Difference between revisions of "Spanish phrasebook"

Revision as of 21:15, 10 April 2012

Spanish (español), also known as Castilian (castellano), is the third most-spoken language in the world. Originating in Spain and spoken by most residents there, it has slightly different pronunciations from the rest of the world's Spanish speakers, as well as a few vocabulary differences.

It is also spoken in Mexico and all of Central and South America except Belize, Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, and the Falkland Islands. In the Caribbean, Spanish is also spoken in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Although the Philippines and Guam are former Spanish colonies, relatively few learned how to speak Spanish, and even fewer do so today. See the Filipino phrasebook and Chamorro (Guam, etc.) phrasebook. Spanish is a first language for many people in the United States, especially in California, Texas, South Florida, and elsewhere the Southwest.

A Western Romance language, Spanish is closely related to and mutually intelligible with the other romance languages to a wide extent, such as Portuguese, Catalan, French, Italian and Romanian. English and Spanish share variants of approximately one third of their words (via Latin), although the pronunciation tends to be very different.

The Spanish verb tense system is fairly similar to English, but all six person/number combinations take different endings in the indicative. The formal "you" (usted(es)) takes a third-person verb. Spanish has genders, so a man says encantado and a woman says encantada. The indirect object and the animate direct object are both marked by a.

Pronunciation Guide

Spanish spelling has the pleasant characteristic of being very phonetic, with only a few clearly-defined exceptions. This means that if you know how to pronounce the letters of a word, it's relatively easy to sound out the word itself.

Besides having a very small number of vowel sounds and a high predictability of exactly what sound is represented by each letter, Spanish has a very clear set of rules about where a stress normally falls, and exceptions are noted with an "acute accent mark" ("´ ") over the vowel of the stressed syllable. Normally, words that end in a vowel, or in n or s, have the stress on the next-to-last syllable (muchacho = "mu-CHA-cho"); all other words without an explicit accent mark are stressed on the final syllable (hospital = "os-pee-TAL"). There are no secondary stresses within words.

Vowels

The vowels in Spanish are short crisp sounds. They are not dragged out like the English vowels.

a 

like 'a' in "father"

e 

like 'ay' in "pay" or 'ai' in "hail" when stressed; may take on more of a 'e' in "pet" sound when unstressed

i 

like 'ee' in "see"

o 

like 'o' in "open

u 

like 'u' in "rule"

y 

like 'ee' in "see". Very rarely used at the middle or ending of words.

Consonants

b 

like 'b' in "bed" (but no aspiration) at the beginning of a word and after 'm': boca. A soft vibration sound almost like English 'v' elsewhere. See v below.

c 

follows the same pronunciation pattern as in English. In most cases it is pronounced like 'k' in "kid": calle, doctor. When followed by 'e' or 'i', it is like 's' in "supper" (Latin America) or 'th' in "thin" (Spain): cine (THEE-nay)

ch 

like 'ch' in "touch": muchacho

d 

like 'd' in "dog": de. In some dialects, a 'd' between two vowels is pronounced with a bit of softness, halfway between the normal 'd' and the 'th' in "the": pasado. You're usually fine just using the 'd' sound.

f 

like 'f' in "fine": faro

g 

when followed by 'e' or 'i', like a throaty 'h' (general = heh-neh-RAHL), otherwise like 'g' in "go" (gato). In the clusters "gue" and "gui", the 'u' serves only to change the sound of the consonant and is silent (guitarra), unless it bears a diaeresis, as in "güe" and "güi" (pedigüeño). In between vowels, it tends to be voiced and not guturral.

gu, gü 

when followed by another vowel, like 'Gw' in Gwen (agua, cigüeña, Camagüey)

h 

silent: hora= OR-ah. Pronounced like a softer 'j' only in foreign words.

j 

like a throaty 'h' in "ha": jamón;

k 

like 'k' in "kid": kilo The letter K is only used in foreign words (karate, kilo, Kiev, etc.).

l 

like 'l' in "love": lápiz

ll 

like 'y' in "year"; pronounced like a Zh as in 'Zhivago' only in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay: llamar. In at least some parts of Costa Rica and Colombia, pronounced as the English "j" or "g," as in the words "ginger" or "ninja." Also pronounced like 'ly' as in the English word "million" in northern Spain and in the Philippines.

m 

like 'm' in "mother": mano

n 

like 'n' in "nice", and like 'n' in "anchor": noche, ancla

ñ 

like 'ny' in "canyon": cañón, piñata

p 

like 'p' in "pig": perro

q 

like 'q' in "quiche" (always with a silent "u"): queso, pronounced KAY-so

r, rr 

Spanish has two 'r' sounds both of which are different from their counterpart in English. Some effort should be made to approximate each of them, to help listeners distinguish between perro ("dog") and pero ("but")... or perhaps to understand you at all:

• single r: This sound is created by putting the tip of the tongue up against where the front of the roof of the mouth meets the upper teeth, very similar to the action English speakers make to pronounce l or d. To an English-speaking ear, it may sound a bit like a combined "d-r". Take care to pronounce r separately when it follows a consonant; a blended English tr will not be recognized in the Spanish word otro ("other"), which should be pronouced more like "OHT-roh".
• rolled r: Written "r" at the beginning of the word, or "rr" between vowels (cerro). It's a multiply vibrating sound. Whereas most English speakers can learn to tap out a single r, many adults learning Spanish find this sound impossible to produce; in this case, pronouncing it like a Spanish r or fumbling out a d-r will be better understood than pronouncing it like a long English r.

s 

like 's' in "son": sopa; in Spain, it is often pronounced like a soft, palatised "sh" at the end of a word or syllable.

t 

like 't' in "top": tapa

v 

like 'b' in "bed" (but no aspiration) at the beginning of a word and after 'm': vaca, pronounced BAH-kah. A soft vibration sound almost like English 'v' elsewhere. To distinguish v from b when spelling, one says "vay chica" or "bay grande" to indicate which; native Spanish speakers may not hear the difference between "vee" and "bee". But some Spanish speaking countries do say the 'v' as in "vine" with the teeth on the lower lip.

w 

like 'w' in "weight" in English words, whisky, pronounced "WEESS-kee"). Like 'b' in "bed" in Germanic words.

x 

like 'x' in "flexible" (flexible). Like 'ss' in "hiss" at beginning of a word (xilófono). Like a throaty 'h' in the words México, mexicano, Oaxaca, and oaxaqueño.

y 

like 'y' in "yes": payaso. Like 'y' in "boy": hoy. Pronounced like a Zh ONLY in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay as in 'Zhivago', : yo no sé, pronounced "zhoh noh say".

z 

like 's' in "supper" (Latin America), like 'th' in "thin" (Spain): zorro. See c above.

