince, cien, doscientos, mil, ochenta y cuatro.

  • Adiecisiete
  • Bveintidós
  • Ctreinta y uno
  • Dquince
  • Ecien
  • Fdoscientos
  • Gmil
  • Hochenta y cuatro
2Short answerMarked by AI

Write the number 317 in Spanish. Use the correct spelling and accents.

Graded on Correct hundreds part · Correct teens part

3ProjectMarked by AI

Create a short dialogue (3–4 exchanges) between two people ordering tapas and drinks at a bar. Use at least five different numbers (0–1000) in the conversation. For example, prices, quantities, or table numbers. Write the dialogue entirely in Spanish, then write an English translation underneath.

Graded on Use of five different numbers from 0–1000 · Conversational naturalness and grammar · Accurate spelling and accents · English translation provided

Lesson 20

Telling time

Asking and stating the time: '¿Qué hora es?' – 'Es la una' / 'Son las dos y cuarto'. This part covers both digital and analogue expressions.

10 min3 assessments
Steps
0/6

You can already count to 1000 in Spanish. Now you'll use those numbers to tell time. The key question is ¿Qué hora es? (What time is it?). The answer depends on whether the hour is one or more than one.

  1. Ask the question

    Say ¿Qué hora es? (keh O-rah es). That's all you need to ask anyone the time. Listen for the answer – it will start with Es la or Son las.

    Don't say *¿Qué tiempo es?* – that means 'What's the weather like?'

    You can say the question out loud without looking.

  2. Choose *Es la* or *Son las*

    If the hour is 1 (including 1:00, 1:15, etc.), start with Es la una. For all other hours (2–12), start with Son las + the number.

    Examples:

    • 1:00 → Es la una.
    • 2:00 → Son las dos.
    • 3:00 → Son las tres.
    • 12:00 → Son las doce.

    Remember *una* is feminine because *hora* is feminine. Never say *Es el uno*.

    Test yourself: 1:30 → *Es la una y media* (correct). 4:00 → *Son las cuatro*.

  3. Add minutes past the hour

    For minutes 1–30, say the hour part, then y (and) plus the number of minutes.

    Examples:

    • 2:05 → Son las dos y cinco.
    • 3:10 → Son las tres y diez.
    • 5:20 → Son las cinco y veinte.
    • 6:30 → Son las seis y media (half past – see step 5).

    Don't use *con*; always use *y* for minutes past.

    Write down 7:15 in Spanish: *Son las siete y quince* (or *y cuarto* – see step 5).

  4. Use *menos* for minutes to the hour

    For minutes 31–59, say the next hour minus the minutes remaining. Use menos (minus).

    Examples:

    • 2:40 → Son las tres menos veinte (it's 20 to 3).
    • 4:45 → Son las cinco menos cuarto (quarter to 5).
    • 6:50 → Son las siete menos diez.
    • 11:55 → Son las doce menos cinco.

    A common mistake is to say *Son las dos cuarenta* (2:40). That's understood but not natural. Use *menos* for times after the half hour.

    What's 3:50? Answer: *Son las cuatro menos diez*.

  5. Use *cuarto* and *media* for quarter and half

    Instead of quince (15) and treinta (30), you can say:

    • y cuarto – quarter past (e.g., 8:15 → Son las ocho y cuarto).
    • y media – half past (e.g., 9:30 → Son las nueve y media).
    • menos cuarto – quarter to (e.g., 10:45 → Son las once menos cuarto).

    These are very common in everyday speech.

    Don't say *y media* for 30 minutes past the hour when using *menos* – that only applies to past times.

    Say 5:45 using *menos cuarto*: *Son las seis menos cuarto*.

  6. Add context: morning, afternoon, evening

    To be clear, add de la mañana (in the morning), de la tarde (in the afternoon), or de la noche (at night).

    Examples:

    • 8:00 am → Son las ocho de la mañana.
    • 3:00 pm → Son las tres de la tarde.
    • 10:00 pm → Son las diez de la noche.
    • 1:00 am → Es la una de la mañana.

    This is especially useful for travel (e.g., confirming bus times).

    Don't mix *de la* with *por la* – *por la mañana* means 'in the morning' generally, not a specific time.

    Translate '7:30 pm': *Son las siete y media de la tarde*.

Checklist
0/6

Telling time in Spanish – field checklist

Keep this checklist open while practicing. Tick each item after you've used it correctly in a spoken sentence.

Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it twice. Focus on the rhythm: *Es la una* vs. *Son las dos*. Pay attention to the *y* and *menos*.

¿Qué hora es?

What time is it?

/keh O-rah es/

Es la una

It's one o'clock

/es la OO-nah/

Son las dos y cuarto

It's quarter past two

/son las dos ee KWAR-toh/

Son las tres y media

It's half past three

/son las tres ee MEH-dyah/

Son las cinco menos cuarto

It's quarter to five

/son las SIN-koh MEH-nos KWAR-toh/

Son las siete de la noche

It's seven in the evening

/son las SYEH-teh deh la NOH-cheh/

  • The question is always ¿Qué hora es? – never ¿Qué tiempo es? for time of day.
  • Use Es la una for any time that includes 1 o'clock (1:00, 1:15, etc.).
  • Use Son las + plural hour number for all other hours (2–12).
  • For minutes 1–30, say the hour + y + minutes (e.g., Son las dos y diez).
  • For minutes 31–59, say the next hour + menos + remaining minutes (e.g., Son las tres menos veinte for 2:40).
  • Use y cuarto (quarter past), y media (half past), menos cuarto (quarter to) instead of numbers for 15, 30, 45.
  • Add de la mañana (AM), de la tarde (PM until evening), de la noche (PM after dark) to specify day part.
Check yourself

Now test your ability to tell time in Spanish. Read each prompt carefully.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

Put these parts in the correct order to form a natural Spanish sentence for 4:40 PM. (Drag the items into the correct sequence.)

  • ASon las
  • Bmenos veinte
  • Cde la tarde
  • Dcinco
2Short answerMarked by AI

Write the Spanish phrase for 2:15 in the afternoon. Use the natural spoken form (not digital).

Graded on Correct hour and singular/plural choice · Minutes expression · Time-of-day context · Spelling and accent marks

3Short answerMarked by AI

A friend asks you ¿Qué hora es? and you look at your watch: it shows 11:50. Write the natural Spanish answer (no digital style).

Graded on Hour choice (next hour) · Minutes structure · Overall naturalness

Lesson 21

Days, months, and dates

Days of the week (lunes to domingo), months (enero to diciembre), and how to express dates (primero de mayo, el 3 de junio). Also covers common date-related phrases like 'hoy', 'mañana', 'ayer'.

10 min3 assessments

To talk about days and dates in Spanish, you need three sets of words: the days of the week, the months, and the number words you already know from the numbers lesson.

Days of the week (los días de la semana) are not capitalized in Spanish. The week starts on Monday:

  • lunes, martes, miércoles, jueves, viernes, sábado, domingo

Months (los meses) are also lowercased:

  • enero, febrero, marzo, abril, mayo, junio, julio, agosto, septiembre, octubre, noviembre, diciembre

Dates follow the pattern: el + number + de + month. For the first day of any month, you use primero instead of uno:

  • el primero de mayo (May 1st)
  • el 3 de junio (June 3rd)
  • el 15 de octubre (October 15th)

Key time words:

  • hoy = today
  • mañana = tomorrow
  • ayer = yesterday

Example: Hoy es martes, 15 de abril. (Today is Tuesday, April 15th.)

Reference

Days of the week

Monday

Spanish
lunes
Pronunciation
LOO-ness

Tuesday

Spanish
martes
Pronunciation
MAR-tess

Wednesday

Spanish
miércoles
Pronunciation
mee-ER-koh-less

Thursday

Spanish
jueves
Pronunciation
HWEH-ves

Friday

Spanish
viernes
Pronunciation
vee-ER-ness

Saturday

Spanish
sábado
Pronunciation
SAH-bah-doh

Sunday

Spanish
domingo
Pronunciation
doh-MEEN-goh

All are masculine and used with 'el' (el lunes, el martes...).

Reference

Months of the year

January

Spanish
enero
Pronunciation
eh-NEH-roh

February

Spanish
febrero
Pronunciation
feh-BREH-roh

March

Spanish
marzo
Pronunciation
MAR-soh

April

Spanish
abril
Pronunciation
ah-BREEL

May

Spanish
mayo
Pronunciation
MAH-yoh

June

Spanish
junio
Pronunciation
HOO-nee-oh

July

Spanish
julio
Pronunciation
HOO-lee-oh

August

Spanish
agosto
Pronunciation
ah-GOHS-toh

September

Spanish
septiembre
Pronunciation
sep-tee-EM-breh

October

Spanish
octubre
Pronunciation
ok-TOO-breh

November

Spanish
noviembre
Pronunciation
noh-vee-EM-breh

December

Spanish
diciembre
Pronunciation
dee-see-EM-breh

Months are masculine and used with 'de' (el 3 de junio).

Practice
0/12 known
1 / 12

Saying a full date

Scenario: You need to tell someone your arrival date.

Spanish: Llego el viernes, 3 de octubre. (I arrive on Friday, October 3rd.)

Breakdown:

  • Llego = I arrive
  • el viernes = on Friday (day of week)
  • 3 = the number (not 'primero' because it's not the 1st)
  • de octubre = of October

Another example: Hoy es el primero de enero. (Today is January 1st.) Notice 'primero' replaces 'uno'.

  • Days and months are not capitalized in Spanish.
  • The first day of any month is 'primero', not 'uno'.
  • Dates use 'el' before the number: 'el 3 de junio'.
  • The week starts on Monday in Spanish-speaking countries.
  • 'Hoy' is today, 'mañana' is tomorrow, 'ayer' is yesterday.
Check yourself

Check your understanding of days, months, and dates.

1Fill the blanksChecked instantly
2Select all that applyChecked instantly

Which of the following are weekdays (días laborables) in Spanish? Select all that apply.

  • Alunes
  • Bsábado
  • Cdomingo
  • Dmiércoles
  • Eviernes
3Multiple choiceChecked instantly

¿Qué fecha es el 15 de marzo?

  • A15 de marzo
  • B15 de abril
  • C5 de marzo
  • D15 de mayo

Lesson 22

Asking for and understanding directions

You will be able to ask for directions to a landmark and follow the verbal instructions you receive. Covers place vocabulary, directional verbs such as ir, girar, and seguir, and common landmark prepositions. Prevents nodding along without understanding and walking off in the wrong direction.

30 min3 assessments
  • Use 'Disculpe' or 'Perdón' to politely get someone's attention before asking for directions.
  • The key direction verbs are 'ir' (to go), 'girar/doblar' (to turn), 'seguir' (to continue/follow), and 'cruzar' (to cross).
  • Common landmarks: 'la calle' (street), 'la esquina' (corner), 'el semáforo' (traffic light), 'la plaza' (square), 'la estación' (station).
  • Prepositions of location: 'a la izquierda' (to the left), 'a la derecha' (to the right), 'todo recto' (straight ahead), 'en la esquina' (at the corner).
  • If you don't understand, say '¿Puede repetir, por favor?' (Can you repeat, please?) or 'Más despacio, por favor' (Slower, please).
  • Confirm by repeating the key direction: '¿Entonces voy recto y giro a la izquierda?' (So I go straight and turn left?).
Steps
0/7

You are standing on a street in Madrid and need to find the Museo del Prado. Follow these steps to ask for and understand directions.

  1. Get attention politely

    Approach someone and say: 'Disculpe, ¿me puede ayudar?' (Excuse me, can you help me?).

    If you say 'Oye' (Hey) it may sound too informal. Stick with 'Disculpe' or 'Perdón'.

    The person looks at you and waits for your question.

  2. Ask for the place

    Say: '¿Cómo llego al Museo del Prado?' (How do I get to the Prado Museum?). Replace 'Museo del Prado' with your destination.

    Don't forget the preposition 'al' (a + el) for masculine places. For feminine places use 'a la' (e.g., 'a la estación').

    The person nods or starts pointing.

  3. Listen for the first direction

    They will likely say something like 'Siga todo recto' (Go straight ahead) or 'Gire a la derecha' (Turn right). Note the verb form: they may use formal 'usted' (gire, siga) or informal 'tú' (gira, sigue).

    Don't panic if they use the informal form – it's still correct. Just listen for the key action word.

    You can identify the verb: 'siga/sigue' (continue), 'gire/gira' (turn), 'cruza/cruce' (cross).

  4. Identify the landmark

    After the direction, they will name a landmark: 'hasta el semáforo' (to the traffic light), 'en la esquina' (at the corner), 'al lado del banco' (next to the bank).

    They may speak quickly. Focus on the landmark word you know.

    You can point to the landmark and say '¿Ahí?' (There?) to confirm.

  5. Ask for clarification if needed

    If you're lost, say: '¿Puede repetir, por favor?' (Can you repeat, please?) or 'Más despacio, por favor' (Slower, please).

    Don't just nod and pretend you understood. It's better to ask again.

    They slow down and repeat.

  6. Confirm the route

    Repeat the key steps back: 'Entonces, voy recto, giro a la izquierda en el semáforo, y el museo está a la derecha. ¿Correcto?' (So I go straight, turn left at the traffic light, and the museum is on the right. Correct?).

    Only confirm if you truly understood. Your repetition helps them correct any mistake.

    They say 'Sí, correcto' or 'Exacto'.

  7. Thank them and start walking

    Say: 'Muchas gracias' (Thank you very much) and begin moving. If you need to ask again later, repeat from step 1.

    If you are still unsure, ask another person. Don't walk in the wrong direction.

    You are moving in the direction they indicated.

Checklist
0/7

Field Checklist: Asking for Directions

Keep this list open on your phone while you practice. Tick each item after you do it.

Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it aloud twice. Focus on the intonation and the rolling 'r' in words like 'recto' and 'derecha'.

Disculpe, ¿cómo llego al museo?

Excuse me, how do I get to the museum?

/dees-KOOL-peh, KOH-moh YEH-goh ahl moo-SEH-oh?/

Vaya todo recto.

Go straight ahead.

/VAH-yah TOH-doh REHK-toh/

Gire a la derecha.

Turn right.

/HEE-reh ah lah deh-REH-chah/

Está a la izquierda, al lado del banco.

It's on the left, next to the bank.

/ehs-TAH ah lah ees-KYEHR-dah, ahl LAH-doh dehl BAHN-koh/

¿Puede repetir, por favor?

Can you repeat, please?

/PWEH-deh reh-peh-TEER, por fah-VOR?/

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much.

/MOO-chahs GRAH-see-ahs/

Check yourself

Test your ability to structure a direction request and respond to a real scenario.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

Put the following steps in the correct order for asking for directions in Spanish. (List the items in the order you would do them.)

  • AAsk '¿Cómo llego a...?'
  • BSay 'Muchas gracias' and start walking.
  • CGet attention with 'Disculpe'.
  • DRepeat the route back to confirm.
  • EListen for the direction and note the verb and landmark.
  • FIf unclear, ask '¿Puede repetir?'
2Short answerMarked by AI

You are in Barcelona and need to find the Sagrada Familia. You ask a passerby and they say: 'Siga todo recto hasta la plaza, luego gire a la izquierda. La entrada está a la derecha, al lado de la farmacia.' Write a short reply (2–4 sentences) in Spanish that confirms you understood the directions. Include the key actions you will take.

Graded on Correctly identifies the key actions from the directions. · Uses appropriate confirmation phrases (e.g., 'Entonces...', '¿Correcto?'). · Grammar and vocabulary accuracy (verb forms, prepositions, agreement).

Project

Role-play: Ask for and Follow Directions in a City

You are a tourist in a Spanish-speaking city. Choose a famous landmark (e.g., the cathedral, the main square, a museum). Write a short script of a conversation: you approach a local, ask for directions, they give a route (at least 3 steps), you ask for clarification on one part, they repeat, you confirm the route, and you thank them. Then record yourself (or write a transcript) performing both roles. The goal is to demonstrate that you can both ask for and understand directions, and handle a misunderstanding.

Deliverables

  • 01A Spanish script (8–12 lines) covering the full interaction: greeting, asking, giving directions, clarification, confirmation, thanks.
  • 02An audio recording of you playing both roles (or a written transcript if recording is not possible).
  • 03A brief self-assessment: list any difficulties you encountered and what you would do differently next time.
ProjectMarked by AI

Complete the project as described in the block above.

Graded on Script includes all required conversational elements (greeting, asking, giving directions, clarification, confirmation, thanks). · Directions given in the script are clear and use at least three different verbs (e.g., seguir, girar, cruzar) and two prepositions of location. · The clarification and confirmation exchange is realistic and shows understanding of the previous directions. · Pronunciation and fluency in the audio (or clarity of written transcript).

Lesson 23

Map reading: street signs

You will be able to orient yourself using a Spanish street map and recognise common sign words. Covers terms like calle, plaza, avenida, and directional signs. Prevents walking in circles because you misread a street sign.

20 min3 assessments

You can already ask for directions in Spanish. Now you need to read the street signs yourself. In Spain, street signs follow a consistent pattern: a street name, a type abbreviation (like C. for calle, Av. for avenida, Pl. for plaza), and often a direction arrow. Misreading the type or missing the arrow is what makes you walk in circles. This node gives you the vocabulary and the process to orient yourself from any sign.

Components of a typical Spanish street sign

Steps
0/4

You are standing at a crossroads in Madrid. On the corner is a blue sign with white text: 'Calle de la Luna' and an arrow pointing right. Follow these steps to read it.

  1. Find the street name

    Look for the largest text on the sign. Here it's 'de la Luna' – that's the street name. Ignore the type abbreviation for a moment.

    Some signs put the type first, others put it after. Always read the whole line.

    You can say 'Luna' is the name.

  2. Identify the type abbreviation

    The word before the name is 'Calle' – that means street. On older signs it might be abbreviated as 'C.' or 'C/'. Other common types: Av. (avenida), Pl. (plaza), Pº (paseo).

    Don't confuse 'C.' with 'calle' – it's the same. 'Av.' is not 'avenue' in English but 'avenida'.

    You know this is a street (calle), not an avenue or square.

  3. Read the direction arrow

    The arrow points right. That means the street extends to your right from where you are standing. If the arrow pointed left, the street would be to your left. No arrow means you are already on that street.

    Arrows are sometimes painted on the sign, sometimes embedded in the text. Look carefully at the bottom or side.

    You can point to your right and say 'the street is that way'.

  4. Orient yourself

    Now you know: you are at the corner of Calle de la Luna, and the street runs to your right. If you need to walk along it, turn right. If you need to cross it, go straight.

    You can explain to someone else where the street is.

Reference

Common Spanish Street Types on Signs

Calle

Abbreviation
C. or C/
Meaning
Street
Example
Calle Mayor

Avenida

Abbreviation
Av. or Avda.
Meaning
Avenue
Example
Avenida de la Constitución

Plaza

Abbreviation
Pl. or Pza.
Meaning
Square
Example
Plaza de España

Paseo

Abbreviation
Pº
Meaning
Promenade / Boulevard
Example
Paseo de la Castellana

Ronda

Abbreviation
Rda.
Meaning
Ring road / Roundabout
Example
Ronda de Toledo

Callejón

Abbreviation
Cjón.
Meaning
Alley
Example
Callejón de la Seda

Abbreviations vary by region. When in doubt, read the full word if it appears.

Say it

Listen to each word, then say it twice. These are the words you will see on signs and need to pronounce when asking for confirmation.

calle

street

/KAH-yeh/

avenida

avenue

/ah-veh-NEE-dah/

plaza

square

/PLAH-thah/

izquierda

left

/ees-KYEHR-dah/

derecha

right

/deh-REH-chah/

recto

straight

/REHK-toh/

Check yourself

Check your understanding of Spanish street signs.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

You see a sign that says 'Pl. Mayor'. What does 'Pl.' stand for?

