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Easy Spanish Phrases for Shopping and Dining Out
Gordon Feliz • Updated Jan 8th, 2024
Apprendre en français
Aprender em Português
¡Hola, amigos y amigas! Are you ready to embark on a wonderful journey through the vibrant streets of Spain or the colorful markets of Latin America? Whether you're shopping for unique souvenirs or savoring the local cuisine, knowing some basic Spanish phrases can make your experience much more enjoyable and immersive. Let's dive into some easy and useful Spanish phrases that will help you shop and dine like a local!
Shopping Phrases
¿Cuánto cuesta? - "How much does it cost?"
Example: Veo una camiseta bonita. Pregunto, "¿Cuánto cuesta esta camiseta?" (I see a nice t-shirt. I ask, "How much does this t-shirt cost?")
¿Puede ayudarme? - "Can you help me?"
Example: En la tienda, estoy confundido. Digo, "¿Puede ayudarme a encontrar zapatos?" (In the store, I am confused. I say, "Can you help me find shoes?")
Estoy buscando... - "I am looking for..."
Example: Quiero comprar un regalo. Digo, "Estoy buscando un libro en español." (I want to buy a gift. I say, "I am looking for a book in Spanish.")
¿Tiene esto en otra talla/color? - "Do you have this in another size/color?"
Example: Me gusta la camisa, pero es pequeña. Pregunto, "¿Tiene esto en otra talla?" (I like the shirt, but it's small. I ask, "Do you have this in another size?")
Voy a llevar esto. - "I'm going to take this."
Example: Después de probar el sombrero, decido, "Voy a llevar esto." (After trying on the hat, I decide, "I'm going to take this.")
¿Tiene alguna oferta especial? - "Do you have any special offers?"
Example: Veo un cartel de descuentos y pregunto, "¿Tiene alguna oferta especial?" (I see a discount sign and ask, "Do you have any special offers?")
¿Aceptan tarjetas de crédito? - "Do you accept credit cards?"
Example: Antes de pagar, pregunto, "¿Aceptan tarjetas de crédito?" (Before paying, I ask, "Do you accept credit cards?")
¿Puedo probarme esto? - "Can I try this on?"
Example: En la tienda de ropa, pido, "¿Puedo probarme esto?" (In the clothing store, I ask, "Can I try this on?")
¿Puede envolverlo para regalo? - "Can you gift-wrap it?"
Example: Comprando un regalo, pregunto, "¿Puede envolverlo para regalo?" (Buying a gift, I ask, "Can you gift-wrap it?")
¿Puedo cambiarlo si no me queda? - "Can I exchange it if it doesn't fit?"
Example: Al comprar zapatos, pregunto, "¿Puedo cambiarlo si no me queda?" (When buying shoes, I ask, "Can I exchange it if it doesn't fit?")
Dining Out Phrases
Una mesa para [número de personas], por favor. - "A table for [number of people], please."
Example: Llego al restaurante y digo, "Una mesa para dos, por favor." (I arrive at the restaurant and say, "A table for two, please.")
¿Puede traer el menú, por favor? - "Can you bring the menu, please?"
Example: Estoy listo para ordenar. Pido, "¿Puede traer el menú, por favor?" (I am ready to order. I ask, "Can you bring the menu, please?")
Quisiera pedir... - "I would like to order..."
Example: Después de ver el menú, decido, "Quisiera pedir paella." (After looking at the menu, I decide, "I would like to order paella.")
¿Qué recomienda? - "What do you recommend?"
Example: No estoy seguro de qué pedir y pregunto, "¿Qué recomienda?" (I am not sure what to order and I ask, "What do you recommend?")
La cuenta, por favor. - "The bill, please."
Example: Termino de comer y solicito, "La cuenta, por favor." (I finish eating and request, "The bill, please.")
¿Este plato es picante? - "Is this dish spicy?"
Example: Antes de ordenar, pregunto, "¿Este plato es picante?" (Before ordering, I ask, "Is this dish spicy?")
¿Puede recomendarme un vino? - "Can you recommend a wine?"
Example: Decidiendo qué beber, pregunto, "¿Puede recomendarme un vino?" (Deciding what to drink, I ask, "Can you recommend a wine?")
¿Tienen opciones vegetarianas? - "Do you have vegetarian options?"
Example: Como vegetariano, pregunto, "¿Tienen opciones vegetarianas?" (As a vegetarian, I ask, "Do you have vegetarian options?")
¿Puedo tener más pan, por favor? - "Can I have some more bread, please?"
Example: Disfrutando de la entrada, solicito, "¿Puedo tener más pan, por favor?" (Enjoying the appetizer, I request, "Can I have some more bread, please?")
