23 Common Questions in Spanish

It’s always hard to talk to someone you don’t know yet and it’s even more difficult to talk to someone who speaks another language. Sometimes a few simple questions can help to have a conversation and with the following examples you’ll have no trouble making small talk with native speakers.

Here you can find 23 common questions in Spanish in order to start a conversation.

BASIC CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE NEW

To start, here are some typical questions in Spanish to start the conversation. These are questions you would ask in any language such as their name, where they’re from or asking for help.

1. ¿Cómo te llamas? – What’s your name?
Examples:
1. Me llamo María. ¿Y tú, cómo te llamas? My name is María. And what’s your name?
2. Soy Juan, encantado. I’m Juan. Nice to meet you.

2. ¿De dónde eres? – Where are you from?
Examples:
1. ¿De dónde es usted? Where are you from?
2. Soy de Francia. I’m from France.

3. ¿Dónde vives? Where do you live?

4. ¿Dónde vives en Denia? Where do you live in Denia?

5. ¿En qué zona vives? Which area do you live in?

6. ¿Hablas inglés? –Do you speak English?

Example: ¿Hablas inglés con tus amigos? Do you speak English with your friends?

7. ¿Puedes ayudarme, por favor? – Could you help me, please?

8. ¿Dónde está el supermercado? – Where is the supermarket?
Example: Necesito comprar algo de comida ¿Dónde está el supermercado?
    I need to buy some food. Where is the supermarket?

MAKING NEW FRIENDS

You’ve started the conversation; now you have to keep the conversation going by getting to know your dialogue partner. These questions will help you to find out some information about another person.

9. ¿A qué te dedicas? What do you do?

10. ¿Cuántos años tienes? How old are you?

11. ¿Te gusta …? Do you like …?
Examples:
1. ¿Te gusta la playa? Do you like the beach?
2. Me gusta más la montaña. I prefer the mountains.

INVITING SOMEONE

12. ¿Qué haces …? What are you doing …?
Example: ¿Qué haces este fin de semana? What are you doing this weekend?

13. ¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono? What’s your telephone number?

ASKING FOR THE WAY

To get lost when being in a new city or country isn’t very nice. Once you’ve lost your way, or
even better to avoid it, it’s important to be able to ask for things like direction or time.

14. ¿Dónde está…? Where is…?
Example: ¿Dónde está el banco? Where is the bank?

15. ¿Como llego a …? How do I get to …?
Example: ¿Cómo llego a la estación de autobuses? How do I get to the bus station?

16. ¿Hay un/a… cerca? Is there a … nearby?
Example: ¿Hay una farmacia cerca? Is there a pharmacy/chemist nearby?

ASKING FOR THE TIME

17. ¿Qué hora es? What time is it?
Examples:
1. ¿Qué hora es? Son las tres. What time is it? It’s three o’ clock.
2. Disculpe señor/a, ¿Tiene hora? Excuse me madam/sir, do you know what time it is?

AT A RESTAURANT/SHOP

Exploring new restaurants and shops are a great opportunity to try the local delicacies. It’s
better to know how to ask the right questions when speaking with the waiter or shop owner though.

18. Quiero/ Necesito un/una … I would like a …
Examples:
1. Para beber, quiero una Coca Cola. I would like a coke.
2. Necesito una camiseta blanca. I need a white t-shirt.

19. ¿Cuánto cuesta? How much is that?
Example: ¿Cuánto es esta camiseta? – How much is this t-shirt?

20. La cuenta, por favor. The bill, please.

IN THE CLASSROOM

21. ¿Qué significa esta palabra/ frase? What does this word/ sentence mean?
22. ¿Puede repetir, por favor? Can you repeat, please?
23. No comprendo. Por favor, ¿puede explicarlo otra vez? I don’t understand. Can you
explain it again?

We hope that you’re now a little bit more confident about speaking the language you are learning.
Try to use these questions while speaking with natives and you’ll see that you get a friendly response and additionally improve your Spanish skills!