  • ACalle
  • BAvenida
  • CPlaza
  • DPaseo
2Fill the blanksChecked instantly
3Short answerMarked by AI

You are at a junction and see a sign with 'Avenida de la Constitución' and an arrow pointing left. Explain how you use this sign to orient yourself.

Graded on Identifies the street type and direction · Uses correct terminology

Lesson 24

Key directional verbs

The verbs girar, seguir, cruzar, and atravesar are essential for both asking and giving directions. You will learn their conjugations in the imperative and simple present.

10 min3 assessments

Feeling lost in a Spanish-speaking city? You'll hear these four verbs constantly: girar (to turn), seguir (to follow/continue), cruzar (to cross a street or bridge), and atravesar (to go through a larger area like a park or plaza). Your ability to understand and use them determines whether you find the cathedral or end up in a dead end. In this lesson, you'll learn their imperative forms (to give directions) and simple present forms (to report what you are doing).

  • Girar → turn; imperative: gira (tú), gire (usted).
  • Seguir → continue/follow; imperative: sigue (tú), siga (usted). Stem changes to -ig- in formal.
  • Cruzar → cross (a street, bridge); imperative: cruza (tú), cruce (usted).
  • Atravesar → go through (a park, plaza); imperative: atraviesa (tú), atraviese (usted). Stem changes e→ie in informal.
  • Use formal imperative (usted) with strangers, elders, or in official settings.
Steps
0/4

Follow these steps to correctly use directional verbs when giving or understanding directions. Work through each step in order.

  1. Identify the verb in the direction

    Listen for the verb: girar (turn), seguir (continue), cruzar (cross), atravesar (go through). Example: 'Para llegar a la estación, gire a la izquierda.' The verb is 'girar'.

    Don't confuse 'cruzar' (crossing a street) with 'atravesar' (going through a large area like a park).

    You can point to the verb in the sentence you hear.

  2. Determine the formality level

    If someone is addressing you formally (e.g., a stranger, an elder), they use usted imperative. If informally, they use tú imperative. The verb form changes.

    In a formal context, using the informal imperative can sound rude.

    Check if the speaker uses 'usted' or 'tú' elsewhere in the conversation.

  3. Conjugate the verb in the imperative

    For each verb:

    • Girar: gira (tú), gire (usted)
    • Seguir: sigue (tú), siga (usted)
    • Cruzar: cruza (tú), cruce (usted)
    • Atravesar: atraviesa (tú), atraviese (usted)

    Note stem changes: seguir changes to sig-; atravesar changes e→ie in informal.

    For 'seguir', the formal imperative 'siga' drops the 'u' in the stem. For 'atravesar', the informal 'atraviesa' has a stem change; the formal 'atraviese' does not.

    Write down the imperative form for the verb you need.

  4. Form the complete direction phrase

    Combine the imperative with a direction word (izquierda, derecha, recto, calle, parque, etc.). Examples:

    • Gire a la derecha.
    • Siga recto hasta el semáforo.
    • Cruce la calle.
    • Atraviese el parque.

    In present tense (e.g., telling someone what you are doing): 'Yo giro a la izquierda.'

    When using 'seguir', remember to add 'recto' or 'derecho' to mean 'straight'. 'Seguir' alone means 'continue' but often needs a direction word.

    Say the phrase aloud to yourself.

Checklist
0/6

Directional Verbs – Field Checklist

Tick each item when you can produce the correct form without notes.

Check yourself

Test your understanding of these key verbs. You will order steps, choose the correct form, and write a short direction.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

Put the following steps in the correct order to conjugate 'girar' in the imperative tú form and use it in a direction.

  • ACombine with a direction word: 'Gira a la izquierda.'
  • BUse the imperative tú form: 'gira'.
  • CIdentify the verb 'girar' and the need to give a turn command.
  • DDetermine the context is informal (tú).
2Short answerMarked by AI

Write a short instruction using 'seguir' to tell someone politely to continue straight until the traffic light. Assume a formal context (usted).

Graded on Uses correct formal imperative form of 'seguir' · Includes a direction and landmark

3Multiple choiceChecked instantly

In a formal situation, which verb form is correct to tell someone to turn left?

  • AGira a la izquierda.
  • BGire a la izquierda.
  • CGirar a la izquierda.
  • DGirando a la izquierda.

Lesson 25

Place and landmark vocabulary

Words like la calle, la esquina, el semáforo, el banco, la farmacia, and la estación help you describe where you need to go. This part builds your mental map of a town.

10 min4 assessments

You can already ask for directions. But to understand the answer, you need to know the names of the places themselves. These are the most common landmarks you'll encounter in any Spanish town. Learn them as a set: the word, its gender (el/la), and the mental image of the place.

Practice
0/10 known
1 / 10
Reference

Common Spanish Landmarks

street

Spanish
calle
Gender
feminine
Notes
Ends in -e, but feminine

corner

Spanish
esquina
Gender
feminine
Notes
Ends in -a

traffic light

Spanish
semáforo
Gender
masculine
Notes
Ends in -o

bank

Spanish
banco
Gender
masculine
Notes
Ends in -o

pharmacy

Spanish
farmacia
Gender
feminine
Notes
Ends in -ia, feminine

station

Spanish
estación
Gender
feminine
Notes
Ends in -ción, feminine

supermarket

Spanish
supermercado
Gender
masculine
Notes
Ends in -o

park

Spanish
parque
Gender
masculine
Notes
Ends in -e, but masculine

square

Spanish
plaza
Gender
feminine
Notes
Ends in -a

hospital

Spanish
hospital
Gender
masculine
Notes
Ends in -l, masculine

Gender is important because it affects articles and adjectives (e.g., 'la farmacia' not 'el farmacia').

Say it

Listen to each word, then say it twice. Focus on the stressed syllable.

calle

street

/KAH-yeh/

esquina

corner

/es-KEE-nah/

semáforo

traffic light

/seh-MAH-fo-ro/

banco

bank

/BAHN-ko/

farmacia

pharmacy

/far-MAH-see-ah/

estación

station

/es-tah-SYOHN/

supermercado

supermarket

/soo-per-mer-KAH-do/

plaza

square

/PLAH-sah/

Check yourself

Check your knowledge of these landmark words.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Which word means 'the traffic light'?

  • Ael semáforo
  • Bla señal
  • Cel faro
  • Del paso
2Select all that applyChecked instantly

Select all the words that are feminine (use 'la').

  • Acalle
  • Bbanco
  • Cfarmacia
  • Destación
  • Esemáforo
  • Fplaza
3Fill the blanksChecked instantly
4Fill the blanksChecked instantly

Lesson 26

Prepositions of location

Expressions like a la izquierda, a la derecha, al lado de, enfrente de, cerca de, and lejos de are the glue of any route description. You will practise using them accurately.

10 min3 assessments

When giving or understanding directions in Spanish, prepositions of location are the glue that links a landmark to its position relative to another place. The five most common ones are:

  • a la izquierda de (to the left of)
  • a la derecha de (to the right of)
  • al lado de (next to / beside)
  • cerca de (near)
  • lejos de (far from)

Two more that appear in street directions:

  • enfrente de (opposite / across from)
  • entre (between)

These phrases are built from a preposition + a definite article (la, el, los, las) + de. The article must agree with the noun that follows: for masculine singular places, it's al lado del (instead of al lado de el).

Examples:

  • El banco está a la izquierda del hospital.
  • La farmacia está enfrente de la escuela.
  • La panadería está entre el cine y el supermercado.

Notice that the verb is always está (it is) because location is temporary or specific.

A quick pattern: subject + está + preposition + (de/el/la) + reference point.

You already learned how to ask ¿Dónde está…? — now you can understand and give the answer.

Spatial relationships expressed with prepositions of location.

Analogy

Think of the reference place as a fixed anchor on a table. If you put a coffee cup to the left of the salt shaker, you would say "the cup is to the left of the salt." Spanish uses the same idea: the anchor is the object after de. Just like you can slide the cup to the right or put it next to the shaker, you change the preposition.

Now imagine two people sitting across the table. Your left is your friend's right. In English we sometimes say "to your left" to clarify whose perspective. Spanish also needs that: a tu izquierda (to your left) vs a mi izquierda (to my left). The analogy of a fixed table breaks when the reference point is a person whose left/right depends on their orientation — you have to specify whose left you mean.

Where the analogy breaks down

The anchor is a person whose left/right depends on their facing direction. A table object doesn't have that ambiguity.

  • Prepositions of location in Spanish always include a definite article (la/el/los/las) after the preposition, except for entre.
  • Al lado de becomes al lado del before a masculine singular noun.
  • Use está (not es) for location because it is temporary or specific.
  • Cerca de and lejos de indicate distance, but are not precise; you must give additional context if needed.
  • Enfrente de means directly across, not just in front of (delante de).
  • Between two items uses entre without de: está entre el cine y la farmacia.
Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it twice. Pay attention to the article agreement.

a la izquierda del banco

to the left of the bank

/ah lah eeth-KYER-dah del BAHN-koh/

a la derecha de la escuela

to the right of the school

/ah lah deh-REH-chah deh lah es-KWEH-lah/

al lado del hospital

next to the hospital

/ahl LAH-doh del ohs-pee-TAHL/

cerca del parque

near the park

/SEHR-kah del PAHR-keh/

lejos de la playa

far from the beach

/LEH-hos deh lah PLAH-yah/

Role-play

You are in a small town and need to find the post office. A local tells you where it is relative to other landmarks. Answer their questions to confirm you understand.

You are the tourist; you're talking to the local.

Goal: Confirm the location of the post office using prepositions.

Check yourself

Complete these short questions. The first is multiple choice; the later ones ask you to write sentences.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Which phrase correctly translates 'next to the museum'? (Museo is masculine)

  • Aal lado de la museo
  • Bal lado del museo
  • Cal lado de el museo
  • Dcerca del museo
2Short answerMarked by AI

You are standing in front of the cathedral (la catedral). The hotel is on your left. Write a Spanish sentence that says 'The hotel is to the left of the cathedral.'

Graded on Correct preposition and article · Verb and word order · Spelling and article agreement

3Short answerMarked by AI

The pharmacy is between the bank and the supermarket. (La farmacia, el banco, el supermercado). Write a Spanish sentence.

Graded on Correct preposition 'entre' and structure · Verb and article agreement · Spelling and clarity

Lesson 27

Ordering food and drinks in a restaurant

You will be able to order a meal in Spanish, ask questions about the menu, and handle the bill. Covers ordering phrases, food vocabulary for common Spanish dishes, and polite requests. Prevents accidentally ordering something you cannot eat or not knowing how to ask for the check.

25 min2 assessments

You've arrived at a restaurant in Spain. You know how to ask for directions to get here, but now you need to actually order. The problem: menus are in Spanish, the waiter speaks fast, and you don't want to accidentally order cow's tongue when you wanted chicken. This node gives you a script for the entire meal – from sitting down to paying – so you can handle each step confidently without freezing up.

Steps
0/6

Follow these steps in order. Each one builds on the previous. If you skip a step or do it out of order, the waiter will give you a confused look.

  1. Greet and ask for a table

    Say 'Buenas tardes, una mesa para dos, por favor' (Good afternoon, a table for two, please). If you have a reservation, say 'Tengo una reserva a nombre de [your name]'.

    Don't start with 'Hola' only – use 'Buenas tardes' (afternoon) or 'Buenas noches' (evening).

    The waiter acknowledges you or gestures toward a table.

  2. Ask for the menu

    Say '¿Me puede traer la carta, por favor?' (Can you bring me the menu, please?). If you want a drinks menu: '¿La carta de vinos?'

    Don't say 'menu' in English – it's 'carta' (menu) or 'menú' (fixed-price meal).

    The waiter hands you a menu or points to it.

  3. Order drinks

    When the waiter returns, say 'Para beber, quiero [drink], por favor' (For drinks, I want [drink], please). Common drinks: agua (water, specify 'con gas' for sparkling, 'sin gas' for still), cerveza (beer), vino tinto/blanco (red/white wine), un café solo (black coffee).

    If you order a 'café con leche' after a meal, the waiter might bring it immediately – wait until dessert time.

    The waiter writes it down and says 'muy bien' or repeats your order.

  4. Order food

    Use 'De primero, quiero...' (for first course) and 'De segundo, quiero...' (for main course). If you want one dish only, say 'Para mí, [dish]' (For me, [dish]). Example: 'De primero, una ensalada mixta, y de segundo, pollo asado.'

    Don't forget to specify 'primero' and 'segundo' – the waiter expects a two-course structure even if you only want one dish. If you want only one dish, say 'solo el plato principal'.

    The waiter repeats the order back to you. Listen for correct dishes.

  5. Ask about ingredients or make a special request

    If you need to check something: '¿Este plato lleva [cheese, nuts, meat]?' (Does this dish contain [cheese, nuts, meat]?). For modifications: 'Sin cebolla, por favor' (Without onion, please). For allergies: 'Soy alérgico/a a [lacteos, gluten]'.

    Don't assume they understand 'vegetarian' everywhere – say **'Soy vegetariano/a, no como carne'** (I'm vegetarian, I don't eat meat).

    The waiter confirms the change or gives alternatives.

  6. Ask for the bill and pay

    When you're done, catch the waiter's eye and say 'La cuenta, por favor' (The bill, please). To pay: '¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?' (Can I pay with card?) or 'En efectivo' (cash). If you want to split: 'La cuenta, separada, por favor'.

    Never snap your fingers or shout '¡Oiga!' – a polite 'Perdón' or eye contact is enough. The bill is 'cuenta', not 'factura' (invoice).

    The waiter brings the bill. Check the total and any service charge (usually included).

Checklist
0/6

At the restaurant – field checklist

Tick each item once you've done it. If you skip one, you'll likely have to backtrack (e.g., asking for the menu after ordering drinks).

Say it

Listen to each phrase, then repeat it twice. Focus on the pronunciation of the 'r' and the soft 'g' in 'quiero'.

Quiero una mesa para dos

I want a table for two

/KYEH-roh OO-nah MEH-sah PAH-rah dohs/

La cuenta, por favor

The bill, please

/lah KWEHN-tah, por fah-VOR/

Sin cebolla, por favor

Without onion, please

/seen seh-BOH-yah, por fah-VOR/

Full ordering dialogue (two people)

Waiter: Buenas tardes, ¿mesa para dos? You: Sí, por favor. ¿Una mesa en la terraza? Waiter: Claro, síganme. Aquí tienen la carta. You: Gracias.

(After a few minutes) Waiter: ¿Qué van a tomar? You: Para beber, dos cervezas, por favor. Waiter: Muy bien. ¿Y para comer? You: De primero, una ensalada mixta para compartir. De segundo, yo quiero el pollo asado, y mi amigo quiere la paella. Waiter: Perfecto. ¿Algo más? You: No, gracias. Ah, una pregunta: ¿la paella lleva mariscos? Waiter: Sí, tiene gambas y mejillones. You: Vale, está bien.

(After the meal) You: Perdón, la cuenta, por favor. Waiter: Enseguida. Aquí tiene. You: Gracias. ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? Waiter: Sí, claro. Pase el chip, por favor.

Check yourself
1Put in orderChecked instantly

You are at a restaurant in Madrid. Put the following steps in the correct order from arrival to payment. The order should reflect the sequence that minimises risk of ordering something you can't eat or missing a cultural expectation (e.g., drinks before food, checking ingredients before ordering that dish).

  • AGreet the waiter and request a table (Buenas tardes, una mesa para dos)
  • BAsk for the full menu (¿Me puede traer la carta?)
  • COrder drinks (Para beber, quiero...)
  • DOrder first and second courses (De primero..., de segundo...)
  • ECheck if a specific dish contains something you must avoid (¿Este plato lleva frutos secos?)
  • FAsk for the bill (La cuenta, por favor)
2Short answerMarked by AI

You are vegetarian and see two options on the menu:

  1. 1.Menú del día – a fixed-price lunch menu (€12) including starter, main, dessert and a drink. The waiter tells you 'cambia cada día' (changes daily) and you cannot see today's dishes in advance.
  1. 2.La carta – the normal menu, where you can pick a vegetarian starter (e.g., ensalada mixta) and a main (e.g., tortilla de patatas – but this usually contains egg; you could ask for a modification or choose a different main).

Which option would you choose in this situation? Justify your decision by explaining at least one advantage and one disadvantage of each option. Also write two Spanish phrases you would actually say to handle this choice (e.g., asking about ingredients or ordering). Your answer should be 3–5 sentences.

Graded on Identifies and weighs the pros and cons of each option · Uses appropriate Spanish phrases to handle the situation · Justifies final decision with practical reasoning for a beginner traveler

Lesson 29

Dining etiquette in Spain

You will understand when Spaniards eat, how to behave in a restaurant, and the tipping culture. Covers meal times, how to ask for la cuenta, and the custom of sharing tapas. Prevents wondering why the restaurant is empty at 6 pm.

20 min3 assessments

You walk into a Spanish restaurant at 6 PM and it's empty. Not just quiet — fully empty. The waiters are polishing glasses, the kitchen is silent. You check the menu. Nothing wrong. The place opens at 1 PM for lunch and again at 8:30 PM for dinner. The gap between 5 and 8 PM is a dead zone. This isn't a mistake. It's the direct result of three forces: climate, workday structure, and a deeply held cultural value called sobremesa.

Spain's intense afternoon heat made a continuous workday unbearable. So the workday splits into a morning block (roughly 9 AM–2 PM), a long midday break for rest and the largest meal, then an afternoon block (4 PM–8 PM). The big meal is lunch, eaten around 2–3 PM. Dinner becomes a lighter affair, starting around 9 PM or later. After a meal, people linger at the table talking — sobremesa. No one rushes you. The bill doesn't appear unless you ask. Tipping is minimal; a small coin for good service is fine. Understanding these rhythms prevents you from being hungry at 6 PM, from feeling ignored when the waiter walks past your empty plate, and from over-tipping like a tourist.

How climate and workday structure dictate Spanish meal times and the empty restaurant at 6 PM.

Analogy

Think of the Spanish meal schedule like a farm day: you rise early, work the morning fields, then stop at midday when the sun is punishing. You eat the big meal, rest in the shade, maybe do small chores in the late afternoon, then eat a lighter supper after sunset. The rhythms feel old and natural because they grew from climate and agriculture.

Where the analogy breaks down

The analogy breaks when you consider modern office jobs in cities – many Spanish workers no longer have a two-hour lunch break, but the cultural expectation of later meals and sobremesa persists. Also, the farm day had early supper; Spanish supper is late – so it's not a perfect match for rural life either.

Common misconception

“The waiter didn't bring my bill – they must have forgotten or are ignoring me.”

In many countries (USA, UK, northern Europe), the bill appears as soon as you finish eating or set down your fork. That's considered efficient service. An empty table means 'please pay and leave'.

What is actually true

In Spain, the bill is not brought automatically because it would signal that the restaurant wants you to leave. Instead, you must request la cuenta, and then the table is yours indefinitely for conversation (sobremesa). Not bringing the bill is a sign of respect – they trust you to ask when you're ready.

Check yourself

Check your understanding of Spanish dining etiquette.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Why are most Spanish restaurants empty at 6 PM?

  • ASpaniards do not eat dinner until very late, often after 9 PM, due to the split workday and late afternoon heat.
  • BThe restaurant is closed for cleaning between lunch and dinner service.
  • CSpaniards skip dinner and only eat a large lunch.
  • DMost restaurants offer dinner service only on weekends.
2Short answerMarked by AI

You sit down at a restaurant in Madrid at 10 PM, finish your meal, and the waiter doesn't bring the bill for 20 minutes. Explain why this is happening, using at least two cultural concepts from the lesson. Do not simply say 'they are being slow.'