Diphthongs

Most diphthongs can be approximated by blending the first vowel into the second in a single syllable.

ai, ay 

like 'eye': baile (BAI-lay)

au 

like 'ow' in "cow": causa (KOW-sah)

ea 

like 'ay-ah': fea (FAY-ah)

ei, ey 

like 'ay' in "say": reina, rey. (RAY-nah)

eu 

like 'eh-oo': euro ("eh-OO-roh")

ia 

like 'ee-yah': piano (pee-YAH-noh)

ie 

like 'ee-yay': pie (PEE-yay)

io 

like 'ee-oh': dio (DEE-oh)

iu 

like 'ee-oo': ciudad (see-oo-DAHD)

oi, oy 

like 'oy' in "boy": soy (soy)

ua 

like 'wa' in "wallet": cuatro (KWAH-troh)

ue 

like 'we' in "well": puedo (PWAY-doh)

ui, uy 

like 'wee' in "ween": ruido (RWEE-doh)

uo 

like "wo" in "won't": averiguo (ah-beh-REE-gwoh)

Accents and stress

Word stress can affect the meaning of the word and generally follows these rules:

• If a word is marked with an accent, then that syllable receives the stress.
  • Additionally, if the accent marks a diphthong a syllable break occurs between the two vowels of the diphthong.

• If a word is NOT marked with an accent, then

1. if the word ends in a consonant other than N or S, the stress occurs on the last syllable.
2. if the word ends in a vowel, N or S, the stress occurs on the next to last syllable.

• In Spain, a English ci/ce or z sound makes a English "TH". In Latin America, it makes the "S" sound.

Examples: (1st pronunciation: Spanish; 2nd pronunciation: Latin America; when there is only one, it's common)

círculo (THEER-koo-loh/SEER-koo-loh) → circle

circulo (theer-KOO-loh/seer-KOO-loh) → I circulate

circuló (theer-koo-LOH/seer-koo-LOH) → he/she/it circulated

estás (ehs-TAHS) → you are

estas (ACE-tahs) → these

origen (oh-REE-hehn) → origin

orígenes (oh-REE-hehn-ehs) → origins

ciudad (thee-yoo-DAHD/see-yoo-DAHD) → city

ciudades (thee-you-DAH-dehs/see-yoo-DAH-dehs) → cities

An accent can also be used to differentiate between words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings:

él (he) el (the)

té (tea) te (you) (ex: I can't see you)

tú (you) (ex: you want to go there) tu (your)

mí (me) mi(my)

dé (I give or he/she/it give; but in present of subjunctive) de (of)

sí (yes) si (if)

se (a pronoun; difficult to explain here) sé (I know or be imperative of the verb "to be", spoken to the second person of singular)

más (more/plus) mas (but)

Phrase list

Note: For the most part, these examples give Latin American pronunciation, not actually from Spain.

Basics

Hello/Hi (informal)

Hola (OH-lah)

Have a good day 

Que pase un buen día (keh PAH-seh un BWEHN DEE-ah)

How are you? (informal)

¿Cómo estás? (KOH-moh ehs-TAHS?)

How are you? (formal)

¿Cómo está usted? (KOH-moh ehs-TAH oos-TEHD?)

Fine, thank you

Muy bien, gracias. (moi byehn, GRAH-syahs)

What is your name? (informal)

¿Cómo te llamas? (KOH-moh TAY YAH-mahs?)

What is your name? (formal)

¿Cómo se llama usted? (KOH-moh SAY YAH-mah oos-TEHD?)

Who are you? (informal)

¿Quién eres? (KYEN EH-rehs?)

Who are you? (formal)

¿Quién es usted? (KYEN ehs oos-TEHD?)

My name is ______

Me llamo ______ (MEH YAH-moh _____ )

I am ______

Yo soy ______ (YOH SOY ______)

Nice to meet you

Encantado/a (ehn-kahn-TAH-doh/ehn-kahn-TAH-dah)

It's a pleasure to meet you

Mucho gusto. (MOO-choh GOOS-toh)

Please

Por favor (POHR fah-BOHR)

Thank you

Gracias (GRAH-syahs)

You're welcome

De nada (DAY NAH-dah)

Yes

Sí (SEE)

No

No (NOH)

Excuse me (getting attention)

Disculpe (dees-KOOL-peh)

Excuse me (begging pardon)

Perdone (pehr-DOHN-eh)

Excuse me (may I get by?)

Permiso (pehr-MEE-so)

I'm sorry

Lo siento (LOH SYEHN-toh)

Goodbye

Adiós (ah-DYOHS) / Hasta luego (AHS-tah LWEH-goh)

I speak a little Spanish. 

Hablo un poco español. (ah-BLOH oon POH-koh eha-pah-NYOHL)

I speak very little Spanish

Hablo muy poquito español.

I can't speak Spanish (well)

No hablo (bien) español (noh AH-bloh (byehn) ehs-pah-NYOL)

Do you speak English? (informal)

¿Hablas inglés? (AH-blahs een-GLEHS?)

Do you speak English? (formal)

¿Habla usted inglés? (AH-blah oos-TEHD een-GLEHS?)

Is there someone here who speaks English? 

¿Hay alguien que hable inglés? (ai ahl-GYEHN keh AH-bleh een-GLEHS?)

Help!

¡Ayuda! (ah-YOO-dah!) / ¡Socorro! (soh-KOHR-roh!)

Good morning

Buenos días (BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs)

Good afternoon / Good evening

Buenas tardes (BWEH-nahs TAR-dehs)

Good evening / Good night

Buenas noches (BWEH-nahs NOH-chehs)

I don't understand

No entiendo (NOH ehn-TYEHN-doh)

Could you speak more slowly please? 

¿Podría usted hablar más despacio por favor? (poh-DREE-ah oos-TEHD ah-BLAHR MAHS dehs-PAH-syoh pohr fah-BOHR?)

Could you repeat it please? 

¿Podría usted repetirlo por favor? (poh-DREE-ah oos-TEHD reh-peh-TEER-loh pohr fah-BOHR?)

Where is the toilet?

¿Dónde está el baño? (DOHN-deh ehss-TAH EHL BAH-nyoh?) / In Spain: ¿Dónde están los aseos? (DOHN-deh ehs-TAHN lohs ah-SEH-ohs)

Problems

Leave me alone. 

