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Whilst in Spain...

Ok, so you don't speak like a native but there are some things worth knowing and a bit of the Spanish language is one of them.  See examples below or click the TRANSLATION option on the left for a translation into any language...

Before we get to language however there are a few other things you should know first, especially if you intend to drive on the roads in Spain. As in most other European countries traffic travels on the right hand side of the road. This means that for Brits we have to drive on the "wrong" side and go around roundabouts the "wrong" way. In fact it's not that difficult but what does require a bit more getting used to is the fact that the seatbelt is on the left and the gearstick is on the right. Just give yourself a bit more thinking time at road junctions and roundabouts. Don't worry about other drivers sounding their horns at you - that's another of those irritating European habits that seems to be catching on in the UK lately - get used to ignoring it along with the rude gestures!

The other things you need to remember when driving in Spain is that you must carry a first-aid kit, a reflective vest or jacket (one of those yellow things you see workmen wearing on roadworks) for each occupant of the vehicle, and a warning reflective triangle and even an illuminated warning would be useful at night. You must also have a spare set of replacement lamps and a fire extinguisher. If you wear spectacles, you need to carry a spare pair. Also make sure you carry your driver's license and if you haven't already got a "photo" license, you should apply for one since the Spanish police often don't understand the old paper licenses that some of us still carry. Stick to speed limits and don't be tempted to cross continuous white lines - there are penalties for doing so if you're caught and that would spoil your holiday. Also carry your passport at all times, or at least a minature copy of it (you can make a laminated credit card sized copy if you like) because this is a requirement too - apart from which you will be required to produce it in the shops if you use a credit or debit card.

Right - back to the language. First of all you need to know that the Spanish respect someone who tries to communicate in their language but to do so you need to know a little about how things are pronounced. For example, the letter "X" is pronounced as "H" so the town of "Xativa" is actually pronounced "Hativa". Similarly when the letters "T" and "X" occur together they are pronounced as "CH" so the village of "Lutxent" will be prounced "Luchent" and so on. Also bear in mind that "Q" is often pronounced "K" and the letter "Z" pronounced as "TH" as in "the". The word "aranuez" is Spanish for guitar and is pronounced "aranueth". The letter "H" is not pronounced at all whilst "U" is pronounced as "W" and "C" immediately before E or I is pronounced "TH". There are lots of other examples you should be aware of but these basic few will help you get started.

Now here's a list of words and phrases that you will find helpful. Please do try to learn more and you'll find it adds to your holiday enjoyment. Not only that you will find the Spanish helpful if they can see you're making an effort to learn the language. Not only that, it is a beautiful language and once you start to understand, you'll soon recognise the gaps in what appears to be a torrent of incomprehensible babble! Anyway here's a taster with pronunciations...

	English	Spanish	Pronounced
	Hello (and Hi)	Hola	Oh la
	Good Morning	Buenos dias	Bway nos dee as
	Good Night	Buenos Noches	Bway nos no chez
	Good Bye	Adios	A dee os
	Yes	Si	See
	No	No	No
	Please	Por favor	Por fabor
	Thank you	Gracias	Grath ee as
	OK	Vale	Bah lay
	Don't Understand	No entiendo	No en tyen doh
	My name is	Me llamo	May ya mo
	What is your name	Como te llamas	ko mo tay ya mas
	You're welcome	De nada	Day na da
	Excuse me	Perdon	Pair don
	See you later	Hasta luego	Asta loo aigo

 

Example: Let's suppose you want to order two glasses of fresh orange.  The word for 2 is "dos", for juice "zumo", and the word for orange is "naranja" so you would be understood if you say "Dos zumo naranja, por favor". Pronounced "Dos zoomo naranka por fabor". When they are delivered to your table you say "gracias", then when you want the bill you ask for "Cuenta por favor".  If you want any more- buy a phrase book or search online.  There are lots of resources out there and many of them are free but trying to speak the language will impress the Spanish and they will always be happy to try and help you when you get stuck on a word...

We hope to add another page eventually with a few tips and warnings about buying property in Spain.  We will also offer details of some of the more reliable English speaking professional service providers but in the meanwhile, don't imagine that because someone is English that they can be trusted and don't let the fact that they speak English lead you into a false sense of security.  Watch this space!