I have celiac disease. I cannot eat gluten (wheat, barley, rye, oats, or shared fryers). Do you have gluten-free dishes?
⚠️ Soy celíaco/a. No puedo tomar gluten (trigo, cebada, centeno, avena ni contaminación cruzada en freidoras compartidas). ¿Tienen platos sin gluten?
/soy theh-lee-ah-koh · noh pweh-doh toh-mar gloo-ten · ¿tyeh-nen plah-tohs seen gloo-ten?/
💡 Tip: Tap "📱 Show to Staff" on any of the 102 cards below to load it into this high-contrast display box for waiters, bartenders, pharmacists, or Renfe rail staff.
Showing all 102 Spanish phrases & dietary cards across 6 categories
I have celiac disease. I cannot eat gluten (wheat, barley, rye, oats, or cross-contamination in shared fryers). Do you have gluten-free dishes?
Soy celíaco/a. No puedo tomar gluten (trigo, cebada, centeno, avena ni contaminación cruzada en freidoras compartidas). ¿Tienen platos sin gluten?
/soy theh-lee-ah-koh · noh pweh-doh toh-mar gloo-ten · ¿tyeh-nen plah-tohs seen gloo-ten? [sɔj θeˈli.ako]/
💡 Critical celiac show-card — show directly to your waiter (camarero) or chef. Ask if patatas bravas or croquetas use a dedicated gluten-free fryer (freidora exclusiva sin gluten).
I have a severe peanut and tree nut allergy (anaphylaxis risk). Does this dish, sauce, or dessert contain peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, or pine nuts?
Tengo una alergia grave a los cacahuetes y a los frutos secos (riesgo de anafilaxia). ¿Este plato, salsa o postre contiene cacahuetes, almendras, avellanas, nueces o piñones?
/ten-goh oo-nah ah-ler-hyah grah-beh ah lohs kah-kah-weh-tes ee froo-tohs seh-kohs [aˈleɾxja ˈɣɾaβe]/
💡 Important in Catalonia (Romesco and picada sauces use almonds/hazelnuts), Andalusia (Ajoblanco almond soup), and pastry shops (turrón, tarta de Santiago).
I have a severe dairy and lactose allergy. I cannot eat milk, cheese, butter, or cream. Is this cooked in 100% olive oil?
Tengo alergia severa a los lácteos y a la lactosa. No puedo tomar leche, queso, mantequilla ni nata. ¿Está cocinado solo con aceite de oliva?
/ten-goh ah-ler-hyah seh-beh-rah ah lohs lahk-teh-ohs · ¿es-tah koh-thee-nah-doh kohn ah-theh-ee-teh deh oh-lee-bah?/
💡 Spanish savory cooking relies primarily on olive oil (aceite de oliva), making dairy avoidance much easier than in Northern Europe.
I have a severe shellfish and crustacean allergy (shrimp, prawns, crab, lobster, clams, mussels, squid, or seafood broth).
Tengo una alergia grave al marisco y a los crustáceos (gambas, langostinos, cangrejo, bogavante, almejas, mejillones, calamares o caldo de marisco).
/ten-goh oo-nah ah-ler-hyah grah-beh ahl mah-rees-koh ee kroos-tah-theh-ohs [maˈɾisko]/
💡 Show this at paella restaurants and tapas bars, where fish/prawn stock (fumet de marisco) is often used in rice and noodle dishes.
I have a severe egg allergy. Does this dish, batter, or sauce contain egg or mayonnaise (alioli)?
Tengo alergia grave al huevo. ¿Este plato, rebozado o salsa contiene huevo o mayonesa?
/ten-goh ah-ler-hyah grah-beh ahl weh-boh · ¿kohn-tyeh-neh weh-boh oh mah-yoh-neh-sah?/
💡 Note that Tortilla Española is made of eggs and potatoes, and restaurant alioli is often emulsified with egg yolk.
I am vegetarian. I do not eat meat, chicken, ham (jamón), chorizo, tuna (bonito/atún), fish, or meat stock. Eggs and cheese are fine.
Soy vegetariano/a. No como carne, pollo, jamón, chorizo, atún, bonito, pescado ni caldo de carne. Sí tomo huevos y queso.
/soy beh-heh-tah-ryah-noh · noh koh-moh kar-neh, poh-yoh, hah-mohn, choh-ree-thoh, ah-toon, pes-kah-doh/
💡 In Spain, vegetable salads (ensalada mixta) and stuffed eggs often include canned tuna (atún) or diced jamón unless you specify 'sin jamón y sin atún'.
I am strictly vegan (100% plant-based). I do not eat meat, fish, seafood, dairy, cheese, eggs, mayonnaise, or honey.
Soy estrictamente vegano/a (100% vegetal). No consumo carne, pescado, marisco, lácteos, queso, huevos, mayonesa ni miel.
/soy es-treek-tah-men-teh beh-gah-noh · noh kohn-soo-moh kar-neh, pes-kah-doh, lahk-teh-ohs, weh-bohs/
💡 Classic naturally vegan tapas include Pimientos de Padrón, Pan con Tomate, Gazpacho (ask 'sin huevo/jamón'), Champiñones al Ajillo, and Espinacas con Garbanzos.
I do not eat pork, ham (jamón), chorizo, bacon (panceta), or lard (manteca de cerdo).
Por motivos religiosos o de dieta, no como cerdo, jamón, chorizo, morcilla, panceta ni manteca de cerdo.
