Being able to communicate in Spanish doesn't mean that you master every aspect of the language. You just need the most common Spanish phrases and surely, you'll get your message across easily. While it's sometimes adorable to speak broken Spanish, it's always way better to be understood during the first tries.

Conversation Phrases: Spanish to Get You By

If your Spanish repertoire is only limited, you can communicate such condition by using the following phrases:

• No hablo español-I don't speak Spanish
• ¿Habla usted inglés? -Do you speak English?
• No comprendo- I don't understand
• Mas lentamente/despacio, por favor-Speak more slowly, please

Eating Phrases: Spanish to Satisfy Your Food Cravings

Traveling is incomplete without food and wine. Whether you take your meals in the nearby diner, in a private home, in a fancy restaurant or an expensive hotel, these phrases are necessary in communicating the needs of your stomach:

• Tengo hambre- I'm hungry
• Tengo sed -I am thirsty
• Quiero ver el menú, por favor -I would like to see the menu, please
• Quiero pedir, por favor - I would like to order, please
• La cuenta, por favor- May I have the bill, please?

In many food establishments, menus come with pictures and famous names such as patatas (potatoes), arroz (rice), pollo (chicken) and ensalada mixta (mixed salad). Majority of the travelers will just choose these. But then again, are you in Spain to simply taste the same old dishes that you order in your homeland?

Money, Money, Money

Money is a primary requirement in any travel. To avoid having problems with your finances, make use of these familiar phrases:

• Quiero cambiar algunos cheques de viaje, por favor -I would like to change some travelers checks, please
• ¿Dónde se puede cambiar dinero?-Where can we change some money?
• ¿Cuándo abre/cierre el banco?-When does the bank open/close?

Knowing the terms related to your money will certainly help you in keeping track of your bills and coins.

Doctor, Doctor I am Sick

Traveling comes with the possibility of illnesses. These phrases will help you get quick medical attention:

• Estoy enfermo -I am sick.
• ¿Podría llamar a un médico, por favor?-Could you please call a doctor?

A few hand gestures shall let you express your pains to a doctor. Otherwise, you can get a translator.

Spanish Phrases for 911

Just in case you encounter an emergency, these phrases will be most helpful to get you the assistance that you require:

• ¡Socorro!-Help!
• ¿Hay una comisaría de policías cerca? - Is there a police station nearby?

Hopefully, the police officers should be able to help you with your problem, particularly when it comes to losing your passport or reporting a theft. Even the simple issue of being lost may also be reported to them.

So grab that pocket English-Spanish dictionary and pack these handful of Spanish phrases and you're definitely ready for the adventure of your life. ¡Tenga un viaje seguro!