¡Hola, nómada digital! 👋
You just landed in Spain, laptop ready, excited to sip your café con leche while working from a cute co-working space. But then… the barista greets you in Spanish, and you freeze. 😨 Or maybe you’re at a networking event, and someone asks, “¿A qué te dedicas?” (What do you do for work?)—but you have no idea how to respond.
Sound familiar? No worries! Learning just a few key Spanish phrases will make your life so much easier as a digital nomad in Spain. Whether you’re ordering food, making friends, or asking for Wi-Fi, a little Spanish goes a long way!
In this guide, I’ll share super useful Spanish phrases for co-working spaces, cafés, networking, and daily life—so you can connect, work, and explore with confidence!
¡Vamos! (Let’s go!) 🚀
Why Learning Basic Spanish Matters for Digital Nomads
You might be thinking, “But everyone speaks English in Spain, right?” 🤔 Well… not quite! Especially in less touristy or more rural areas. While many people in big cities do speak some English, you’ll quickly realize that knowing basic Spanish makes a huge difference in your experience. Here’s why:
✅ 1. Navigate Daily Life with Ease 🏡
From ordering your morning café con leche to asking for directions, knowing a few Spanish phrases saves time and frustration. No more awkward Google Translate moments!
✅ 2. Make New Friends & Connections 🤝
Networking events, co-working spaces, and local meetups are goldmines for opportunities—but many professionals prefer speaking Spanish. Even a simple “¡Mucho gusto!” (Nice to meet you!) helps you stand out and make meaningful connections.
✅ 3. Show Respect & Blend In 😊
Locals appreciate it when foreigners make an effort to speak their language. A little Spanish goes a long way in building trust and forming friendships. Plus, you won’t feel like just another tourist!
✅ 4. Avoid Stress in Important Situations 🚨
Need help at the pharmacy? Lost your way? Want to explain your work setup at a co-working space? Having basic Spanish skills gives you confidence in tricky situations.
💡 Bottom line? Speaking a little Spanish isn’t just polite—it’s a game-changer for living, working, and thriving in Spain! 🇪🇸✨
Essential Spanish Phrases for Everyday Situations
A. Basic Greetings & Introductions 👋
First impressions matter, and knowing how to greet someone and introduce yourself is a must. Whether you’re meeting new people at a café or chatting with a local shopkeeper, these simple phrases will help you break the ice!
Common Greetings:
- ¡Hola! (Hello!)
- Buenos días. (Good morning.)
- Buenas tardes. (Good afternoon.)
- Buenas noches. (Good evening/Good night.)
- ¿Qué tal? (How’s it going?)
- Response: Bien, ¿y tú? (Good, and you?)
- Response: Todo bien. (All good.)
- Response: Más o menos. (So-so.)
- ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?)
- Response: Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú? (Good, thanks. And you?)
- Mucho gusto. (Nice to meet you.)
- Response: Igualmente. (Nice to meet you too.)
Introducing Yourself:
- Me llamo [tu nombre]. (My name is [your name].)
- Soy de [tu país]. (I’m from [your country].)
- Vengo a trabajar aquí. (I’m here to work.)
- ¿De dónde eres? (Where are you from?)
- Response: Soy de [país]. (I’m from [country].)
These basic greetings and introductions will help you start conversations and make a great first impression wherever you go! 🌟
B. Saying Goodbye & Leaving 💨
When it’s time to head out, here are some ways to say goodbye:
- Adiós. (Goodbye.)
- Hasta luego. (See you later.)
- Nos vemos. (See you.)
- Hasta pronto. (See you soon.)
- Que tengas un buen día. (Have a nice day.)
- Que descanses. (Rest well/Good night.)
C. Saying Thank You & Apologizing🙏
Expressing gratitude and apologizing are key to maintaining smooth social interactions. Here’s how to do both in a natural, friendly way in Spanish.
Saying Thank You:
Gracias. (Thank you.)
Muchas gracias. (Thank you very much.)
Mil gracias. (A thousand thanks.)
Te lo agradezco. (I appreciate it.)
Gracias de antemano. (Thanks in advance.)
Apologizing:
Lo siento. (I’m sorry.)
Perdón. (Excuse me / Sorry.)
Disculpa. (Sorry. / Excuse me.)
Perdóname. (Forgive me.)
Reactions to Thank Yous & Apologies:
No pasa nada. (No worries. / It’s okay.)
