0.2.1 Basic Conversation Flashcards
Pleasantries, titles (señor etc), understanding each other
Translate to Spanish:
Excuse me
(to get someone’s attention)
Disculpe
Literally this means “forgive [me]” for disturbing you, although it’s not really an apology.
In contrast, the potential synonym perdón (a bit less commonly used to get someone’s attention) can also be used to apologize, say, for bumping into someone.
Translate to Spanish:
Excuse me
(to pass by someone)
Permiso
Literally this means “permission”. You’d say it to politely ask someone to step aside to let you through.
Translate to Spanish:
Excuse me / Sorry
(you just bumped into someone)
Perdón
Translate to Spanish:
It’s ok / No problem
Está bien / No hay problema
Literally, “it’s well” / “There’s no problem”.
Translate to Spanish:
How are you?
¿Cómo estás?
cómo = “how”
you are = estás
Translate to Spanish:
[I’m] well, thank you!
¡Bien, gracias!
“well” = bien
[What is being said in the audio recording?]
Hombre: ¿Cómo estás?
Mujer: Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?
Hombre Bien.
Translation:
Man: “How are you?”
Woman: “Well, thank you. And you?”
Man: “Well.”
Note that ¿y tú? means “and you?”
Translate to Spanish:
Excuse me, sir.
Disculpe, señor.
“Sir” = señor
Translate to Spanish:
Excuse me, ma’am.
Permiso, señora.
“Ma’am” = Señora
Señora is typically used to refer to an older woman (or married woman), as a sign of respect. For this reason, we’d use Usted rather than tú, and therefore the third-person singular (es) form of the verb ser.
Translate to Spanish:
Mr Ramos
El señor Ramos
“Mister X” = señor X
Note that when addressing Mr Ramos directly, you could just say Sr Ramos, but when talking about him indirectly, you’d typically use the definite article el.
Translate to Spanish:
Mrs Cortez
La señora Cortez
“Mrs X” = señora X
Note that when addressing Mrs. Cortez directly, you could just say Sra Cortez, but when talking about her indirectly, you’d typically use the definite article la.
Also note that addressing someone with their title and surname like this is quite formal and/or is a sign of respect. Beware that calling a more casual acquaintence Señora can make her feel like an old woman!
Translate to Spanish:
Good afternoon, Miss!
¡Buenas tardes, señorita!
“Miss” = Señorita
This term is used for girls or young (unmarried) women.
Translate to Spanish:
Yes, please.
Sí, por favor.
please - por favor
Translate to Spanish:
No, thank you.
No, gracias.
“no” = no
(Finally, an easy one!)
Translate to Spanish:
What does “acabacadapa” mean?
¿Qué significa “acabacadapa”?
(Answer: Nothing! It’s a gibberish word we made up for this example.)
Translate to Spanish:
How do you say “pollo” in English?
¿Cómo se dice “pollo” en inglés?
(Answer: pollo = “chicken”)
Translate to Spanish:
I don’t understand.
No entiendo.
Technically no comprendo is also correct but uncommon.
Translate to Spanish:
Correct!
¡Correcto! / ¡Bien!
e.g. A Spanish speaker might say this if you said something correctly.
Bien also means “well” and “sure”, in different contexts.
Translate to Spanish:
More, please
Más, por favor
“more” = más
Translate to Spanish:
That one
Ése
There are actually many Spanish translations for the English word “that”, and the rules are pretty complex.
But for now, if you’re just trying to simply indicate which one of something you want, it’s pretty safe to just say ése.
Translate to Spanish:
What? / Huh?
(e.g. If you didn’t hear someone correctly)
¿Qué? / ¿Cómo?