Graded on Mentions sobremesa or the custom of lingering after a meal · Explains that the bill is requested, not automatically brought · Connects to the overall dining rhythm (late hours, relaxed pace)

3Short answerMarked by AI

A friend tells you: 'I tipped 5 euros on a 20-euro meal in Barcelona. I thought that was normal.' Explain whether this aligns with Spanish tipping etiquette and why.

Graded on Identifies the expected tip range in Spain · Explains the reason behind low tipping (service included, not expected) · Evaluates the friend's action (too high)

Lesson 30

Ordering phrases

Phrases like 'quisiera', 'me gustaría', 'para mí', 'de primero', 'de segundo', and asking '¿qué me recomienda?' will get you through any meal. You will practise the full cycle from welcome to bill.

15 min2 assessments
  • Use 'quisiera' (I would like) or 'me gustaría' (I would like) for polite requests, not 'quiero'.
  • Specify course order with 'de primero' (starter), 'de segundo' (main), and 'de postre' (dessert).
  • Ask for recommendations: '¿Qué me recomienda?' (What do you recommend?)
  • Order for yourself: 'Para mí...' (For me...).
  • Request the bill with 'La cuenta, por favor.' (The bill, please).
  • Confirm quantities: 'una' (one feminine), 'un' (one masculine), 'dos' (two).
Steps
0/5

You've been seated at a restaurant in Madrid. Follow these steps to order smoothly, from greeting to paying.

  1. Greet and ask for the table

    Say 'Hola, ¿tienen una mesa para dos?' (Hello, do you have a table for two?) when you arrive.

    If you say 'quiero una mesa' it sounds demanding. Always use '¿tienen?' (do you have?) or 'quisiera'.

    The host responds and leads you to a table.

  2. Order drinks

    When the waiter comes, say 'Quisiera una cerveza, por favor.' (I would like a beer, please). Change the drink as needed.

    Using 'quiero' is acceptable but less polite; 'quisiera' or 'me gustaría' show respect.

    The waiter repeats your order or asks '¿Algo más?'

  3. Ask for a recommendation

    If unsure, ask '¿Qué me recomienda?' (What do you recommend?). This shows engagement and often leads to a house special.

    Don't say 'recomendaciones' as a noun in this context; use the verb form.

    The waiter points to a dish on the menu and says 'Muy bueno'.

  4. Order the main course

    When ordering for yourself, say 'Para mí, de segundo, la paella, por favor.' (For me, main course, the paella, please).

    Remember: 'de primero' is starter, 'de segundo' is main. Mixing them might bring the wrong dish.

    The waiter confirms: 'Una paella de segundo. ¿Algo más?'

  5. Ask for the bill

    At the end, catch the waiter's eye and say 'La cuenta, por favor.' (The bill, please).

    Avoid 'el bill' – it's an anglicism not understood. Use 'cuenta'.

    The waiter brings a small tray with the bill.

Checklist
0/6

Restaurant Ordering Checklist

Keep this checklist open on your phone while ordering. Tick each item as you complete it in conversation.

Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it twice. Focus on the intonation of polite requests.

Hola

Hello

/OH-lah/

Quisiera

I would like

/kee-SYEH-rah/

Me gustaría

I would like (another form)

/meh goo-stah-REE-ah/

Para mí

For me

/PAH-rah mee/

La cuenta

The bill

/lah KWEN-tah/

Role-play

You are having dinner at a traditional Spanish restaurant. The waiter approaches your table.

You are the customer; you're talking to the waiter.

Goal: Order a starter (gazpacho), a main (grilled fish), a drink (red wine), and ask for the bill.

Check yourself
1Put in orderChecked instantly

Arrange the following steps for ordering a meal in Spanish in the correct order from arrival to payment.

  • AAsk for the bill (La cuenta, por favor)
  • BOrder drinks (Quisiera una cerveza)
  • CGreet the host (Hola, ¿tienen una mesa?)
  • DOrder main course (Para mí, de segundo...)
  • EAsk for recommendation (¿Qué me recomienda?)
2Short answerMarked by AI

Imagine you want to order a grilled fish as your main course. Write what you would say to the waiter in Spanish. Include a polite request, specify it's the main course, and use the word for 'fish' (pescado).

Graded on Correct use of polite request (quisiera / me gustaría) · Specification of course order (de segundo) · Correct vocabulary for dish and politeness (pescado, por favor) · Sentence structure and completeness

Lesson 31

Dietary restrictions and allergies

How to say 'soy alérgico a…', 'no como carne', 'soy vegetariano/vegano', and ask '¿contiene gluten/lácteos?'. Essential if you have any food intolerance or preference.

10 min3 assessments

You already know how to order a meal in Spanish. Now you need to say what you cannot eat. Whether it's an allergy, intolerance, or a diet choice, one wrong phrase can land you in trouble. This lesson gives you the exact words and the order to say them.

  • Soy alérgico/a a... (I'm allergic to...) – use alérgico for male, alérgica for female
  • No como carne (I don't eat meat) – also no como pollo/pescado/cerdo
  • Soy vegetariano/a (I'm vegetarian) – vegano/a for vegan
  • ¿Contiene gluten/lácteos/huevos? (Does it contain gluten/dairy/eggs?)
  • Sin (without) – e.g., sin carne, sin lactosa
  • ¿Tiene opciones sin...? (Do you have options without...?)
Steps
0/4

When you need to communicate a dietary restriction in a Spanish restaurant, follow this sequence. Each step includes a warning about what can go wrong.

  1. Get the waiter's attention politely

    Raise your hand slightly and say 'Disculpe' (Excuse me) or 'Por favor'.

    Don't shout 'Oye' – it's too informal and may be rude.

    The waiter looks at you

  2. State your restriction clearly

    Say 'Soy alérgico a...' (I'm allergic to...) or 'No como...' (I don't eat...). For example: 'Soy alérgico a los frutos secos' (I'm allergic to nuts).

    Using the wrong ending (alérgico vs alérgica) won't break understanding but sounds ungrammatical.

    The waiter nods or says 'Entiendo'

  3. Ask about the specific dish

    Point to the dish on the menu and ask '¿Este plato contiene...?' (Does this dish contain...?) or '¿Tiene opciones sin...?' (Do you have options without...?).

    Asking '¿Es sin gluten?' is acceptable but '¿Contiene gluten?' is more direct and natural.

    The waiter answers with 'Sí' or 'No', or explains

  4. Confirm and order

    If the dish is safe, say 'Entonces, quiero esto' (Then I want this). If not, ask '¿Qué me recomienda?' (What do you recommend?) or '¿Hay otra opción?' (Is there another option?).

    Don't just say 'No' and stay silent – the waiter will wait for your next action.

    You have placed a safe order

Checklist
0/5

Restaurant dietary check

Use this checklist while you speak. Ticking each step ensures you don't miss a crucial part.

Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it twice. Pay attention to the accent.

Soy alérgico a los cacahuetes

I'm allergic to peanuts

/soy ah-LEHR-hee-koh ah lohs kah-kah-WEH-tes/

No como carne

I don't eat meat

/noh KOH-moh KAR-neh/

¿Contiene gluten?

Does it contain gluten?

/kohn-TYEH-neh GLOO-ten/

¿Tiene opciones sin lactosa?

Do you have options without lactose?

/TYEH-neh ohp-SYOH-nes seen lak-TOH-sah/

Full dialogue: ordering with a dairy allergy

Customer: Disculpe, soy alérgica a los lácteos. ¿Este plato contiene queso?

Waiter: Sí, contiene queso. Pero tenemos una opción sin queso.

Customer: Perfecto, quiero esa opción, por favor.

Waiter: Muy bien. ¿Algo más?

Customer: No, gracias.

This example uses the feminine form (alérgica) because the customer is female. The waiter confirms the allergen and offers an alternative.

Check yourself

Check your understanding with these tasks.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

Put the steps of a dietary restriction conversation in the correct order.

  • AState your restriction
  • BAsk about the dish
  • CGet the waiter's attention
  • DConfirm and order
2Short answerMarked by AI

You are in a restaurant and the waiter asks '¿Qué desea?'. You are vegetarian. Write what you would say in Spanish to tell the waiter you are vegetarian and ask if the paella contains meat.

Graded on States vegetarian identity · Asks about paella containing meat · Overall clarity

3Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Which of the following is the correct way to say 'I don't eat chicken' in Spanish?

  • ANo como pollo
  • BNo como carne
  • CSoy alérgico al pollo
  • DNo tengo pollo

Lesson 32

The check and payment

Asking for the bill (la cuenta, por favor), checking it, paying in cash or card, and saying 'quiero pagar' or 'invito yo'. Also covers phrases like '¿cuánto es?' and 'déjelo así'.

10 min3 assessments

You've eaten. Your plate is empty, the waiter has checked if everything was good, and now you need to pay. The check – la cuenta – is what separates a pleasant meal from an awkward wait. In Spain and most of Latin America, you ask for it; it does not arrive automatically. The phrase is simple, but the customs around checking, paying, and leaving a tip vary. This block teaches you the exact sequence, from calling for the bill to walking out the door, so you never sit wondering or accidentally offend.

Most Spanish-speaking countries add IVA (VAT) to the prices you see on the menu – typically 10% on food and 21% on drinks. The total at the bottom is what you pay. Tipping is not expected like in the US; locals often leave small change or nothing. If service was excellent, you might add 5–10% as a voluntary gesture, but you never calculate a mandatory percentage.

Steps
0/6

When you're ready to leave, follow these steps in order. Doing them out of sequence – paying before the check arrives – confuses the staff.

  1. Get the waiter's attention and ask for the check

    Make eye contact, raise your hand slightly, and say: 'La cuenta, por favor.' (lah KWEEN-tah, por fah-VOR). If you don't catch their eye, say 'Disculpe, la cuenta.' (dees-KOOL-peh).

    Don't shout or snap fingers – this is considered rude. Wait for a natural pause in their work.

    The waiter nods or says 'ahora mismo' (right away) and moves toward the till.

  2. Review the check for errors

    The check will likely be handwritten or printed. Look at the items listed – they often list each dish and drink separately. Check that the total matches what you ordered. Ask '¿Está bien?' (ehs-TAH bee-EN) if something seems off.

    A common mistake is forgetting you already paid for a round of drinks earlier, so those might be missing from the check or doubled. Scan for your table number to ensure it's your check.

    The total is within a few euros of what you estimated from the menu prices.

  3. Declare how you'll pay

    Say 'Quiero pagar con tarjeta.' (KYEH-roh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah) for card, or 'Quiero pagar en efectivo.' (en eh-fek-TEE-voh) for cash. Alternatively, hand your card over and say nothing – they'll ask '¿Tarjeta?' and you nod.

    In small towns or family-run places, cards may not be accepted. Always carry some cash as backup. If they say 'Solo efectivo' (only cash), don't argue; pay with bills.

    The waiter brings the card terminal or takes the cash you hand them.

  4. Complete the payment

    If paying by card: insert or tap the terminal, wait for 'aprobado' (approved), and take your receipt. If paying cash: place the bills on the small tray or in the leather folder. For exact change, say 'El cambio, por favor.' (el KAHM-byoh).

    Never leave cash on the table and walk away – in many places the waiter does not pick it up until it's inside the folder. Put it in the provided folder or tray.

    The terminal beeps and prints a slip, or the waiter picks up the cash and says 'gracias'.

  5. Decide on a tip

    Optional. Round up or leave small change. Say 'Déjelo así.' (DEH-heh-loh ah-SEE) – 'leave it like that' – meaning the change is the tip. Alternatively, say nothing and just leave a euro or two on the table.

    Do not leave a percentage-based tip as you would in the US. 5% is considered generous. In Mexico, a 10–15% tip is more common in tourist areas, but still optional.

    If you said 'déjelo así', the waiter gives a small nod of thanks.

  6. Say goodbye

    As you leave, say 'Muchas gracias, buen provecho' (MOO-chahs GRAH-syahs, bween pro-VEH-choh) – 'thank you, enjoy your meal' – even though you are the one leaving. Also fine: 'Hasta luego.' (AHS-tah LWEH-goh).

    Never walk out without a farewell – it feels dismissive. A simple 'gracias, adiós' works.

    The staff replies 'gracias a usted' or 'hasta luego'.

Checklist
0/7

Before you leave the restaurant – quick field checklist

Use this list the first two times you pay. After that, the sequence will feel automatic.

Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it aloud twice. The first three are for getting the check; the rest are for paying.

La cuenta, por favor

The check, please

/lah KWEEN-tah, por fah-VOR/

Disculpe, la cuenta

Excuse me, the check

/dees-KOOL-peh, lah KWEEN-tah/

¿Cuánto es?

How much is it?

/KWAHN-toh ehs/

Quiero pagar con tarjeta

I want to pay by card

/KYEH-roh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah/

En efectivo

In cash

/en eh-fek-TEE-voh/

Déjelo así

Leave it like that (keep the change)

/DEH-heh-loh ah-SEE/

Gracias, buen provecho

Thanks, enjoy your meal

/GRAH-syahs, bween pro-VEH-choh/

  • Always ask for the check (la cuenta) – it does not arrive automatically in Spain or Latin America.
  • Review the total against menu prices – VAT (IVA) is included in listed prices, so the check should match what you expected.
  • Declare your payment method before handing over money – 'Quiero pagar con tarjeta' or 'en efectivo'.
  • Tipping is optional and small – 5–10% max, or just leave the loose change.
  • Say 'Déjelo así' (keep the change) to indicate the tip with one short phrase.
  • End the meal with a farewell – 'gracias, buen provecho' or 'hasta luego'.
Check yourself

Check your understanding of the payment customs and phrases.

1Short answerMarked by AI

A Spanish friend tells you that tipping 15% is expected in Spain. Based on what you learned in this node, explain whether they are correct, and what you would actually do when paying the check in a restaurant in Madrid.

Graded on Identifies the correct local custom · Applies a correct payment phrase from the node · Describes the physical payment sequence

2Fill the blanksChecked instantly
Check yourself
1Put in orderChecked instantly

Put these steps in the correct order for paying and leaving a restaurant in a Spanish-speaking country.

  • ADeclare how you'll pay
  • BAsk for the check
  • CComplete the payment
  • DSay goodbye
  • EReview the check for errors
  • FDecide on a tip

Lesson 33

Shopping and bargaining in markets

You will be able to shop for clothes, souvenirs, and groceries, and negotiate a lower price where appropriate. Covers sizes, colours, numbers for prices, and simple bargaining phrases. Prevents paying the first price at a street market and missing out on the fun.

25 min3 assessments

You're at a market in Seville. A hand-painted ceramic plate catches your eye — no price tag. The vendor smiles. You could pay whatever she asks, but you've heard that in Spanish markets prices are often negotiable. The problem: you need to ask the price, decide if it's fair, and if not, suggest a lower amount — all without coming across as rude or stingy. This walkthrough gives you the exact four-step routine that works across Spain and Latin America: greet, ask, react, counter-offer or walk away. Learn it once, use it every time.

Steps
0/4

You are in front of a stall with handmade silver earrings. The vendor is not busy. Follow these steps to buy them at a fair price.

  1. Greet and point to the item

    Make eye contact, smile, and say 'Buenos días' or 'Buenas tardes'. Then point to the item and say '¿Me puede enseñar esto?' (Can you show me this?) or simply '¿Cuánto cuesta esto?' (How much does this cost?)

    Don't start with '¿Cuánto?' without greeting — it seems abrupt.

    The vendor nods and picks up the item, or tells you the price.

  2. React to the price

    The vendor says 'Cuesta 20 euros' (It costs 20 euros). React with a slight frown and say 'Uy, está un poco caro' (Oh, it's a bit expensive) or 'Es demasiado para mí' (It's too much for me). Tone matters: keep it friendly, not angry.

    Don't say '¡Qué caro!' loudly — it can feel insulting.

    The vendor usually pauses, maybe shrugs, waiting for your offer.

  3. Make a counteroffer

    Smile and say '¿Puede darlo por 15 euros?' (Can you give it for 15 euros?) or 'Le doy 15 euros' (I give you 15 euros). Name a price 25–40% below the first quote. Keep eye contact and wait for a response.

    Don't offer too low — 50% or more can offend. If the vendor looks upset, you've gone too far.

    The vendor either counters with a new number (e.g., '17 euros') or accepts yours.

  4. Accept, counter again, or walk away

    If they meet your price or suggest something close: say 'De acuerdo, trato hecho' (OK, deal done) and pay. If they drop to 17 but you want 15: say '17 está bien, pero ¿me puede dar un descuento si compro dos?' (17 is fine, but can you give me a discount if I buy two?). If they won't budge below 18 and you still think it's high: smile, say 'Gracias, lo pensaré' (Thanks, I'll think about it) and walk. Often they'll call you back with a better offer.

    Walking away is not rude — it's expected. But never walk away scoffing or rolling eyes.

    You either have the item in your hand or you're smiling and moving to the next stall.

Checklist
0/7

Field Checklist for Market Bargaining

Keep this list on your phone as a quick reference while shopping.

Role-play

You are at a Saturday market in Mexico City. You want to buy a woven bracelet. The vendor starts with a price of 150 pesos. Your goal: buy it for 100 pesos or less, using polite bargaining phrases.

You are the customer; you're talking to the vendor.

Goal: Buy a bracelet for 100 pesos after negotiating from 150 pesos.

Check yourself

Complete these questions to check your understanding of market bargaining in Spanish.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

Put the bargaining steps in the correct order as you would use them at a market.

  • ASmile and say 'Gracias, lo pensaré' then walk away
  • BGreet with 'Buenos días' and ask '¿Cuánto cuesta esto?'
  • CSay 'Está un poco caro' with a friendly tone
  • DCounter with a specific lower price like '¿Puede darlo por X euros?'
2Short answerMarked by AI

In many Spanish markets, bargaining is common but must be done politely. Explain why it is important to maintain a smile and use 'por favor' and 'gracias' throughout the negotiation. Then describe one situation where you should NOT bargain (e.g., a supermarket or fixed-price store) and explain why.

Graded on Explains why smile and politeness help negotiation · Identifies a no-bargaining context and justifies it · Grammar and vocabulary in explanation

3ProjectMarked by AI

Record yourself (or write a script) having a bargaining dialogue in Spanish at a market. You must include at least 5 speaker turns (each turn can be one line). Use the following structure: greet, ask about an item, hear a price, react, counter-offer, and either accept or walk away. Your submission can be a written script or a voice recording. If recording, also submit a written transcript.

Graded on Use of required bargaining phrases · Politeness and appropriateness of tone · Numbers and price negotiation · Completeness and structure

Lesson 34

Bargaining phrases and when to use them

You will be able to haggle politely in a market, using phrases that show respect while suggesting a lower price. Covers expressions like can you give it to me for, a bit expensive, and knowing when bargaining is not done. Prevents insulting the vendor or paying full tourist price every time.

15 min3 assessments
Common misconception

“I should always start by offering half the price they ask.”

You've heard that bargaining is about lowballing, and you think a low first offer leaves room to negotiate up.

What is actually true

In most Spanish-speaking markets, starting with an extreme offer insults the vendor and shuts down the negotiation. The goal is to reach a fair price both accept, so open with a polite phrase like '¿Me puede hacer un descuento?' or 'Es un poco caro, ¿no?' and wait for a counter-offer.

Not all bargaining phrases work in every situation. The table below shows three common openers and when to use each.

¿Cuánto cuesta?

Formality
Neutral
When to use
When you genuinely don't know the price
Effect on vendor
Neutral – they quote the price
Risk of offense
Low – it's a simple question

Best for Starting a conversation at a stall where prices aren't marked

¿Me puede hacer un descuento?

Formality
Polite
When to use
After you've heard the price and want to negotiate
Effect on vendor
Positive – they may offer a small discount
Risk of offense
Low – if asked politely

Best for When you're serious about buying and want a small reduction

Es un poco caro, ¿no?

