First Phrases

First 48 hours · Español

First 48 hours in Spanish: 25 phrases for meeting people

Introduce yourself, say you are new here and ask for tips, ask to join a table, ask where people meet, leave politely, and swap contacts. Short, natural phrases for the first two days in a new country.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Informal (friendly). In Spain "tú" is normal with people around your age at meetups, cafés and hostels; use "usted" with older people and staff you do not know. "Vosotros" (you, plural) is used in Spain; in Latin America people say "ustedes".

How to read the sounds: Spanish is mostly read as written. In Spain, c before e/i and z sound like English th. h is silent. ñ = ny. rr is rolled. Stress is marked in CAPITALS.

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25 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Hola, soy …. ¡Un placer conocerte!
    Say it like: OH-lah, soy … oon plah-THEHR koh-noh-THEHR-teh
    Hi, I'm …. Nice to meet you!
    Register: Gender-free and warm. "Encantado" (men) or "encantada" (women) also works. Usted: "conocerle".
  2. 02Neutral
    ¿Cómo te llamas?
    Say it like: KOH-moh teh YAH-mahs
    What's your name?
    Register: Usted: "¿Cómo se llama usted?"
  3. 03Neutral
    ¿De dónde eres?
    Say it like: deh DOHN-deh EH-rehs
    Where are you from?
    Register: Usted: "¿De dónde es usted?"
  4. 04Neutral
    Soy de …. ¿Y tú?
    Say it like: soy deh … ee too
    I'm from …. And you?
    Register: Add your country or city. Usted: "¿Y usted?"
  5. 05Neutral
    Acabo de mudarme aquí.
    Say it like: ah-KAH-boh deh moo-DAR-meh ah-KEE
    I've just moved here.
    Register: Use "Acabo de llegar" for "I've just arrived" if you are only visiting.
  6. 06Neutral
    Acabo de llegar y no conozco nada. ¿Algún consejo?
    Say it like: ah-KAH-boh deh yeh-GAR ee noh koh-NOTH-koh NAH-dah. al-GOON kon-SEH-khoh
    I've just arrived and I don't know anything yet. Any tips?
    Register: Gender-free way to say "I'm new here". People love to help with this.
  7. 07Neutral
    ¿Vives por aquí?
    Say it like: BEE-behs por ah-KEE
    Do you live around here?
    Register: Usted: "¿Vive por aquí?"
  8. 08Neutral
    ¿Está libre este asiento?
    Say it like: es-TAH LEE-breh ES-teh ah-SYEN-toh
    Is this seat free?
    Register: Spain: "asiento" is said ah-THYEN-toh. Answer "Sí, claro" (yes, sure) or "Está ocupado" (taken).
  9. 09Neutral
    ¿Os importa si me uno?
    Say it like: ohs eem-POR-tah see meh OO-noh
    Do you mind if I join you?
    Register: To a group. To one person: "¿Te importa si me uno?"
  10. 10Neutral
    ¿Te vienes con nosotros?
    Say it like: teh BYEH-nehs kon noh-SOH-trohs
    Do you want to come along with us?
    Register: Natural way to invite someone to your group or plan. Usted: "¿Quiere unirse a nosotros?"
  11. 11Neutral
    ¿Dónde suele quedar la gente por aquí?
    Say it like: DOHN-deh SWEH-leh keh-DAR lah HEN-teh por ah-KEE
    Where do people usually meet up around here?
    Register: "Quedar" = to arrange to meet (Spain). Also "¿Dónde se queda por aquí?" in casual talk.
  12. 12Neutral
    ¿Hay algún grupo o evento para gente nueva en la ciudad?
    Say it like: eye al-GOON GROO-poh oh eh-BEN-toh PAH-rah HEN-teh NWEH-bah en lah thyoo-DAHD
    Is there a group or event for people new to the city?
    Register: Also search "intercambio de idiomas" (language exchange) for friendly meetups.
  13. 13Neutral
    ¿Me recomiendas algún sitio por aquí?
    Say it like: meh reh-koh-MYEN-dahs al-GOON SEE-tyoh por ah-KEE
    Can you recommend somewhere around here?
    Register: Add what you want: "para tomar algo" (for a drink) or "para comer".
  14. 14Neutral
    Perdona, mi español todavía es básico.
