posted 18th August 2026
Moving to Spain is exciting for many obvious reasons.
Sunshine, food, beaches, culture, markets, old towns, mountain villages, coastlines, festivals, slower mornings and the very real possibility of becoming emotionally attached to a local bakery.
But then comes the moment when you need to actually speak. Not fluently. Not perfectly. Not like someone presenting the evening news in Madrid. Just enough to say hello, order coffee, ask where something is, thank someone properly and avoid staring blankly at a cashier while your brain quietly leaves the building.
The good news is that you do not need to be fluent in Spanish before moving to Spain. The even better news is that learning a few basics can make day-to-day life much easier, more respectful and far less awkward.
**You Do Not Need Perfect Spanish To Make An Effort
One of the biggest mistakes new movers make is waiting until they are “good enough” to speak. That day may never arrive, because language confidence is a slippery little creature. The better approach is to start small.
A simple greeting, a polite thank you, or an attempt to order in Spanish can make a real difference. Most people do not expect newcomers to speak perfectly, but they often appreciate the effort. It shows respect for the country, the community and the fact that you are not treating Spain like a long term hotel with better weather.
You will make mistakes. Everyone does. You may ask for a chicken when you meant a ticket. You may confidently pronounce something in a way that makes no sense at all. You may panic and say “gracias” to someone who has not actually done anything yet.
That is fine. It is part of the process.
Spain Has More Than One Language
Spanish, often called Castilian Spanish, is the main language used across Spain. However, Spain also has regional languages, including Catalan, Galician and Basque, and in some areas these are used regularly in public life, education, signs and local administration.
This does not mean you need to learn every language in Spain before moving. That would be slightly ambitious, unless your relocation plan also includes becoming a linguistics professor. But it does mean that where you move can affect what you hear around you.
In Valencia, Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Galicia and the Basque Country, you may come across local languages as well as Spanish. For most new movers, learning basic Spanish is still the best starting point, but being aware of regional language differences shows respect and helps avoid confusion.
The Magic Words – ‘Hello’, ‘Please’ And ‘Thank You’
If you learn nothing else before arriving, learn how to be polite.
Hola
Pronounced: OH-lah
Meaning: Hello
Buenos días
Pronounced: BWEH-nos DEE-ahs
Meaning: Good morning
Buenas tardes
Pronounced: BWEH-nas TAR-des
Meaning: Good afternoon / good evening
Buenas noches
Pronounced: BWEH-nas NO-ches
Meaning: Good night
Por favor
Pronounced: por fah-VOR
Meaning: Please
Gracias
Pronounced in much of Spain: GRAH-thyahs
Meaning: Thank you
Muchas gracias
Pronounced: MOO-chas GRAH-thyahs
Meaning: Thank you very much
A quick note on “gracias”: in much of Spain, the “c” before “i” is pronounced like the English “th” in “think”. In some regions, especially parts of southern Spain and the Canary Islands, it may sound more like “GRAH-see-ahs”. Both exist. Do not panic. Nobody is going to confiscate your coffee.
The Phrase That Saves Everyone: “I Don’t Speak Much Spanish”
This is one of the most useful things to learn early.
No hablo mucho español
Pronounced: noh AH-bloh MOO-cho es-pan-YOL
Meaning: I do not speak much Spanish
This phrase is honest, useful and instantly lowers the pressure. You are not pretending to be fluent. You are simply saying, “I am trying, but please do not launch into a full speed explanation about plumbing regulations.”
You can also say:
Estoy aprendiendo español
Pronounced: es-TOY ah-pren-DYEN-doh es-pan-YOL
Meaning: I am learning Spanish
This is a lovely phrase because it shows effort. It also buys you sympathy, patience and occasionally a smile.
Asking People To Slow Down
Spanish can feel fast when you are new to it. Very fast. Like someone has pressed play at 1.75 speed and hidden the settings button.
A very useful phrase is:
Más despacio, por favor
Pronounced: mas des-PAH-thyoh por fah-VOR
Meaning: More slowly, please
Or:
¿Puede repetir, por favor?
Pronounced: PWEH-deh reh-peh-TEER por fah-VOR
Meaning: Can you repeat, please?
These are survival phrases. Use them often. Use them proudly.
Everyday Questions That Help Immediately
A few practical questions can make daily life much easier.
¿Dónde está…?
Pronounced: DON-deh es-TAH
Meaning: Where is…?
Example:
¿Dónde está el supermercado?
Pronounced: DON-deh es-TAH el soo-per-mer-KAH-doh
Meaning: Where is the supermarket?
¿Cuánto cuesta?
Pronounced: KWAN-toh KWES-tah
Meaning: How much does it cost?
¿Tiene…?
Pronounced: TYEH-neh
Meaning: Do you have…?
¿Aceptan tarjeta?
Pronounced: ah-SEP-tan tar-HEH-tah
Meaning: Do you accept card?
¿Dónde está el baño?
Pronounced: DON-deh es-TAH el BAN-yoh
Meaning: Where is the toilet?
This last one is worth learning properly. There are few moments in life where linguistic confidence becomes more urgent.
Ordering Food And Drink
Spain is a wonderful country for food, but menus can feel intimidating when you are just starting out.