Formality
Informal, friendly
When to use
When the price feels high and you want to test their flexibility
Effect on vendor
They may explain the quality or offer a lower price
Risk of offense
Medium – only use if you have rapport

Best for Markets where haggling is expected and you've already smiled or chatted

Bargaining at a market in Mexico

Setting: A small craft market in Oaxaca. You see a woven blanket you like.

You: ¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much is it?) Vendor: 500 pesos. You: Es un poco caro, ¿no? (It's a bit expensive, isn't it?) Vendor: It's handmade, but I can do 450. You: ¿Me puede hacer un descuento? 400? (Can you give me a discount? 400?) Vendor: 420, final price. You: Está bien, gracias. (That's fine, thank you.)

Note: The negotiation started with a polite opener, then moved to a direct request. The final price was a fair compromise.

Role-play

You're at a street market in Bogotá. You see a nice hammock. The vendor says '80,000 pesos.' You want to negotiate.

You are the customer; you're talking to the vendor.

Goal: Start a polite negotiation and reach a price you both agree on.

Check yourself

Check your understanding of bargaining phrases and when to use them.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Which of the following is a polite way to start bargaining after the vendor gives a price?

  • A¡Es muy caro!
  • B¿Me puede hacer un descuento?
  • C¿Cuánto cuesta?
  • DNo me gusta.
2Select all that applyChecked instantly

In which of the following situations is it appropriate to bargain? (Select all that apply.)

  • AA small artisan market in Mexico
  • BA large department store in Madrid
  • CA street food stall in Colombia
  • DA fixed-price supermarket in Spain
  • EA flea market in Buenos Aires
3Short answerMarked by AI

You are in a market in Oaxaca. The vendor says '200 pesos' for a bracelet. You think it's a bit high. Write one polite phrase in Spanish you could say to start negotiating.

Graded on Uses a polite bargaining phrase · Correct Spanish grammar and vocabulary · Appropriate for the context (market in Oaxaca)

Lesson 35

Asking for sizes and colors

Practice asking for different sizes (talla, pequeño, grande) and colors (rojo, azul, etc.) when shopping for clothes or souvenirs. Understand how to say 'I need a larger size' or 'Do you have this in blue?'

10 min3 assessments

When you're in a market stall in Mexico City or a boutique in Barcelona, the two things you'll reach for first are size and color. The vendor shows you a shirt; you need it in blue, or a larger size. This node gives you the exact phrases to ask for that, plus the one grammar move that makes your request sound natural instead of like a dictionary entry.

You can already say '¿Cuánto cuesta?' (How much does it cost?) from the previous node. Now you'll add the question that comes before the price: '¿Tiene esto en azul?' (Do you have this in blue?) — and the one that saves you from buying something that doesn't fit: 'Necesito una talla más grande.' (I need a larger size.)

The key pattern is TENER + esto/esta + en + color, or NECESITAR + un/una + talla + más + adjective. Once you have those two frames, you can swap in any color or size word and be understood.

Steps
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You're at a souvenir stall. You see a nice woven bracelet, but you want it in red instead of the green one on display. Follow these steps to ask for it correctly.

  1. Get the vendor's attention

    Say 'Disculpe' (formal) or 'Oye' (informal, used in markets). Wait for them to look at you.

    Example: 'Disculpe, ¿tiene esto en rojo?'

    Using 'Oye' with an older vendor or in a formal shop can seem rude. Stick to 'Disculpe' unless you've heard other customers use 'Oye'.

    The vendor makes eye contact or says 'Dime' (tell me).

  2. Point and ask for the color

    Point at the item and say '¿Tiene esto en [color]?'

    Colors: rojo (red), azul (blue), verde (green), amarillo (yellow), negro (black), blanco (white), gris (gray), marrón (brown), naranja (orange), rosa (pink), morado (purple).

    Example: '¿Tiene esto en azul?'

    Don't say 'este' for a feminine noun like 'camisa' (shirt) — you need 'esta'. If you don't know the gender, 'esto' (this thing) always works.

    The vendor understands your color request — they reach for the item or say 'Sí, tenemos.'

  3. If they show the wrong size, ask for a different one

    Say 'Necesito una talla más [grande/pequeña].'

    • 'grande' = large/big
    • 'pequeña' = small
    • 'más grande' = larger
    • 'más pequeña' = smaller

    Example: 'Necesito una talla más grande.'

    Don't forget the word 'más' (more). 'Necesito una talla grande' means 'I need a large size' — not 'a larger size'. The difference is exactly one word and changes the meaning.

    The vendor picks up a different size and shows it to you.

  4. Confirm the size is right before buying

    If the size looks correct, say 'Sí, esta talla está bien.' (Yes, this size is fine.)

    If you need to check another color first, say '¿Lo tiene también en [color]?' (Do you also have it in [color]?)

    Don't assume the size is correct just because the vendor handed it to you. Always check — sizes vary between countries.

    You have the item in the size and color you want, ready to ask the price.

Checklist
0/6

Shopping for sizes and colors — field checklist

Keep this open on your phone while shopping. Tick each item after you say it.

  • The frame '¿Tiene esto en [color]?' works for any item whose gender you don't know — 'esto' is the neutral form.
  • 'Necesito una talla más grande' uses 'más' to mean 'larger', not just 'large'. Without 'más' you name a size, not a change.
  • Colors in Spanish are adjectives that usually go after the noun: 'una camisa roja' (a red shirt), not 'roja camisa'.
  • The question '¿Lo tiene también en [color]?' lets you ask about a second color of the same item without repeating the whole sentence.
  • When asking for a smaller size, use 'más pequeña' (feminine) for most clothing items; 'más pequeño' is for masculine nouns like 'suéter' (sweater).
  • Vendors may show you a size that looks similar — always confirm with 'Sí, esta talla está bien' before paying.
Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it twice. Focus on the rolled 'r' in 'rojo' and the soft 'll' in 'talla'.

¿Tiene esto en rojo?

Do you have this in red?

/tee-EH-neh ES-toh en ROH-hoh/

Necesito una talla más grande.

I need a larger size.

/neh-seh-SEE-toh OO-nah TAH-yah mahs GRAHN-deh/

¿Lo tiene también en azul?

Do you also have it in blue?

/loh tee-EH-neh tahm-bee-EHN en ah-SOOL/

Sí, esta talla está bien.

Yes, this size is fine.

/see, ES-tah TAH-yah es-TAH bee-EHN/

¿Tiene una talla más pequeña?

Do you have a smaller size?

/tee-EH-neh OO-nah TAH-yah mahs peh-KEH-nyah/

Check yourself

Check your understanding before you try it in the market.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

You see a blue shirt on display but you want it in red and in a larger size. Arrange these steps in the order you would say them.

  • ANecesito una talla más grande.
  • BDisculpe, ¿tiene esto en rojo?
  • CSí, esta talla está bien.
  • D¿Lo tiene también en azul?
2Short answerMarked by AI

A vendor shows you a green sweater (un suéter — masculine noun). You need it in a smaller size. Write the exact Spanish sentence you would say, using 'talla' and the correct adjective form.

Graded on Correct sentence structure · Correct adjective gender · No English interference

3Multiple choiceChecked instantly

You want a red shirt (una camisa). Which sentence correctly asks 'Do you have this in red?' using the right gender for the item?

  • A¿Tiene este en rojo?
  • B¿Tiene esto en rojo?
  • C¿Tiene esta en rojo?
  • D¿Tiene rojo en esto?

Lesson 36

Numbers for prices and quantities

Review numbers 1-1000 and practice understanding and stating prices. Learn to ask 'How much does it cost?' and recognize common pricing phrases like 'demasiado caro'.

15 min4 assessments

When you're shopping in Spain or Latin America, prices are spoken in euros and cents—or pesos and centavos. You'll hear things like "son diez euros con cincuenta" or "cuesta mil pesos". If you freeze at the cashier, you pay more or walk away confused. This lesson reviews numbers up to 1000, teaches the question "¿Cuánto cuesta?", and gets you comfortable with common reactions like "demasiado caro" (too expensive).

Reference

Key Spanish numbers for prices

1

Spanish
uno

2

Spanish
dos

3

Spanish
tres

4

Spanish
cuatro

5

Spanish
cinco

6

Spanish
seis

7

Spanish
siete

8

Spanish
ocho

9

Spanish
nueve

10

Spanish
diez

11

Spanish
once

12

Spanish
doce

13

Spanish
trece

14

Spanish
catorce

15

Spanish
quince

16

Spanish
dieciséis

17

Spanish
diecisiete

18

Spanish
dieciocho

19

Spanish
diecinueve

20

Spanish
veinte

For 21–29, combine veinte with uno, dos, etc., dropping the last vowel: veintiuno, veintidós, veintitrés. For 31–99, say the tens then 'y' then the unit: treinta y uno, cuarenta y dos.

You want to buy 3 T‑shirts that cost €15.50 each. The vendor says: “Son tres camisetas, a quince euros con cincuenta. En total, cuarenta y seis euros con cincuenta.” You hand over a €50 bill. How much change should you get back?

  1. 1

    “quince euros con cincuenta” → 15.50

    The vendor gives the price per item. ‘Con cincuenta’ means ‘with fifty cents’.

1/4
Try it

Move the price slider from €10 to €15. How much extra do you pay when buying 5 items? Tick the discount box: how many euros do you save on 3 items at €20 each? Name the effect—does doubling the price double the total? Does the discount save more on a large quantity?

10.0 €
1
0

Total cost

—

This browser cannot run the calculation (Web Workers are unavailable).

Check yourself

Check your understanding of numbers and prices.

1Numeric answerChecked instantly

You hear 'son doce euros con treinta céntimos' for a kilogram of apples. You buy 3 kilograms. How much do you pay in euros? (Enter a number like 12.30, without the euro sign.)

2Numeric answerChecked instantly

You pay with a €50 bill for a purchase that costs €19.85. How much change do you receive in euros?

3Short answerMarked by AI

Write the Spanish phrase for 'How much does it cost?' (singular) and a possible reply if the price is €5.

Graded on Accuracy of the question phrase · Accuracy of the price response

4Fill the blanksChecked instantly

Lesson 37

Paying and getting change

Learn phrases for completing a purchase, including how to ask 'Do you accept credit cards?', how to say you only have cash, and how to ask for change. Practice common interactions at the register.

10 min3 assessments

You've picked your souvenir, agreed on a price, and now it's time to pay. The transaction at the register is a short script with a few key lines. Once you know them, you'll never fumble for words.

In Spain and most of Latin America, the vendor will often ask "¿Algo más?" (Anything else?) before ringing you up. Your first move is to say "No, gracias. ¿Cuánto es?" (No, thanks. How much is it?).

Then you need to settle the method. The question "¿Aceptan tarjetas?" (Do you accept cards?) is common. If the answer is no, you'll say "Solo tengo efectivo" (I only have cash). If you hand over a large bill, ask "¿Me puede dar cambio?" (Can you give me change?). And if you want to leave the small coins, say "Quédese con el cambio" (Keep the change).

These phrases are the skeleton of every checkout interaction. Learn them in order, and you'll never be stuck at the register.

Steps
0/7

Follow this sequence when you're at the register. Each step builds on the one before it.

  1. Confirm you're done shopping

    The vendor will probably say "¿Algo más?" (Anything else?). You reply "No, gracias. ¿Cuánto es?" (No, thanks. How much is it?). This tells them you're ready to pay.

    If you skip this and just hand over money, the vendor might keep asking if you want more items, slowing things down.

    You heard a price or the vendor started typing on the register.

  2. Acknowledge the price

    The vendor says the total. You nod and say "Muy bien" (Very well) or "De acuerdo" (Agreed). This confirms you accept the price.

    If you don't acknowledge, the vendor might think you're unhappy and start bargaining again.

    You know the exact amount you need to pay.

  3. Ask about card payment

    Before getting your wallet out, ask "¿Aceptan tarjetas?" (Do you accept cards?). If yes, you can pay by card. If no, move to step 4.

    Assuming they take cards is risky—many small stalls only take cash.

    You know whether you'll pay by card or cash.

  4. State you only have cash (if needed)

    If cards aren't accepted, say "Solo tengo efectivo" (I only have cash). Then take out your money.

    Don't hand over a large bill without saying anything—they might think you have exact change.

    The vendor knows you're paying with cash.

  5. Ask for change if needed

    If you have a bill larger than the total, hold it up and say "¿Me puede dar cambio?" (Can you give me change?). If you have exact change, say "Tengo el cambio exacto" (I have the exact change) and hand over the coins.

    If you just hand over a 50€ bill for a 5€ item without asking for change, the vendor might assume you're giving a tip.

    The vendor takes your money and starts counting change.

  6. Receive change and decide about tip

    The vendor gives you change. If you want to leave a small tip, say "Quédese con el cambio" (Keep the change). Otherwise, just say "Gracias".

    Saying "Quédese con el cambio" when you need the exact change back will leave you short.

    You have your change (or you've indicated they should keep it).

  7. Farewell

    End with "Adiós, que tenga buen día" (Goodbye, have a good day) or simply "Gracias, adiós".

    Walking away without a word is considered rude in many Spanish-speaking cultures.

    The vendor says "Gracias" or "Adiós" back.

Checklist
0/7

At the register

Tick each item as you go through the transaction.

Role-play

You're at a market stall in Barcelona. You've chosen a ceramic plate. The vendor is about to ring you up.

You are the customer; you're talking to the vendor.

Goal: Complete the transaction: ask the price, say you only have cash, ask for change, and say goodbye.

Check yourself

Complete the tasks below to test your transaction skills.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

Put the steps of a cash transaction in the correct order. The vendor has already said "¿Algo más?" and you've said you're ready to pay.

  • AAsk "¿Me puede dar cambio?" when handing over a large bill.
  • BSay "Solo tengo efectivo" to explain you're paying with cash.
  • CSay "Gracias, adiós" and leave.
  • DReceive the change and decide whether to say "Quédese con el cambio".
  • EHand over the money.
2Short answerMarked by AI

You are at a market stall and have bought a hat for 15 euros. You only have a 50 euro bill. Write the TWO sentences you would say to the vendor to explain you only have cash and to ask for change. Write them in Spanish.

Graded on Includes both required phrases: 'Solo tengo efectivo' and '¿Me puede dar cambio?' · Appropriate for the context (cash transaction, large bill)

3Multiple choiceChecked instantly

The vendor asks '¿Aceptan tarjetas?' You only have cash. What should you say?

  • ASí, gracias.
  • BNo, solo tengo efectivo.
  • C¿Cuánto es?
  • DQuédese con el cambio.

Lesson 38

Vocabulary for souvenirs and groceries

Build a list of essential vocabulary for common market items: souvenirs (imán, llavero, artesanía) and groceries (fruta, pan, queso). Practice asking for specific items and quantities.

10 min3 assessments

You're at a market stall in Madrid. The vendor asks '¿Qué desea?' (What would you like?). To answer, you need the words for what you see: souvenirs like keychains and handicrafts, and groceries like fruit and cheese. This node gives you the 8 essential nouns you'll reach for most often, plus a phrase to ask for exactly how much you want.

Focus on remembering the Spanish word when you see the English one — that's the direction you'll use when you're at the counter.

Practice
0/8 known
1 / 8
Reference

Market Vocabulary – Souvenirs & Groceries

Souvenirs

Spanish
el imán
English
magnet
Pronunciation
ee-MAHN

Souvenirs

Spanish
el llavero
English
keychain
Pronunciation
yah-VEH-roh

Souvenirs

Spanish
la artesanía
English
handicraft
Pronunciation
ar-teh-sah-NEE-ah

Groceries

Spanish
la fruta
English
fruit
Pronunciation
FROO-tah

Groceries

Spanish
el pan
English
bread
Pronunciation
pahn

Groceries

Spanish
el queso
English
cheese
Pronunciation
KEH-soh

Groceries

Spanish
la manzana
English
apple
Pronunciation
mahn-SAH-nah

Groceries

Spanish
el plátano
English
banana
Pronunciation
PLAH-tah-noh

Use 'un kilo de' (a kilo of) or 'medio kilo de' (half a kilo of) before the noun to ask for quantity. E.g., 'Un kilo de manzanas, por favor.'

  • The definite articles are 'el' (masculine) and 'la' (feminine) – learn each noun with its article.
  • For quantities, use 'un kilo de' or 'medio kilo de' before the noun (and make the noun plural for countable items like apples).
  • The 8 words cover 90% of the souvenir and grocery purchases you'll make in a typical market.
  • To ask 'How much is it?' say '¿Cuánto cuesta?' – but you need the noun first to point at what you want.
Listen
0:000:16

Listen and repeat each word twice. First the Spanish, then the English. el imán – magnet el llavero – keychain la artesanía – handicraft la fruta – fruit el pan – bread el queso – cheese la manzana – apple el plátano – banana

Check yourself

Check your vocabulary.

1Fill the blanksChecked instantly

Graded on Correct word · Article included

2Select all that applyChecked instantly

Which of the following are fruits? (Select more than one.)

  • Ala manzana
  • Bel pan
  • Cel queso
  • Del plátano

Graded on Selection of fruits · No false positives

3Multiple choiceChecked instantly

What does 'la artesanía' mean?

  • Akeychain
  • Bhandicraft
  • Cmagnet
  • Dbread

Graded on Correct translation · Does not confuse with similar words

Lesson 40

Buying a bus or train ticket

Learn how to ask for a ticket to a specific destination, specify one-way or round-trip, and understand the ticket price and platform information. Practice dialogues at the ticket counter.

15 min2 assessments
  • Use 'Un billete para [destination]' to ask for a ticket.
  • Specify 'ida y vuelta' (round trip) or 'sólo ida' (one way).
  • Prices are given in euros; listen for numbers 1–100.
  • Ask '¿De qué andén sale?' to find the platform.
  • The ticket office phrase '¿A qué hora sale?' asks the departure time.
  • Hand over coins or a small note; exact change is appreciated.
Steps
0/5

You're at the ticket counter in a Spanish train station. Follow these steps to buy a round-trip ticket to Barcelona.

  1. Greet and get attention

    Say 'Buenos días' (morning) or 'Buenas tardes' (afternoon) with a smile. Then 'Un billete, por favor'.

    Don't rush; wait for the clerk to acknowledge you.

    The clerk looks at you and says 'Dígame' or '¿Qué desea?'

  2. State your destination

    Say 'Para Barcelona, por favor'. If you need a specific station, add the station name: 'Para Barcelona Sants'.

    Pronounce 'Barcelona' with a soft 'th' sound in Spain (Bar-the-LO-na).

    The clerk repeats the destination or nods.

  3. Specify one-way or round-trip

    Say 'Ida y vuelta' for round trip or 'Sólo ida' for one way. If you need a return date, add 'para el [day]' (e.g., 'para el viernes').

    Don't say 'vuelta' alone; it means 'return' but 'ida y vuelta' is the full phrase.

    The clerk asks '¿Ida y vuelta?' to confirm.

  4. Ask the price and pay

    Say '¿Cuánto cuesta?' The clerk will say a number (e.g., 'Veinte euros'). Hand over the money. If you need change, say 'Aquí tiene' while giving a larger bill.

    Euros use commas as decimals: 'veinte con cincuenta' = €20.50. Listen for 'con' between euros and cents.

    You receive the ticket and any change. Count it quickly.

  5. Ask for platform and time

    Say '¿De qué andén sale?' (which platform) and '¿A qué hora sale?' (what time). The clerk may point or say a number.

    Platforms are often called 'vía' (track) instead of 'andén' on some systems. If you hear 'vía', it's the same.

    You know the platform number and departure time.

Checklist
0/5

At the ticket counter – field checklist

Tick each item before you approach the counter. If you miss one, go back and prepare.

Role-play

You're at the Atocha station ticket counter in Madrid. You want a round-trip ticket to Sevilla, leaving tomorrow morning and returning the day after.

You are the customer; you're talking to the ticket clerk.