Déjame en paz. (DEH-hah-meh ehn PAHS)

Don't touch me! 

¡No me toques! (noh meh TOH-kehs!)

I'll call the police. 

Llamaré a la policía. (yah-mah-REH ah lah poh-lee-SEE-ah)

Police! 

¡Policía! (poh-lee-SEE-ah!)

Stop! Thief! 

¡Alto, ladrón! (AHL-toh, lah-DROHN!)

I need help. 

Necesito ayuda. (neh-seh-SEE-toh ah-YOO-dah)

It's an emergency. 

Es una emergencia. (ehs OO-nah eh-mehr-HEHN-syah)

I'm lost. 

Estoy perdido/a (ehs-TOY pehr-DEE-doh/dah)

I lost my purse/handbag. 

Perdí mi bolsa/bolso/cartera. (pehr-DEE mee BOHL-sah / BOHL-soh / kahr-TEH-rah)

I lost my wallet. 

Perdí mi cartera/billetera. (pehr-DEE mee kahr-TEH-rah / bee-yeh-TEH-rah)

I'm sick. 

Estoy enfermo/a. (ehs-TOY ehn-FEHR-moh/mah)

I've been injured. 

Estoy herido/a. (ehs-TOY heh-REE-doh/dah)

I need a doctor. 

Necesito un médico. (neh-seh-SEE-toh OON MEH-dee-coh)

Can I use your phone? 

¿Puedo usar su teléfono? (PWEH-doh oo-SAHR soo teh-LEH-foh-noh?)

Can I borrow your cell phone? 

¿Me presta su celular? ((meh PREHS-tah soo seh-lee-LAHR?) (Latin America) ¿Me presta su móvil? ((meh PREHS-tah soo MOH-beel?) (Spain)

I need to call the embassy. 

Necesito llamar a la embajada (neh-seh-SEE-toh yah-MAHR ah lah em-bah-HAH-dah)

Numbers

0 

cero (SEH-roh)

1 

uno (OO-noh)

2 

dos (dohs)

3 

tres (trehs)

4 

cuatro (KWAH-troh)

5 

cinco (SEEN-koh)

6 

seis (SEH_ees)

7 

siete (see-EH-teh)

8 

ocho (OH-choh)

9 

nueve (noo-EH-beh)

10 

diez (dee-EHS)

11 

once (OHN-seh)

12 

doce (DOH-seh)

13 

trece (TREH-seh)

14 

catorce (kah-TOHR-seh)

15 

quince (KEEN-seh)

16 

dieciséis (dee-EH-see-SEH-ees)

17 

diecisiete (dee-EH-see-see-EH-teh)

18 

dieciocho (dee-EH-see-OH-choh)

19 

diecinueve (dee-EH-see-NOO-EH-beh)

20 

veinte (VAIN-teh)

21 

veintiuno (VAIN-tee-OO-noh)

22 

veintidós (VAIN-tee-DOHS)

23 

veintitrés (VAIN-tee-TREHS)

30 

treinta (TRAIN-tah)

40 

cuarenta (kwah-REHN-tah)

50 

cincuenta (seen-KWEHN-tah)

60 

sesenta (seh-SEHN-tah)

70 

setenta (seh-TEHN-tah)

80 

ochenta (oh-CHEHN-tah)

90 

noventa (noh-BEHN-tah)

100 

cien (see-EHN)

200 

doscientos (dohs-see-EHN-tohs)

300 

trescientos (trehs-see-EHN-tohs)

500 

quinientos (kee-nee-EHN-tohs)

1000 

mil (MEEL)

2000 

dos mil (dohs MEEL)

1,000,000 

un millón (oon mee-YOHN)

1,000,000,000 

mil millones (meel mee-YOH-nehs) (Spain/Mexico); un billón (oon bee-YOHN, Latin America)

1,000,000,000,000 

un billón (oon bee-YOHN) (Spain/Mexico); un trillón (oon tree-YOHN, Latin America)

half 

medio (MEH-dyoh)

less 

menos (MEH-nohs)

more 

más (MAHS)

Time

now 

ahora (ah-OH-rah)

later 

después (dehs-PWEHS)

before 

antes (AHN-tehs)

morning 

mañana (mah-NYAH-nah)

afternoon 

tarde (TAHR-deh)

night 

noche (NOH-cheh)

Clock time

one o'clock AM 

la una de la madrugada; la una de la mañana (lah OOH-nah deh lah mah-droo-GAH-dah; lah OOH-nah deh lah mah-NYAH-nah)

two o'clock AM 

las dos de la madrugada; las dos de la mañana (lahs DOHS deh lah mah-droo-GAH-dah; lahss DOHS deh lah mah-NYAH-nah)

ten o'clock AM 

las diez de la mañana (lahs dee-EHS deh lah mah-NYAH-nah)

noon 

mediodía; las doce de la mañana (meh-dee-oh-DEE-ah; lahs DOH-seh deh lah mah-NYAH-nah)

one o'clock PM 

la una de la tarde (lah OOH-nah deh lah TAHR-deh)

two o'clock PM 

las dos de la tarde (lahs DOHS deh lah TAHR-deh)

ten o'clock PM 

las diez de la noche (lahs dee-EHS deh lah NOH-cheh)

midnight 

medianoche; las doce de la noche (meh-dee-yah-NOH-cheh; lahs DOH-seh deh lah NOH-cheh)

Writing Time

When speaking, times are given in AM/PM form (but saying de la mañana (morning), de la tarde (afternoon), de la noche (evening/night) or de la madrugada (late night) to distinguish between AM and PM. On the other hand, in most countries times are rendered in 24-hour format, with a colon separating hours and minutes:

9 o'clock AM 

nueve de la mañana (spoken: NWEH-beh deh la mah-NYAH-nah), 9:00 (written)

12:30 PM 

doce y media de la mañana (spoken: DOH-seh ee MEH-dee-ah deh la mah-NYAH-nah), 12:30 (written)

1 o'clock PM 

una de la tarde (spoken: OOH-nah deh lah TAHR-deh), 13:00 (written)

10 o'clock PM 

diez de la noche (spoken: dee-EHS deh la NOH-cheh), 22:00 (written)

2 o'clock AM 

dos de la madrugada or dos de la mañana (spoken: DOHS deh la mah-droo-GAH-dah or DOHS deh la mah-NYAH-nah), 2:00 (written)

Duration

_____ minute(s) 

_____ minuto(s) (mee-NOO-toh(s))

_____ hour(s) 

_____ hora(s) (OH-rah(s))

_____ day(s) 

_____ día(s) (DEE-ah(s))

_____ week(s) 

_____ semana(s) (seh-MAH-nah(s))

_____ month(s) 

_____ mes(es) (MEHS-(ehs))

_____ year(s) 

_____ año(s) (AH-nyoh(s))

Days

today 

hoy (oy)

yesterday 

ayer (ah-YEHR)

tomorrow 

mañana (mah-NYAH-nah)

this week 

esta semana (EHS-tah seh-MAH-nah)

last week 

la semana pasada (lah seh-MAH-nah pah-SAH-dah)

next week 

la semana que viene (lah seh-MAH-nah keh BYEH-neh)

NOTE 

All days of the week are in lower case letter.

