First Phrases

Christmas market · Español

Christmas market in Spanish: 16 phrases

Order mulled wine or an alcohol-free punch, sort out the mug deposit, ask the price, pay by card, find the lantern walk or the concert, and start a chat at a standing table. Natural phrases for a winter market evening.

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.

Review pending: native-speaker review of this card has not happened yet, and the phrases marked "check" are the ones we are least sure of. Use them as a starting point and let the person you speak to correct you.

Register: Neutral. Christmas markets ("mercadillos navideños" or "mercados de Navidad") are informal and vendors usually use "tú", so a friendly "por favor" is enough. In Spain mulled wine is usually called "vino caliente" and is mostly found at German-style markets; there is no standard deposit system, so ask about the cup.

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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16 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Un vino caliente, por favor.
    Say it like: oon BEE-noh kah-lee-EN-teh, por fah-BOR
    One mulled wine, please.
    Register: At German-style markets you may also hear "Glühwein".
  2. 02Neutral
    Un chocolate caliente, por favor.
    Say it like: oon choh-koh-LAH-teh kah-lee-EN-teh, por fah-BOR
    One hot chocolate, please.
    Register: Neutral.
  3. 03Neutral
    ¿Tenéis alguna versión sin alcohol?
    Say it like: teh-NAY-ees al-GOO-nah bair-see-ON seen al-KOHL
    Do you have a version without alcohol?
    Register: "Tenéis" is the plural "you" used to a stall team; use "¿Tienen…?" if you prefer.
  4. 04Neutral
    ¿Hay que pagar una fianza por el vaso?
    Say it like: eye keh pah-GAR OO-nah fee-AN-thah por el BAH-soh
    Is there a deposit on the cup?
    Register: Deposits are not standard in Spain, so ask.
  5. 05Neutral
    ¿Me devuelven el dinero si traigo el vaso?
    Say it like: meh deh-BWEL-ben el dee-NEH-roh see TRY-goh el BAH-soh
    Do I get money back if I bring the cup back?
    Register: Neutral way to ask about a returnable cup.
  6. 06Neutral
    ¿Puedo quedarme con el vaso?
    Say it like: PWEH-doh keh-DAR-meh kon el BAH-soh
    Can I keep the cup?
    Register: Neutral.
  7. 07Neutral
    ¿Cuánto es?
    Say it like: KWAN-toh es
    How much is it?
    Register: Neutral and short.
  8. 08Neutral
    ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?
    Say it like: PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: Neutral.
  9. 09Neutral
    Otro más, por favor.
    Say it like: OH-troh mas, por fah-BOR
    One more, please.
    Register: Neutral.
  10. 10Neutralcheck
    ¿Dónde empieza el desfile de farolillos?
    Say it like: DON-deh em-pee-EH-thah el des-FEE-leh deh fah-roh-LEE-yohs
    Where does the lantern parade start?
    Register: For a concert say "el concierto": "¿Dónde es el concierto?"
  11. 11Neutral
    ¿Está libre este sitio?
    Say it like: es-TAH LEE-breh ES-teh SEE-tee-oh
    Is this spot free?
    Register: Works for a seat or a spot at a table.
  12. 12Informal
    ¿Os importa si me pongo aquí? Hay muchísima gente hoy, ¿no?
    Say it like: os eem-POR-tah see meh PON-goh ah-KEE? eye moo-CHEE-see-mah HEN-teh oy, noh
    Do you mind if I stand here? Lots of people today, aren't there?
    Register: Friendly opener at a standing table; "vosotros" form.
  13. 13Neutral
    ¡Feliz Navidad!
    Say it like: feh-LEETH nah-bee-DAD
    Merry Christmas!
    Register: "¡Felices fiestas!" (happy holidays) works for everyone.
  14. 14Neutral
    ¿Hay algo vegetariano para comer?
    Say it like: eye AL-goh beh-heh-tah-ree-AH-noh PAH-rah koh-MAIR
    Is there anything vegetarian to eat?
    Register: Neutral.
  15. 15Neutral
    ¿Dónde están los baños?
    Say it like: DON-deh es-TAN los BAH-nyohs
    Where are the toilets?
    Register: "Los aseos" is also common; "los baños" is understood everywhere.
  16. 16Informal
    ¿Nos haces una foto, por favor?
    Say it like: nos AH-thes OO-nah FOH-toh, por fah-BOR
    Could you take a photo of us, please?
    Register: Informal "tú"; use "¿Nos haría una foto?" with an older person.

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Quick answers

What do I say to start at the Christmas market in Spanish?

Start with: "Un vino caliente, por favor." (One mulled wine, please.)

Should I use informal or formal Spanish at the Christmas market?

Christmas markets ("mercadillos navideños" or "mercados de Navidad") are informal and vendors usually use "tú", so a friendly "por favor" is enough. In Spain mulled wine is usually called "vino caliente" and is mostly found at German-style markets; there is no standard deposit system, so ask about the cup.

How do I order mulled wine in Spanish?

Try: "Un vino caliente, por favor." (One mulled wine, please.)

Same errand, another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands

Spanish, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat Christmas market

Also: New Year phrases in Spanish

All 6 × 6 survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

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