Lesson 8

Start Speaking Spanish in Real Situations

Audio Review

Listen to the audio and follow along with the review blocks below.

Start Speaking Spanish in Real Situations

This lesson will help you start using Spanish in real situations, even with limited vocabulary.

You don’t need to be fluent to communicate. You just need the right tools and the confidence to try.

You also don’t need a lot of Spanish — you need the right Spanish.

A few phrases can take you far in real conversations.

Talking About What You Want, Need, and Have

  • Querer… = to want
  • Necesitar… = to need
  • Tener… = to have

Examples:

  • Quiero un café
  • ¿Quieres comida?
  • Necesito agua.
  • ¿Necesitan ayuda?
  • ¿Tienes agua?
  • Tengo $5.

Finding Places

  • ¿Dónde está…? = Where is?

Examples:

  • ¿Dónde está el baño?
  • ¿Dónde está el restaurante?
  • ¿Dónde está la tienda?

Question Words

  • Quién = who
  • Qué = what
  • Dónde = where
  • Cuándo = when
  • Por qué = why
  • Cómo = how

Using Question Words

  • ¿Quién es? → Who is it?
  • ¿Qué quieres? → What do you want?
  • ¿Dónde está el baño? → Where is the bathroom?
  • ¿Cuándo viene el tren? → When is the train coming?
  • ¿Por qué? → Why?
  • ¿Cómo estás? → How are you?

When You Need Help

  • No entiendo = I don’t understand
  • ¿Puede repetir? = Can you repeat?

Buying Things

  • ¿Cuánto cuesta? = How much is it?

Be Polite

  • Por favor = please
  • Gracias = thank you

Putting It All Together

You can already have a simple conversation:

  • Quiero un café
  • ¿Cuánto cuesta?
  • Gracias

That’s a real interaction.

Confidence Matters

You don’t need perfect Spanish.

You need the courage to try.

Key Vocabulary Audio

Here are important words and phrases from this lesson. Listen to the audio, follow along with the sectioned blocks below, and practice saying them out loud.

Verbs

  • Querer = to want
  • Necesitar = to need
  • Tener = to have

Common Words

  • Café = coffee
  • Agua = water
  • Cambio = change
  • Dinero = money
  • Baño = bathroom
  • Museo = museum
  • Restaurante = restaurant
  • Tienda = store
  • Ayuda = help
  • Reloj = clock / watch

Useful Phrases

  • No entiendo = I don’t understand
  • Repita por favor = Repeat that please
  • ¿Puede repetir por favor? = Can you repeat that please?
  • Gracias = Thank you
  • Muchas gracias = Thank you very much
  • Mil gracias = Thanks a lot (a thousand thanks)

Question Words

  • Quién = who
  • Qué = what
  • Dónde = where
  • Cuándo = when
  • Por qué = why
  • Cómo = how

People

  • Señor = Mr.
  • Señora = Mrs.
  • Señorita = Miss
  • Maestro/a = teacher

Tip: Focus on a few words at a time. Practice using them in simple sentences.

Wrap Up

You now have the tools to start speaking in real situations.

Keep practicing. Keep speaking. Keep going.