Monday 

lunes (LOO-nehs)

Tuesday 

martes (MAHR-tehs)

Wednesday 

miércoles (MYEHR-koh-lehs)

Thursday 

jueves (WEH-vehs)

Friday 

viernes (VYEHR-nehs)

Saturday 

sábado (SAH-bah-doh)

Sunday 

domingo (doh-MEEN-goh)

The week begins on Mondays.

Months

NOTE 

All the months in Spanish are written in lower case letters.

January 

enero (eh-NEH-roh)

February 

febrero (feh-BREH-roh)

March 

marzo (MAR-soh)

April 

abril (ah-BREEL)

May 

mayo (MAH-joh)

June 

junio (HOO-nyoh)

July 

julio (HOO-lyoh)

August 

agosto (ah-GOHS-toh)

September 

septiembre (sehp-TYEHM-breh)

October 

octubre (ohk-TOO-breh)

November 

noviembre (noh-VYEHM-breh)

December 

diciembre (dee-SYEHM-breh)

Writing Dates

Dates are given in day-month-year form. All spoken and written, long and short forms follow this pattern:

May 7th, 2003 

7 de mayo del 2003

October 23rd, 1997 

23 de octubre del 1997

Day-month constructions (4 de julio, for example) are not usually abbreviated. In the rare cases that an abbreviation is used, the number of the month is not used, but its initial letter is. Usual examples are:

23-F 

23 de febrero, date of a failed coup d'état in Spain (1981)

11-S 

11 de septiembre, date of the attack to the Twin Towers (2001) (and of the Chilean coup in 1973).

Colors

black 

negro (NEH-groh)

white 

blanco (BLAHN-koh)

gray 

gris (GREES)

red 

rojo (ROH-hoh)

blue 

azul (ah-SOOL)

yellow 

amarillo (ah-mah-REE-yoh)

green 

verde (BEHR-deh)

orange 

naranja (nah-RAHN-hah), anaranjado (ah-nah-rahn-HA-doh)

purple 

púrpura (POOR-poo-rah) , morado (moh-RAH-doh), violeta (vee-oh-LEH-tah)

pink 

rosa (ROH-sah)

brown 

marrón (mahr-ROHN) (it should be noted "marrón" is used to describe color of objects) , café (kah-FEH) (used mostly for skin color, clothing and fabric), castaño (kahs-TAH-nyoh) (is used primarily for skin color, eye color and hair color).

Transportation

car 

carro(KAHR-roh), coche (KOH-cheh), auto (OW-toh)

bus 

autobús (ow-toh-BOOS), guagua (GWAH-gwah)

van 

furgoneta (foor-goh-NEH-tah), combi (KOHM-bee)

truck 

camión (kah-MYOHN)

airplane/airline 

avión (ah-BYOHN), aeroplano (ah-eh-roh-PLAH-noh)

helicopter 

helicóptero (eh-lee-KOHP-teh-roh)

train 

tren (trehn)

subway 

metro (MEH-troh)

tram 

tranvía (trahns-BYAH)

trolley 

trole (TROH-leh), trolebús (troh-leh-BOOS)

boat 

bote (BOH-teh)

ship 

barco (BAHR-koh)

ferry 

transbordador (trahns-bohr-dah-DOHR)

bicycle 

bicicleta (bee-see-KLEH-tah)

motorcycle 

motocicleta (moh-toh-see-KLEH-tah)

Bus and Train

How much is a ticket to _____? 

¿Cuánto cuesta un billete (Spain) / pasaje (South America) / boleto (Mexico) a _____? (KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah oon beeh-YEH-teh/pah-SAH-heh/boe-LAY-toe ___)

One ticket to _____, please. 

Un boleto/pasaje a _____, por favor. (oon boh-LEH-toh/pah-SAH-heh ah _______, pohr fah-BOHR.)

Where does this train/bus go? 

¿A donde va este tren/autobús? (ah DOHN-deh bah EHS-teh trehn/ ow-toh-BOOS?)

Where is the train/bus to _____? 

¿Donde está el tren/autobús hacia _____? (DOHN-deh ehs-TAH ehl trehn/ ow-toh-BOOS ah-syah_____?)

Does this train/bus stop in _____? 

¿Se para este tren/autobús en? _____? (seh PAH-rah EHS-teh trehn/ow-toh-BOOS ehn___?)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave? 

¿Cuándo hace el tren/autobús para_____ departa? (KWAHN-doh AH-seh ehl trehn/ow-toh-BOOS PAH-rah____deh-PAHR-tah?)

When will this train/bus arrive in _____? 

¿Cuándo llegará este tren/autobús a _____? (KWAHN-doh yeh-gah-RAH EHS-teh trehn/ow-toh-BOOS ah____?)

How do I get to _____ ? 

¿Cómo puedo llegar a _____ ? (KOH-moh PWEH-doh yeh-GAHR ah____?)

...the train station? 

...la estación de tren? (....lah ehs-tah-SYOHN deh trehn?)

...the bus station? 

...la estación de autobuses? (....lah ehs-tah-SYOHN deh ow-toh-BOO-sehs?)

...the airport? 

...al aeropuerto? (ehl ah-eh-roh-PWEHR-toh?)

...downtown? 

...al centro? (ahl SEHN-troh?)

...the youth hostel? 

...al hostal? (ahl ohs-TAHL)

...the _____ hotel? 

...el hotel _____ ? (ehl oh-TEHL?)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? 

...el consulado de Estados Unidos/ Canadiense/Australiano/Británico? (ehl kohn-soo-LAH-doh deh ehs-TAH-dohs oo-NEE-dohs/ kah-nah-DYEHN-seh/ ows-trah-LYAH-noh/ bree-TAH-nee-koh)

Where are there a lot of... 

¿Dónde hay muchos... (DOHN-deh eye MOO-chohs)

...hotels? 