¿Puedo hablar con el chef? - "Can I speak to the chef?"
Example: Impresionado con la comida, pido, "¿Puedo hablar con el chef?" (Impressed with the meal, I ask, "Can I speak to the chef?")
Language Learning Exercise: Dialogue in a Shopping and Dining Scenario
Context:
Imagine you are in a bustling Spanish market followed by a visit to a local restaurant. Use this dialogue to practice your Spanish phrases. Read along and try to understand the flow of the conversation.
In the Market
You: [Entras a una tienda de ropa] Hola, ¿puede ayudarme? Estoy buscando una camiseta para mi amigo.
(You enter a clothing store) Hi, can you help me? I'm looking for a t-shirt for my friend.
Shop Assistant: Claro, ¿qué talla busca? Of course, what size are you looking for?
You: No estoy seguro. ¿Tiene esto en varias tallas? I'm not sure. Do you have this in various sizes?
Shop Assistant: Sí, aquí están. ¿Qué color prefiere? Yes, here they are. What color do you prefer?
You: Me gusta este en azul. ¿Cuánto cuesta? I like this one in blue. How much does it cost?
Shop Assistant: Cuesta 20 euros. It costs 20 euros.
You: Está bien, voy a llevar esto. Gracias por su ayuda. That's fine, I'm going to take this. Thank you for your help.
In the Restaurant
You: [Llegas al restaurante] Buenas tardes, una mesa para uno, por favor. (You arrive at the restaurant) Good afternoon, a table for one, please.
Waiter: Por supuesto, por aquí por favor. ¿Puede traer el menú? Of course, this way please. Can I bring you the menu?
You: Sí, gracias. [Mirando el menú] Quisiera pedir, pero no estoy seguro de qué elegir. ¿Qué recomienda? Yes, thank you. (Looking at the menu) I would like to order, but I'm not sure what to choose. What do you recommend?
Waiter: Recomiendo la paella, es muy popular aquí. I recommend the paella, it's very popular here.
You: Suena bien, quisiera pedir paella entonces. Sounds good, I would like to order paella then.
[Después de la comida]
You: Todo estuvo delicioso. La cuenta, por favor. Everything was delicious. The bill, please.
Waiter: Aquí tiene. ¡Gracias y que tenga un buen día! Here you go. Thank you and have a nice day!
Practice Reflection:
Re-read the dialogue several times to familiarize yourself with the flow.
Try to recall the meaning of each Spanish phrase in the dialogue.
Practice saying the dialogue out loud to improve your pronunciation and confidence speaking.
Extra Learning Resources For Shopping & Dining
Here are some excellent resources to help you learn more Spanish phrases for shopping and dining out:
How to Use Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns in Spanish: This article is useful for understanding how to correctly use direct and indirect object pronouns in Spanish. It's particularly helpful for constructing more complex sentences, which is essential when shopping or dining and needing to specify what you want or need.
Learn Spanish Fast: Key Phrases for Travelers: Aimed at travelers, this article provides essential phrases that can be quickly learned and used in various situations, including shopping and dining. It’s great for those who want to communicate effectively while traveling in Spanish-speaking countries.
Speak Like a Local: Common Spanish Slang Words and Phrases: For those looking to add a more natural and colloquial touch to their Spanish, this article offers a selection of common slang words and phrases. It's ideal for understanding and using everyday language that you might encounter in casual shopping and dining experiences.
FluentU: Provides over 150 essential words and phrases for shopping in Spanish. It covers phrases for discussing prices, sizes, and bargaining techniques.
italki: Offers more than 50 useful terms and phrases for shopping. This platform is ideal for those looking to practice their language skills with professional tutors and engage in real-life conversations.
Tell Me In Spanish: This guide focuses on shopping phrases and vocabulary, including how to ask about sizes and colors, and how to shop according to your budget. It's a great resource for practical, everyday shopping situations.
Spanish and Go: Offers practical conversations and phrases that you might encounter while grocery shopping, which is helpful for everyday living or travel situations.
Ling App: This app provides useful phrases and dialogues for shopping in Spanish. It's especially good for interactive learning and practicing your language skills through engaging exercises.
Spanish Learning Lab: Offers phrases and conversations for shopping for clothes in Spanish. This resource is particularly helpful for those who want to focus on clothing-related shopping phrases.
Rocket Languages: This resource provides a broad range of phrases for general shopping in Spanish, including navigating department stores and finding specific items.
Forvo: A great place to hear the pronunciation of various shopping phrases in Spanish. This is particularly beneficial for those looking to improve their pronunciation and listening skills.