In short
- Real Spanish from Spain: ¿Me pones…?, vale, vosotros — what you'll hear in Madrid.
- Tap any phrase to hear it, then say it out loud.
- Want it offline? Get the free printable PDF.
Free PDF · printable
50 Survival Spanish Phrases for Madrid
The pocket guide for your first weeks — printable, offline, ready for the fridge door.
How to use these phrases
These are the phrases our learners use most in their first weeks — short, polite and exactly what people say in Madrid. Don't try to learn all fifty at once: pick the situation you'll face tomorrow, listen to its five phrases and say them out loud three times.
👋 The basics
Lo básico
Hola, buenos días.
Hello, good morning.
Until lunch (about 2 pm). Then: buenas tardes.
Perdona, ¿hablas inglés?
Excuse me, do you speak English?
No entiendo. ¿Puedes repetir, por favor?
I don't understand. Can you say it again, please?
Más despacio, por favor.
Slower, please.
¿Cómo se dice esto en español?
How do you say this in Spanish?
Point at the thing.
🍺 At the bar or café
En el bar
¿Me pones una caña, por favor?
Can I have a small draught beer, please?
“¿Me pones…?” is how Madrid orders.
Un café con leche, por favor.
A white coffee, please.
¿Qué tapas tenéis?
What tapas do you have?
¿Cuánto es?
How much is it?
¿Me cobras, por favor?
Can I pay, please?
At the bar you pay at the end.
🍽️ At a restaurant
En el restaurante
Una mesa para dos, por favor.
A table for two, please.
¿Qué hay de menú hoy?
What's on the set menu today?
De primero, quería la ensalada.
For the first course, I'd like the salad.
Soy alérgico/a a los frutos secos.
I'm allergic to nuts.
La cuenta, por favor.
The bill, please.
🚇 Getting around
Moverte por la ciudad
Perdona, ¿dónde está el metro?
Excuse me, where's the metro?
¿Este tren va a Atocha?
Does this train go to Atocha?
¿Dónde puedo recargar la tarjeta?
Where can I top up my travel card?
¿Está lejos?
Is it far?
A esta dirección, por favor.
To this address, please.
In a taxi: show the address on your phone.
🛒 Shopping and paying
Compras
¿Cuánto cuesta esto?
How much is this?
¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?
Can I pay by card?
Solo estoy mirando, gracias.
I'm just looking, thanks.
Medio kilo de tomates, por favor.
Half a kilo of tomatoes, please.
¿Me das una bolsa, por favor?
Can I have a bag, please?
🏠 Your flat
Tu casa
No hay agua caliente.
There's no hot water.
El wifi no funciona.
The wifi isn't working.
¿Cuándo puede venir el técnico?
When can the repair person come?
¿Los gastos están incluidos?
Are the bills included?
Ask before you sign a rental contract.
Hola, vivo en el tercero.
Hi, I live on the third floor.
Meeting the neighbours.
💼 At work
En el trabajo
Hola, me llamo Alex. Empiezo hoy.
Hi, I'm Alex. I start today.
¿A qué hora es la reunión?
What time is the meeting?
¿Comemos juntos?
Shall we have lunch together?
Perdona, ¿me lo puedes explicar otra vez?
Sorry, can you explain it again?
¿Quedamos el viernes después del trabajo?
Shall we meet up on Friday after work?
💊 Pharmacy and doctor
Farmacia y médico
Me duele la cabeza.
I have a headache.
Necesito algo para la tos.
I need something for a cough.
Tengo fiebre.
I have a temperature.
Quería pedir cita con el médico.
I'd like to make an appointment with the doctor.
¿Cada cuántas horas lo tomo?
How often do I take it?
📄 Appointments and paperwork
Trámites
Tengo cita a las diez.
I have an appointment at ten.
¿Qué documentos necesito?
Which documents do I need?
Aquí tiene mi pasaporte.
Here's my passport.
Usted: you're talking to an official.
¿Me lo puede escribir, por favor?
Could you write it down for me, please?
¿Dónde tengo que firmar?
Where do I have to sign?
🚨 Emergencies
Emergencias
¡Ayuda!
Help!
Llama al 112, por favor.
Call 112, please.
112: police, ambulance and fire, free, in English too.
Necesito un médico.
I need a doctor.
Me han robado la cartera.
My wallet has been stolen.
Estoy perdido/a.
I'm lost.
Questions
Is this Spanish from Spain or Latin America?
From Spain — Madrid, specifically. That means vosotros, “vale”, “¿me pones…?” and the vocabulary you'll actually see in shops and on the metro.
Why “alérgico/a” and “perdido/a”?
In Spanish, some words change when you talk about yourself: alérgico or perdido if you're a man, alérgica or perdida if you're a woman. Use the form that fits you.
Is the PDF really free?
Yes. Leave your email and you get the download straight away. We only send you tips and offers if you tick the separate box, and you can delete your email whenever you want.