Hey,

Okay, key phrases I would want to know (even though most places will understand what you want in English…last minute says to me ‘tourist area’!)

“donde estas la(los?) banos” where are the bathrooms

“mas cervecas por favor” more beer please

“la cuenta por favor” the cheque please

“quantos quirres” how much you want?

my spanish is all conversational, so please excuse the spelling and verb tenses!! but those are the basics you’ll need I think….now having said that, you attempt to be conversational in spanish, be prepared for them to answer you in Spanish, which you probably won’t understand!! Kind of a catch 22, isn’t it?!! lol! But they always appreciate an attempt to speak their language…I love Mexico and the people! Have fun!

This page is great for learning basic Spanish. Click on Conversation pieces.

Click here

Have fun!!

HI! The spanish.about.com is always a great resource if you need a crash course: http://spanish.about.com/ and also http://spanish.about.com/od/spanishfortravelers/Spanish_for_Travel.htm

Always learn the “please” and “thank you”, etc. All the polite phrases.

What is your trip for and where are you going? A lot of shopping, etc? Or eating out? Tourist areas or off the track?

Phrases we found useful:

Hielo, por favor
More ice please. Like most other countries, they don’t put ice in their sodas. Only get ice if you know the water is purified. Many restaurants will put this info on the menu.

la cuenta por favor
check please. They think it’s rude to bring you the check before you ask for it. And so American’s will often sit waiting forever because we aren’t used to asking for the check. A waiter actually taught us this one.

Gracias
Mexicans are very polite and you should be saying this constantly.

No, gracias
You will be approached constantly to buy something. Just keep repeating this phrase. And remember to be polite.

Habla ingles?
Do you speak English? Many people in Mexico speak a little English, so this will help with all of the other phrases you don’t know.

You should also learn to say How much? I can’t remember that one. Don’t get into a cab until you know how much it will cost.

Have fun!

Most of the “touristy” area will have folks who speak enough English for you to conduct basic transactions, so no worries there.

Someone mentioned knowing the word for “ice”. Even if the restaurant advertises purified water, I’d still forgo anything that is not bottled/canned. “Aqua purificada” is a good phrase.

Where in Mexico are you going? Are you staying in the Northern areas? The Yucatan? If you’re staying on the Yucatan, be sure to visit a cenote or two and visit the old Mayan ruins!

I didn’t travel to the Western regions of Mexico. We drove from the US to Mexico City then swung over to the Yucatan. Very nice drive, btw, but the tolls and the gas was pricey.

If you get to the Yucatan, there are deals to be made on hammocks. At the end of our fieldwork, I jettisoned all my clothing to make space for my four hammocks that I brought back. I’d look or a good cotton, tightly woven hammock, and I wouldn’t pay anything more than 40$. Prices are usually negotiable, so don’t be afraid to haggle.

Have a great trip!!

“Una cerveza, por favor”

Being able to order a beer is well worth it in any language.

for goodness sake. unless you are going deep into the bowels of Mexico, you do not need to know how to speak Spanish. I would say this is especially true if you do not have a knowledge of Spanish.

Gracias and no gracias are enough. Try not to butcher the language too much.

1) Many people will speak English.

2) Buy a Phrase book! Spanish is pronoumced just like you read, uinlike French, so a Phrasebook is the best solution!

By the way I am Going to Guadalajara this week myself!

Honestly the best one I’d recommend :

IRSE ( pernounced Ear say ) it means GO AWAY!
If you get annoyed by salesmen.

I can’t help it, but I have to correct some people.

It’s ¿dónde están los baños, and ¿cuantos quieres? How much does it cost is ¿cuanto cuesta? And irse is incorrect, that’s just the infinitive form of the verb. Dejeme en paz is appropriate.

Also, is there anything else SPECIFICALLY you want to know? I’d be glad to translate any phrases :O)

Hey

here’s some things i figured out as i went.

- They say “MANDE?” when they don’t hear or understand you. You can use it too!

- They say “PORFA” for “por favor”. You can too!

- They say “CHIDO” for ‘cool’. You can too!

hope that helps…

All of the posts will be helpful. One thing touch upon by Morianna1 and its accurate – Mexicans are MODEST people. They often react strangely to women traveling alone (as with me) but a smile and a greeting set most at ease.

Women, with your man or without your man, when you leave the beach, its a courtesy to cover up. I saw so many American women walking down Kulkucan Blvd in skimpy, revealing clothing, such as bikini tops and coverups which didnt cover up anything! One group had their shorts unzipped and folded down to reveal skimp bathing suit bottoms and thongs!

My guess is that they don’t walk around their hometown like that….

Yeah, I might be a bit of a prude, but everywhere I went, I was treated with the utmost respect and I made sure to give the utmost respect.

You are right on point, it is respectful to learn a few phrases of the local language.

Enjoy your trip!