Mexican Spanish - Cheat Sheet
Co-created alongside our Mexican teacher Aramis, with travellers in mind, our cheat sheet has been carefully crafted to prepare you for your trip to Mexico. Use it to try out those new conversation skills whilst you are there and give you confidence having this in your backpocket when you need it!
Greetings & Introductions
Starting conversations and saying hello.
You say:
HelloHola
They might say:
HelloHola
You ask:
How are you?¿Cómo estás?
They might reply:
They ask:
What is your name?¿Cómo te llamas? / ¿Cómo se llama (usted)? (formal)
You reply:
My name is [Your Name]Me llamo [Tu Nombre]
You say:
Nice to meet youMucho gusto / Encantado(a) de conocerte
They might reply:
Nice to meet you tooIgualmente / Mucho gusto
You say:
GoodbyeAdiós
They might say:
Understanding & Asking for Help
Basic communication needs.
You ask:
Do you speak English?¿Hablas inglés? / ¿Habla inglés? (formal)
They might reply:
You say:
I don’t understand.No entiendo.
They might say:
(They might try to rephrase or speak slower)
(Intentarán reformular o hablar más despacio)
You ask:
Can you repeat that, please?¿Puedes repetirme eso, por favor? / ¿Puede repetir eso? (formal)
They might say:
Of course! (and repeat)
¡Claro! (y repiten)
You ask:
Can you speak slower, please?¿Puedes hablar más lento, por favor? / ¿Puede hablar más lento, por favor? (formal)
They might say:
Yes, sorry. (and speak slower)
Sí, perdón. (y hablan más despacio)
You ask:
Where is the bathroom?¿Dónde está el baño?
They might reply:
You say:
Thank you.Gracias.
They might reply:
You're welcome.De nada / Por nada
Questions You Might Be Asked
Typical questions you might get asked by locals
They ask:
Where are you from?¿De dónde eres? / ¿De dónde es usted? (formal)
You reply:
I am from [Country].Soy de [País].
They ask:
How long are you staying for?¿Cuánto tiempo te vas a quedar? / ¿Cuánto tiempo te quedarás?
You reply:
I am staying for [number] days/weeks.Me quedo por [número] días/semanas.
They ask:
When did you arrive?¿Cuándo llegaste?
You reply:
I arrived yesterday / [number] days ago.Llegué ayer / hace [número] días.
They ask:
Are you having a nice time?¿Te la estás pasando bien? (informal) / ¿Te estás divirtiendo? (are you having fun/enjoying it?)
You reply:
Yes, it's wonderful!¡Sí, es maravilloso!
They ask:
Where have you visited so far?¿En qué lugares has estado? / ¿Dónde has estado?
You reply:
I have visited [place 1] and [place 2].He visitado [lugar 1] y [lugar 2].
They ask:
What do you think of [Mexico City]?¿Qué opinas de [la Ciudad de México?]? / ¿Qué te parece [la Ciudad de México?
You reply:
I love it!
It's very beautiful.¡Me encanta! / Es muy hermoso.
Telling Time
Asking and stating the time.
You ask:
What time is it?¿Qué hora es?
They might reply:
Asking for Directions
Finding your way around.
You ask:
Excuse me, where is [the park]? Perdón, ¿dónde está [el parque]? / ¿Dónde queda [el parque]?
They might reply:
You ask:
How do you get to [the museum]?¿Cómo se va a [el museo]? / ¿Cómo se llega a [el museo]?
They might reply:
(They give directions)(Dan indicaciones)
You ask:
Is there a [bank] nearby?¿Hay un/una [banco] cerca?
They might reply:
You ask:
How far away is [the airport]?¿Qué tan lejos está [el aeropuerto]?
They might reply:
You ask:
What is the address?¿Cuál es la dirección? / ¿Cuál es el domicilio?
They might reply:
(They provide the address)(Proporcionan la dirección)
Transportation
Getting around by bus, train, etc.
You ask:
Where is the train station / bus stop?¿Dónde está la estación de tren / la parada de autobús?
They might reply:
(They give directions)(Dan indicaciones)
You ask:
Can I buy a ticket to [destination]?¿Puedo comprar un boleto para [destino]?
Ticket officer might say:
You ask:
How many stops to [destination]?¿Cuántas paradas/estaciones hay en [destino]?
They might reply:
[Number] stops.[Número] paradas.
You ask:
What is the next stop?¿Cuál es la próxima parada/estación?
They might reply:
The next stop is [stop name].La próxima parada es [nombre de parada].
You ask:
When is the next [train/bus/flight] to [destination]?¿Cuándo es el próximo [tren/autobús/vuelo] a [destino]?
They might reply:
At [time] / In [number] minutes.A las [hora] / En [número] minutos.
You say:
I’m lost, can you help me?Estoy perdido/a, ¿puedes ayudarme?
They might reply:
Of course, where do you want to go?Claro, ¿a dónde quiere ir?
At a Restaurant
Ordering food and drinks.
You say:
Do you have a table for [number] people, please.¿Tienen una mesa para [número] personas por favor?
Waiter might ask:
Waiter might ask (if you have a reservation):
What name is it under? / What time is it for?¿A qué nombre de quién? / ¿Para qué hora?
You reply:
It's under [Name] / For [time].A nombre de [Nombre] / Para las [hora].
Waiter asks:
What would you like to drink?¿Qué te gustaría beber? /tomar? / ¿Qué les gustaría tomar?
You reply:
I will take/have a [drink].Tomaré una [bebida].
