by B. Leslie Baird

Created on: December 10, 2011   Last Updated: December 11, 2011

Spanish is one of the easier languages to learn as a second language or just grasp the basics for travel. There are many helpful words and phrases that can be used when needing to ask directions in Spanish speaking areas. By studying certain words and understanding how to combine them, navigating should not be too difficult. Even if verbs are not conjugated correctly, most native speakers will still be able to understand. 

Basic question words: 

Where in Spanish is dónde. Asking where is? becomes ¿Dónde está? How is cómo. Directions themselves are fairly easy. North is norte and south is sur. East can be este or oriente. West is oeste or occidente. Left is izquierda and right is derecha. In front of is delante de. Behind is detrás de. 

Adding specific words: 

Spanish is a romance language rooted in Latin. Many words in Spanish will seem similar to English which can make remembering phrases and asking directions easier. Even if full sentences cannot be spoken or understood, the keywords will normally be sufficient. 

Bathroom is cuarto de baño or simply baño.

Bank is banco

Airport is aeropuerto

Restaurant is restaurant

Bookstore is librería

Map is mapa

Address is dirección

Street is calle and avenue is avenida

Kilometer is kilómetro and mile is milla.  

Helpful phrases: 

I am looking for is Busco.

How do you go to? is ¿Cómo puedo llegar a? 

Where are we? is ¿Dónde estamos?

I am lost is Me he perdido.

Can you show me on a map? is ¿Puede usted demostrarme en un mapa?

Does anyone speak English? is ¿Cualquier persona habla inglés?  

Tips: 

When a word has two Ls, as in calle, the double L is pronounced as Y. The letter H is not pronounced and the letter J will have an H sound. In written Spanish, an upside down question mark (¿) is used at the beginning of the sentence with a regular question mark at the end. Spanish speakers may also speak fairly quickly. To ask someone to speak more slowly simply say, “Hágame el favor de hablar más despacio”. 

It may be helpful to remember that spoken Spanish can differ in various countries and regions. In Spain, the language will usually be more formal and based in Castilian and Andalusian. In Mexico, South and Central America and the United States, regional usage and Indian languages create differences. In general, the basics of the language will be similar enough with variances in pronunciation and specific terms used.

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