    Say it like: per-DOH-nah mee es-pah-NYOL toh-dah-BEE-ah es BAH-see-koh
    Sorry, my Spanish is still basic.
    Register: Usted: "Perdone". People usually slow down at once.
  15. 15Neutral
    ¿Puedes repetirlo, por favor?
    Say it like: PWEH-dehs reh-peh-TEER-loh por fah-BOR
    Could you say that again, please?
    Register: Usted: "¿Puede repetirlo?"
  16. 16Neutral
    ¿Puedes hablar un poco más despacio, por favor?
    Say it like: PWEH-dehs ah-BLAR oon POH-koh mahs des-PAH-thyoh por fah-BOR
    Could you speak a little more slowly, please?
    Register: Usted: "¿Puede hablar...?"
  17. 17Neutral
    ¿Te apetece tomar un café un día de estos?
    Say it like: teh ah-peh-TEH-theh toh-MAR oon kah-FEH oon DEE-ah deh ES-tohs
    Fancy a coffee one of these days?
    Register: Friendly and low pressure. In Latin America say "¿Te gustaría...?" instead of "apetece".
  18. 18Neutral
    Gracias por los consejos, me vienen genial.
    Say it like: GRAH-thyahs por lohs kon-SEH-khohs meh BYEH-nen kheh-NYAL
    Thanks for the tips, they're really useful.
    Register: "Me vienen genial" = they come in really handy. Casual and warm.
  19. 19Neutral
    Ha sido un placer hablar contigo.
    Say it like: ah SEE-doh oon plah-THEHR ah-BLAR kon-TEE-goh
    It's been a pleasure talking to you.
    Register: Usted: "...hablar con usted."
  20. 20Neutral
    Bueno, te dejo. ¡Nos vemos!
    Say it like: BWEH-noh teh DEH-khoh. nohs BEH-mohs
    Right, I'll let you go. See you around!
    Register: Very natural exit; "te dejo" = I'll leave you to it. To a group: "Bueno, os dejo."
  21. 21Neutral
    Perdona, he quedado con alguien. ¡Un placer!
    Say it like: per-DOH-nah eh keh-DAH-doh kon AHL-gyen. oon plah-THEHR
    Sorry, I'm meeting someone. Nice to meet you!
    Register: A polite, honest reason to leave. Usted: "Perdone".
  22. 22Neutral
    ¿Nos pasamos los números?
    Say it like: nohs pah-SAH-mohs lohs NOO-meh-rohs
    Shall we swap numbers?
    Register: Casual, mutual, not pushy. "¿Me das tu número?" = can I have your number?
  23. 23Neutral
    ¿Tienes WhatsApp?
    Say it like: TYEH-nehs WAHT-sap
    Do you have WhatsApp?
    Register: WhatsApp is how almost everyone keeps in touch in Spain.
  24. 24Neutral
    ¡Estamos en contacto!
    Say it like: es-TAH-mohs en kon-TAHK-toh
    Let's stay in touch!
    Register: A common friendly goodbye. "¡Hablamos!" is shorter and very casual.
  25. 25Neutral
    ¡Que te vaya bien!
    Say it like: keh teh BAH-yah byen
    Take care! All the best!
    Register: Works at any time of day. Usted: "¡Que le vaya bien!"

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Quick answers

How do you introduce yourself in Spanish?

Say: "Hola, soy …. ¡Un placer conocerte!" (Hi, I'm …. Nice to meet you!)

Should I use informal or formal Spanish with people I have just met?

In Spain "tú" is normal with people around your age at meetups, cafés and hostels; use "usted" with older people and staff you do not know. "Vosotros" (you, plural) is used in Spain; in Latin America people say "ustedes".

How do I ask to join a table in Spanish?

Try: "¿Os importa si me uno?" (Do you mind if I join you?)

How do I say I am new here in Spanish?

Try: "Acabo de llegar y no conozco nada. ¿Algún consejo?" (I've just arrived and I don't know anything yet. Any tips?)

First 48 hours in another language

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How it works

  1. Pick the language of the country you have just moved to.
  2. Read the phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. Native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Then open Meet & Mint to find events near you, see who else is going, join alone and chat with the group.

firstphrases.app/survival/first48/es/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint