Spanish words are not difficult to pronounce, it is almost phonetic, in other words they are pronounced almost exactly as they are spelt. There are of course exceptions to the rule (aren´t there always!) A few of the basic rules are that the "h" is always silent eg." Hola" is pronounced "ola". You also never pronounce the "u" when it comes after "q" or between "g" & "e" (gue) and "g" & "i" (gui) and the letter "v" is pronounced like a soft "b". There are some very good pocket sized phrase books on the market and it is always good to carry one as an "aide memoir". I carry a pocket size "Collins Gem Spanish Phrase Finder" with me, which I find very useful.

Never worry or feel embarrassed if you make a mistake, the Spanish consider it an honour and a sign of respect to them that you have at least tried and will help you.

Palabras (words)	Pequeñas frases (Small phrases)
¡ Hola !....hello. ¿Que tal? ......how are you? ¿como esta?.....how are you? por favor...please Perdon........excuse me La Carta ........menu cerveza ........beer Comida.........food Seco ................dry Semi seco ......medium dry Dulce ..............sweet. Botella de Vino....bottle of wine Copa de vino........glass of wine Tinto ....................red Rosado.................rose Blanco...................white Banco..............bank el dinero.........money moneda ........change cambio........change/exchange suelto...........small change libras esterlinas....pounds sterling correos...........post office sellos.............stamps sobre........envelope buzon.............letter box señor ..............Mr/Sir telefono .........phone cabina ..........phone booth movil ..............mobile Caballeros.......Gentlemen Mujere/s........Woman/women señorita/señora ......Miss/Mrs Marido/esposo.....husband Esposa...................wife It is also acceptable to say mi mujere (my woman) instead of esposa. It is not rude but part of the Spanish language Dry........................seco Wet ......................húmedo mucho ..................al lot, too much demaciado........too much rebajas .....................sale oferta.......................offer ropa..................... clothes ropa interior ........underclothes probadore.......changing room sangre...................blood coche.....................car carro/carrito ....trolley (supermarket, hospital etc) ¡socorro!............help! ¡ Parar !......... stop! para ............for / to perro ..............dog pero ...............but con..................with junto ...............together mañana ....... tomorrow or sometime esta mañana........this morning esta tarde..............this afternoon esta noche ...........tonight mas....................more muy..................very todo ...............everything toldo ................sunshade copa ..........cup ( as in FA cup) or glass for wine taza...........cup (as of tea) fuegos artificiales........fireworks pastilles del fuego ....... fire lighters feria.........................fair - fiesta caro .........expensive Barrato.....cheap son risa ..smile	¿haga usted tiene el cambio para un carro?....do you have change for a trolley? ( or simply) ¿tiene cambio para un carro? ¿donde estan los servicios?.. where are the toilets? Tengo sed ......I am thirsty Tengo hambre...I am hungry Yo he pedido ...... I have ordered Quiero bebida....I want a drink Una copa de vino.......a glass of wine Una vaso de agua (con/sin) gas..a glass of water (with/without) fizz Una cerveza .....a beer Una caña..........a beer ¿se va?......you´re going? ¿ puede decirme?.....can you tell me? por favor ¿ puede decirme, donde esta el hotel ....(name).... ?....please can you tell me where the hotel (name) is? ¿habla inglés?......do you speak English? ¿hay buzon por aqui?....is there a post box nearby? ¿hay restaurante/bar por aqui?.........is there a restaurant/bar nearby? por aqui...this way La carta por favor ...............the menu please La cuenta por favor.................the bill please ¿que precio tiene?................how much is that? ¿cuantas? ¡muy caro no!...... how much!, that´s expensive! ¿puede ayuda?........can you help? mi dirección esta......my address is My wallet/handbag has been stolen..............................mi cartera/bolsa sida robado he perdido mi pasaporte....I have lost my passport I have no money........no tengo dinero (the waiter might say) ¿listo? ..are you ready to order? digame.........what would you like buèn provecho............ enjoy your meal esta mañana/tarde/noche........this morning etc mañana por lar mañana...tomorrow in the morning mañana por lar tarde....tomorrow afternoon mañana por la noche..........tomorrow night Whenever you ask a question or speak to someone who is there to serve you they will more often than not say "digame" it literarily means tell me. Basically how can I help. In Spain it is not necessary to say please or thank you all the time, it is not regarded as bad manners if you don´t. eg it is quite acceptable just to say "la cuenta." It is also acceptable to say "yo queiro" (I want) as in "yo quiero este" (I want this) yo queiro alquilar un toldo para el sol/parasol. I want to hire a sunshade yo queiro a compra un paraguas .. I want to buy an umbrella Updated 14/3/10
	Signos útiles ( Useful signs)
	Se fumar aqui .....you can smoke here No Fumar......no smoking Agua no potable ..........NOT drinking water Agua potable..................drinking water Salida de emergencia/urgencia....emergency exit Recién pintando........wet paint Empuje ....push Tira ........pull libre...........vacant Ocupado.....engaged Cerrado....closed Abierto .....open horario........hours of business Servicios/Aseos/baños .... Toilets cuidado con el pero......beware of the dog prohibido el paso...... no entry solo carga y descarga 1200 -1400 - no parking only loading & unloading between hours shown please be aware and obey no parking zones as fines are very expensive in Spain