25 Must-Know Spanish Phrases and Verbs for Beginners

Learning Spanish can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when faced with endless vocabulary lists. To simplify your journey, we’ve compiled 25 essential Spanish phrases and verbs for beginners. These are organized into sections based on everyday situations to help you practice and apply them naturally.

If you're looking for even more real-world examples, consider picking up "Everyday Spanish Stories" — a book filled with engaging tales to enhance your skills effortlessly!

1. Greetings and Introductions

Starting a conversation in Spanish? These phrases and verbs will help you greet others and make a good first impression.

Phrases:

• Hola, ¿cómo estás? – Hello, how are you?
• Me llamo [tu nombre]. – My name is [your name].
• Encantado/Encantada de conocerte. – Nice to meet you.
• ¿De dónde eres? – Where are you from?
• Soy de [tu país]. – I am from [your country].

Verbs:

• Llamarse (to call oneself): ¿Cómo te llamas? – What’s your name?
• Ser (to be): Soy estudiante. – I am a student.
• Estar (to be – temporary): Estoy bien. – I am fine.

    

2. Everyday Activities

These phrases and verbs are useful when talking about your daily routine.

Phrases:

• ¿Qué haces todos los días? – What do you do every day?
• Voy al trabajo a las 8. – I go to work at 8.
• Estudio español por las tardes. – I study Spanish in the afternoons.
• Ceno con mi familia. – I have dinner with my family.
• Me acuesto temprano. – I go to bed early.

Verbs:

• Ir (to go): Voy a la escuela. – I go to school.
• Estudiar (to study): Estudio español. – I study Spanish.
• Trabajar (to work): Trabajo en una oficina. – I work in an office.

                                             Ready to take your Spanish to the next level?

3. Shopping and Eating Out

Learn to navigate stores, markets, and restaurants confidently with these phrases and verbs.

Phrases:

• ¿Cuánto cuesta esto? – How much does this cost?
• Quisiera un café, por favor. – I’d like a coffee, please.
• La cuenta, por favor. – The check, please.
• ¿Aceptan tarjetas de crédito? – Do you accept credit cards?
• ¿Puedo ver el menú? – Can I see the menu?

Verbs:

• Comprar (to buy): Compro frutas en el mercado. – I buy fruits at the market.
• Pedir (to order): Pido una ensalada. – I order a salad.
• Pagar (to pay): Pago con tarjeta. – I pay with a card.

      

4. Getting Around

If you’re traveling or exploring a city, these phrases and verbs will help you ask for directions and use transportation.

Phrases:

• ¿Dónde está la estación de tren? – Where is the train station?
• Necesito un taxi. – I need a taxi.
• ¿A qué hora sale el autobús? – What time does the bus leave?
• Está a la derecha/izquierda. – It’s on the right/left.
• ¿Cuánto tarda en llegar? – How long does it take to get there?

Verbs:

• Buscar (to look for): Busco la parada de autobús. – I’m looking for the bus stop.
• Llegar (to arrive): Llegamos temprano. – We arrive early.
• Salir (to leave): El tren sale a las 10. – The train leaves at 10.

5. Expressing Yourself

These phrases and verbs will help you share your opinions, feelings, and preferences.

Phrases:

• Me gusta mucho este lugar. – I really like this place.
• No entiendo, ¿puedes repetir? – I don’t understand; can you repeat?
• Creo que es interesante. – I think it’s interesting.
• Estoy feliz de estar aquí. – I’m happy to be here.
• ¿Puedes ayudarme, por favor? – Can you help me, please?

Verbs:

• Gustar (to like): Me gusta leer historias cortas. – I like reading short stories.
• Entender (to understand): No entiendo el significado. – I don’t understand the meaning.
• Creer (to believe/think): Creo que es una buena idea. – I think it’s a good idea.

     

Enhance Your Spanish Skills with Stories

Learning phrases and verbs is just the beginning. To truly master Spanish, immerse yourself in real-life examples and engaging content. "Everyday Spanish Stories" offers short, relatable tales that incorporate these phrases and verbs naturally, helping you see how they’re used in context.

With just 10–15 minutes a day of reading, you’ll build vocabulary, improve comprehension, and gain confidence in speaking Spanish. 

                                            Ready to take your Spanish to the next level?