/noh koh-moh ther-doh, hah-mohn, choh-ree-thoh, pahn-theh-tah nee mahn-teh-kah deh ther-doh/
💡 Ask pastry shops whether traditional holiday sweets (polvorones, mantecados, ensaïmadas) are made with olive oil or pork lard (manteca).
Does this dish contain alcohol or wine in the sauce?
¿Este plato o salsa lleva alcohol o vino?
/¿es-teh plah-toh oh sahl-sah yeh-bah ahl-kohl oh bee-noh?/
💡 Braised meats like Rabo de Toro and Carrillera are slow-cooked in red wine or Sherry; grilled fish (a la plancha) is alcohol-free.
I have a sesame, soy, or sulfite allergy. Please check the allergen chart.
Tengo alergia al sésamo, a la soja o a los sulfitos. ¿Pueden consultar la carta de alérgenos, por favor?
/ten-goh ah-ler-hyah ahl seh-sah-moh, ah lah soh-hah · ¿kar-tah deh ah-ler-heh-nohs?/
💡 Every Spanish restaurant is legally required under EU Regulation 1169/2011 to maintain a 14-allergen chart ('Carta de Alérgenos').
Can you prepare this dish simply grilled with olive oil and salt, on a clean pan?
¿Pueden preparar este plato a la plancha solo con aceite de oliva y sal, en una sartén limpia?
/¿pweh-den preh-pah-rar es-teh plah-toh ah lah plahn-chah soh-loh kohn ah-theh-ee-teh deh oh-lee-bah ee sahl?/
💡 'A la plancha' (seared on a flat iron griddle with olive oil and sea salt) is the safest way to order fresh fish, calamari, meat, or vegetables.
I am diabetic. Does this drink or dish have added sugar?
Soy diabético/a. ¿Esta bebida o plato lleva azúcar añadido?
/soy dyah-beh-tee-koh · ¿es-tah beh-bee-dah yeh-bah ah-thoo-kar ah-nyah-dee-doh?/
💡 When ordering horchata in Valencia, ask for 'horchata sin azúcar' (unsweetened tiger-nut milk).
Do you have gluten-free bread (pan sin gluten) or gluten-free beer (cerveza sin gluten)?
¿Tienen pan sin gluten o cerveza sin gluten?
/¿tyeh-nen pahn seen gloo-ten oh ther-beh-thah seen gloo-ten?/
💡 Nearly every bar in Spain stocks certified gluten-free Estrella Galicia Sin Gluten, Mahou Cinco Estrellas Sin Gluten, or Daura Damm.
Do you have oat milk, soy milk, or lactose-free milk for coffee?
¿Tienen leche de avena, leche de soja o leche sin lactosa para el café?
/¿tyeh-nen leh-cheh deh ah-beh-nah, leh-cheh deh soh-hah oh leh-cheh seen lahk-toh-sah?/
💡 'Leche sin lactosa' and 'leche de avena' (oat milk) are stocked at almost every Spanish café.
Good afternoon! Do you have a table for two people, please?
¡Buenas tardes! ¿Tienen una mesa para dos personas, por favor?
/bweh-nahs tar-des · ¿tyeh-nen oo-nah meh-sah pah-rah dohs per-soh-nahs, por fah-bor?/
💡 At tapas bars you can stand at the counter (la barra) without waiting; for sit-down dining rooms or outdoor terrazas, check in with the host.
May we have a free pitcher of tap water, please?
¿Nos trae una jarra de agua del grifo, por favor?
/¿nohs trah-eh oo-nah hah-rah deh ah-gwah del gree-foh, por fah-bor?/
💡 By Spanish law (Ley 7/2022), every restaurant and bar must provide complimentary tap water ('agua del grifo') when requested.
Do you offer a weekday lunch set menu (Menú del Día)?
¿Tienen menú del día hoy?
/¿tyeh-nen meh-noo del dee-ah oy?/
💡 Served Monday–Friday from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM (€14–€22 for starter, main, bread, drink, and dessert or coffee).
We would like to share a half-portion (media ración) and a full platter (ración) of this.
Queremos compartir una media ración de esto y una ración entera de aquello, por favor.
/keh-reh-mohs kohm-par-teer oo-nah meh-dyah rah-thyohn ee oo-nah rah-thyohn en-teh-rah/
💡 Tapa = single bite; Media ración = half plate for 2; Ración = full sharing platter for 3–4 people.
Two small draft beers (cañas) and one draft vermouth over ice, please.
Dos cañas de cerveza y un vermut de grifo con hielo, por favor.
/dohs kah-nyahs deh ther-beh-thah ee oon ber-moot deh gree-foh kohn yeh-loh, por fah-bor/
💡 'La hora del vermut' (12:30–2:00 PM) is Spain's beloved pre-lunch ritual.
One espresso with a splash of milk (cortado) and one coffee with hot milk (café con leche), please.
Un café cortado y un café con leche, por favor.
/oon kah-feh kor-tah-doh ee oon kah-feh kohn leh-cheh, por fah-bor/
💡 Café solo = black espresso; Cortado = espresso with a splash of milk; Café con leche = half espresso, half steamed milk.
For breakfast: toasted bread with grated tomato and extra-virgin olive oil, please.
Para desayunar: una tostada con tomate y aceite de oliva virgen extra, por favor.