...hoteles? (oh-TEH-lehs)

...restaurants? 

...restaurantes? (rehs-tow-RAHN-tehs)

...bars? 

...bares? (BAH-rehs)

...sites to see? 

...sitios para visitar? (SEE-tyohs PAH-rah bee-see-TAHR)

Can you show me on the map? 

¿Puede enseñarme/mostrarme en el mapa? (PWEH-deh ehn-seh-NYAHR-meh/mohs-TRAHR-meh ehn ehl MAH-pah?)

street 

calle (KAH-yeh)

Turn left. 

Gire/doble/da vuelta a la izquierda. (HEE-reh/DOH-bleh/dah VWEHL-tah ah lah ees-KYEHR-dah)

Turn right. 

Gire/doble/da vuelta a la derecha. (HEE-reh/DOH-bleh/dah VWEHL-tah ah lah deh-REH-chah)

left 

izquierda (ees-KYEHR-dah)

right 

derecha (deh-REH-chah)

straight ahead 

recto adelante (REHK-toh ah-deh-LAHN-teh) , sigue derecho (SEE-geh deh-REH-choh)

towards the _____ 

hacia el/la_____ (HAH-syah ehl/lah)

past the _____ 

pasado el/la _____ (pah-SAH-doh ehl/lah)

before the _____ 

antes de _____ (AHN-tehs deh)

Watch for the _____. 

busque el/la _____. (BOOS-keh ehl/lah)

intersection 

intersección , cruce (een-tehr-sehk-SYOHN, KROO-seh)

north 

norte (NOHR-teh)

south 

sur (soor)

east 

este (EHS-teh)

west 

oeste (ooh-EHS-teh)

uphill 

hacia arriba (AH-syah ahr-REE-bah)

downhill 

hacia abajo (AH-syah ah-BAH-hoh)

Taxi

Taxi! 

¡Taxi! (TAHK-see)

Take me to _____, please. 

Lléveme a _____, por favor. (YEH-beh-meh ah)

How much does it cost to get to _____? 

¿Cuanto cuesta ir hasta/a _____? (KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah eer AHS-tah/ah)

Leave me there, please. 

Déjeme ahí, por favor. (DEH-heh-meh ah-EE, pohr FAH-bohr)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available? 

¿Hay habitaciones libres? (ai ah-bee-tah-SYOH-nehs LI-brehs?)

How much does a room cost for one person/two people? 

¿Cuanto cuesta una habitación para una persona/para dos personas? (KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah OO-nah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN PAH-rah OO-nah pehr-SOH-nah/PAH-rah dohs pehr-SOH-nahs?)

Does the room come with...? 

¿La habitación viene con....? (lah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN BYEH-neh kohn?)

...bedsheets? 

...sábanas? (SAH-bah-nahs?)

...a bathroom? 

...un baño? (oon BAH-nyoh?)

...a telephone? 

...un teléfono? (oon teh-LEH-foh-noh?)

...a TV? 

...un televisor? (oon teh-leh-VEE-sohr?)

...with Internet access? 

...con acceso al internet? (kohn AHK-seh-soh ahl een-terh-NEHT?)

...with room service? 

...con servicio a la habitación? (kohn sehr-bee-SYOH ah lah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN?)

...a double bed? 

...una cama de matrimonio? (OO-nah KAH-mah mah-tree-MOH-nyoh?)

...a single bed? 

...una cama sola? (OO-nah KAH-mah soh-LAH?)

May I see the room first? 

¿Puedo ver la habitación primero? (PWEH-doh vehr lah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN pree-MEH-roh?)

Do you have anything quieter? 

¿Tiene algo más tranquilo? (TYEH-neh AHL-goh MAHS trahn-KEE-loh?)

...bigger? 

...más grande? (MAHS GRAHN-deh)

...cleaner? 

...más limpio? (MAHS LEEM-pyoh)

...cheaper? 

...más barato? (MAHS bah-RAH-toh)

OK, I'll take it. 

Muy bien, la tomaré. (moi byehn, lah toh-mah-REH)

I will stay for _____ night(s). 

Me quedaré ______ noche(s). (meh keh-dah-REH...noh-CHEH(S))

Can you suggest other hotels? 

¿Puede recomendarme otros hoteles? (PWEH-deh reh-koh-mehn-DAHR-meh oh-TROHS oh-TEH-lehs?)

Do you have a safe? 

¿Hay caja fuerte? (eye KAH-hah FWEHR-teh?)

...lockers? 

...taquillas?/casilleros?/guardaropas?(tah-KEE-yahs/kah-see-YEH-rohs?/gwah-rdah-ROH-pahs)

Is breakfast/supper included? 

¿El desayuno/la cena va incluido/a? (ehl deh-sah-YOO-noh/lah SEH-nah bah een-kloo-WEE-doh/ah?)

What time is breakfast/supper? 

¿A qué hora es el desayuno/la cena? (ah KEH OH-rah ehs ehl deh-sah-YOO-noh/lah SEH-nah?)

Please clean my room. 

Por favor, limpie mi habitación. (pohr fah-BOHR, LEEM-pyeh mee ah-bee-tah-SYOHN)

Can you wake me at _____? 

¿Puede despertarme a las _____? (PWEH-deh dehs-pehr-TAHR-meh ah lahs)

I want to check out. 

Quiero dejar el hotel. (KYEH-roh deh-HAHR ehl oh-TEHL)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? 

¿Aceptan dólares estadounidenses/australianos/canadienses? (ah-SEHP-tahn DOH-lah-rehs ehs-tah-dow-oo-nee-DEHN-sehs/ows-trah-LYAH-nohs/kah-nah-DYEHN-sehs?)

Do you accept British pounds? 

¿Aceptan libras esterlinas británicas? (ah-SEHP-tahn LEE-brahs ehs-tehr-LEE-nahs bree-TAH-nee-kahs?)

Do you accept euros? 

¿Aceptan euros? (ah-SEHP-tahn eh-OO-rohs?)

Do you accept credit cards? 

¿Aceptan tarjeta de crédito? (ah-SEHP-tahn tahr-HEH-tah deh KREH-dee-toh?)

Can you change money for me? 

¿Me puede cambiar dinero? (meh PWEH-deh kahm-BYAHR dee-NEH-roh?)

Where can I get money changed? 

¿Dónde puedo cambiar dinero? (DOHN-deh PWEH-doh kahm-BYAHR dee-NEH-roh?)

Can you change a traveler's check for me? 

