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Basic Spanish
Tips: The Spanish language is derived from
Latin roots so you will find that many of the verbs and words are very similar
to other European words. In general, try to pronounce all the syllables. Also,
here are some sounds to be aware of: g (h); d (soft th); v (b); 11 (ya).
Welcome to your vacation guide to Spanish. A visitor can manage quite
well with just English when visiting Cozumel Island. But why not have
some fun and learn a new language at the same time? With just a few tips,
you will be on your way to a great vacation in Mexico.
Guide to Spanish Pronunciation | Guide
to Spanish Phrases | Numbers
Guide to Spanish Pronunciation
Below is the English approximation to Spanish pronunciation. In general,
all vowels and consonants are pronounced with the exception of the letter h.
|
Letter |
Approximate Pronunciation |
Example |
|
a |
ah |
patio |
|
e |
met |
mesa |
|
i |
beet
yellow - before another vowel |
sÃ
fiesta |
|
o |
core |
rosa |
|
u |
due
water - before another vowel |
Tulum
bueno |
|
b, v |
both pronounced like back |
bien, vista |
|
c |
sister - before e, i
cat - before a,o,u |
cinco
como |
|
d |
dog - beginning of a word or after
n, l, d
this - in other positions |
dos, caldo
sed |
|
g |
help - before e, i
goat - in other positions |
inteligente
gracias |
|
h |
honest - h is silent |
honor |
|
j |
help |
jardin |
|
ll |
yes |
silla |
|
ñ |
canyon |
señor |
|
q |
cue |
queso |
|
r |
better |
tres |
|
rr |
trilled sound like a motorcycle |
perro |
|
x |
see - before consonants
tax - kc sound, between vowels |
taxi |
|
z |
set |
Arizona |
Guide to Spanish Phrases
| Greetings and Good-byes |
|
| Good morning. |
Buenos dÃas. |
| Good afternoon. |
Buenas tardes. |
| Good evening. |
Buenas noches. |
| Hello. |
Hola. |
| How are you? (formal). |
Cómo está usted? |
| How are you? (informal) |
Cómo está? |
| How's it going? |
Qué tal? |
| Very well thanks. |
Muy bien, gracias. |
| And you (formal) |
Y usted? |
| And you (informal) |
Y tú? |
| Goodbye |
Adiós. |
| See you later. |
Hasta luego. |
| See you tomorrow. |
Hasta mañana. |
| Good night. |
Buenos noches. |
| Introductions |
|
| What's your name? (formal) |
Cómo se llama usted? |
| What's your name? (informal) |
Cómo se llama? |
| My name is ..... |
Me llamo... |
| Very pleased to meet you. |
Mucho gusto. |
| How do you do? |
Encantado de conocerle? |
| Words of Courtesy |
|
| Thank you very much. |
Muchas gracias. |
| No, thank you. |
No, gracias. |
| You're welcome |
De nada. |
| Please |
Por favor. |
Pardon me. (to get attention)
Pardon me. (to pass) |
Perdón.
Con
permiso. |
| Other Useful Phrases |
|
| Yes. |
SÃ |
| No. |
No. |
| Good |
Bueno |
| Bad |
Malo |
| Why? |
Por qué? |
| When? |
Cuándo? |
| Where? |
Dónde? |
| What? |
Qué? |
| How? |
Cómo? |
| How much it is? |
Cuánto Cuesta? |
| That's too much. |
Eso es demasiado |
| I don't understand. |
No comprendo. |
| I don't speak Spanish. |
No hablo Español |
| The bill, please. |
La Cuenta, por favor. |
| Bathroom? |
El baño? |
Numbers
|
1 |
uno |
6 |
seis |
11 |
once |
16 |
dieciséis |
|
2 |
dos |
7 |
siete |
12 |
doce |
17 |
diecisiete |
|
3 |
tres |
8 |
ocho |
13 |
trece |
18 |
dieciocho |
|
4 |
cuatro |
9 |
nueve |
14 |
catorce |
19 |
diecinueve |
|
5 |
cinco |
10 |
diez |
15 |
quince |
20 |
veinte |
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