/oo-nah tohs-tah-dah kohn toh-mah-teh ee ah-theh-ee-teh deh oh-lee-bah/
💡 Spain's classic morning breakfast alongside café con leche (€3–€4.50 total). Add 'con jamón ibérico' for cured ham on top.
What is the house specialty or local dish you recommend today?
¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa o qué plato típico nos recomienda hoy?
/¿kwahl es lah es-peh-thyah-lee-dahd deh lah kah-sah oh keh plah-toh tee-pee-koh nohs reh-koh-myen-dah?/
💡 Waiters love pointing out off-menu seasonal dishes ('fuera de carta'), such as fresh wild mushrooms or catch of the day.
Is there an extra surcharge for sitting outside on the terrace (terraza)?
¿Hay suplemento por sentarse fuera en la terraza?
/¿ay soo-pleh-men-toh por sen-tar-seh fweh-rah en lah teh-rrah-thah?/
💡 Many Spanish cafés charge a legal 10%–20% 'suplemento de terraza' for outdoor table service vs standing at the indoor bar.
May we have the bill / check, please?
La cuenta, por favor.
/lah kwen-tah, por fah-bor [la ˈkwenta poɾ faˈβoɾ]/
💡 Servers in Spain never bring the check until you ask, so you can relax over post-meal conversation ('la sobremesa').
Can I pay by contactless card? Please charge my card in Euros (€).
¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? En euros (€), por favor.
/¿pweh-doh pah-gar kohn tar-heh-tah? en eh-oo-rohs, por fah-bor/
💡 Always select EUR (€) on the handheld card terminal (datáfono) to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion markups.
One glass of Rioja / Ribera del Duero red wine and one glass of Albariño / Verdejo white wine, please.
Una copa de vino tinto (Rioja / Ribera) y una copa de vino blanco (Albariño / Verdejo), por favor.
/oo-nah koh-pah deh bee-noh teen-toh ee oo-nah koh-pah deh bee-noh blahn-koh, por fah-bor/
💡 Wine by the glass ('una copa') in Spain is exceptional value, typically €2.80–€4.50 for DOCa Rioja or DO Rías Baixas Albariño.
One Tinto de Verano with lemon (con limón), please.
Un tinto de verano con limón, por favor.
/oon teen-toh deh beh-rah-noh kohn lee-mohn, por fah-bor/
💡 Chilled red wine with lemon soda over ice—much more authentic, refreshing, and affordable than tourist sangría.
Is the bread and appetizer service optional or included?
¿El servicio de pan y aperitivo está incluido?
/¿el ser-bee-thyoh deh pahn ee ah-peh-ree-tee-boh es-tah een-kloo-ee-doh?/
💡 Any bread basket charge (€1.50–€2.50 per person) must be printed clearly on the menu with IVA included.
How would you like the meat cooked? Rare (poco hecho) / Medium (al punto) / Well-done (hecho).
Poco hecho / Al punto / Muy hecho, por favor.
/poh-koh eh-choh / ahl poon-toh / mwee eh-choh, por fah-bor/
💡 Basque Txuleta ribeye is traditionally served 'poco hecho' or 'al punto' (warm red/pink center) with coarse sea salt.
Which hot pintxos are made fresh to order from the kitchen?
¿Qué pintxos calientes salen recién hechos de cocina?
/¿keh peen-chohs kah-lyen-tes sah-len reh-thyen eh-chohs deh koh-thee-nah?/
💡 In San Sebastián and Bilbao, the best pintxos (carrillera, foie, txangurro, tortilla) are ordered hot from the blackboard menu.
Is the paella cooked fresh to order, and is there a two-person minimum?
¿La paella se hace al momento? ¿Es para mínimo dos personas?
/¿lah pah-eh-yah seh ah-theh ahl moh-men-toh? ¿es pah-rah mee-nee-moh dohs per-soh-nahs?/
💡 Authentic wood-fired or gas-pan paella takes 20–25 minutes to cook from scratch and is almost always ordered for a minimum of 2 people at lunch.
One portion of churros / porras with thick hot chocolate, please.
Una ración de churros con chocolate caliente, por favor.
/oo-nah rah-thyohn deh choo-rrohs kohn choh-koh-lah-teh kah-lyen-teh, por fah-bor/
💡 Enjoyed for breakfast (8:00–11:00 AM) or late-afternoon merienda (5:30–7:30 PM) at traditional chocolaterías.
One glass of cold Horchata de Chufa with fartons pastries, please.
Un vaso de horchata de chufa bien fría con fartons, por favor.
/oon bah-soh deh or-chah-tah deh choo-fah byen free-ah kohn far-tohns/
💡 Valencia's signature chilled tiger-nut milk drink, served with light glazed pastry fingers (fartons) for dipping.
Where are the restrooms / toilets, please?
Perdone, ¿dónde están los servicios / los baños?
/per-doh-neh, ¿dohn-deh es-tahn lohs ser-bee-thyohs / lohs bah-nyohs?/
💡 Restrooms in Spanish bars and restaurants are usually labeled 'Servicios' or 'Aseos' ('Damas / Señoras' and 'Caballeros').
Everything was delicious! Thank you very much.
¡Estaba todo buenísimo! Muchas gracias.
/es-tah-bah toh-doh bweh-nee-see-moh · moo-chahs grah-thyahs/
💡 A warm compliment that will brighten any Spanish chef or server's day.