¿Me puede cambiar cheques de viaje? (meh PWEH-deh kahm-BYAHR CHEH-kehs deh BYAH-heh?)

Where can I get a traveler's check changed? 

¿Dónde me pueden cambiar cheques de viaje? (DOHN-deh meh PWEH-dehn kahm-BYAHR CHEH-kehs deh BYAH-heh?)

What is the exchange rate? 

¿A cuánto está el cambio? (ah KWAHN-toh ehs-TAH ehl KAHM-byoh?)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? 

¿Dónde hay un cajero automático? (DOHN-deh eye kah-HEH-roh ow-toh-MAH-tee-koh?)

I need small change. 

Necesito cambio pequeño. (neh-seh-SEE-toh KAHM-byoh peh-KEH-nyoh)

I need big bills. 

Necesito billetes grandes. (neh-seh-SEE-toh bee-YEH-tehs GRAHN-dehs)

I need coins 

Necesito monedas. (neh-seh-SEE-toh moh-NEH-dahs)

Eating

plate 

plato (PLAH-toh)

bowl 

tazón/cuenco (tah-SOHN/KWEHN-koh)

spoon 

cuchara (koo-CHAH-rah)

fork 

tenedor (teh-NEH-dohr)

drinking glass 

vaso/copa (BAH-soh/KOH-pah)

knife 

cuchillo (koo-CHEE-yoh)

cup/mug 

taza (TAH-sah)

saucer 

platillo (plah-TEE-yoh)

napkin 

servilleta (sehr-bee-YEH-tah)

A table for one person/two people, please. 

Una mesa para una persona/dos personas, por favor. (OO-nah MEH-sah pah-rah OO-nah pehr-SOH-nah / dohs pehr-SOH-nahs pohr fah-BOHR)

Can I look at the menu, please? 

¿Puedo ver el menú, por favor? (PWEH-doh behr ehl meh-NOO pohr fah-BOHR?)

Can I look in the kitchen? 

¿Puedo entrar a la cocina? (PWEH-doh ehn-TRAHR ah lah koh-SEE-nah?)

Is there a house specialty? 

¿Hay alguna especialidad de la casa? (ay ahl-GOO-nah ehs-peh-syah-lee-DAHD deh lah KAH-sah?)

Is there a local specialty? 

¿Hay alguna especialidad regional/de la zona? (ay ahl-GOO-nah ehs-peh-syah-lee-DAHD reh-hyoh-NAHL/deh lah SOH-nah?)

I'm a vegetarian. 

Soy vegetariano/-na. (soy beh-heh-tah-RYAH-noh/-nah)

I don't eat pork. 

No como cerdo. (noh KOH-moh SEHR-doh)

I only eat kosher food. 

Sólo como comida kosher. (SOH-loh KOH-moh koh-MEE-dah koh-SHEHR) (In a restaurant they will stare at you, since "kosher" is as Spanish as "empanada" is English.)

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) 

¿Puede poner poco aceite/poca mantequilla/poca grasa/manteca? (PWEH-deh poh-NEHR POH-koh ah-SAY-teh/POH-kah mahn-teh-KEE-yah/POH-kah GRAH-sah/mahn-TEH-kah?)

fixed-price meal 

comida fija-preciada (koh-MEE-dah FEE-hah preh-SYAH-dah)

à la carte 

a la carta (ah lah KAHR-tah)

breakfast 

desayuno (deh-sah-YOO-noh)

lunch 

comida (koh-MEE-dah) (Spain, Mexico), almuerzo (ahl-MWEHR-soh) (South America)

dinner or supper 

cena (SEH-nah) (everywhere)

snack 

bocado (boh-KAH-doh)

I want _____. 

Quiero _____. (KYEH-roh)

I want a dish containing _____. 

Quisiera un plato que lleve _____. (kee-SYEH-rah oon PLAH-toh keh YEH-beh)

chicken 

pollo. (POH-yoh)

beef 

ternera (tehr-NEH-rah), vacuno (bah-KOO-noh), res (rehss)

fish 

pescado (pehs-KAH-doh)

ham 

jamón (hah-MOHN)

sausage 

salchicha (sahl-CHEE-chah), vienesa (byeh-NEH-sah)

cheese 

queso (KEH-soh)

eggs 

huevos (oo-WEH-bohs)

salad 

ensalada (ehn-sah-LAH-dah)

(fresh) vegetables 

verduras (frescas) (behr-DOO-rahs (FREHS-kahs))

(fresh) fruit 

fruta (fresca) (FROO-tah (FREHS-kah))

bread 

pan (pahn)

toast 

tostada (tohs-TAH-dah)

noodles 

fideos (FEE-deh-ohs)

rice 

arroz (ahr-ROHS)

beans 

frijoles (free-HOH-lehs), habichuelas (ah-bee-CHWEH-lahs)

May I have a glass of _____? 

¿Me puede poner/traer un vaso de _____? (meh PWEH-deh poh-NEHR/trah-EHR oon BAH-soh deh?)

May I have a cup of _____? 

¿Me puede poner/traer una taza de _____? (meh PWEH-deh poh-NEHR/trah-EHR OO-nah TAH-sah deh?)

May I have a bottle of _____? 

¿Me puede poner/traer una botella de _____? (meh PWEH-deh poh-NEHR/trah-EHR OO-nah boh-TEH-yah deh?)

coffee 

café (kah-FEH)

tea (drink) 

té (TEH)

juice 

zumo (THOO-mo) (Spain), jugo (HOO-goh) (South America)

water 

agua (AH-gwah)

(bubbly) water 

agua con gas (AH-gwah kohn gahs) (if you say agua, if you ask at the bar, it will be tap water (for free), at the table it is normally bottled); Agua mineral (AH-gwah mee-neh-RAHL) is bottled mineral water.

beer 

cerveza (sehr-VAY-sah)

red/white wine 

vino tinto/blanco (BEE-noh TEEN-toh/BLAHN-koh)

May I have some _____? 

¿Me puede dar un poco de _____? (meh PWEH-deh dahr oon POH-koh deh?)

salt 

sal (sahl)

black pepper 

pimienta (pee-MYEHN-tah)

butter 

mantequilla (mahn-teh-KEE-yah) , manteca (mahn-TEH-kah) (in Argentina)

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server')

¡camarero! (kah-mah-REH-roh) (Spain), ¡mesero! (meh-SEH-roh) (Latin America), ¡mozo! (MOH-zoh) (Argentina)

I'm finished. 

