It's nice when you get a chance to take a trip abroad. If you are going to a Spanish speaking country, it might be a little intimidating to get off the beaten path and explore. Just making yourself at home in hotels and restaurants can be quite a task if you're unprepared. That's why it's good to learn Spanish phrases to get you by.
Of course, if you have time to take a full Spanish course, that's preferable. Learning to speak conversational Spanish will make your stay among the local people much more pleasant. You can communicate most ideas if you learn Spanish in this way.
However, you may not have the time to learn Spanish thoroughly. You may have been invited on the trip unexpectedly. You may have won the trip and have to take it in a short amount of time. Or, perhaps you had plenty of notice, but had too busy of a schedule to fit in a full course to learn Spanish properly.
It doesn't matter why you're in this position; the crux of the matter is that you need to learn Spanish enough to handle your basic needs. You will probably find English speaking people somewhere on your journey to speak with. However, there will be times when you must depend upon Spanish speaking people to answer important questions.
You can find phrasebooks to help you find the words to ask for basic needs. They will tell you how to introduce yourself and say please and thank you. You will learn Spanish phrases for asking the time and weather.
More importantly, these books will tell you how to ask where the restroom is. You will learn Spanish phrases like "Ayudame!" meaning "Help me!" Most of the books will also tell you how to ask where you can find a doctor or dentist.
Phrasebooks can also be helpful with the hotel you're staying at. They can tell you how to ask for clean linens. You can learn Spanish phrases that make it easier to order room service. You will also know how to check into and out of your hotel.
The books will tell you the basics of how to order food in a restaurant. They will tell you any number of words to use in different situations. A book like this should also contain valuable information like how to ask where the US embassy is.
If you are concerned about your pronunciation, you can get the same type of phrase manuals on CD's. Just pop them into your CD player and repeat after the speaker. You can do this in your car, at your computer, or in your living room. Wherever you find comfortable will do.
A book or CD like this can help you learn Spanish phrases. What it can't do is help you understand the answers. You will have to rely on a lot of pointing and gesturing. Also, never forget, if you think you might be able to understand the person, if they would speak slower, just say, "mas despacio." It works wonders.
Related Articles
Traveling Central America - The Panama Canal
By: Bianca Tavares | 28/02/2006 | Travel
Hundreds of years before the canal was built, Panama was already the crossing point of the western world, where goods from all four corners of the planet crossed and changed hands. Let's take a look at the history of this fascinating man-made navigation s
Learn The Spanish Language In Spain
By: Jack Blacksmith | 26/02/2007 | Education
If you intend to spend a lot of time in Spain, whether by living there or frequent, lengthy stays, you will want to learn Spanish. For short visits, a few phrases may be sufficient but not for a longer stay and, especially, if you are living in the country. It...
Learning Spanish Part Nineteen: The Audiolingual Method
By: Douglas Bower | 19/07/2007 | Travel
This method of second language instruction was a further development or evolution of The Direct Method. World War II rose up and slapped the U.S. government in its linguistically challenged face, waking it to the need and definite lack of language competency to deal with the other nations of the...
Books and Other Tools to Help you Learn Spanish
By: Li Ming Wong | 22/09/2007 | Languages
If you want to learn Spanish without taking classes, you can make a lot of progress on your own. There are CD's and audio-books to aid you. There are plenty of books you can buy to help you learn Spanish more easily, as well.
Using the News Media to Learn Spanish Better
By: Li Ming Wong | 22/09/2007 | Languages
For most people, news is a part of life. They listen to the evening news to get the upcoming weather or to find out what is going on in their area that day. They buy newspapers to get a handle on local politics. You can also use the news media to learn Spanish better.
Learn Spanish on your Own With Books
By: Sonny Sheth | 25/10/2007 | Education
It’s very possible to learn Spanish without taking classes and you can make just as much progress on your own as you would in a class. Though, this requires a lot of discipline and the ability to learn on your own. It also requires identifying which learning methods best suit you so you can apply them to when you start to learn Spanish.
Learning Basic Spanish is Something Anybody Can Do Effortlessly
By: Brian Cliette | 05/02/2008 | Education
Learning basic Spanish is extremely easy. All the tourist shops are full with bi-lingual books with the questions (and answers that could come) of basic questions and sentences that as a tourist you might like or need to use.
3 Advices to Learn Spanish Fluently
By: John Garcia | 27/03/2008 | Languages
English and Spanish.