Do you have a table reserved under the name...?
Hola, tenemos una reserva a nombre de...
/oh-lah, teh-neh-mohs oo-nah reh-ser-bah ah nohm-breh deh.../
💡 Reserve popular dinner tables in Madrid, Barcelona, and San Sebastián for 9:00 PM or 9:30 PM.
Which platform (vía) does the AVE / Iryo / Ouigo train to Barcelona / Seville depart from?
Disculpe, ¿de qué vía sale el tren de alta velocidad hacia Barcelona / Sevilla?
/dees-kool-peh, ¿deh keh bee-ah sah-leh el tren deh ahl-tah beh-loh-thee-dahd?/
💡 Remember to clear the X-ray baggage scanner ('Control de Equipajes') 20–30 minutes before departure.
Does this train depart from Madrid Puerta de Atocha or Madrid Chamartín?
¿Este tren sale de Madrid Puerta de Atocha o de Madrid Chamartín?
/¿es-teh tren sah-leh deh mah-dreed pwer-tah deh ah-toh-chah oh deh chah-mar-teen?/
💡 Double-check your ticket! Cercanías lines C3 and C4 connect Atocha and Chamartín in 13 minutes.
How do I redeem my free 'Combinado Cercanías' code on my Renfe AVE ticket?
¿Dónde puedo canjear el código de Combinado Cercanías de mi billete de AVE?
/¿dohn-deh pweh-doh kahn-heh-ar el koh-dee-goh deh kohm-bee-nah-doh ther-kah-nee-ahs?/
💡 Scan the barcode or type the 5-character code on your AVE ticket at any Cercanías/Rodalies machine for a free connecting suburban ticket.
I would like a rechargeable Madrid Tarjeta Multi loaded with a 10-trip Metrobús pack, please.
Querría una Tarjeta Multi con un bono de diez viajes de Metrobús, por favor.
/keh-rree-ah oo-nah tar-heh-tah mool-tee kohn oon boh-noh deh dyeth byah-hes/
💡 Sold at red Metro de Madrid vending machines (includes English screen menu). Multiple travelers can share one Multi card.
In Barcelona: I would like a T-casual (10 rides) or T-usual (30-day unlimited) Zone 1 card.
Querría una tarjeta T-casual (diez viajes) o T-usual (treinta días) de una zona, por favor.
/keh-rree-ah oo-nah tar-heh-tah teh-kah-swahl oh teh-oo-swahl deh oo-nah thoh-nah/
💡 For T-usual (€21.35, includes Airport Metro L9 Sud), enter your passport number on the TMB vending machine screen.
Where is the luggage locker (consigna) or bag storage office?
Disculpe, ¿dónde está la consigna de equipaje?
/dees-kool-peh, ¿dohn-deh es-tah lah kohn-seeg-nah deh eh-kee-pah-heh?/
💡 Available inside Barcelona-Sants, inside Córdoba Bus Station (across from Córdoba AVE station), and outside Madrid Atocha.
One round-trip Avant train ticket to Toledo / Segovia, please.
Un billete de ida y vuelta en tren Avant a Toledo / Segovia, por favor.
/oon bee-yeh-teh deh ee-dah ee bwel-tah en tren ah-bahnt ah toh-leh-doh / seh-goh-byah/
💡 Toledo Avant departs Madrid Puerta de Atocha (33m); Segovia Avant departs Madrid Chamartín (27m).
Excuse me, is this seat reserved? My ticket says Car (Coche) 4, Seat (Plaza) 6B.
Disculpe, ¿está ocupado este asiento? Mi billete indica Coche 4, Plaza 6B.
/dees-kool-peh, ¿es-tah oh-koo-pah-doh es-teh ah-syen-toh? koh-cheh kwah-troh, plah-thah seys beh/
💡 'Coche' is the train carriage number displayed on the digital exterior door screen; 'Plaza' is your seat number.
Does this bus or metro go to the airport (Aeropuerto) / city center (Centro)?
Perdone, ¿este autobús / metro va al aeropuerto / al centro?
/per-doh-neh, ¿es-teh ow-toh-boos / meh-troh bah ahl ah-eh-roh-pwer-toh / ahl then-troh?/
💡 In Madrid look for the yellow Línea Exprés Aeropuerto (€5); in Barcelona look for the blue Aerobus (A1/A2, €7.25) or R2 Nord train.
To this hotel address, please. Do you accept credit card payment in the taxi?
A esta dirección, por favor. ¿Se puede pagar con tarjeta en el taxi?
/ah es-tah dee-rek-thyohn, por fah-bor · ¿seh pweh-deh pah-gar kohn tar-heh-tah en el tahk-see?/
💡 All licensed taxis in Madrid (white with red stripe) and Barcelona (black and yellow) are required by law to carry a working card machine.
What is the fixed taxi fare (€33) from Madrid Barajas Airport to central Madrid inside the M-30?
Vamos al centro de Madrid (dentro de la M-30) con la tarifa fija de 33 euros, ¿verdad?
/bah-mohs ahl then-troh deh mah-dreed kohn lah tah-ree-fah fee-hah deh treyn-tah ee tres eh-oo-rohs/
💡 Madrid official taxis charge a flat €33 (all supplements included) between Barajas Airport and any address inside the M-30 ring road.
Which stop should I get off at for the Alhambra / Sagrada Família / Prado Museum?