He acabado, terminé (heh ah-kah-BAH-doh, tehr-mee-NEH) (The first phrase can refer to the finishing of a completely unrelated physiological activity)

It was delicious. 

Estaba delicioso/muy bueno/muy rico. (Arg.) (ehs-TAH-bah deh-lee-SYOH-soh/moi BWEH-noh/moi REE-koh)

Please clear the plates. 

Puede llevarse los platos. (PWEH-deh yeh-BAHR-seh lohs PLAH-tohs)

The check, please. 

La cuenta, por favor. (lah KWEHN-tah, pohr fah-BOHR)

Note that you must ask for the bill. A gringo was known to have waited until 2 in the morning because he was too shy to ask :).

Bars/Clubs

bar 

barra (BAHR-rah)

tavern/pub 

taberna (tah-BEHR-nah)

club 

club (kloob)

Could we dance here? 

¿Podríamos bailar aquí? (poh-DREE-ah-mohs BAI-lahr ah-KEE?)

What time do you close? 

¿A qué hora usted cierra? (ah KEH OH-rah oos-TEHD SYEHR-rah?)

Do you serve alcohol? 

¿Sirve usted el alcohol? (SEER-beh oos-TEHD ehl ahl-koh-OHL?)

Is there table service? 

¿Hay servicio a la mesa? (eye sehr-BEE-syoh ah lah MEH-sah?)

A beer/two beers, please. 

Una cerveza/dos cervezas, por favor. (OO-nah sehr-BEH-sah/dohs sehr-BEH-sahs, pohr FAH-bohr)

A glass of red/white wine. 

Un vaso de vino tinto/blanco. (oon BAH-soh deh BEE-noh TEEN-toh/BLAHN-koh)

A pint (of beer) 

Una jarra de cerveza (normally it will be half a liter, not really a pint, but the size is similar); In Chile or Argentina un schop might be anywhere from 300cc to one liter, in Spain the common is a caña which is 20 cl in a tube glass, also you can ask for un quinto (20 cl bottle) or un tercio (33 cl bottle)

A glass of draft beer 

Un schop (oon SHOHP) (Chile and Argentina) / Una cerveza de barril (OO-nah sehr-BEH-sah deh bahr-REEL) (Mexico); in Spain you can ask for Cerveza negra, not very common in spanish Bares, but easy to find in Pubs (Pub=small club where just drinks are served).

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer). 

_____ con _____. In Spain, Cubata is Coke with whiskey

A bottle. 

Una botella. (OO-nah boh-TEH-yah)

whiskey 

whisky (WEES-kee)

vodka 

vodka (BOHD-kah)

rum 

ron (rohn)

water 

agua (AH-gwah)

tonic water 

agua tónica (AH-gwah TOH-nee-kah)

orange juice 

jugo de naranja (HOO-goh deh NAH-rahn-hah)

Coke (soda) 

Coca-Cola (refresco) (KOH-kah-KOH-lah (reh-FREHS-koh))

Do you have any bar snacks? 

¿Tiene algo para picar? (TYEH-neh AHL-goh PAH-rah pee-KARH) (In Spain they will give you tapas (TAH-pahs), depends a lot on the bar.)

A toast! 

¡Un Brindi! (oon BREEN-dee)

One more, please. 

Otro/a ______, por favor. (OH-troh/ah pohr-FAH-bohr)

Another round, please. 

Otra ronda, por favor. (OH-trah ROHN-dah, pohr FAH-bohr)

Cheers! 

¡Salud! (sah-LOOD)

When is closing time? 

¿Cuándo cierran? (KWAHN-doh SYEHR-rahn)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size? 

¿Tiene esto de mi talla? (TYEH-neh EHS-toh deh mee TAH-yah?)

How much is this? 

¿Cuánto cuesta? (KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah?)

That's too expensive. 

Es demasiado caro. (ehs deh-mah-MYAH-doh KAH-roh)

Would you take Visa/American dollars? 

¿Aceptan Visa/dólares Americano? (ah-SEHP-tahn BEE-sah/DOH-lah-rehs ah-meh-ree-KAH-noh?)

expensive 

caro (KAH-roh)

cheap 

barato (bah-RAH-toh)

I can't afford it. 

Es muy caro para mí. (ehs moi KAH-roh PAH-rah mee)

I don't want it. 

No lo quiero. (noh loh KYEH-roh)

You're cheating me. 

Me está engañando. (meh ehs-TAH ehn-gah-NYAHN-doh)

I'm not interested. 

No me interesa. (noh meh een-teh-REH-sah)

OK, I'll take it. 

De acuerdo, me lo llevaré. (deh ah-KWEHR-doh, meh loh yeh-bah-REH)

Can I have a bag? 

¿Tiene una bolsa? (TYEH-neh OO-nah BOHL-sah)

Can you ship it to my country? 

¿Puede enviarlo a mi país? (PWEH-dah ehn-BYAHR-loh ah mee pah-EES?)

I need... 

Necesito... (neh-seh-SEE-toh)

...batteries. 

...pilas/baterías (PEE-lahs/bah-teh-REE-ahs)

...cold medicine. 

...medicamento para el resfriado. (meh-dee-kah-MEHN-toh PAH-rah ehl rehs-FRYAH-doh)

...condoms.

...preservativos/condones. (preh-sehr-bah-TEE-bohs/ kohn-DOH-nehs)

...English-language books. 

...libros en inglés. (LEE-brohs ehn een-GLEHS)

...English-language magazines. 

...revistas en inglés. (reh-VEES-tahs ehn een-GLEHS)

...an English-language newspaper. 

...un periódico/diario en inglés. (oon peh-RYOH-dee-koh/DYAH-ryoh ehn een-GLEHS)

...an English-Spanish dictionary. 

...un diccionario inglés-español. (oon deek-syoh-NAH-ryoh een-GLEHS-ehs-pah-NYOHL)

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) 

...analgésico (Aspirina, Ibuprofeno). (ah-nahl-HEH-see-koh (ahs-pee-REE-nah, ee-boo-proh-FEH-noh))

...a pen. 

...una pluma/ un bolígrafo. (OO-nah PLOO-mah/ oon boh-LEE-grah-foh)

...postage stamps. 

...sellos (SEH-yohs)(Spain)/estampillas (ehs-tahm-PEE-yahs)(Latin América).

...a postcard. 

...una postal. (OO-nah pohs-TALH)

...a razor. 

...una hoja/navaja de afeitar/rasuradora (machine) (OO-nah OH-hah/nah-BAH-hah deh ah-fay-TAHR/rah-soo-rah-DOH-rah)

...shampoo. 