Every day with the best Method.
The more you listen real Spanish, the faster you'll learn.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IELTS equivalent to an ECL score of ...
By: Derek | 22-07-2008
what is the IELTS equivalent to an ECL score of 75
Looking for "JAPP" motorcycle motors,(old british brand name)
By: Horst | 22-07-2008
Where can I find info on the below item??
En Francais
By: Grissomo8 | 21-07-2008
If someone whould be kind to assist me in the proper translation and spelling of "Man of the World" in French, I would be extremely grateful,
English version of Sanctorum Mater
By: Ed Redding | 21-07-2008
The Congregation of ther Causes for Canonization announced on February 18, 2008 that it released new instructiuons titled "Sanctorum Mater." Are these instructions available in English?
English only
By: jjspew89901 | 21-07-2008
WHY HAS THE WELCOME page in Spanish and am unable to change it to English
How manyspanish gallion ships have sunk off ...
By: macaroniman41 | 20-07-2008
how manyspanish gallion ships have sunk off buttermilk channel with silver buillon on them around the 1700s
Q&A Powered by:
More from Li Ming Wong
Ways to Save Money for Holiday Travel
By: Li Ming Wong | 03/11/2007 | Travel Tips
Many people want to travel for the holidays but they don’t feel like they can because their budget doesn’t allow for it. Yet there are plenty of ways you can raise money to be able to do so. The sooner you start making a plan and determining how much money you will need the more successful you will be. Come up with as accurate of an amount as you can so you wont’ fall short. If you overestimate the amount of money you need for holiday travel then you can enjoy it later on.
Ways to Make Holiday Travel Easier for the Elderly
By: Li Ming Wong | 03/11/2007 | Travel Tips
The elderly may find it more stressful to travel over the holidays because they aren’t used to all the traffic or all the crowds. There are ways to make it is much easier trip though if you plan ahead. Many elderly people take daily medications so make sure you have plenty of it. Put it in a safe place where it isn’t likely to get lost. If you have extra pills you will want to pack them separately. If you have some in your purse and some in your luggage you are fine if one of them gets lost.
Ways to Keep Children Entertained While Traveling in the Car for the Holidays
By: Li Ming Wong | 03/11/2007 | Travel Tips
Taking your own car to travel for the holidays is a great way to avoid the hassles at the airport. It can also be less expensive as many flights are more expensive during holiday travel times due the demand passengers have. Traveling with children though can be difficult if you aren’t prepared.
Traveling for the Holidays on a Greyhound Bus
By: Li Ming Wong | 03/11/2007 | Travel Tips
Greyhound is a bus line service that takes people all over the United States with more than 2,000 bus terminals. This is a great option for those that want to travel for the holidays and not drive there themselves. You will find the lines at the Greyhound terminal to be less hectic than at the airport and you can simply get into your seat and relax for the trip.
Tips to Make Holiday Travel Easier
By: Li Ming Wong | 03/11/2007 | Travel Tips
The holidays can be quite hectic but they are often a time when people travel to see family and friends or to take a well deserved vacation. Following some basic tips will help ensure you have the best time when you travel during this time of year. Being prepared for things to go wrong is the first step in minimizing the damages and getting on with your holiday travel plans.
Tips for Staying Alert During Holiday Travel
By: Li Ming Wong | 03/11/2007 | Travel Tips
Traveling during the holidays is very exciting and there is plenty going on all around you. However, it is very important that you remain alert so you won’t be involved in an accident or become a victim of theft. There are plenty of criminals that target holiday travelers as they know they are likely to have money on them and they aren’t always paying attention to their surroundings.
Tips for Packing your Car for the Holidays
By: Li Ming Wong | 03/11/2007 | Travel Tips
Knowing what you are going to put into your suitcase is only half of the battle when it comes to effectively packing your car for the holidays. While you want to be selective of what goes into the suitcases and the number of them, there is likely to be plenty more than you will have to concern yourself with. The size of your vehicle is going to realistically determine what you can take and what will have to be left behind.
Save Money With a Timeshare for the Holidays
By: Li Ming Wong | 03/11/2007 | Travel Tips
Anyone that travels over the holidays knows that accommodations are generally more expensive than during other times of the year. They can also sell out fast if you don’t make your reservation very early. One way to save money when you travel for the holidays is to invest in a timeshare. They are available in most locations that people often travel to for a holiday vacation.
Education 