¿En qué parada debo bajar para ir a la Alhambra / la Sagrada Familia / el Museo del Prado?
/¿en keh pah-rah-dah deh-boh bah-har pah-rah eer ah lah ahl-ahm-brah?/
💡 In Granada, take tiny red Alhambra minibus C30 or C32 from Plaza Isabel la Católica.
Where do I board the Baleària / Fred. Olsen ferry, and is this the foot-passenger gate?
¿Dónde se embarca en el ferry de Baleària / Fred. Olsen para pasajeros sin coche?
/¿dohn-deh seh em-bar-kah en el feh-rree pah-rah pah-sah-heh-rohs seen koh-cheh?/
💡 Arrive 45–60 minutes before Balearic or Canary Islands ferry departures with your physical passport.
Is this parking garage outside the Low Emission Zone (Zona de Bajas Emisiones / ZBE), or can you register our license plate?
¿Este parking está fuera de la Zona de Bajas Emisiones (ZBE), o pueden registrar nuestra matrícula?
/¿es-teh par-keeng es-tah fweh-rah deh lah thoh-nah deh bah-hahs eh-mee-syoh-nes?/
💡 Crucial if driving a rental car into central Madrid or Barcelona—parking directly in an authorized public underground garage registers your plate.
Can I add a checked suitcase to my Avlo or Ouigo booking?
¿Puedo añadir una maleta grande a mi billete de Avlo / Ouigo?
/¿pweh-doh ah-nyah-deer oo-nah mah-leh-tah grahn-deh ah mee bee-yeh-teh?/
💡 Adding a large bag online in the Renfe/Ouigo app before arriving at the station costs €5–€10 vs €20–€30 at the gate.
Where do we catch the vintage 1912 wooden train from Palma to Sóller?
¿Dónde se toma el tren histórico de madera de Palma a Sóller?
/¿dohn-deh seh toh-mah el tren ees-toh-ree-koh deh mah-deh-rah deh pahl-mah ah soh-yer?/
💡 Departs from the Ferrocarril de Sóller station right beside Plaça d'Espanya in Palma de Mallorca.
Is this the Quiet Car (Coche en Silencio)?
Perdone, ¿este es el Coche en Silencio?
/per-doh-neh, ¿es-teh es el koh-cheh en see-len-thyoh?/
💡 In Renfe AVE 'Coche en Silencio', phone calls are prohibited and headphones are required.
We have requested Adif Acerca step-free boarding assistance for this train.
Hemos solicitado el servicio de asistencia Adif Acerca para subir al tren.
/eh-mohs soh-lee-thee-tah-doh el ser-bee-thyoh ah-deef ah-ther-kah/
💡 Meet the yellow-vested Adif Acerca staff at the station meeting point 30 minutes before departure.
Hello! Good morning! (Used until 2:00 PM lunch)
¡Hola! ¡Buenos días!
/oh-lah · bweh-nohs dee-ahs [ˈola ˈbwenoz ˈði.as]/
💡 In Spain, 'Buenos días' is used all morning until lunchtime (~2:00 PM), when greetings switch to 'Buenas tardes'.
Good afternoon / Good evening! (Used from 2:00 PM until sunset/dinner)
¡Buenas tardes! / ¡Buenas!
/bweh-nahs tar-des [ˈbwenas ˈtaɾðes]/
💡 Locals also use the friendly shorthand '¡Buenas!' at any time of day when stepping into a shop or elevator.
Good night! (Used after 9:00 PM or when saying goodbye at night)
¡Buenas noches!
/bweh-nahs noh-ches [ˈbwenas ˈnotʃes]/
💡 Used both as an evening greeting after dark and when saying goodnight.
Please / Thank you very much / You're welcome.
Por favor / Muchas gracias / De nada.
/por fah-bor / moo-chahs grah-thyahs / deh nah-dah/
💡 Note the Castilian 'th' sound in 'gracias' (/ˈɡɾa.θjas/).
Excuse me (to get a waiter's attention or ask a question) / Sorry (when squeezing past).
Disculpe / Perdone (attention) · Con permiso / Perdón (passing by).
/dees-kool-peh / per-doh-neh · kohn per-mee-soh / per-dohn/
💡 Raise a hand gently and say 'Perdone' or 'Disculpe' to catch your waiter's eye at a busy terraza.
Do you speak English? I only speak a little Spanish.
Perdone, ¿habla inglés? Hablo solo un poco de español.
/per-doh-neh, ¿ah-blah een-gles? ah-bloh soh-loh oon poh-koh deh es-pah-nyohl/
💡 Opening in polite Spanish before asking for English always earns a warm smile.
Could you speak a little more slowly, please?
¿Puede hablar un poco más despacio, por favor?
/¿pweh-deh ah-blar oon poh-koh mahs des-pah-thyoh, por fah-bor?/
💡 Spaniards speak at one of the fastest syllable-per-second rates in the world—asking 'más despacio' helps immediately!
Could you write it down or show me on the map, please?
¿Puede escribirlo o mostrármelo en el mapa, por favor?
/¿pweh-deh es-kree-beer-loh oh mohs-trar-meh-loh en el mah-pah, por fah-bor?/
💡 Very handy for village bus times, street addresses, or tapas dish names.
In Catalonia / Mallorca (Catalan): Good morning · Please · Thank you very much · Goodbye!
