If you have plans to travel in a Spanish speaking country, you will probably want to brush up on a few key phrases.  Traveling in an unfamiliar area definitely increases the odds that you will get lost and need to ask someone for help.  In most big cities you will probably be able to find someone who can speak enough English to help you, but if you happen to be in a small town or rural area and find yourself lost, you?d better know some Spanish!  Forget your fear of making a mistake. Most natives will respect your efforts to speak their language. Here are some important phrases to help you navigate around a Spanish speaking country.

I’m lost. ? Estoy perdido. (if you are male) Estoy perdida. (if you are female)

I’m looking for … ? Busco …

the airport ? el aeropuerto

the bus station — estación de autobuses, central camionera

bus stop — parada de autobús

Where can I catch a taxi?

Latin America: ¿Dónde puedo tomar un taxi (un autobús)?

Spain: ¿Dónde puedo coger un taxi (un autobús)?

Notes: Different phrases are suggested for Spain and Latin America because the verb coger is commonly used in this sense in Spain, but in Latin America coger can have an obscene meaning.  You don’t want to be lost and offend your potential helpers.  Stick with tomar if you are going to Latin America.

Where can I catch a bus?

Latin America: ¿Dónde puedo tomar un autobús?

Spain: ¿Dónde puedo coger un autobús?

Note:  Different countries have various words for bus.  Most will probably understand when you say  autobús, but here are some other terms: olectivo, buseta, camión,  ómnibus, camioneta, microbusete, góndola, guagua, micro, microbús and pullman.

Is it far away? Is it near here? ? ¿Está lejos? ¿Está por aquí?

How do you go to … ? ? ¿Por dónde se va a … ? Or, ¿Cómo puedo llegar a … ?

Where is…?  Where are…?  ¿Dónde está … ? ¿Dónde están … ?

Where are we on the map? ? ¿Dónde estamos aquí en el mapa?

North, east, west, south ? norte, este or oriente, oeste or occidente, sur

Kilometer, mile, meter ? kilómetro, milla, metro

Street, avenue, highway ? calle, avenida, camino or carretera

City block ? cuadra (Latin America) or manzana (Spain)

Street corner ? esquina

Address ? dirección

Speak more slowly, please. ? Hágame el favor de hablar más despacio.

I don’t understand Spanish well. ? No entiendo bien el español.

Is there anyone who speaks English? ? ¿Hay alguien que hable inglés?

Write it down, please. ? Escríbalo, por favor.

Of course, it?s always a good idea to brush up on your Spanish before a big trip.  A computer assisted program such as Rocket Spanish can help jog your memory for all the words and phrases you will need.   If you are lost in an urban area, here is one travel tip to help you out.  If you are trying to find a major landmark, public transportation or a specific address, the easiest thing to do is to hail a taxi and let it take you there.  If you have a guide book, you can point at where you want to go and the taxi can take you.  This option will probably be a little more pricey than figuring it out on your own, but it will save you a lot of hassle.

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