Goal: Buy a round-trip ticket to Sevilla, confirm the price, and ask for the platform.

Check yourself

Check your understanding of buying a ticket.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

Put these steps for buying a ticket in the correct order from first to last. (Drag the options into order.)

  • AAsk for the platform and departure time.
  • BSay 'Buenos días' and 'Un billete, por favor'.
  • CSpecify 'ida y vuelta' or 'sólo ida'.
  • DState your destination (e.g., 'Para Sevilla').
  • EListen to the price and pay.
2Short answerMarked by AI

You want a one-way ticket to Granada. Write what you would say to the ticket clerk in Spanish, in the correct order. Include the greeting, the request, and the type of ticket. (2–4 sentences.)

Graded on Includes a greeting appropriate to the time of day. · States destination using 'Un billete para [city]'. · Specifies one-way ticket with correct phrase. · Overall sentence order is natural and polite.

Lesson 41

Asking about schedules and departures

Practice asking '¿A qué hora sale?' and understanding replies about departure times, delays, and platforms. Learn to read simple schedules and ask for the next departure.

15 min5 assessments

You've bought your ticket — now you need to know when the bus or train actually leaves. In Spanish, the question is always the same: ¿A qué hora sale? (At what time does it leave?).

But the reply can come in several forms. A station employee might say Sale a las tres (It leaves at three). A digital board might show Salida: 14:30 — Andén 3 (Departure: 14:30 — Platform 3). And sometimes you'll hear Sale a las tres y cuarto (quarter past three) or diez para las cuatro (ten to four).

Delays are common. Listen for retraso (delay): El tren tiene un retraso de veinte minutos (The train has a twenty-minute delay). If you miss your connection, ask ¿Cuándo sale el próximo? (When does the next one leave?). The answer will include el próximo (the next one) and a time.

Platforms and gates are announced with andén (platform) for trains and puerta (gate) for buses or planes: El autobús sale de la puerta 4 (The bus leaves from gate 4).

This node gives you exactly the phrases and listening skills to handle departure boards and spoken announcements.

Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it aloud twice. Focus on the rhythm and the rolled 'r' in *retraso*.

¿A qué hora sale?

At what time does it leave?

/ah KEH OH-rah SAH-leh/

¿Cuándo sale el próximo?

When does the next one leave?

/KWAHN-doh SAH-leh el PROK-see-moh/

El tren tiene un retraso de veinte minutos.

The train has a twenty-minute delay.

/el tren TYEH-neh oon reh-TRAH-soh deh VAYN-teh mee-NOO-tohs/

Salida, andén tres.

Departure, platform three.

/sah-LEE-dah, ahn-DEHN tres/

El autobús sale de la puerta cuatro.

The bus leaves from gate four.

/el ow-toh-BOOS SAH-leh deh lah PWEHR-tah KWAH-troh/

Role-play

You are at Madrid's Atocha train station. You want to catch a train to Seville. You missed the 10:30 departure and need to ask the information desk about the next one. The AI plays the station agent.

You are the traveler; you're talking to the station agent.

Goal: Ask for the next departure to Seville and find out which platform it leaves from.

Reading a departure board at Madrid Chamartín

You look up at the board and see:

HoraDestinoAndénEstado
12:30Barcelona5A tiempo
13:00Valencia2Retraso 15 min
13:15Sevilla4A tiempo

You want the next train to Barcelona. The 12:30 is already gone (it's 12:40). You walk to the counter and say:

— ¿Cuándo sale el próximo tren a Barcelona? (12:30 ya pasó.)

The agent replies: — El próximo sale a las 14:00, del andén 5.

You understand: the next departure is at 2:00 PM from platform 5, and it's on time (a tiempo).

Check yourself

Check your understanding of departure vocabulary.

1Fill the blanksChecked instantly
2Multiple choiceChecked instantly

You hear 'El autobús sale de la puerta 7.' What should you look for?

  • AThe bus departs from platform 7.
  • BThe bus departs from gate 7.
  • CThe bus is delayed by 7 minutes.
  • DThe bus leaves at 7 o'clock.
3Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Which question do you use to ask 'At what time does the next train leave?'

  • A¿A qué hora sale el próximo tren?
  • B¿Cuándo llega el tren?
  • C¿Dónde está el andén?
  • D¿Cuánto cuesta el billete?
Check yourself
1Short answerMarked by AI

Imagine you are at a bus station in Madrid and need to ask the ticket clerk when the next bus to Barcelona leaves. Write exactly what you would say in Spanish.

Graded on Uses the correct question structure for departure time · Includes the correct vocabulary for 'next' and 'bus' · Is a complete, grammatically coherent sentence in Spanish

2Short answerMarked by AI

After the dialogue, write down the exact Spanish phrase you would use to ask which platform the next train to Seville departs from.

Graded on Uses correct question structure for asking about platform · Uses correct vocabulary for platform in Spanish

Lesson 42

Giving a destination to a taxi driver

Learn how to tell a taxi driver where you want to go, including addresses, landmarks, and directions. Practice phrases like 'Lléveme a...' and 'Por favor, pare aquí.'

10 min2 assessments

You've flagged a taxi. The driver has asked '¿Adónde va?' (Where are you going?). Now you need to say where, clearly and without confusion. This isn't about memorizing one phrase—it's about building the sentence for any destination.

The core structure is 'Lléveme a...' (Take me to...). After that comes the place: an address, a landmark, or a neighborhood. If the driver doesn't know the exact spot, you add a reference point with 'cerca de' (near) or 'al lado de' (next to).

You also need two other commands: 'Pare aquí, por favor' (Stop here, please) when you've arrived, and 'Espere un momento, por favor' (Wait a moment, please) if you need to grab something before continuing.

Numbers matter. Street numbers, intersections, and distances all use Spanish numbers. You already know 1–20 from the basics; now you'll use them in context.

Steps
0/5

You're outside Madrid's Atocha station. You need to get to Calle de Alcalá 45, near the Plaza de Cibeles. Follow these steps to tell the driver.

  1. Get the driver's attention

    Say 'Buenas tardes' (Good afternoon) or 'Hola' (Hi) to establish politeness. Then say 'Lléveme a...'

    Skipping the greeting can feel rude; drivers expect a brief saludo.

    The driver nods or says 'Buenas tardes' back.

  2. State the street and number

    Say '...la Calle de Alcalá, número cuarenta y cinco' (Alcalá Street, number 45). Pronounce 'cuarenta y cinco' clearly—it's forty-five, not forty-four.

    If you say 'cuatro cinco' (four five), the driver may think you mean 4 or 5, not 45. Use the full number.

    The driver repeats 'Calle de Alcalá, 45' or starts driving.

  3. Add a landmark for clarity

    If the driver looks unsure, add 'cerca de la Plaza de Cibeles' (near Cibeles Square). Say: 'Es cerca de la Plaza de Cibeles.'

    Don't say 'al lado de' if it's several blocks away—'cerca de' is safer.

    The driver says 'Ah, sí, cerca de Cibeles' and continues.

  4. Confirm the route if needed

    If the driver asks '¿Por dónde?' (Which way?), you can say 'Por la Gran Vía, por favor' (Via Gran Vía, please) or 'La ruta más rápida, por favor' (The fastest route, please).

    If you don't know the city, don't guess a street—just say 'la ruta más rápida'.

    The driver nods or says 'Vale' (Okay).

  5. Tell the driver to stop

    When you see your destination, say 'Pare aquí, por favor' (Stop here, please). If you need to get out quickly, add 'Tengo prisa' (I'm in a hurry).

    Saying 'Stop' in English may not be understood. Use 'Pare'—it's the formal command.

    The driver pulls over and stops the meter.

Checklist
0/5

Giving a taxi destination—field checklist

Keep this list open on your phone while in the taxi. Tick each item after you say it.

Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it twice out loud. Focus on the stress marked in the phonetic guide.

Lléveme a

Take me to

/YEH-veh-meh ah/

la Calle de Alcalá

Alcalá Street

/lah KAH-yeh deh ahl-kah-LAH/

número cuarenta y cinco

number forty-five

/NOO-meh-roh kwah-REN-tah ee SEEN-koh/

cerca de la Plaza de Cibeles

near Cibeles Square

/SER-kah deh lah PLAH-thah deh see-BEH-les/

Pare aquí, por favor

Stop here, please

/PAH-reh ah-KEE, por fah-VOR/

Check yourself

Check that you can build the right sentence for a taxi.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

You need to tell a taxi driver to take you to number 22 on Gran Vía, near the Teatro Real. Put these steps in the correct order for the conversation.

  • ASay 'Pare aquí, por favor' when you arrive
  • BSay 'Lléveme a la Gran Vía, número veintidós'
  • CAdd 'cerca del Teatro Real'
  • DGreet with 'Buenas tardes'
2Short answerMarked by AI

You are in Barcelona and need to go to the Sagrada Familia. The driver doesn't know the exact entrance. Write what you say in Spanish, including the greeting, the command, and a clarifying landmark. (2–4 sentences)

Graded on Includes greeting and command phrase · States destination and clarifying landmark · Includes stop command

Go deeper

Read the 'Hailing and riding' section for more context on taxi etiquette in Spanish-speaking countries.

Lesson 43

Understanding ticket information

Learn to read key information on tickets: departure time, platform, seat number, and validity. Practice interpreting common abbreviations and symbols.

10 min3 assessments

You've got the ticket in your hand. The bus or train leaves in ten minutes, but you need to know which platform, what time, and where to sit. A Spanish ticket is packed with abbreviations and numbers — and one wrong platform could mean missing the bus. This lesson teaches you to read the key fields: departure time, platform, seat, and validity, so you can move confidently through a station.

  • Departure time is always written in 24-hour format (e.g., 17:30, not 5:30 PM).
  • Platform is labeled 'andén' on train tickets; on buses it's often 'plataforma' or 'puerta'.
  • Seat number appears as 'asiento' or 'plaza'; a ticket without a seat means you stand or choose any empty seat.
  • Validity period ('válido hasta') tells you the last day or time you can use the ticket — important for return tickets.
  • Common abbreviations: 'Sal.' = salida (departure), 'Lleg.' = llegada (arrival), 'Clase' = class (Turista or Preferente).

Not all tickets are the same. The biggest choice is between a single ticket, a return ticket, and a multi-trip pass. Here's how they compare:

Single (sencillo / ida)

Price per trip
Highest per trip
Validity period
One specific departure only
Flexibility to change
None – fixed date and time
Best for
A one-way trip; you know exactly when you travel

Best for A single journey with a fixed plan, like a bus from the airport to the city.

Return (ida y vuelta)

Price per trip
Usually cheaper than two singles
Validity period
Same day or a specific date range
Flexibility to change
Some operators allow a different return time if you change it before departure
Best for
A day trip or a round trip within a few days.

Best for A day trip to another city where you'll return the same day.

Multi-trip (abono / bono)

Price per trip
Lowest per trip
Validity period
Fixed period (e.g., 10 trips in 30 days)
Flexibility to change
Very flexible – you use trips anytime within the period
Best for
Frequent travel on the same route, like commuting or several days of sightseeing.

Best for A week-long stay with daily metro or bus rides.

Reading a Real Renfe Cercanías Ticket

Here is a typical ticket for a suburban train in Spain. The information is in Spanish, but the layout is predictable.

FieldSpanish textWhat it means
Origin → DestinationMADRID-ATOCHA → ALCALÁ DE HENARESThe route from Madrid Atocha to Alcalá de Henares
Date30/09/2025Day and month (DD/MM/YYYY)
Departure timeSalida: 17:455:45 PM (24-hour clock)
Arrival timeLlegada: 18:156:15 PM
PlatformAndén 6Board on track/platform 6
SeatAsiento: 14ASeat 14A (window seat in row 14)
ClassClase: TuristaStandard class (not Preferente)
ValidityVálido solo para el tren indicadoOnly valid for this specific train

Notice that the ticket says 'válido solo para el tren indicado' – you cannot take a later train with this single ticket. On a return ticket, you would see a second section for the return leg.

Reference

Common Abbreviations & Symbols on Spanish Tickets

Sal.

Full Spanish
Salida
English meaning
Departure

Lleg.

Full Spanish
Llegada
English meaning
Arrival

And.

Full Spanish
Andén
English meaning
Platform (train)

Plat.

Full Spanish
Plataforma
English meaning
Platform (bus)

As.

Full Spanish
Asiento
English meaning
Seat

Plaza

Full Spanish
Plaza
English meaning
Seat (also used for standing room)

Válido hasta

Full Spanish
Válido hasta
English meaning
Valid until (date/time)

Turista

Full Spanish
Turista
English meaning
Standard class

Preferente

Full Spanish
Preferente
English meaning
First class (wider seats, more legroom)

Coche

Full Spanish
Coche
English meaning
Coach/Car (e.g., Coche 7 means carriage 7)

Puerta

Full Spanish
Puerta
English meaning
Gate (bus or airport)

IDA

Full Spanish
Ida
English meaning
One-way / outward journey

VUELTA

Full Spanish
Vuelta
English meaning
Return journey

SIN ASIENTO

Full Spanish
Sin asiento
English meaning
No seat reservation (stand or sit anywhere)

These abbreviations appear on tickets from Renfe, Alsa, Metro, and regional bus companies. When in doubt, look for the bolded words – they are usually the most important.

Decide

You are at Madrid Atocha station. You need to get to Segovia for the day. You have two ticket options in front of you. Read the information and make the right choice.

Ticket A: 'Madrid Atocha → Segovia, Salida 09:30, Andén 5, Turista, Válido solo para el tren indicado.' Ticket B: 'Madrid Atocha → Segovia, Salida 09:30, Andén 8, Preferente, Válido 30 días para cualquier tren.' You plan to return at 18:00. Which ticket do you choose?

Check yourself

Check your understanding of ticket information.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

On a Spanish train ticket, what does the abbreviation 'And.' stand for?

  • AAndén (platform)
  • BAndalucía (the region)
  • CAvenida (avenue)
  • DAndar (to walk)
2Select all that applyChecked instantly

Which of the following are valid reasons to choose a multi-trip pass (abono) over a single ticket? (Select all that apply.)

  • AYou plan to make several trips on the same route over a week.
  • BYou want the cheapest per-trip price.
  • CYou need the flexibility to change your departure time at the last minute.
  • DYou are only traveling one way and will not return.
3Short answerMarked by AI

Look at this ticket: 'Salida: 14:20, Andén 3, Asiento 7B, Válido hasta 30/09/2025, Clase Turista.' At what time does the train depart, and on which platform? What does 'Válido hasta 30/09/2025' mean?

Graded on Correctly identifies departure time and platform · Correctly interprets validity phrase · Uses appropriate Spanish terminology or clear English equivalents

Lesson 44

Vocabulary for transport modes

Build vocabulary for different types of transport: autobús, tren, metro, taxi, and related words like estación, parada, billete, and horario.

10 min5 assessments

You already know how to ask for a ticket and the time. But when you're standing at a bus stop in Madrid, the sign says Parada de Autobús, and when the announcement says Próxima estación, you need to know that means the next station. This node is about fixing the core words for transport modes and the places they use, so you can read signs, hear announcements and say where you're going without hesitation.

Practice
0/8 known
1 / 8
Reference

Key Spanish Transport Vocabulary

autobús

English
bus
Category
Mode

tren

English
train
Category
Mode

metro

English
subway / metro
Category
Mode

taxi

English
taxi
Category
Mode

estación

English
station (train/bus)
Category
Place

parada

English
stop (bus/tram)
Category
Place

billete

English
ticket
Category
Ticket & Schedule

horario

English
schedule / timetable
Category
Ticket & Schedule

andén

English
platform
Category
Place

conductor

English
driver
Category
People

tarifa

English
fare
Category
Ticket & Schedule

Use this table when you need to quickly find the word for a sign or a transaction. Sort by category: learn the modes first, then the places, then ticket words.

  • The word for bus is autobús; the bus stop is parada (not estación, which is for trains).
  • Most Spanish cities call the subway metro, but in Mexico City it's also metro, not 'subway'.
  • A billete is a single ticket; if you need a return ticket ask for ida y vuelta.
  • Horario is the timetable; a common question is ¿Cuál es el horario?
  • Estación is used for train stations and bus stations; parada is for a bus stop.
  • Taxi is the same word, but pronounce it TAH-ksee with the stress on the first syllable.
Check yourself

Check that you can recall and use the transport vocabulary.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Which Spanish word means 'ticket'?

  • Ahorario
  • Bbillete
  • Cestación
  • Dparada
2Fill the blanksChecked instantly
3Select all that applyChecked instantly

Select all words that are modes of transport. (More than one is correct.)

  • Aautobús
  • Btren
  • Cparada
  • Dmetro
  • Etaxi
4Short answerMarked by AI

You are in Madrid. You see a sign that says "Estación de Autobuses" but you are looking for a bus stop. Is this sign correct? Explain using the words "estación" and "parada".

Graded on Identifies correct use of 'estación' vs 'parada' · Uses both vocabulary words correctly in explanation

5Short answerMarked by AI

You need to go from your hotel to the airport. The metro runs every 10 minutes, costs €4.50, and takes 40 minutes. A taxi costs €30 and takes 20 minutes. Which do you choose and why? Use at least two transport vocabulary words from this lesson (e.g., autobús, metro, taxi, billete, horario, parada, estación) in your answer.

Graded on States a clear choice with justification · Includes at least two transport vocabulary words from the lesson · Grammar and clarity

Lesson 45

Small talk: hobbies, family, and the weather

You will be able to sustain a short conversation about personal topics using the present tense. Covers talking about work, family members, hobbies, likes and dislikes, and commenting on the weather. Prevents running out of things to say after hola.

30 min4 assessments

After greetings and transport, small talk is your next bridge. You already know how to use the present tense to ask “¿A qé hora sale el autobús? (At what time does the bus leave?). Now you’ll apply that same grammar to talk about yourself. Small talk in Spanish revolves around hobbies, family, and the weather — three topics that nearly always come up. This lesson gives you the phrases and the practice to keep the conversation going.

Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it twice out loud. Focus on the rhythm, not perfect accent.

¿Cuál es tu pasatiempo favorito?

What is your favorite hobby?

/kwahl ess too pah-sah-tee-EHM-poh fah-voh-REE-toh/

Me gusta leer y cocinar.

I like reading and cooking.

/meh GOOS-tah leh-EHR ee ko-see-NAHR/

¿Tienes hermanos?

Do you have siblings?

/tee-EHN-ess ehr-MAH-nos/

Tengo dos hermanas.

I have two sisters.

/TEN-goh dohs ehr-MAH-nahs/

Hace sol hoy.

It's sunny today.

/AH-theh sol oy/

Hace frío.

It's cold.

/AH-theh FREE-oh/

Small talk in action

You meet Carlos in the hostel's common room.

Carlos: Hola, soy Carlos. ¿De dónde eres? Tú: Hola, soy [tu nombre]. Soy de Estados Unidos. Carlos: ¡Qué bien! ¿Te gusta viajar? Tú: Sí, me gusta mucho viajar. Mi pasatiempo favorito es leer. Carlos: Interesante. Hoy hace buen tiempo, ¿verdad? Tú: Sí, hace sol. Me gusta el clima aquí.

Role-play

You're at a hostel in Barcelona. It's the common room. Another traveler, Carlos, sits next to you. Start a conversation about hobbies and the weather.

You are the yourself; you're talking to the Carlos.

Goal: Find out what Carlos likes to do in his free time and tell him about your hobbies and today's weather.

  • Use “¿Te gusta...?” to ask about likes and hobbies; answer with “Me gusta / No me gusta” plus the activity.
  • “¿Tienes hermanos?” asks about siblings; respond with “Tengo...” and the number.
  • To comment on the weather, use “Hace” + a weather word: sol, buen tiempo, frío, calor, viento.
  • The present tense conjugations you practiced for transport work the same way for personal topics.
  • Keep the conversation flowing by adding short reactions like ¡Qué bien! or ¡Interesante!
Check yourself

Check your understanding of small talk phrases.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Someone asks you “¿Te gusta la música?” What is the most natural response?