Bon dia! · Si us plau · Moltes gràcies · Adéu! (Català)
/bon dee-ah · see oos plow · mol-tes grah-see-es · ah-deh-oo/
💡 Everyone in Barcelona, Girona, and Mallorca is bilingual in Spanish and Catalan, and using 'Bon dia' or 'Moltes gràcies' is warmly appreciated.
In the Basque Country (Euskara): Hello · Morning · Thank you very much · Goodbye!
Kaixo! · Egun on · Eskerrik asko · Agur! (Euskara)
/kai-shoh · eh-goon on · es-keh-rreek ahs-koh · ah-goor/
💡 In San Sebastián and Bilbao, thanking your pintxo bartender with 'Eskerrik asko!' (Thank you very much) and 'Agur!' (Goodbye) is a local favorite.
In Galicia (Galician) & on the Camino de Santiago: Good morning · Thank you · Good Camino!
Bos días! · Moitas grazas · ¡Buen Camino!
/bohs dee-ahs · moy-tahs grah-thahs · bwen kah-mee-noh/
💡 Greet fellow walkers and locals in Santiago de Compostela with '¡Buen Camino!' and 'Moitas grazas'.
Where is the Tourist Information Office (Oficina de Turismo)?
Disculpe, ¿dónde está la Oficina de Turismo?
/dees-kool-peh, ¿dohn-deh es-tah lah oh-fee-thee-nah deh too-rees-moh?/
💡 Municipal tourist offices provide free city walking maps, patio festival routes, and monument hours.
Cheers! (Used when clinking glasses of wine, cava, vermut, or beer)
¡Salud! / ¡Chin-chin!
/sah-lood / cheen-cheen [saˈluð]/
💡 Make eye contact when clinking glasses and say '¡Salud!'.
See you later! / Have a great day!
¡Hasta luego! / ¡Que tenga un buen día!
/ahs-tah lweh-goh / keh ten-gah oon bwen dee-ah/
💡 '¡Hasta luego!' is the universal friendly farewell when leaving any shop, café, or taxi.
How much does this cost?
¿Cuánto cuesta esto? / ¿Qué precio tiene?
/¿kwahn-toh kwes-tah es-toh? / ¿keh preh-thyoh tyeh-neh?/
💡 All retail and restaurant prices in Spain include IVA (VAT) by law.
Would you mind taking a photo of us, please?
Perdone, ¿nos podría hacer una foto, por favor?
/per-doh-neh, ¿nohs poh-dree-ah ah-ther oo-nah foh-toh, por fah-bor?/
💡 Hand your phone directly to another family or couple at viewpoints like Mirador de San Nicolás or Plaza de España.
Hello, we are checking in. Here are our passports for the mandatory hotel registration.
Hola, venimos a hacer el check-in. Aquí tiene nuestros pasaportes para el registro de viajeros.
/oh-lah, beh-nee-mohs ah ah-ther el chek-een · ah-kee tyeh-neh nwes-trohs pah-sah-por-tes/
💡 Under Royal Decree 933/2021, every adult guest must present a physical passport or ID at check-in.
Could you store our suitcases until our afternoon AVE train (guardamaletas)?
¿Podrían guardarnos las maletas en consigna hasta que salga nuestro tren esta tarde?
/¿poh-dree-ahn gwar-dar-nohs lahs mah-leh-tahs ahs-tah keh sahl-gah nwes-troh tren?/
💡 Virtually every hotel and hostal in Spain stores luggage free of charge before check-in and after check-out.
Is breakfast included, and what time does it start?
¿El desayuno está incluido? ¿A qué hora empieza?
/¿el deh-sah-yoo-noh es-tah een-kloo-ee-doh? ¿ah keh oh-rah em-pyeh-thah?/
💡 Often stepping out to a neighborhood café for a €3.50 tostada con tomate y café con leche beats a €20 hotel buffet.
How much is the municipal tourist tax (IEET in Catalonia / Ecotasa in Mallorca) per night?
¿Cuánto es la tasa turística municipal por persona y noche?
/¿kwahn-toh es lah tah-sah too-rees-tee-kah por per-soh-nah ee noh-cheh?/
💡 Charged only in Catalonia (Barcelona €5–€7.50/night) and the Balearic Islands (€1–€4/night, capped at 7 nights).
Can you issue a digital DIVA Tax-Free VAT refund invoice for non-EU residents? Here is my passport.
¿Pueden hacerme factura electrónica Tax-Free (DIVA) para residentes fuera de la Unión Europea? Aquí está mi pasaporte.
/¿pweh-den ah-ther-meh fahk-too-rah tahks-free dee-bah? ah-kee es-tah mee pah-sah-por-teh/
💡 Spain has €0 minimum purchase for DIVA Tax-Free! Scan the DIVA barcode at the airport kiosk before checking your bags.
Where is the Guardia Civil DIVA electronic validation kiosk at the airport?
Disculpe, ¿dónde están las máquinas electrónicas DIVA de validación de Tax-Free?
/¿dohn-deh es-tahn lahs mah-kee-nahs dee-bah deh bah-lee-dah-thyohn deh tahks-free?/
💡 Located in the Departures check-in hall (Landside) at Madrid Barajas T1/T4 and Barcelona El Prat T1/T2.
We have timed-entry tickets for the Alhambra Nasrid Palaces / Sagrada Família at 10:30 AM.
Tenemos entradas con hora asignada para los Palacios Nazaríes / la Sagrada Familia a las 10:30.