Waiter asks:
Are you ready to order? / Are you ready to make an order? ¿Están listos(as) para ordenar? / ¿Estás lista(o) para hacer un pedido?
You might reply:
You say:
I’m vegetarian. / I’m allergic to [nuts].Soy vegetariano/a. / Soy alérgico(a) a [las nueces].
Waiter might say:
Okay, I'll let the kitchen know. We have these options...De acuerdo, avisaré a la cocina. Tenemos estas opciones...
You ask:
Can you bring me [the salt], please?¿Puede traerme [la sal], por favor?
Waiter might say:
Of course.Por supuesto.
You ask:
The bill, please.La cuenta, por favor.
Waiter might say:
Right away. Cash or card?Enseguida. ¿Efectivo o tarjeta?
Shopping & Excursions
Buying souvenirs, tickets, and goods.
Shop assistant might ask:
What can I help you with today? / Are you looking for anything in particular?¿En qué puedo ayudarte hoy? / ¿Estás buscando algo en particular?
You might reply:
I'm just looking, thanks. / Yes, I'm looking for [a t-shirt] Solo estoy mirando, gracias. / Sí, estoy buscando [una camiseta]
You ask:
How much?¿Cuánto es?
Shopkeeper might reply:
It's [price] pesos.Son [precio] pesos.
You ask:
Do you accept credit cards?¿Se aceptan tarjetas de crédito?
Shopkeeper might reply:
You ask:
Can I try it on? What size is it?¿Puedo probármelo? ¿Qué tamaño tiene?
Shop assistant might reply:
Of course, the fitting rooms are over there. / It's a size [medium].Claro, los probadores están por allá / Es una talla [mediana].
You ask:
Do you have a size [small/medium/large]? / Do you have a bigger/smaller size?¿Tienes una talla [pequeña/mediana/grande]? / ¿Tienes una talla más grande/ más pequeña?
Shop assistant might reply:
Let me check for you. / Sorry, we don't have that size.Déjame ver. / Lo siento, no tenemos esa tamaño.
You ask (for excursions):
How long is the trip? / What’s included in the price?¿Cuánto dura el viaje/excursión? / ¿Qué está incluido en el precio?
Seller might reply:
(Provides details about the excursion)(Proporciona detalles sobre la excursión)
You say:
I'll take it. Can I have a bag?Me lo llevo. ¿Puedes darme una bolsa?
Shopkeeper might ask/say:
Great. Of course, here you go.Genial. Claro, aquí tiene.
Other Useful Words & Phrases
Handy vocabulary and common statements.
General Phrases & Statements:
- YesSí
- NoNo
- PleasePor favor
- Thank you very muchMuchas gracias
- Welcome (when you arrive) Bienvenida(o) / Bienvenidas(os) (plural)
- Excuse mePerdón / Disculpe / Permiso / Con permiso
- I’m sorryLo siento
- I speak a little SpanishHablo un poco de español
- I don’t speak English (if a local says it)No hablo inglés
- Have a great day!¡Que tengas un buen día!
- What’s up? (another way of saying how are you)¿Qué pasa? / ¿Qué hay? / ¡Qué onda! (informal)
Telling Time Vocabulary:
- MinuteMinuto
- HourHora
- TimeHora / Tiempo
- TomorrowMañana
- YesterdayAyer
- MorningMañana
- Tomorrow morningMañana por la mañana
- MiddayMediodía
- MidnightMedianoche
- Early hours of the morningMadrugada
- NightNoche
- (Three weeks) agoHace (tres semanas)
- TodayHoy
- NowAhora
Directions Vocabulary:
- The bus stopLa parada de autobús
- The bankEl banco
- The museum of [name]El museo del [nombre]
- The parkEl parque
- The hospitalEl hospital
- The airportEl aeropuerto
- The churchLa iglesia
- LeftIzquierda
- RightDerecha
- Straight onSiga recto / Derecho
- Turn to the...Gira a la…
- Over therePor allá / para allá
Transportation Vocabulary:
- By foot / walkingA pie / caminando
- By busEn autobús
- By trainEn tren
- By carEn carro / en coche
- By planeEn avión
- By subway / metroEn metro
- Single ticket Boleto de ida / Boleto sencillo
- Return ticketBoleto de ida y vuelta / Viaje redondo / Boleto redondo
Eating Out Vocabulary & Statements:
- RestaurantEl restaurante
- BreakfastEl desayuno
- LunchLa comida
- DinnerLa cena
- AppetizerEntrada / Aperitivo
- Main CoursePlato principal/ Plato fuerte
- DessertPostre
- BeerCerveza
- Red wineVino tinto
- White wineVino blanco
- Keep the change (as a tip)Quédate con el cambio / la propina
Shopping Vocabulary & Statements:
- StoreLa tienda
- PriceEl precio
- MoneyEl dinero / La plata
- Credit cardTarjeta de crédito
- CashDinero en efectivo
- DiscountEl descuento
- T-shirt La camiseta
- Top/blouseLa blusa
- Pants/trousersLos pantalones
- ShoesLos zapatos
- SwimsuitEl traje de baño
- Suncream Bloqueador solar
- SunglassesGafas de sol / Lentes de sol
- That is too expensive/ [Item] is too expensiveDemasiado caro / [La blusa] es demasiado caro
- I can give you ($20) for [item]Puedo darte ($20) por [item]
Meet your teacher: Aramis
Greetings! My name is Aramis Soto, from Mexico, and I am an English and Spanish educator with 8 years of teaching experience. As a huge travel enthusiast myself, I am currently working online teaching students from all around the world whilst travelling.