  • ASí, me gusta mucho.
  • BSí, tengo música.
  • CSí, soy música.
  • DSí, hago música.
2Fill the blanksChecked instantly
3Short answerMarked by AI

You are at a café and want to comment on the weather. The weather is nice and sunny. Write two different Spanish phrases you could say.

Graded on Uses appropriate weather phrases · Spelling and article

4Short answerMarked by AI

Write a question in Spanish to ask someone about their hobbies.

Graded on Question formation and grammar · Vocabulary for hobbies

Lesson 46

Handling problems and emergencies

You will be able to explain a problem, ask for help, and understand basic replies in common difficult situations. Covers phrases for lost items, feeling ill, visiting a pharmacy, and contacting the police. Prevents a minor issue turning into a crisis because you cannot communicate what is wrong.

25 min4 assessments

You're in a small Spanish town. Your phone is dying, your wallet is gone, and you don't know the way back to the hotel. Panic claws at your throat. Now imagine you also cannot explain what happened to the person in front of you. That gap—between the crisis and the words—turns a bad ten minutes into a ruined afternoon. This node bridges that gap. You'll learn the phrases that stop a minor problem from becoming a disaster: how to say what you need, how to ask for help, and how to understand the reply. The stakes are real: a missed medication, a delayed report, a wasted hour of daylight. Let's put the right words in your mouth before you need them.

  • Use '¡Ayuda!' or '¡Socorro!' to shout for assistance in an immediate danger.
  • Say 'Necesito ayuda' (I need help) to start a conversation with a stranger or official.
  • State your problem with 'Me han robado' (I have been robbed), 'Me he perdido' (I am lost), or 'Estoy enfermo/a' (I am sick).
  • To ask for a specific service, say 'Llame a una ambulancia' (Call an ambulance) or 'Necesito un médico' (I need a doctor).
  • When reporting a lost item, describe it with 'Es...' (It is...) and its color, size, or material.
  • Understand basic replies: 'Voy a llamar a la policía' (I will call the police), 'Espere aquí' (Wait here), 'Tome asiento' (Take a seat).
Decide

You are walking back to your hotel at dusk in Granada. You reach into your pocket—your phone is gone. You retrace your steps but find nothing. Nearby is a police officer. You must approach and explain the situation. Choose your words carefully.

How do you first get the officer's attention?

Role-play

You feel dizzy and have a headache. You enter a pharmacy (farmacia) to ask for help. The pharmacist greets you.

You are the customer; you're talking to the pharmacist.

Goal: Explain your symptoms and ask for a remedy for a headache.

Checklist
0/6

Before you act in an emergency

Practice these phrases aloud before you travel. In a real emergency, you will not have time to look them up.

Check yourself

Check your understanding of emergency phrases.

1Select all that applyChecked instantly

Which of the following are appropriate phrases to use when you are lost and need help? (Select all that apply.)

  • AMe he perdido.
  • B¿Dónde está la estación de policía?
  • CEstoy enfermo.
  • DNecesito ayuda.
  • EHace buen tiempo.
2Put in orderChecked instantly

Put the following steps in the correct order for reporting a stolen wallet to a police officer.

  • ADescribe the wallet: 'Es negra y pequeña.'
  • BSay 'Me han robado la cartera.'
  • CTell where it happened: 'En la plaza mayor.'
  • DGreet the officer: 'Buenos días.'
3Short answerMarked by AI

You are in a pharmacy and feel very sick. Write two sentences in Spanish: first, tell the pharmacist you are sick, and second, ask for a doctor.

Graded on Correct use of 'Estoy' + condition · Correct phrase for needing a doctor

4Multiple choiceChecked instantly

What should you say to get someone to call an ambulance?

  • ALlame a una ambulancia.
  • BNecesito un taxi.
  • C¿Dónde está el hospital?
  • DEstoy bien.

Lesson 47

Key phrases for medical emergencies

You will be able to describe symptoms, ask for a doctor or pharmacy, and understand basic instructions in a medical scenario. Covers body parts, pain descriptions, and emergency numbers. Prevents wasting time trying to mime stomach ache when every second counts.

20 min3 assessments

You are in a Spanish-speaking country and something goes wrong — a bad fall, an allergic reaction, sudden chest pain. Every second counts. If you cannot say "Necesito un médico" or "Me duele aquí", you waste precious time miming or searching your phone. This node arms you with the exact phrases to describe symptoms, name body parts, and call for help. The goal is to get you from panic to treatment as fast as possible.

Emergency numbers: In Spain and most of Latin America, dial 112 (the EU emergency number). In Mexico, 911 works as well. Know these before you need them.

Core phrases you will learn:

  • "Necesito un médico" – I need a doctor.
  • "Llame a una ambulancia" – Call an ambulance.
  • "Me duele aquí" – It hurts here.
  • "Tengo fiebre / náuseas / mareo" – I have a fever / nausea / dizziness.
  • "Soy alérgico a…" – I am allergic to…
  • "¿Dónde está el hospital / la farmacia?" – Where is the hospital / pharmacy?

You already know how to explain a problem from the previous node; now make it medical. If you mix up "Me duele la cabeza" (head hurts) and "Me duele el estómago" (stomach hurts), the treatment changes. Accuracy saves lives.

Checklist
0/7

Medical Emergency Readiness Checklist

Review this checklist aloud until each item feels automatic. In an emergency, stress will block everything you hesitate on.

Reference

Medical Emergency Quick Reference

Necesito un médico.

English
I need a doctor.
Use this when…
You or someone else needs medical attention.

Llame a una ambulancia.

English
Call an ambulance.
Use this when…
Someone cannot walk or condition is urgent.

Me duele la cabeza / el pecho / el estómago.

English
My head / chest / stomach hurts.
Use this when…
Pointing to the area while saying this clears up ambiguity.

Tengo fiebre / náuseas / mareo.

English
I have a fever / nausea / dizziness.
Use this when…
Describing the type of symptom, not just location.

Soy alérgico a… la penicilina / los frutos secos.

English
I am allergic to… penicillin / nuts.
Use this when…
Before any medication or food given.

¿Dónde está el hospital? / la farmacia?

English
Where is the hospital? / pharmacy?
Use this when…
Asking for directions while mobile.

¿Tiene algo para el dolor? / la alergia?

English
Do you have something for pain? / allergy?
Use this when…
In a pharmacy when you need medicine.

No puedo respirar.

English
I can't breathe.
Use this when…
Critical—use this phrase to get immediate help.

Se ha desmayado / ha perdido el conocimiento.

English
He/she has fainted / lost consciousness.
Use this when…
Describing someone else's condition.

Print or save this table on your phone before your trip. Practice reading it aloud at least twice.

Role-play

You are in a pharmacy in Madrid. You feel dizzy and nauseous after lunch. You need to explain your symptoms and ask for advice.

You are the customer; you're talking to the pharmacist.

Goal: Describe your symptoms and ask if they have something for dizziness.

Decide

You are hiking in the mountains near Granada with a friend. Your friend slips on a rock, lands badly, and cries out in pain. You see the ankle swelling rapidly. You have phone signal. What do you do?

Your friend is in pain and cannot stand. What is your first action?

Check yourself

Check that you can recall and apply the key phrases.

1Select all that applyChecked instantly

Which of the following are appropriate Spanish phrases to say in a medical emergency? (Select all that apply.)

  • ANecesito un médico.
  • BMe gusta la paella.
  • CLlame a una ambulancia.
  • D¿Dónde está el baño?
  • ESoy alérgico a los mariscos.
  • FTengo un dolor de cabeza.
2Put in orderChecked instantly

Put the following actions in the correct order when you encounter someone having a severe allergic reaction.

  • ACall emergency services (112).
  • BAsk the person if they are allergic and check for EpiPen.
  • CDescribe symptoms (e.g., difficulty breathing, swelling).
  • DStay on the line until help arrives and provide location.
3Short answerMarked by AI

Write the exact Spanish phrase for: 'I have a severe allergic reaction.'

Graded on Grammar and word order · Vocabulary – key words · Completeness

Lesson 48

Reporting a lost item

Learn how to report a lost item to hotel staff, police, or at a lost and found. Practice describing the item and where you last had it.

10 min3 assessments

You’ve spent the morning exploring the market, and when you reach into your pocket for your phone, it’s gone. Your heart sinks. To get it back, you need to report the loss — in Spanish. This node gives you the exact steps and phrases to report a lost item clearly, whether you’re talking to hotel staff, a police officer, or a lost-and-found desk. You'll also practice describing the item and where you last had it, so you can act fast and get help.

Steps
0/6

Follow these steps to report a lost item. Each step includes the Spanish phrase you need and a warning about what can go wrong.

  1. Greet and state the problem

    Start with a polite greeting: 'Buenos días / Buenas tardes. He perdido...' (Good morning/afternoon. I have lost...). Use 'he perdido' (I have lost) followed by the item. Example: 'Buenos días, he perdido mi teléfono.'

    Using 'perdí' (I lost) is also correct but less formal; stick with 'he perdido' for reported situations.

    The person responds with '¿Qué ha perdido?' (What have you lost?) or similar.

  2. Describe the item

    Give details: color, size, brand. For example: 'Es un teléfono negro pequeño, de la marca Samsung.' (It's a small black Samsung phone.) Use 'es' (it is) + article + noun + adjectives.

    Match gender: 'teléfono' is masculine -> 'negro', 'pequeño'. If feminine (e.g., 'mochila'), use 'negra', 'pequeña'.

    The person nods or asks for more details.

  3. Say where you last saw it

    Use 'Lo/La vi por última vez en...' (I saw it last in...). 'Lo' for masculine items, 'La' for feminine. Example: 'Lo vi por última vez en el mercado.'

    Mixing up lo/la causes confusion. If unsure, say 'el objeto' and use 'lo'.

    They might repeat the location to confirm.

  4. Ask about lost and found

    Ask '¿Hay alguna oficina de objetos perdidos?' (Is there a lost and found office?) or '¿Alguien ha entregado algo?' (Has anyone turned something in?)

    Don't assume they know; they might direct you to reception.

    They point or give directions.

  5. Provide contact information

    Give your name and room number: 'Me llamo [Name] y estoy en la habitación [number].' (My name is... and I'm in room...). Also give your phone number if needed.

    If you don't have a room, give your hotel name.

    They write it down or confirm.

  6. Thank them and follow up

    Say 'Muchas gracias. ¿Puedo volver más tarde?' (Thank you. Can I come back later?) or ask for a contact number.

    Don't leave without a clear next step.

    They say 'Sí, claro' or give a reference number.

Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it twice. Focus on the pronunciation of the vowels and the rolled 'r' in 'perdido'.

He perdido mi maleta.

I have lost my suitcase.

/eh pehr-DEE-doh mee mah-LEH-tah/

¿Dónde está la oficina de objetos perdidos?

Where is the lost and found office?

/DOHN-deh ehs-TAH lah oh-fee-SEE-nah deh ohb-HEH-tohs pehr-DEE-dohs/

Lo vi por última vez en el restaurante.

I saw it last in the restaurant.

/loh vee pohr OOL-tee-mah vehs ehn ehl rehs-tah-RAHN-teh/

Es una mochila azul pequeña.

It's a small blue backpack.

/ehs OO-nah moh-CHEE-lah ah-SOOL peh-KEH-nyah/

¿Alguien ha entregado algo?

Has anyone turned something in?

/ahl-gyehn ah ehn-treh-GAH-doh AHL-goh/

Role-play

You are at the hotel reception. You lost your wallet. The receptionist (AI) greets you. Your goal is to report the loss and ask what to do.

You are the huésped; you're talking to the recepcionista.

Goal: Report a lost wallet and get instructions on how to proceed.

Checklist
0/7

Reporting a Lost Item – Field Checklist

Keep this checklist open while you practice the dialogue.

Check yourself

Now check your understanding of the steps and phrases.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

Put the steps for reporting a lost item in the correct order, from first to last.

  • AGreet and state you lost something.
  • BDescribe the item (color, size, brand).
  • CSay where you last saw it.
  • DAsk about the lost and found.
  • EProvide your contact information.
  • FThank them and ask for follow-up.
2Short answerMarked by AI

You lost your phone at the beach. Write a short message in Spanish (2–3 sentences) to report it to the lifeguard. Include: what you lost, where you last had it, and your name.

Graded on Uses correct vocabulary for lost item and location · Uses correct verb form (he perdido) and gender agreement · Provides name and follows polite greeting

3Multiple choiceChecked instantly

You are at a museum and you can't find your bag. You ask a staff member. Which phrase is correct?

  • A¿Has perdido mi bolsa?
  • BHe perdido mi bolsa.
  • CPerdí mi bolsa.
  • DMi bolsa está perdida.

Lesson 49

Visiting a pharmacy

Learn how to ask for common medications and describe symptoms at a pharmacy. Practice phrases like '¿Tiene algo para el dolor de cabeza?' and understanding pharmacist's instructions.

15 min3 assessments

You're in Spain, your head is pounding, and the hotel receptionist points you to a farmacia across the street. You walk in and see shelves of boxes with names you don't recognise. The pharmacist asks '¿Qué necesita?' – you need to say what hurts and ask for something that works. This lesson gives you the exact phrases and the order to say them so you walk out with the right medicine, not a confused shrug.

  • Use usted (formal 'you') with the pharmacist: '¿Tiene usted algo para…?'
  • State your symptom with me duele (it hurts me) + body part: 'Me duele la cabeza'.
  • Ask for a specific type: '¿Tiene algo para el dolor de cabeza?' (pain), '¿Tiene algo para la alergia?' (allergy).
  • Understand dosage instructions: 'Tome una pastilla cada 8 horas' (take one pill every 8 hours).
  • If you need a prescription, the pharmacist will say 'Necesita receta médica' – then ask '¿Dónde puedo encontrar un médico?'
Steps
0/5

Follow these steps when you enter a Spanish pharmacy. Each step has what to say, what the pharmacist might reply, and what to watch out for.

  1. Greet and state you need help

    Say 'Buenos días' (good morning) or 'Buenas tardes' (good afternoon). Then say 'Necesito ayuda, por favor' (I need help, please).

    Don't launch into your symptom without greeting – it's considered rude.

    The pharmacist looks at you and says 'Dígame' (tell me) or '¿Qué necesita?'

  2. Describe your symptom

    Use 'Me duele' + body part. Examples: 'Me duele la cabeza' (head), 'Me duele la garganta' (throat), 'Me duele el estómago' (stomach). If you have a fever, say 'Tengo fiebre'. If you have a cough, 'Tengo tos'.

    Don't use the verb 'doler' in the wrong form – it's like 'the head hurts me', not 'I hurt the head'. Avoid 'Yo duele'.

    The pharmacist nods or repeats your symptom to confirm.

  3. Ask for a specific medicine

    Say '¿Tiene algo para el/la [symptom]?' – for headache: '¿Tiene algo para el dolor de cabeza?' For allergy: '¿Tiene algo para la alergia?' For pain in general: '¿Tiene algo para el dolor?'

    Don't ask for a brand name unless you know it – Spanish pharmacies may not stock the same brands. Stick to the symptom.

    The pharmacist points to a product or asks '¿Pastillas o jarabe?' (pills or syrup?)

  4. Understand the dosage

    Listen for key numbers and time words: 'Tome una pastilla cada 8 horas' (take one pill every 8 hours), 'dos veces al día' (twice a day), 'antes de comer' (before eating), 'después de comer' (after eating). If you don't understand, say '¿Puede repetir, por favor?' (Can you repeat, please?) or '¿Más despacio?' (More slowly?).

    Don't assume you know the dose – Spanish medicine may have different concentrations. Always confirm the number of pills and the frequency.

    You can repeat back: 'Entonces, una pastilla cada 8 horas, ¿correcto?' (So, one pill every 8 hours, correct?)

  5. Pay and thank

    Say '¿Cuánto cuesta?' (How much does it cost?). After paying, say 'Gracias' and 'Adiós'.

    Don't forget to ask the price – some pharmacies have a minimum charge for consultation.

    You have the medicine in hand and know the price.

Checklist
0/6

Pharmacy Visit Checklist

Keep this list open on your phone while at the pharmacy.

Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it aloud twice. Focus on the pronunciation of the 'r' and the stress.

Me duele la cabeza

My head hurts

/meh DWEH-leh lah kah-BEH-sah/

¿Tiene algo para el dolor de cabeza?

Do you have something for headache?

/tee-EH-neh AHL-goh PAH-rah el doh-LOR deh kah-BEH-sah/

Tome una pastilla cada ocho horas

Take one pill every eight hours

/TOH-meh OO-nah pahs-TEE-yah KAH-dah OH-choh OH-rahs/

¿Cuánto cuesta?

How much does it cost?

/KWAHN-toh KWES-tah/

Role-play

You have a headache and visit a pharmacy in Madrid. The pharmacist (AI) will ask what you need. You must use the phrases from this lesson to get the right medicine.

You are the customer; you're talking to the pharmacist.

Goal: Successfully ask for headache medicine and understand the dosage.

Go deeper

Read the Wikipedia article on pharmacy (shop) for cultural context about how pharmacies work in Spain – many sell both over-the-counter and prescription medicines, and the pharmacist can give advice.

Check yourself

Check your understanding of the pharmacy visit.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

Put these steps of a pharmacy visit in the correct order from first to last.

  • AAsk '¿Tiene algo para el dolor de cabeza?'
  • BGreet with 'Buenos días'
  • CConfirm the dosage by repeating it back
  • DState your symptom: 'Me duele la cabeza'
  • EPay and say 'Gracias'
  • FListen to the pharmacist's dosage instructions
2Short answerMarked by AI

You have a sore throat. Write what you would say to the pharmacist in Spanish to ask for something for the pain. Use the formal 'usted' form.

Graded on Correct use of 'usted' and formal phrasing · Correct vocabulary for symptom · Sentence completeness and clarity

3ProjectMarked by AI

Write a short dialogue (4-6 exchanges) between you and a pharmacist. You have a stomach ache. Include: greeting, stating symptom, asking for medicine, dosage instruction from pharmacist, and your confirmation. Use Spanish only.

Graded on Includes all required elements (greeting, symptom, request, dosage, confirmation) · Correct use of pharmacy-specific phrases · Grammar and vocabulary accuracy

Lesson 50

Contacting the police

Learn how to call or approach the police in an emergency, report a theft, or ask for directions to the police station. Practice key phrases like 'Necesito ayuda' and 'Me han robado.'

10 min3 assessments
Steps
0/6

A phone is snatched, a wallet vanishes. What you do in the next two minutes decides whether you get help. Work these steps in order — skipping one makes the rest fail.

  1. Decide: emergency or not

    If someone is hurt or in danger, call 112 — it works across Spain for police, ambulance and fire. If the danger has passed, go to the nearest comisaría (police station).

    Calling 112 for a lost wallet wastes time; you will be sent to a station anyway.

    You know which one applies: 112 or comisaría.

  2. Get to a safe place

    Move to a well-lit street, shop or hotel lobby. Do not chase the thief.

    Chasing turns a theft into a confrontation.

    You can speak without looking over your shoulder.

  3. Get the officer's attention

    Say 'Necesito ayuda' (I need help) or 'Me han robado' (I've been robbed).

    Do not try to build a full sentence first.

    They answer with '¿Qué ha pasado?' (What happened?).

  4. Name what was stolen

    Add the item: la cartera (wallet), el pasaporte (passport), el móvil (mobile). Example: 'Me han robado el móvil.'

    'Me han robado' means 'they robbed me'; 'Yo robado' is wrong.

    The officer knows what is missing.