...champú. (chahm-POO)

...stomach medicine. 

.... medicamento para el dolor de estómago (meh-dee-kah-MEHN-toh PAH-rah ehl doh-LOHR deh ehs-TOH-mah-goh)

...soap. 

...jabón. (hah-BOHN)

...sunblock lotion. 

...crema solar. (KREH-mah soh-LARH)

...tampons. 

...tampones. (tahm-POH-nehs)

...a toothbrush. 

... un cepillo de dientes. (oon seh-PEE-yoh deh DYEHN-tehs)

...toothpaste. 

...pasta de dientes. (PAHS-tah deh DYEHN-tehs)

...an umbrella. 

...un paraguas/una sombrilla (oon pah-RAH-gwahs/ OO-nah sohm-BREE-yah)

...writing paper. 

...papel para escribir. (pah-PEHL PAH-rah ehs-kree-BEER)

Driving

I want to rent a car. 

Quiero alquilar un coche (Spain)/carro (South America). (KYEH-roh ahl-kee-LAHR oon KOH-cheh/KAHR-roh)

Can I get insurance? 

¿Puedo contratar un seguro?

STOP (on a street sign) 

STOP (stohp) (Spain), ALTO (AHL-toh) (México), PARE (PAH-reh) (Chile, Argentina, Perú, Colombia, Puerto Rico)

one way 

dirección única (dee-rehk-SYOHN OO-nee-kah)

no parking 

no aparcar (noh ah-pahr-KAHR) , no estacionar (noh ehs-tah-syoh-NAHR)

speed limit 

límite de velocidad (LEE-mee-teh deh beh-loh-see-DAHD) , velocidad máxima (beh-loh-see-DAHD MAHK-see-mah)

gas/petrol station 

gasolinera (gah-soh-lee-NEH-rah) , estación de bencina (ehs-tah-SYOHN deh behn-SEE-nah) (Chile), estación de servicio (ehs-tah-SYOHN deh sehr-BEE-syoh) (Argentina)

gas/petrol 

gasolina (gah-soh-LEE-nah) , bencina (behn-SEE-nah) (Chile), nafta (NAHF-tah) (Argentina)

diesel 

gasóleo (gah-SOH-leh-oh) , diesel (DYEH-sehl) (Latin America), gasóil/diésel (gah-SOIL/DYEH-sehl) (Spain)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong. 

No he hecho nada malo. (NOH eh EH-choh NAH-dah MAH-loh)

Please, there has been a mistake. 

Por favor, hubo un malentendido. (pohr fah-BOHR OO-boh oon mahl-ehn-tehn-DEE-doh)

It was a misunderstanding. 

Fue un malentendido. (fweh oon mahl-ehn-tehn-DEE-doh)

Where are you taking me? 

¿Adónde me lleva? (ah-DOHN-deh meh YEH-bah?)

Am I under arrest? 

¿Estoy arrestado/da? (ehs-TOY ahr-rehs-TAH-doh/dah?)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. 

Soy ciudadano(a) estadounidense/australiano/inglés/canadiense. (soy syoo-dah-DAH-noh(ah) ehs-tah-doh-oo-nee-DEHN-see/ ows-trah-LYAH-noh/ een-GLEHS/ kah-nah-DYEHN-seh)

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. 

Quiero hablar con la embajada/el consulado estadounidense/australiano/inglés/canadiense. (KYEH-roh ah-BLAHR kohn lah ehm-bah-HAH-dah/ ehl kohn-soo-LAH-doh ehs-tah-doh-oo-nee-DEHN-see/ ows-trah-LYAH-noh/ een-GLEHS/ kah-nah-DYEHN-seh)

I want to talk to a lawyer. 

Quiero hablar con un abogado(a). (KYEH-roh ah-BLAHR kohn oon ah-boh-GAH-doh(ah))

Can I just pay a fine now? 

¿Puedo pagar la multa ahora? (PWEH-doh pah-GAHR lah MOOL-tah ah-OH-rah?)

I confess. 

Yo confieso (yoh kohn-FYEH-soh)

Emergencies

Help! 

¡Socorro!, ¡Ayuda! (soh-KOHR-roh, ah-YOO-dah)

Look out! 

¡Cuidado!, ¡Ojo! (kwee-DAH-doh, OH-hoh)

Fire! 

¡Fuego! (FWEH-goh)

Go away! 

¡Márchese!, ¡Váyase! (MAHR-cheh-seh, BAH-yah-seh)

Thief! 

¡Ladrón! (lah-DROHN)

Stop thief! 

¡Para ladrón! (PAH-rah lah-DROHN)

Police! 

¡Policía! (poh-lee-SEE-ah)

Call the police! 

¡Llame a la policía! (YAH-meh a lah poh-lee-SEE-ah)

Take cover! 

¡Cúbranse! (KOO-brahn-say)

There's a shooting! 

¡Hay disparos! (eye dees-PAH-rose)

Where is the police station? 

¿Dónde está la comisaría? (DOHN-deh ehs-TAH lah koh-mee-sah-REE-ah?)

Can you help me please? 

¿Puede usted ayudarme por favor? (PWEH-deh oos-TEHD ah-yoo-DAHR-meh pohr fah-BOHR?)

Could I use your telephone/mobile/cell phone? 

¿Podría yo usar su teléfono/móbil/celular? (poh-DREE-ah yoh oo-SAHR soo teh-LEH-foh-noh/MOH-beel/seh-loo-LAHR?)

There's been an accident! 

¡Hubo un accidente! (OO-boh oon ahk-see-DEHN-teh)

Call a... 

Llame un ... (YAH-meh oon)

...doctor! 

...¡doctor/ra! (dohk-TOHR/dohk-TOH-rah)

...an ambulance! 

...¡una ambulancia! (OO-nah ahm-boo-LAHN-syah)

I need medical attention! 

¡Necesito la asistencia médica! (neh-seh-SEE-toh lah ah-sees-TEHN-syah MEH-dee-kah)

I'm ill. 

Estoy enfermo./Me siento mal. (ehs-TOY ehn-FEHR-moh/meh SYEHN-toh mahl)

I'm lost. 

Estoy perdido. (ehs-TOY pehr-DEE-doh)

I've been raped! 

¡He sido violada/do! (eh SEE-doh byoh-LAH-dah/doh)

Where are the toilets? 

¿Dónde están los servicios? (DOHN-deh ehs-TAHN lohs sehr-VEE-syohs)

Learning more

• Spanish language at Wikipedia
• About Spanish at About.com