Can You Translate These Basic Spanish Phrases?

By: Isadora Teich
Estimated Completion Time
2 min
Can You Translate These Basic Spanish Phrases?
Image: ferrantraite/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Do you think you know enough basic Spanish to ace this quiz? Let's find out.

Learning a foreign language is hard. But even if you don't have Rosetta Stone, you've probably picked up a few words of other languages here and there. Words and phrases from other languages naturally make their way into English as people from other countries immigrate to ours. This is a great way to learn to communicate with people from other countries. And, assuming that you'd like to travel one day, knowing even a few basic phrases in the language that's common in the country you plan to visit is not only polite; it's smart.

Common Spanish words and phrases that have made their way into common use include "por favor," which means "please;" "de nada," which means "you're welcome," but which, literally translated, means "it is nothing;" "te amo," which means "I love you" (the word "te" is pronounced "tay"), and "hasta luego," which means see you later, gater... well, not really, but it is a way to say "goodbye" in Spanish.

How well do you think you know these basic Spanish words and phrases? Could you communicate in Spanish?

Take this quiz to find out how much you know.



Yo no comprendo.
I'm not from around here.
I'm not tired.
I'll pay.
I don't understand.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For those learning the ropes when it comes to Spanish, this is a must. It means "I don't understand."

Advertisement

Hasta luego.
See you later.
How are you?
Can you help me?
I love this.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are ways to say goodbye in Spanish, other than the famous "adiós." You can say "hasta luego," and even "chau" or "chao."

Advertisement

Sí.
No.
Yes.
Green.
Sad.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Sí" is Spanish for "yes." "No," however, is the same in both English and Spanish.

Advertisement

¿Cómo te llamas?
What's your name?
How are you?
Where are you from?
Is there a bank nearby?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is the informal version of the phrase. If talking to a stranger or older person, ask "¿Cómo te llama usted?" to show respect.

Advertisement

¿Por qué?
What's your name?
I'm tired.
Why?
How?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"¿Por qué?" is Spanish for "why." There are neat Spanish equivalents for many English question words.

Advertisement

Buenos días.
Good evening
Good soup
Good morning
I'm hungry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Buenos días" means "good morning" in Spanish. This is a common greeting in the early hours.

Advertisement

Buenas noches.
Good evening.
Goodbye.
What's up?
What's your name?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This common greeting is used after nightfall in many Spanish speaking countries. Unlike in English, good night does not necessarily mean goodbye in Spanish.

Advertisement

Me gustas mucho.
I like to take walks.
I like you a lot.
I can cook.
Where is the hotel?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This easy Spanish phrase is a great way to be cute and romantic at the same time. It's a little lighter than "Te amo," which means "I love you."

Advertisement

Tarjeta de crédito
Debit card
Check
Menu
Credit card
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This phrase makes it easy to find out if a restaurant or shop will accept credit cards. This information can be vital for travelers.

Advertisement

Hola, me llamo...
Hello, my name is...
I'll pay...
Hello, I need...
Hello, I have lost....
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Hola, me llamo..." is Spanish for "Hello, my name is..." For example: "Hola, me llamo Anna."

Advertisement

Te amo.
I'm hungry.
I love you.
Hello, gorgeous.
I need to leave.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spanish is one of the world's romance languages. "Te amo" and "Te quiero" are two romantic ways to express love in Spanish.

Advertisement

Lo siento.
It wasn't me.
I'm sorry.
Hello.
No thank you.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Lo siento" is Spanish for "I'm sorry." When you're ambling around a Spanish-speaking country without knowing much Spanish, this one can come in handy.

Advertisement

Quiero agua.
I want chicken.
I want water.
I need money.
I understand.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Quiero" is the conjugated form of the verb "querer," which means "to want." This phrase can come in handy at restaurants and bars.

Advertisement

¡Felicitaciones!
Surprise!
Congratulations!
Oh no!
Incredible!
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Congratulate Spanish speakers with this phrase. It makes well wishes roll right off the tongue!

Advertisement

¿Habla inglés?
Do you speak English?
Can I pet your dog?
Where is the bathroom?
How are you?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This phrase is important for beginner Spanish speakers who travel. Finding others who can understand English can be vital.

Advertisement

Buenas tardes.
Good morning.
Good afternoon.
My friend will pay.
I don't want it.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Buenas tardes" is Spanish for "good afternoon." Night owls who get up late may never hear a greeting meant for an earlier time than this.