Here are some basics:
Un café, por favor
Pronounced: oon kah-FEH por fah-VOR
Meaning: A coffee, please
Una cerveza, por favor
Pronounced: OO-nah ther-BEH-thah por fah-VOR
Meaning: A beer, please
Agua, por favor
Pronounced: AH-gwah por fah-VOR
Meaning: Water, please
La cuenta, por favor
Pronounced: lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR
Meaning: The bill, please
Quisiera…
Pronounced: kee-SYEH-rah
Meaning: I would like…
Example:
Quisiera una mesa para cuatro
Pronounced: kee-SYEH-rah OO-nah MEH-sah PAH-rah KWAT-roh
Meaning: I would like a table for four
If you only remember “por favor” and “gracias”, you will still get quite far. But adding “quisiera” makes you sound much more polished. Possibly even like someone who knows what they are doing.
Shopping Basics
Markets, shops and local stores are a big part of Spanish life. Even a few basic phrases can help.
Solo estoy mirando, gracias
Pronounced: SOH-loh es-TOY mee-RAHN-doh GRAH-thyahs
Meaning: I am just looking, thank you
¿Tiene otro tamaño?
Pronounced: TYEH-neh OH-troh tah-MAH-nyoh
Meaning: Do you have another size?
Necesito ayuda
Pronounced: neh-theh-SEE-toh ah-YOO-dah
Meaning: I need help
Una bolsa, por favor
Pronounced: OO-nah BOL-sah por fah-VOR
Meaning: A bag, please
Simple, useful, and very handy when your shopping basket starts looking more ambitious than your vocabulary.
Healthcare And Emergencies
Hopefully you will not need these often, but they are worth knowing.
Necesito un medico
Pronounced: neh-theh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh
Meaning: I need a doctor
Necesito una Farmacia
Pronounced: neh-theh-SEE-toh OO-nah far-MAH-thyah
Meaning: I need a pharmacy
Es una emergencia
Pronounced: es OO-nah eh-mer-HEN-thyah
Meaning: It is an emergency
Me duele…
Pronounced: meh DWEH-leh
Meaning: My … hurts
Example:
Me duele la cabeza
Pronounced: meh DWEH-leh lah kah-BEH-thah
Meaning: My head hurts
Healthcare is one area where preparation really matters. If you have regular medication or medical needs, it can also be helpful to write key phrases down before you arrive.
A Few Pronunciation Tips
Spanish pronunciation is generally more consistent than English, which is good news. English, after all, is the language that looked at “through”, “though”, “tough” and “thought” and decided that was acceptable behaviour.
Some simple Spanish pronunciation points:
The letter j usually sounds like a strong English h.
So jamón sounds like hah-MON.
The letter ñ sounds like ny.
So España sounds like es-PAN-yah.
The double ll often sounds like a y sound.
So calle can sound like KAH-yeh, although pronunciation varies by region.
The letter r is tapped or rolled.
Do not worry if you cannot roll it at first. Many people spend years trying and still sound like a lawnmower refusing to start.
The letter h is usually silent.
So hola is OH-lah, not HOH-lah.
Use Spanish In Small Moments
You do not need to sit down and memorise a dictionary. In fact, please do not. That sounds like a punishment.
Use Spanish in small, normal moments:
Say hello when entering a shop.
Order your coffee in Spanish.
Ask for the bill in Spanish.
Say thank you properly.
Practise numbers when paying.
Read signs.
Listen to local conversations.
Use Spanish subtitles.
Write down phrases you hear often.
Small daily use is often better than one big heroic study session followed by two weeks of avoidance.
Do Not Rely Entirely On Translation Apps
Translation apps are very useful. They can help with menus, letters, signs and moments where your brain goes completely blank.
But they should be a support, not the whole plan. There is a big difference between using an app to understand something and handing your entire relocation life to your phone. Batteries die. Internet drops. Apps mistranslate. And sometimes you need the confidence to speak to a person standing in front of you, especially in a bank, school, doctor’s surgery, town hall or emergency situation.
Learn the basics. Use the app as backup.
The Confidence Comes After The Embarrassment
The early stage of learning a language can feel uncomfortable. You will pause. You will forget words. You will say things in the wrong order. You may accidentally create a sentence that sounds like it was assembled during a mild panic attack. That is normal.
Confidence does not come before speaking. Confidence comes because you speak, survive, and realise the world did not end.
Every awkward conversation is progress. Every small phrase is progress. Every time you try, you are making Spain feel more like home.
Final Thoughts
Learning basic Spanish is one of the best things you can do before moving to Spain.
Not because you need to be perfect. Not because every conversation will be in Spanish from day one. And not because you should feel embarrassed if you are still learning. But because language opens doors.
It helps you settle. It helps you connect. It helps you understand your new surroundings. It shows respect. It makes everyday life easier. And occasionally, it helps you order exactly the pastry you wanted instead of pointing at something and hoping for the best.
Start small. Be brave. Laugh at your mistakes. Keep going. Spain will feel much more welcoming when you can meet it halfway.
EXAPS helps individuals and families moving abroad connect with trusted professionals and companies who understand the relocation journey. When you are moving country, the right support matters. But so does feeling confident enough to take those first small steps into daily life.