/teh-neh-mohs en-trah-dahs kohn oh-rah ah-seeg-nah-dah ah lahs dyeth ee meh-dyah/
💡 Have your original physical passport and QR code ready at the entrance queue 15 minutes before your slot.
Does this ticket include an English audio guide (audioguía en inglés)?
¿Esta entrada incluye audioguía en inglés?
/¿es-tah en-trah-dah een-kloo-yeh ow-dyoh-gee-ah en een-gles?/
💡 Sagrada Família includes an official mobile app audio guide; bring Bluetooth earbuds so you can listen comfortably.
What time does the free evening entry start at the Prado / Reina Sofía Museum?
¿A qué hora empieza el horario de entrada gratuita por la tarde?
/¿ah keh oh-rah em-pyeh-thah el oh-rah-ryoh deh en-trah-dah grah-twee-tah?/
💡 Prado free hours: Mon–Sat 6:00–8:00 PM, Sun 5:00–7:00 PM. Reina Sofía free hours: Mon & Wed–Sat 7:00–9:00 PM.
Can you vacuum-seal (envasar al vacío) this Jamón Ibérico or Manchego cheese for my flight?
¿Pueden envasar al vacío este jamón ibérico / queso manchego para viajar en avión?
/¿pweh-den en-bah-sar ahl bah-thee-oh es-teh hah-mohn ee-beh-ree-koh / keh-soh mahn-cheh-goh?/
💡 Market stalls and charcuterías vacuum-pack sliced jamón and cheese wedges free of charge so they travel odor-free.
Can I try this on? Where are the fitting rooms (probadores)?
¿Puedo probármelo? ¿Dónde están los probadores?
/¿pweh-doh proh-bar-meh-loh? ¿dohn-deh es-tahn lohs proh-bah-doh-res?/
💡 Useful at Spanish fashion flagships (Zara, Massimo Dutti, Loewe) and artisan leather/espadrille shops.
Do you have a smaller size (una talla más pequeña) or a larger size (una talla más grande)?
¿Tienen una talla más pequeña / una talla más grande?
/¿tyeh-nen oo-nah tah-yah mahs peh-keh-nyah / mahs grahn-deh?/
💡 European shoe sizes: Women's US 8 ≈ EU 38–39; Men's US 10 ≈ EU 43–44.
Can we climb the cathedral bell tower (la Giralda / el Miguelete) or rooftop terraces?
¿Se puede subir a la torre del campanario o a las cubiertas de la catedral?
/¿seh pweh-deh soo-beer ah lah toh-rreh del kahm-pah-nah-ryoh oh ah lahs koo-byer-tahs?/
💡 Seville's Giralda uses 34 wide horse ramps instead of stairs; Santiago de Compostela offers guided rooftop walks.
Is photography without flash allowed inside?
¿Está permitido hacer fotos sin flash en el interior?
/¿es-tah per-mee-tee-doh ah-ther foh-tohs seen flash en el een-teh-ryor?/
💡 Note that Madrid's Prado Museum and Reina Sofía Room 206 (Guernica—now permitted without flash, check current signs) have strict no-flash/photo rules.
The air conditioning / heating / Wi-Fi in our room isn't working.
El aire acondicionado / la calefacción / el Wi-Fi de nuestra habitación no funciona.
/el ay-reh ah-kohn-dee-thyoh-nah-doh / el wee-fee noh foon-thyoh-nah/
💡 In Spanish, Wi-Fi is pronounced 'WEE-fee' (/ˈwifi/).
Could you call an official radio taxi for us for tomorrow morning at 6:00 AM?
¿Podrían pedirnos un taxi oficial para mañana a las seis de la mañana, por favor?
/¿poh-dree-ahn peh-deer-nohs oon tahk-see oh-fee-thyahl pah-rah mah-nyah-nah ah lahs seys?/
💡 Hotel receptionists can pre-book an official metered Radio Taxi or FreeNow cab in seconds.
Do you have a quiet interior courtyard room (habitación interior tranquila)?
¿Tienen alguna habitación tranquila que dé al patio interior?
/¿tyeh-nen ahl-goo-nah ah-bee-tah-thyohn trahn-kee-lah keh deh ahl pah-tyoh?/
💡 In lively neighborhoods like Madrid's Huertas or Seville's Santa Cruz, courtyard rooms guarantee silent sleep.
Are there any discounted tickets for seniors (mayores de 65 años), students, or children?
¿Hay tarifa reducida para mayores de 65 años, estudiantes o niños?
/¿ay tah-ree-fah reh-doo-thee-dah pah-rah mah-yoh-res deh seh-sen-tah ee theen-koh ah-nyohs?/
💡 Carry passport/student ID—most Spanish national museums and Renfe Targeta Dorada offer senior (60+/65+) and youth discounts.
Where is the nearest open pharmacy (farmacia) or 24-hour duty pharmacy (farmacia de guardia)?
Disculpe, ¿dónde está la farmacia abierta o la farmacia de guardia más cercana?
/¿dohn-deh es-tah lah far-mah-thyah ah-byer-tah oh lah far-mah-thyah deh gwar-dyah?/
💡 Look for the flashing green neon cross. Every closed pharmacy posts the address of the nearest 24-hour 'Farmacia de Guardia' on its door.
I need an English-speaking doctor. It is a medical emergency (Dial 112).
Necesito un médico que hable inglés. Es una urgencia médica (112).
