# Spanish (Español)

Updated October 9, 2026
Your free starter guide to Spanish (Español). More than 600 million speakers, the world's second most spoken native language. Master 30 essential phrases, 40 core words, and the sounds that matter most.

Spanish is the world's second most spoken native language, with more than 600 million speakers across Spain, Latin America, and the United States. Its spelling is almost perfectly phonetic: once you learn the sounds of the letters, you can read anything aloud. Start with the phrases below and you will be understood from Madrid to Mexico City.

## At a glance

**Speakers:** More than 600 million speakers, the world's second most spoken native language
**Where it is spoken:** Spain, Mexico, most of Central and South America, and the United States

## 30 essential phrases

  Hello**Hola**Good morning**Buenos días**Good evening**Buenas noches**Good night**Buenas noches**Goodbye**Adiós**See you later**Hasta luego**Please**Por favor**Thank you**Gracias**You're welcome**De nada**Yes**Sí**No**No**Excuse me / Sorry**Perdón**I don't understand**No entiendo**Do you speak English?**¿Habla inglés?**My name is...**Me llamo...**What is your name?**¿Cómo se llama?**Nice to meet you**Mucho gusto**Where are you from?**¿De dónde es usted?**How are you?**¿Cómo está?**I'm fine, thank you**Estoy bien, gracias**How much does this cost?**¿Cuánto cuesta?**Where is the bathroom?**¿Dónde está el baño?**Where is the train station?**¿Dónde está la estación de tren?**I need help**Necesito ayuda**Can you help me?**¿Puede ayudarme?**I love you**Te quiero**Cheers! (a toast)**¡Salud!**Good luck!**¡Buena suerte!**Congratulations!**¡Felicidades!**Welcome!**¡Bienvenido!**

## Core vocabulary

### Greetings
Hello / Hi**Hola**Good morning**Buenos días**Good evening**Buenas noches**Goodbye**Adiós**Please**Por favor**Thank you**Gracias**Yes**Sí**No**No**Excuse me**Perdón**Welcome**Bienvenido**

### Food
Bread**Pan**Water**Agua**Coffee**Café**Tea**Té**Cheese**Queso**Fruit**Fruta**Vegetables**Verduras**Meat**Carne**Fish**Pescado**Restaurant**Restaurante**

### Travel
Train**Tren**Bus**Autobús**Car**Coche**Airplane**Avión**Ticket**Billete**Hotel**Hotel**Passport**Pasaporte**Map**Mapa**Street**Calle**Bathroom**Baño**

### Numbers
One**Uno**Two**Dos**Three**Tres**Four**Cuatro**Five**Cinco**Six**Seis**Seven**Siete**Eight**Ocho**Nine**Nueve**Ten**Diez**

## Pronunciation tips

- Spanish vowels are pure and always sound the same: a (ah), e (eh), i (ee), o (oh), u (oo). ‘Casa’ is kah-sah, never kay-sa.
- The rolled R in ‘perro’ is a trill of the tongue tip; the single R in ‘pero’ is one quick tap. Practice with ‘tres tristes tigres’.
- J sounds like a strong English H: ‘jamón’ is hah-MON. G before e or i sounds the same: ‘gente’ is hen-teh.
- Stress the second-to-last syllable unless there is a written accent: ‘gracias’, but ‘teléfono’ follows the accent mark.
- B and V sound the same in Spanish, a soft sound between the two: ‘vino’ starts almost like ‘beeno’.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Spanish hard to learn?

It is one of the easiest languages for English speakers: phonetic spelling, familiar vocabulary, and no tones. The US Foreign Service Institute estimates about 600 class hours to working fluency.

### Which Spanish should I learn: Spain’s or Latin America’s?

Start with neutral Latin American Spanish: it is understood everywhere and spoken by the large majority. The main differences are ‘vosotros’ (Spain only), the ‘th’ sound for z and soft c (Spain), and some vocabulary.

### Why do Spanish speakers talk so fast?

Spanish packs more syllables per second, but each syllable carries less information than in English, so the speed evens out. Your ear adjusts within a few weeks of listening. Slow audio to 0.75 speed while you train.

### Do I need to roll my R’s?

It helps, but a single tap, like the ‘tt’ in the American pronunciation of ‘butter’, is understood everywhere. The full trill comes with practice. Do not let it stop you from speaking.