  5. Answer the basic questions

    Expect '¿Dónde?' (where), '¿Cuándo?' (when), '¿Cómo es?' (what's it like). Answer simply: aquí (here), hace una hora (an hour ago), es negro (it's black). If unsure, say 'No sé'.

    Guessing details makes the report useless.

    You gave a place and a time.

  6. Ask for the station and leave with proof

    Say '¿Dónde está la comisaría?' (where is the station?) or 'Quiero denunciar un robo' (I want to report a theft). Before leaving, ask '¿Me da una copia de la denuncia?' (a copy of the report).

    Use **denunciar**, not 'reportar'; without the denuncia you cannot replace a passport or claim insurance.

    You hold a copy or case number.

Checklist
0/8

Before you walk away from the officer

Keep this open on your phone while you talk. You don't need perfect grammar — you need the right phrase at the right moment.

Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it twice out loud. The stressed syllable is in capital letters in the pronunciation guide.

Necesito ayuda

I need help

/neh-seh-SEE-toh ah-YOO-dah/

Me han robado

I've been robbed

/meh ahn roh-BAH-doh/

Me han robado la cartera

They stole my wallet

/meh ahn roh-BAH-doh lah kahr-TEH-rah/

¿Dónde está la comisaría?

Where is the police station?

/DOHN-deh ehs-TAH lah koh-mee-sah-REE-ah/

Quiero denunciar un robo

I want to report a theft

/KYEH-roh deh-noon-SYAHR oon ROH-boh/

¿Me da una copia de la denuncia?

Can you give me a copy of the report?

/meh DAH OO-nah KOH-pyah deh lah deh-NOON-syah/

Role-play

You're on a street in Seville and you see a police officer. Your phone was just snatched from your hand. Report the theft and ask where the police station is.

You are the turista; you're talking to the policía.

Goal: Report that your phone was stolen and ask where the police station is.

Check yourself

Check that you can run the procedure before you need it.

1Put in orderChecked instantly

Put the steps for reporting a theft to the police in the correct order.

  • ASay 'Me han robado' and name what was taken.
  • BMove to a safe place.
  • CAsk for a copy of the denuncia.
  • DCall 112 or approach an officer.
  • EAnswer the officer's questions about where and when.
2Short answerMarked by AI

You're in Madrid and your wallet is stolen on the Metro. Write the two Spanish sentences you would say to a police officer: one to report the theft and one to ask where the police station is.

Graded on Reports the theft with the 'me han robado' construction and the item · Asks where the police station is · Produces two separate Spanish sentences

3Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Which phrase should you use to get a police officer's attention in an emergency?

  • ANecesito ayuda.
  • BQuiero denunciar un robo.
  • C¿Dónde está la comisaría?
  • DMe han robado la cartera.

Lesson 51

Cultural do's and don'ts

You will be able to navigate Spanish social norms confidently, from dining etiquette to personal space. Covers greeting customs, tipping, meal times, and appropriate behaviour in shops and on public transport. Prevents accidental rudeness that could sour an otherwise smooth trip.

20 min3 assessments

When you arrive in Spain, the first thing you notice isn't the architecture—it's how people interact. Conversations start with a kiss on each cheek (or a handshake, depending on context), meals stretch for two hours, and a shopkeeper might chat for five minutes before asking what you want. These aren't accidents. They're expressions of a culture that values relaciones (relationships) over schedules.

Spanish social life runs on two unspoken rules: people come before tasks, and everything takes the time it takes. Breaking these rules—rushing a greeting, showing impatience in a queue, or refusing small talk—feels cold and can sour an entire interaction. You don't need to become Spanish in two weeks, but understanding the logic behind the customs keeps you from accidentally offending.

Consider confianza (trust): it's built through repeated personal contact, not through efficiency. A waiter who spends time joking with you isn't wasting time; they're building the trust that makes service smooth. Similarly, personal space is closer than in Northern Europe or the US—touching an arm during conversation is normal, not intrusive. Time is flexible; a 9pm dinner might start at 9:15, and that's not considered late.

This node gives you the 'why' behind the behaviours you'll encounter. The next lessons will give you the 'how' for specific situations—greeting, tipping, dining, and queuing. But the foundation is always the same: relationships matter more than the clock.

How core Spanish values shape everyday behaviours you will see during your trip.

Analogy

Think of Spanish social interactions like a football (soccer) game where the goal is to keep the ball moving among teammates rather than to score quickly. The joy is in the passing, the connection, the shared movement. If you try to grab the ball and run straight to the goal, you break the game—everyone feels you're rude or selfish.

In Spain, conversations, meals, and even shopping follow this rhythm. You don't state your business immediately (grabbing the ball); you exchange pleasantries, ask about family, comment on the weather (pass the ball). Only after several passes do you mention you need a train ticket or want to buy something. Rushing to the transaction feels like a foul.

Where the analogy breaks down

This analogy breaks down when you need to handle an emergency, like a lost passport or a medical issue. In those situations, you *should* state your need directly and clearly. The game metaphor also doesn't account for regional differences—in Barcelona, people may be slightly more direct than in Andalusia.

Common misconception

“"In Spain, you should avoid physical contact with strangers because it's invasive."”

Many travellers come from cultures (e.g., UK, Japan) where touching a stranger is avoided. Spanish people do have norms, and too much touching can be invasive.

What is actually true

Actually, light physical contact during conversation—a touch on the arm, a hand on the shoulder—is common and seen as friendly, not invasive. Spaniards stand closer than Northern Europeans. The key is context: a brief touch at the end of a sentence is fine; prolonged gripping is not. The misinterpretation leads travellers to lean away, which feels cold to locals.

Decide

You walk into a small panadería (bakery) in Seville at 10am. The baker is on the phone with a friend, laughing, and doesn't acknowledge you. You need to order a bollo and coffee. What do you do?

You wait for 30 seconds. The baker is still on the phone. How do you get her attention without seeming rude?

Check yourself

Check your understanding of Spanish cultural norms.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

You are invited to a Spanish friend's house for una cena (dinner) at 9pm. What is the most likely scenario?

  • ADinner starts exactly at 9pm, and everyone is seated by 8:55pm.
  • BYou arrive at 9pm and find your friend is still preparing; dinner begins around 9:30pm.
  • CYou are expected to arrive at 8pm to help cook.
  • DThe dinner is cancelled because someone is late.
2Short answerMarked by AI

Explain why a shopkeeper in Madrid might spend five minutes chatting with you before asking what you want to buy. What cultural value does this behaviour reflect, and how should you respond as a traveller? (2–4 sentences)

Graded on Identifies the cultural value (relaciones / relationship-first) · Prescribes appropriate traveller response · Clear and concise expression (2–4 sentences)

3Short answerMarked by AI

Imagine you are in a tapeo (bar hopping) situation. Your Spanish friend suggests stopping for one more drink even though you planned to catch a bus in 20 minutes. What do you decide and why, based on the cultural principle you learned? (2–4 sentences)

Graded on Acknowledges the conflict between schedule and relationship · Makes a justified decision based on cultural norms · Clarity and conciseness (2–4 sentences)

  • Spanish culture prioritises personal relationships (relaciones) over rigid schedules or transactional efficiency.
  • Time is flexible: arrivals up to 15–20 minutes late are normal for social events, and meals are unhurried.
  • Physical contact (touch on arm, closer standing) is common and friendly; avoid leaning away.
  • Indirect communication is often used: 'quizás' (maybe) can mean no, and saying 'no' directly may feel too blunt.
  • Building confianza (trust) through small talk is expected before any transaction or request.
Go deeper

For a deeper framework behind these behaviours, read about Hofstede's cultural dimensions (especially Individualism, Uncertainty Avoidance, and Indulgence) applied to Spain.

Lesson 52

Talking about hobbies: gustar and similar verbs

You will be able to express likes and dislikes using the backward construction of 'gustar', 'encantar', and 'interesar'. Covers the indirect object pronouns ('me', 'te', 'le') and the agreement with the thing liked. Prevents saying 'yo gusto el fútbol' instead of 'me gusta el fútbol'.

20 min3 assessments

In English, you say I like football. The subject (I) does the liking, the object (football) is the thing liked.

Spanish flips this structure. The thing you like becomes the subject, and the person who likes it becomes the indirect object. The verb gustar agrees with the subject — that is, it changes its ending based on the thing being liked, not who likes it.

The pattern:

  • Me gusta el fútbol. (Football pleases me.)
  • Me gustan los deportes. (Sports please me.)
  • Te gusta la playa. (The beach pleases you.)
  • Le gusta el café. (Coffee pleases him/her/you formal.)

Here, me, te, and le are indirect object pronouns. They tell you who the thing pleases. The verb always agrees with the thing that follows:

  • Singular subject → gusta
  • Plural subject → gustan

This same pattern works for other verbs of feeling, like encantar (to love/like a lot) and interesar (to be interested in):

  • Me encanta bailar. (Dancing delights me.)
  • Te interesan los museos. (Museums interest you.)

The key: stop thinking gustar means "to like" and start thinking it means "to please." Then the Spanish word order feels natural.

How English and Spanish assign grammar roles in 'like' sentences.

Analogy

Think of gustar like the English verb to please. If someone says The movie pleased me, you recognise:

  • Subject: The movie (the thing that pleases)
  • Verb: pleased
  • Object: me (who is pleased)

This is exactly how gustar works: La película me gusta is literally The movie pleases me. Once you see gustar as to please, the word order clicks: the subject (the thing) comes or can come last, and the pronoun (me, te, le) tells you who feels the feeling.

Where the analogy breaks down

The analogy breaks when you try to use *gustar* with a person as subject. You can say 'I please my mother' in English, but in Spanish *Yo gusto a mi madre* does not mean 'I like my mother' — it means 'I am pleasing to my mother.' To say 'I like my mother', you must keep the thing liked as subject: *Mi madre me gusta* (literally 'My mother pleases me'). Never put yourself as the subject of *gustar* if you mean 'I like something.'

  • In Spanish, the thing liked is the grammatical subject; the person who likes is the indirect object.
  • The verb gustar agrees in number with the thing liked, not the person: me gusta el perro, me gustan los perros.
  • Indirect object pronouns are me, te, le (singular) and nos, os, les (plural) — they never change based on gender or formality beyond le/les.
  • The same reversed structure applies to encantar (to love) and interesar (to be interested in).
  • Never start a sentence about liking with yo as subject — that produces the error yo gusto instead of a mí me gusta.

Building sentences with gustar and encantar

Scenario: You are talking to a new friend in Madrid about your weekend.

What you want to say: "I love music and I like playing guitar."

Step 1: Identify the things liked.

  • Music (singular) → la música
  • Playing guitar (an activity, treated as singular) → tocar la guitarra

Step 2: Choose verb for intensity.

  • 'love' → encantar
  • 'like' → gustar

Step 3: Build with pronouns.

  • For 'I love music': Me encanta la música. (Subject = música, singular → encanta)
  • For 'I like playing guitar': Me gusta tocar la guitarra. (Subject = the infinitive phrase, singular → gusta)

Result:

  • Me encanta la música y me gusta tocar la guitarra.

One more example with plural:

  • 'I like dogs' → Me gustan los perros. (Subject = dogs, plural → gustan)
  • 'I am interested in books' → Me interesan los libros.
Common misconception

“"I should say 'Yo gusto el fútbol' because 'yo' means 'I' and 'gusto' is the first person form, just like 'yo hablo'."”

In most Spanish verbs, you conjugate for the subject: *yo hablo, tú hablas, él habla*. It is natural to think *gustar* works the same way and you just need the 'yo' form *gusto*.

What is actually true

Gustar does not use subject agreement in that way. The thing liked determines the verb ending, so fútbol (singular) requires gusta, not gusto. The person appears as an indirect object pronoun: A mí me gusta el fútbol (or just Me gusta el fútbol). Saying Yo gusto el fútbol is wrong and confusing to a native speaker — it sounds like 'I please the football.'

Check yourself

Check your understanding of *gustar* and its friends.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

Which Spanish sentence correctly means "We like the beaches"?

  • ANos gusta la playa.
  • BNos gustan las playas.
  • CTe gustan las playas.
  • DNos gustan la playa.
2Short answerMarked by AI

Translate this sentence into Spanish, using the correct form of gustar: "I like the museum." Write only the Spanish sentence.

Graded on Correct pronoun and verb agreement · Word order is natural Spanish

3Short answerMarked by AI

A friend wrote: 'Me gustan el libro.' Why is this sentence incorrect? Identify the error and write the corrected version.

Graded on Identifies the specific grammatical error · Provides a correct correction

Lesson 53

Common Spanish gestures and body language

You will recognise and use gestures like the hand-wave for 'more or less', the cheek kiss, and the 'come here' hand motion. Covers cultural norms for personal space, eye contact, and the double kiss greeting. Prevents the misinterpretation of a gesture that means something completely different in your own culture.

15 min4 assessments

When you travel to Spain, your hands and face speak almost as loudly as your words. A gesture that means 'come here' in the US can be an insult in Spain, and a simple hand wave can mean 'more or less' rather than 'hello'. This node teaches you the four gestures you'll see and use most: the double kiss greeting, the 'más o menos' hand, the 'ven aquí' beckon, and the palm-up for 'what's up?'. You'll practice saying the phrases that go with them, then use them in a real arrival scene.

Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it twice while making the gesture. The gesture is described in parentheses.

Más o menos

More or less (hand rock)

/mahs oh MEH-nohs/

Ven aquí

Come here (palm down, fingers curl)

/ben ah-KEE/

Un beso

A kiss (cheek kiss greeting)

/oon BEH-so/

¿Qué tal?

What's up? (palm up shrug)

/keh TAHL/

Role-play

You arrive at your Spanish friend Marta's apartment. She opens the door and greets you. You need to greet her with the double kiss, respond to her question about your trip using the 'más o menos' gesture, and then follow her when she beckons you inside using the correct 'ven aquí' motion.

You are the you; you're talking to the Marta.

Goal: Greet with double kiss, answer '¿Qué tal el viaje?' using 'más o menos' with gesture, and respond to the beckoning gesture appropriately.

Go deeper

Explore the full Wikipedia list of gestures for additional context on regional variations.

Check yourself

Check your understanding of Spanish gestures.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

In Spain, what does the hand gesture of rocking your open hand side to side (palm facing down) typically mean?

  • AHello or goodbye
  • BMore or less / so-so
  • CCome here
  • DI don't know
2Fill the blanksChecked instantly
3Short answerMarked by AI

Describe the correct way to beckon someone to come to you in Spain. Include what the hand looks like and why the American 'come here' gesture (index finger curled toward you) can be offensive.

Graded on Correct description of Spanish beckoning gesture · Explanation of why the American gesture is offensive

4Short answerMarked by AI

You are at a tapas bar in Madrid. A Spanish friend across the room waves at you with a hand gesture: palm down, fingers wagging up and down. What is this gesture likely communicating, and how should you respond?

Graded on Correct interpretation of gesture · Appropriate response

Lesson 54

Describing yourself and family

Say 'soy de…', 'tengo X años', and describe family members: 'tengo dos hermanos'.

15 min3 assessments

When you meet someone new in Spanish, you'll need to say where you're from, your age, and talk about your family. Start with:

  • Soy de [city/country]. — "I am from ..."
  • Tengo [number] años. — "I am ... years old."
  • Tengo [number] hermano(s)/hermana(s). — "I have ... brothers/sisters."

To name a family member, use se llama (he/she is called):

  • Mi hermano se llama Pedro. — "My brother is called Pedro."
  • Mi hermana se llama Ana. — "My sister is called Ana."

Notice the verbs change for he/she:

  • Es (from ser) — "he/she is"
  • Tiene (from tener) — "he/she has"

Example:

Él es de México y tiene 30 años. Ella tiene dos hermanos.

  • Use "Soy de" + place to say where you are from.
  • Use "Tengo" + age + "años" to state your age.
  • Use "Tengo" + number + "hermanos/hermanas" to say how many siblings you have.
  • Use "Mi hermano se llama" or "Mi hermana se llama" to name a sibling.
  • The verb "ser" becomes "es" for he/she (él/ella).
  • The verb "tener" becomes "tiene" for he/she (él/ella).
  • Common question: "¿Tienes hermanos?" (Do you have siblings?)

Introducing yourself and your family

Here's a short exchange between Ana (from Mexico) and Carlos (from Argentina):

Ana: ¡Hola! Me llamo Ana. Soy de México. Tengo 28 años. Carlos: ¡Hola Ana! Yo soy Carlos. Soy de Argentina. Tengo 30 años. ¿Tienes hermanos? Ana: Sí, tengo dos hermanos. Mi hermano mayor se llama Pablo y tiene 33 años. Mi hermana menor se llama Lucía y tiene 25 años.

Notice how Ana uses se llama and tiene for third person, and tengo for first person. She also answers Carlos's question naturally.

Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it twice. Focus on the rhythm and the rolled 'r'.

Soy de España.

I am from Spain.

/soy deh es-PAH-nyah/

Tengo veinticinco años.

I am twenty-five years old.

/TEN-goh bayn-tee-SEEN-koh AH-nyohs/

Tengo un hermano.

I have one brother.

/TEN-goh oon er-MAH-noh/

Mi hermana se llama Laura.

My sister is called Laura.

/mee er-MAH-nah seh YAH-mah LAH-oo-rah/

¿De dónde eres?

Where are you from?

/deh DOHN-deh EH-rehs/

¿Cuántos años tienes?

How old are you?

/KWAHN-tohs AH-nyohs TYEH-nehs/

¿Tienes hermanos?

Do you have siblings?

/TYEH-nehs er-MAH-nohs/

Se llama Pedro.

He is called Pedro.

/seh YAH-mah PEH-droh/

Role-play

You've just met a friendly local at a café. They ask about you and your family. Respond naturally in Spanish.

You are the you; you're talking to the local friend.

Goal: Tell them your name, where you're from, your age, and whether you have siblings. If you have siblings, say their names and ages.

Check yourself

Check what you've learned about describing yourself and family in Spanish.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

How do you say 'I am 30 years old' in Spanish?

  • ATengo treinta años.
  • BSoy treinta años.
  • CEstoy treinta años.
  • DTengo treinta.
2Fill the blanksChecked instantly
3Short answerMarked by AI

Write one sentence in Spanish that says 'I have one sister and her name is María.'

Graded on Correct use of tener for siblings (Tengo una hermana) · Correct use of se llama for naming (se llama María)

Lesson 55

Asking about the weather

Use 'hace calor/frío/viento/sol', 'está lloviendo', and '¿qué tiempo hace?' to make small talk.

10 min3 assessments

When you want to chat about the weather in Spanish, you need two key structures: hace for conditions and está for ongoing weather.

  • ¿Qué tiempo hace? – What's the weather like?
  • Hace calor – It's hot
  • Hace frío – It's cold
  • Hace viento – It's windy
  • Hace sol – It's sunny
  • Está lloviendo – It's raining
  • Está nevando – It's snowing (less common for a trip, but useful)

Notice that 'hace' is used for temperature, wind, and sun – it's a fixed expression. 'Está' + gerund (the -ando/-iendo form) describes something happening right now.

For small talk, you can also add tags like '¿verdad?' or '¿no?' to invite agreement:

  • 'Hace calor, ¿verdad?' – It's hot, isn't it?
  • 'Hace buen tiempo hoy' – The weather is nice today.
  • 'Hace mal tiempo' – The weather is bad.

Practice these phrases; they are the first step to making a natural conversation about the weather.

  • To ask about the weather, say '¿Qué tiempo hace?'
  • Use 'hace' for temperature, wind, and sun: hace calor, hace frío, hace viento, hace sol.
  • Use 'está' + gerund for ongoing rain or snow: está lloviendo, está nevando.
  • Add '¿verdad?' or '¿no?' to turn a statement into a conversational question.
  • 'Hace buen tiempo' and 'hace mal tiempo' are common evaluations.
  • The verb 'hacer' is used idiomatically for weather; it does not mean 'to make' here.
Say it

Listen to each phrase, then say it out loud twice. Focus on the rhythm and the rolled 'r' in 'frío' and 'viento'.