/neh-theh-see-toh oon meh-dee-koh keh ah-bleh een-gles · es oo-nah oor-hen-thyah meh-dee-kah/
💡 Dial 112 free from any phone in Spain for ambulance, police, or fire with English-speaking dispatchers.
Do you have something for a headache / fever / stomach ache (ibuprofeno / paracetamol)?
¿Tiene algo para el dolor de cabeza / la fiebre / el dolor de estómago?
/¿tyeh-neh ahl-goh pah-rah el doh-lor deh kah-beh-thah / lah fyeh-breh / el es-toh-mah-goh?/
💡 In Spain, Ibuprofen (400mg) and Paracetamol (500mg/650mg) are sold exclusively at pharmacies (never in supermarkets) for €2–€4.
Do you have blister plasters (apósitos para ampollas / Compeed) or ankle bandages?
¿Tiene apósitos para ampollas en los pies o una venda para el tobillo?
/¿tyeh-neh ah-poh-see-tohs pah-rah ahm-poh-yahs en lohs pyes?/
💡 Cobblestones in Toledo, Granada, and Santiago de Compostela make hydrocolloid blister plasters a lifesaver.
Do you have motion sickness pills (Biodramina) for the ferry or mountain bus?
¿Tiene pastillas para el mareo en barco o autobús (Biodramina)?
/¿tyeh-neh pahs-tee-yahs pah-rah el mah-reh-oh en bar-koh oh ow-toh-boos?/
💡 'Biodramina' (dimenhydrinate, available with or without caffeine) is Spain's standard over-the-counter motion-sickness remedy.
Do you have antihistamine allergy tablets or hydrocortisone cream for insect bites?
¿Tiene un antihistamínico para la alergia o una crema para picaduras de insectos?
/¿tyeh-neh oon ahn-tee-ees-tah-mee-nee-koh oh oo-nah kreh-mah pah-rah pee-kah-doo-rahs?/
💡 Spanish pharmacists ('farmacéuticos') hold clinical degrees and can recommend over-the-counter treatments immediately.
I am having a severe allergic reaction. I need an adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen) and an ambulance (112)!
¡Estoy teniendo una reacción alérgica grave (anafilaxia)! Necesito adrenalina autoinyectable y una ambulancia (112).
/es-toy teh-nyen-doh oo-nah reh-ahk-thyohn ah-ler-hee-kah grah-beh · neh-theh-see-toh ah-dreh-nah-lee-nah/
💡 Show this card immediately to staff or bystanders while dialing 112.
I have lost my passport / wallet / phone. Where is the nearest National Police station (Comisaría de Policía)?
He perdido mi pasaporte / mi cartera / mi móvil. ¿Dónde está la Comisaría de Policía Nacional más cercana?
/eh per-dee-doh mee pah-sah-por-teh / mee kar-teh-rah · ¿dohn-deh es-tah lah koh-mee-sah-ree-ah?/
💡 You need an official police report ('denuncia') from the Policía Nacional (or Mossos d'Esquadra in Catalonia) for travel insurance and embassy emergency passports.
Someone pickpocketed my bag on the metro / street. I need to file a police report (denuncia).
Me han robado el bolso / la cartera al descuido. Necesito poner una denuncia.
/meh ahn roh-bah-doh el bohl-soh / lah kar-teh-rah · neh-theh-see-toh poh-ner oo-nah deh-noon-thyah/
💡 Freeze your credit cards in your banking app first, then visit the nearest police station.
Where is the nearest hospital emergency room (Urgencias del Hospital)?
¿Dónde están las Urgencias del hospital más cercano?
/¿dohn-deh es-tahn lahs oor-hen-thyahs del ohs-pee-tahl mahs ther-kah-noh?/
💡 Spain's public hospital network ('Urgencias') is among the highest-rated in Europe.
Please help me! Call the police or an ambulance (112)!
¡Ayúdeme, por favor! ¡Llame a la policía o a una ambulancia al 112!
/ah-yoo-deh-meh, por fah-bor · yah-meh ah lah poh-lee-thee-ah oh ahl oon-oh-oon-oh-dohs/
💡 112 works even if your phone has no Spanish SIM card or roaming plan.
Where is the United States / UK / Canadian / Australian Embassy or Consulate?
¿Dónde está la Embajada o el Consulado de Estados Unidos / Reino Unido / Canadá / Australia?
/¿dohn-deh es-tah lah em-bah-hah-dah oh el kohn-soo-lah-doh?/
💡 Embassies are in Madrid; major consulates operate in Barcelona, Málaga, Seville, and Palma de Mallorca.
My phone battery is dead. Could I plug in my charger for ten minutes, please?
Me he quedado sin batería en el móvil. ¿Podría enchufar el cargador diez minutos, por favor?
/meh eh keh-dah-doh seen bah-teh-ree-ah en el moh-beel · ¿poh-dree-ah en-choo-far el kar-gah-dor?/
💡 Important when your AVE rail ticket or Alhambra entrance QR code is on your smartphone.
Do you have oral rehydration salts (suero oral) or sunburn gel (aftersun)?
¿Tiene suero oral para la deshidratación o gel para quemaduras solares?
/¿tyeh-neh sweh-roh oh-rahl oh hel pah-rah keh-mah-doo-rahs soh-lah-res?/
💡 Essential during hot Andalusian or Mediterranean summer afternoons.