Advertisement

¡Perdón!
I'm lost!
Sorry I'm late!
Excuse me!
Bless you!
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is a far milder apology than "lo siento." Both are important for speaking politely.

Advertisement

¿Cómo está usted?
How are you?
Where are you?
How much does it cost?
I'm thirsty!
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is the formal way to ask strangers, elders and those in positions of authority how they are. The informal way, which is used with loved ones and friends, is "¿cómo estás?"

Advertisement

¿Dónde está el baño?
Where is the bathroom?
Who are you?
I need to use the bathroom.
What band is playing?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the most important questions to know how to ask in any language is "Where is the bathroom?" "¿Dónde está el baño?" gets the job done in Spanish.

Advertisement

¿Dónde está…?
Where is...?
Do you have...?
Where is the hospital?
I'll take two.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For travelers with a bad sense of direction, this is another must. Fill in the blank with a destination.

Advertisement

Necesito ayuda.
I need to use the bathroom.
Can you talk slower?
I need help.
Thank you.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is an important phrase to keep in mind, especially for avid travelers. Knowing how to ask for help can get people out of sticky situations.

Advertisement

¿Cómo se dice...?
Where is the...?
What is your...?
How do you say...?
Happy...!
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This phrase can help to vastly expand the vocabulary of any beginning Spanish speaker. Learning new words is the key to mastering any language.

Advertisement

¡Salud!
Excuse me
I'm sorry
I feel sick
Bless you
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"¡Salud!' can be used to mean "bless you" after someone has sneezed. It also is used as a toast, in place of "cheers!" in many Spanish-speaking countries.

Advertisement

¡Feliz Cumpleaños!
Happy birthday!
Merry Christmas!
Where are you?
How delicious!
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Happy birthday" in Spanish can be quite a mouthful for some English speakers. It is important to pronounce the tilde, or the little squiggle on top of the accented ñ, which adds a y sound after the n.

Advertisement

¿Cómo te va?
What are you doing?
I'm sorry.
How's it going?
I'm busy!
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This easy phrase lets people ask how others are doing in a snap. It's a casual hello, meant for friends.

Advertisement

No lo sé.
I have nothing.
I don't know.
Who are you?
Do you want to dance?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All travelers find out just how much they don't know as they travel. This can be an important phrase.

Advertisement

¿Cuánto cuesta?
How many are there?
Can I have this?
How much does it cost?
Can I leave?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This Spanish phrase is a must know for shopaholics. "¿Cuánto cuesta?" means "How much does it cost?"

Advertisement

¡Feliz Navidad!
I'm lost!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Halloween!
Bless you!
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There is a reason that "Navidad" sounds like "nativity." This phrase is the perfect way to wish any Spanish speaker a very merry Christmas.

Advertisement

Estoy perdido.
I'm hungry.
I'm tired.
What's your name?
I'm lost.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Travelers with bad internal compasses find themselves using this phrase a lot in Spanish-speaking countries. It means "I'm lost."

Advertisement

Derecho
Straight ahead
At the corner
I'm tired
Soup
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you ask for directions, if someone replies "derecho," you are on the right track. Whatever you are looking for is straight ahead.

Advertisement

De nada.
You're welcome.
No thank you.
Goodbye.
I'm thirsty.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"De nada" is used to mean "You're welcome." It literally means that there is nothing to thank the other person for.

Advertisement

¿Qué hora es?
Where am I?
What time is it?
I'll take two.
I'm lost.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"¿Qué hora es?" is the way to ask for the time in Spanish. Have this phrase on hand, and being too early or late is impossible - if you also understand numbers in Spanish, of course!

Advertisement

En la esquina
To the right.
At the corner.
In the city.
I'm thirsty.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you're asking for directions, this phrase means your destination can be found at the corner. Pay attention to the street names given.

Advertisement

Por favor.
Thank you.
Please.
No.
Goodbye.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Por favor" is Spanish for "please." Regardless of where a person happens to be in the world, politeness is always important!

Advertisement

Estoy enfermo(a).
I'm great.
I'm sick.
She's my sister.
How are you?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When people are ill, this phrase is how they express it. Whether medical attention is needed or just some rest, these words certainly get the point across.

Advertisement

You Got:
/35
ferrantraite/E+/Getty Images