Hace calor

It's hot

/AH-seh kah-LOR/

Hace frío

It's cold

/AH-seh FREE-oh/

Hace viento

It's windy

/AH-seh vee-EN-toh/

Hace sol

It's sunny

/AH-seh sohl/

Está lloviendo

It's raining

/es-TAH yoh-vee-EN-doh/

¿Qué tiempo hace?

What's the weather like?

/keh tee-EM-poh AH-seh/

Role-play

You're sitting at a sidewalk café in Madrid. The waiter brings your drink and makes a comment about the weather. Your goal is to respond using at least two weather phrases from this lesson and keep the conversation going for a couple of exchanges.

You are the customer; you're talking to the waiter.

Goal: Respond to the waiter's weather comment, share your own opinion, and ask a follow-up question about the weather.

Check yourself

Check your understanding with these quick questions.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

What does 'hace viento' mean?

  • AIt's windy
  • BIt's cold
  • CIt's sunny
  • DIt's raining
2Fill the blanksChecked instantly
3Short answerMarked by AI

A local says 'Hace mucho calor, ¿no?' Respond in Spanish with a short sentence that agrees and adds a comment. For example, you could mention the wind or the sun.

Graded on Uses appropriate weather phrase · Grammatical accuracy

Lesson 56

Greeting customs

Learn the appropriate way to greet people in Spanish-speaking countries: handshake, kiss on the cheek, and use of titles (señor, señora). Understand regional variations.

10 min4 assessments

Cultural do's and don'ts gave you the big rules: mind personal space, be polite, match the room. This node turns those rules into movements for the first 30 seconds of a conversation.

The default is a handshake. A firm handshake with eye contact works for a first meeting, a business introduction, or any moment where you are unsure. Pair it with Mucho gusto (nice to meet you). It is your safe move everywhere.

Then there are besos — air kisses. You never touch lips. You touch cheek to cheek, usually right cheek first, and make a soft kissing sound. Spain uses two air kisses, one on each side. Most of Latin America uses one, on the right cheek, and mostly between women or in mixed company. Men usually shake hands with each other, except among close friends; in Argentina, even men who know each other may trade one air kiss.

Titles carry respect. Use señor for a man, señora for a married or older woman, and señorita for a young, unmarried woman — although señorita is fading out of use in many places, so señora is the safer adult form. Add the surname: Buenos días, señor García. For an older or respected person, Don or Doña plus the first name — Don José — shows respect without being stiff.

The rule that saves you: mirror. If the other person extends a hand, shake it. If they lean in, lean right and kiss the air. Copying a local's movement is not rude; it is exactly what a local does.

Doorstep in Seville, early evening

Carmen, your host's friend, opens the door and says ¡Buenas tardes! while leaning in. You mirror her: lean right, touch right cheeks, then lean left and touch left cheeks. No lip contact.

You: Mucho gusto, Carmen.

Her husband Rafael offers his hand. You shake it.

You: Encantado. (If you are a woman: Encantada.)

Carmen's mother, Doña Elena, arrives last. You greet her with Buenas tardes, Doña Elena, and two air kisses — that's the Seville way. She replies ¿Qué tal? and you answer Muy bien, gracias, ¿y usted? before stepping inside.

Reference

Choosing a greeting

Formal first meeting anywhere

Do / Say
Firm handshake, eye contact, 'Mucho gusto.'
Not this
Don't kiss or hug unless the other person moves first.

New female friend in Spain

Do / Say
Two air kisses: lean right, touch right cheeks, then left.
Not this
Not one kiss; not lips.

New mixed company in Latin America

Do / Say
One air kiss on the right cheek if she leans in.
Not this
Not two; not a hug.

Two men, first meeting

Do / Say
Handshake; 'Encantado' if you are a man.
Not this
Don't go for a kiss unless he starts it.

Close male friends in Argentina

Do / Say
One air kiss is common between friends.
Not this
Not in a work setting.

Older or married woman

Do / Say
'Señora' plus the surname, or 'Doña' plus her first name.
Not this
Don't call her 'señorita' unless she uses it.

Man you want to respect

Do / Say
'Señor' plus the surname, or 'Don' plus his first name.
Not this
Don't use just his first name until invited.

Anywhere, unsure

Do / Say
Smile, say 'Hola' or a time-of-day greeting, and mirror the other person.
Not this
A handshake is never a bad fallback.

The 'kisses' are air kisses: cheeks touch, lips never do. When in doubt, mirror the other person.

Practice
0/12 known
1 / 12
Say it

Listen to each phrase in Spanish, then say it twice out loud. The phonetic spellings are just a guide — imitate the voice.

Hola

Hello

/OH-lah/

Buenos días

Good morning

/BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs/

Buenas tardes

Good afternoon / evening

/BWEH-nahs TAR-dehs/

Mucho gusto

Nice to meet you

/MOO-choh GOOS-toh/

Encantado

Delighted to meet you (said by a man)

/en-kahn-TAH-doh/

Encantada

Delighted to meet you (said by a woman)

/en-kahn-TAH-dah/

¿Cómo está?

How are you? (formal)

/KOH-moh es-TAH/

Check yourself

Four quick checks before your trip.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

You've just been introduced to a business contact in Mexico City. Which greeting fits?

  • ATwo air kisses, starting with the right cheek
  • BOne air kiss on the right cheek
  • CA firm handshake and 'Mucho gusto'
  • DA hug and '¡Hola, amigo!'
2Fill the blanksChecked instantly
3Select all that applyChecked instantly

You're at a friend's dinner party in Madrid, and you are a woman. More than one option is correct. Which greetings fit?

  • ATwo air kisses with the female host when she leans in
  • BA handshake and 'Mucho gusto' with a man you've just met
  • COne air kiss only, then 'Encantada'
  • DA hug with someone you've just met
  • E'Encantada' when you're introduced
4Short answerMarked by AI

You are going to meet two people tomorrow: a business contact in Mexico City, then a friend-of-a-friend in Madrid the same week. For each meeting, name the greeting you would give and the Spanish phrase you would pair it with, and explain why the two greetings differ.

Graded on Distinguishes the two contexts · Supplies Spanish phrases · Explains the reason for variation

Lesson 57

Tipping etiquette

Understand when and how much to tip in restaurants, taxis, and hotels. Learn that tipping is not always expected but appreciated, and how to express gratitude.

10 min3 assessments
Reference

Tipping in Spain – Quick Reference

Sit-down restaurant

Typical Tip
5–10% of the bill, or round up
When to Tip
If service was good; not expected for a €2 coffee
Useful Phrase
La cuenta, por favor / Está bien, quédese el cambio

Taxi

Typical Tip
Round up to the nearest euro, or €1–2
When to Tip
For short rides, just round up; for longer, add €1–2
Useful Phrase
Quédese el cambio (keep the change)

Hotel porter

Typical Tip
€1–2 per bag
When to Tip
When they carry your bags to the room
Useful Phrase
Gracias, esto es para usted

Hotel housekeeping

Typical Tip
€1–2 per night, left daily
When to Tip
Leave on the pillow or with a note
Useful Phrase
Gracias por la limpieza

Bar or café counter

Typical Tip
Small change, €0.20–0.50
When to Tip
If you're sitting at a table, round up; at the bar, no need
Useful Phrase
Déjelo así (leave it like that)

Tour guide

Typical Tip
€5–10 per person for a full-day tour
When to Tip
If you enjoyed the tour; half-day €3–5
Useful Phrase
Gracias por el tour, fue excelente

Tipping is never expected, but it's always appreciated. When in doubt, a smile and a sincere 'gracias' go a long way.

Practice
0/8 known
1 / 8
Say it

Listen to these phrases and repeat them twice. They'll help you leave a tip naturally.

Está bien, quédese el cambio

It's fine, keep the change

/ehs-TAH byehn, KEH-deh-seh ehl KAHM-byoh/

Gracias, esto es para usted

Thank you, this is for you

/GRAH-syahs, EHS-toh ehs PAH-rah oos-TEHD/

La cuenta, por favor

The bill, please

/lah KWEHN-tah, por fah-VOR/

Check yourself

Check your understanding of Spanish tipping customs.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

You finish a €12 meal at a sit-down restaurant in Madrid. The service was good. Which of the following is an appropriate tip?

  • A€0 – tipping is not done in Spain
  • B€1–2 (rounding up or 5–10%)
  • C€5–10 (as in the US)
  • D€0.20 – the same as at a bar counter
2Select all that applyChecked instantly

You are on a two-week trip. For each situation, select the appropriate tip amount. (More than one may be correct.)

  • AHotel porter carries two bags: €2–4 total
  • BTaxi ride of €8.50: round up to €9 or €10
  • CFull-day walking tour: €5–10 per person
  • DHousekeeping for a 3-night stay: leave €3–6 total, daily
  • EBar counter for a €2 coffee: leave €1
  • FRestaurant bill of €50: leave €10 (20%)
3Fill the blanksChecked instantly

Lesson 58

Meal times and dining customs

Learn about typical meal times (desayuno, almuerzo, cena) and dining etiquette, such as waiting for everyone to be served before eating and using bread as a utensil.

10 min3 assessments

You already know the basic meal times from Cultural do's and don'ts. Now let's pin down the exact hours and the customs that make each meal distinct. In Spain, the day is built around three main meals and one optional snack, and the clock runs later than you're used to.

  • Desayuno (breakfast) is small: coffee and a pastry or toast, eaten between 7:00 and 9:00 AM. No one sits down for a big breakfast.
  • Almuerzo (lunch) is the heavy meal of the day, served from 2:00 to 3:30 PM. It often has two courses (starter + main) and is followed by a short rest (the siesta is rare now, but the break is real).
  • Merienda is a light snack around 5:00–6:00 PM – a piece of fruit, a small sandwich, or coffee with milk.
  • Cena (dinner) starts late, 9:00 to 10:30 PM, and is lighter than lunch: maybe a salad, grilled fish, or a tortilla. Many people have tapas before dinner to tide them over.

Dining customs also shift with the meal. At lunch, you wait for everyone to be served before touching the food. Bread is used to push food onto your fork – never cut it with a knife. At dinner, the same rules apply, but the pace is slower. Tipping is not expected; rounding up the bill by 5–10% is polite but optional.

How it got here

  1. 7:00 – 9:00 AM

    Desayuno

    Quick breakfast: coffee and a pastry or toast with tomato and oil. Eaten standing at a bar or at home.

  2. 2:00 – 3:30 PM

    Almuerzo

    The main meal. Two courses (starter + main), often with wine or water. The table stays for 45–60 minutes.

  3. 5:00 – 6:00 PM

    Merienda

    Light snack for children and adults: fruit, yogurt, a small sandwich, or coffee with milk.

  4. 9:00 – 10:30 PM

    Cena

    Lighter meal: salad, grilled fish, omelette, or leftovers. Many have tapas beforehand (around 8 PM).

  • Lunch (almuerzo) is the largest meal of the day, served between 2:00 and 3:30 PM, and typically has two courses.
  • Dinner (cena) is lighter and starts no earlier than 9:00 PM, often after a round of tapas.
  • Breakfast (desayuno) is minimal – coffee and a pastry – and is eaten quickly, often standing.
  • At any meal, wait until everyone is served before you start eating.
  • Use bread to push food onto your fork; never cut bread with a knife.
  • Tipping is not mandatory; rounding up the bill by 5–10% is appreciated but not expected.
  • It is common to say '¡Buen provecho!' (enjoy your meal) to others at the table before eating.
Practice
0/8 known
1 / 8
Reference

Spanish Meal Times and Customs

Desayuno

Typical Time
7:00 – 9:00 AM
Description
Coffee and pastry or toast with tomato and oil
Customs
Eaten quickly, often standing at a bar

Almuerzo

Typical Time
2:00 – 3:30 PM
Description
Two-course meal (starter + main), largest of the day
Customs
Wait for everyone; use bread; say '¡Buen provecho!'

Merienda

Typical Time
5:00 – 6:00 PM
Description
Light snack: fruit, yogurt, small sandwich
Customs
Optional; common for children and adults

Cena

Typical Time
9:00 – 10:30 PM
Description
Lighter meal: salad, grilled fish, omelette
Customs
Often preceded by tapas; slow pace; same table manners as lunch

Tapas

Typical Time
8:00 – 9:00 PM (before dinner)
Description
Small shared dishes: olives, ham, croquettes
Customs
Ordered at the bar; share with the group; no need to finish everything

Times are approximate and vary by region. In Andalusia, lunch may start later; in tourist areas, restaurants may serve dinner earlier.

Check yourself

Check your understanding of Spanish meal times and customs.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

You arrive at a Spanish restaurant at 2:30 PM. What meal are you most likely to be served?

  • ADesayuno (breakfast)
  • BAlmuerzo (lunch)
  • CMerienda (snack)
  • DCena (dinner)
2Select all that applyChecked instantly

Which of the following are customary during a Spanish lunch? (Select more than one.)

  • AEating with your hands
  • BWaiting for everyone to be served before starting
  • COrdering a single dish for yourself
  • DHaving a starter and main course
  • ETipping 15% of the bill
  • FUsing bread to push food onto your fork
3Fill the blanksChecked instantly

Lesson 59

Personal space and public behavior

Understand norms around personal space, physical contact, and behavior in public places like queues, public transport, and shops. Learn to avoid common faux pas.

10 min3 assessments

When you step into a Spanish café, the first thing you might notice is how close people stand. The invisible bubble around each person is smaller than in the US or UK—about an arm's length instead of two. A tap on the shoulder, a hand on the forearm during conversation, or a kiss on each cheek (dos besos) when greeting are normal, not invasive. Queues are looser: people cluster near the counter rather than forming a single line. Knowing these differences helps you avoid looking stiff or offended when someone touches your arm, and keeps you from cutting in line without realizing it.

  • Personal distance in Spain is roughly 50–60 cm (arm's length) for casual conversation, closer than in Northern Europe or North America.
  • Light physical contact—touching the forearm, shoulder, or back—is common and signals warmth, not intrusion.
  • Greetings involve two cheek kisses (right then left) between women and between a woman and a man; men usually shake hands or give a pat on the back.
  • Queues are less rigid: people stand near the counter and call out their turn; don't expect a single-file line.
  • On public transport, it's normal to be pressed against strangers; apologising is polite but not required.
  • In shops, you greet the staff with 'Hola' or 'Buenos días' before asking anything—skipping this is considered rude.
  • Eye contact is held longer during conversation than in many English-speaking cultures; looking away too soon can seem disinterested.
Practice
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Reference

Spanish Public Behavior Norms at a Glance

Greeting a woman

Normal behavior
Two cheek kisses (right then left)
Faux pas to avoid
Offering only a handshake (unless in a formal business context)

Greeting a man

Normal behavior
Handshake, possibly with a pat on the back
Faux pas to avoid
Leaning in for a kiss unless you are a close friend

Standing in a queue

Normal behavior
Stand near the counter, listen for your turn
Faux pas to avoid
Forming a strict single line or pushing ahead without acknowledging others

Talking to someone

Normal behavior
Stand about arm's length; occasional touch on forearm
Faux pas to avoid
Backing away if touched; maintaining a large gap

Entering a shop

Normal behavior
Say 'Hola' or 'Buenos días' to the staff
Faux pas to avoid
Walking in and starting to browse without greeting

On public transport

Normal behavior
Stand close; brief 'Perdón' if you bump
Faux pas to avoid
Staring or making prolonged eye contact with strangers

Eye contact in conversation

Normal behavior
Hold gaze for a few seconds, then look away briefly
Faux pas to avoid
Looking down or away too quickly; staring without blinking

These norms apply broadly across Spain, though regional variations exist (e.g., Catalonia may be slightly more reserved).

Go deeper

For a broader look at how cultural norms shape everyday behaviour, this article provides useful background.

Check yourself

Check your understanding of Spanish public behavior norms.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

You are introduced to a Spanish woman at a friend's party. What is the most appropriate greeting?

  • AA firm handshake and a nod
  • BTwo cheek kisses, starting with the right cheek
  • CA hug and one kiss on the left cheek
  • DA wave and a verbal 'Hola'
2Select all that applyChecked instantly

Which of the following are considered normal in Spanish public settings? (Select all that apply.)

  • AStanding very close (arm's length) during a conversation
  • BForming a single-file queue at a bakery counter
  • CTouching someone's forearm while talking
  • DMaking prolonged eye contact while speaking
  • EGreeting shop staff with 'Buenos días' before asking for help
3Fill the blanksChecked instantly

Lesson 60

Capstone: a full day simulated in Spanish

You will put everything together by simulating a complete day in a Spanish-speaking city: arrival, hotel check-in, finding lunch, shopping, asking for directions, and handling a small mishap, all in Spanish. Covers end-to-end communication and real-time problem solving. Prevents the feeling of freezing up when you actually need to speak.

90 min3 assessments

You've practiced greetings, ordering food, asking for directions, shopping, and handling problems. Now it's time to put it all together in one continuous day. This capstone will simulate a full day in a Spanish-speaking city, from arrival to a small mishap. You'll produce a dialogue that covers every interaction, showing your ability to switch between situations and maintain fluency. This is your chance to prove you can handle real conversations.

  • Use formal address ('usted') with strangers, especially in service situations (hotel, restaurant, shop).
  • Always start with 'Buenos días' or 'Buenas tardes' depending on the time of day.
  • For requests, use '¿Podría...?' or '¿Me puede...?' to sound polite.
  • When lost, ask '¿Dónde está...?' or '¿Cómo llegar a...?' and confirm by repeating the directions.
  • For mishaps, stay calm: 'Lo siento, tengo un problema.' then explain clearly.
  • End each interaction with 'Gracias' and a farewell ('Adiós', 'Hasta luego').
  • Meal times: breakfast around 8-10, lunch 2-4, dinner 9-11; adjust greetings accordingly.
Check yourself

Check your readiness for the capstone.

1Multiple choiceChecked instantly

In a café, how do you politely ask for the bill?

  • A¡La cuenta, rápido!
  • B¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor?
  • CQuiero pagar ahora
  • DDame la cuenta
2Short answerMarked by AI

You are lost in a new city. Write two different Spanish questions you could ask a stranger for directions, using formal language.

Graded on Uses formal register consistently · Correct and clear question structure with a destination

Project

Simulated Day in Spanish

Imagine you are a first-time traveler in Madrid. Your day unfolds as follows: you arrive at the airport, take a taxi to your hotel, check in, go to a café for lunch, ask for directions to a museum, buy a souvenir from a shop, and then discover your wallet is missing. You must write a dialogue in Spanish covering all these scenes. The dialogue should include at least 30 lines (each line is one speaker turn). Include an English translation for each line. Your dialogue must demonstrate cultural awareness: use appropriate greetings for the time of day, address people formally ('usted') unless you are invited to switch to 'tú', use polite requests ('¿Podría...?', '¿Me puede...?'), and handle the mishap with calm and politeness. Use vocabulary and grammar from previous lessons. Submit your dialogue as a document (PDF or text) along with a 100-word self-assessment describing what you found most challenging and how you handled it.

Deliverables

  • 01A written dialogue in Spanish with English translation (minimum 30 lines)
  • 02A self-assessment (100 words) on challenges and strategies
ProjectMarked by AI

Submit your simulated day dialogue and self-assessment. The rubric below will be used to evaluate your work.

Graded on Coverage of required scenes · Language accuracy and register · Cultural appropriateness · Handling of the mishap

Checklist
0/8

Pre-submission Checklist

Tick each item before submitting. Your submission will be judged on the criteria in the rubric above.

For you · never graded

After completing the simulated day, reflect: What was the most difficult part of creating the dialogue? How did you decide which phrases to use? What would you do differently if you had to do this in real life? Write 2-3 sentences.