Está bien. (It’s fine. / It’s okay.)
No te preocupes. (Don’t worry about it.)
Tranquilo/a. (Take it easy. / No problem.)
No hay problema. (No problem.)
D. Asking for Help 🤔
Sometimes you need a little assistance, especially when you’re in an unfamiliar place. Here are some useful phrases to ask for help:
- ¿Me puedes ayudar? (Can you help me?)
- ¿Puedes decirme cómo llegar a [lugar]? (Can you tell me how to get to [place]?)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? (Where is the bathroom?)
- ¿Hablas inglés? (Do you speak English?)
- ¿Tienes un mapa? (Do you have a map?)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much does it cost?)
E. Making Small Talk & Building Conversations 💬
Small talk is key to making connections! Here are some casual phrases you can use in conversations with locals:
- ¿Hace buen tiempo, verdad? (Nice weather, right?)
- ¿Qué tal tu día? (How’s your day going?)
- ¿Qué planes tienes para hoy? (What plans do you have for today?)
- ¿Te gusta [actividad]? (Do you like [activity]?)
- ¿Vas a salir este fin de semana? (Are you going out this weekend?)
F. Co-Working Spaces & Networking 👩💻👨💻
As a digital nomad, your co-working space is your second home. Whether you’re chatting with fellow remote workers, want to make a reservation in a coworking space or need help with the Wi-Fi, these phrases will come in handy:
¿Tiene disponibilidad para mañana? (Do you have availability for tomorrow?)
¿Puedo reservar una mesa para trabajar? (Can I reserve a desk to work?)
Quisiera reservar un espacio en el coworking. (I’d like to reserve a space in the coworking.)
¿Tienes Wi-Fi? (Do you have Wi-Fi?)
¿Puedo sentarme aquí? (Can I sit here?)
¿A qué te dedicas? (What do you do for work?)
Me encanta tu proyecto. (I love your project.)
¿Te gustaría colaborar? (Would you like to collaborate?)
G. Ordering at Cafés & Restaurants ☕🍽️
Let’s face it, Spanish food is delicious, and you’ll likely find yourself at a café or restaurant every day. Use these phrases to order like a local:
- Un café con leche, por favor. (A coffee with milk, please.)
- ¿Tienen opciones veganas? (Do you have vegan options?)
- La cuenta, por favor. (The check, please.)
- ¿Me pones una tapa? (Can I have a small appetizer?)
- ¡Está delicioso! (It’s delicious!)
H. Supermarket Conversations 🛍️
Whether you’re picking up snacks, fresh produce, or just browsing, you’ll want to feel confident in your conversations at the supermarket. Here are the key phrases to make your shopping trips easier:
- ¿Dónde está [producto]? (Where is [product]?)
- ¿Tienen [producto]? (Do you have [product]?)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta esto? (How much is this?)
Quisiera [cantidad] de [producto], por favor. (I’d like [amount] of [product], please.)
¿Me da una bolsa, por favor? (Can I have a bag, please?)
¿Quiere una bolsa? (Do you want a bag?)
- ¿Tienes tarjeta XYZ? (Do you have loyalty card XYZ?)
- Con tarjeta, por favor. (With card, please.)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? (Can I pay with a card?)
I. Transportation & Getting Around 🚇🚖
Exploring Spain means getting around—whether you’re hopping on the metro, catching a bus, or taking a taxi. These phrases will help you stay on track:
- ¿Dónde está la estación de metro? (Where is the metro station?)
- ¿Dónde está la parada del autobús? (Where is the bus stop?)
- ¿Dónde se compra el billete para el metro? (Where do I buy the metro ticket?)
- Quisiera un billete de ida a [destino]. (I’d like a one-way ticket to [destination].)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete a [destino]? (How much is a ticket to [destination]?)
- Voy a [ciudad]. (I’m going to [city].)
- ¿Este tren va a [destino]? (Does this train go to [destination]?)
- ¿Cuánto tarda en llegar? (How long does it take to get there?)
J. Emergencies & Important Situations 🚑
While we hope you never need these, it’s always best to be prepared for emergencies. Keep these phrases in your back pocket:
- Necesito ayuda. (I need help.)
- ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano? (Where is the nearest hospital?)
- He perdido mi pasaporte. (I lost my passport.)
- ¿Hay un banco cerca de aquí? (Is there a bank near here?)
- ¿Cómo llego a [lugar]? (How do I get to [place]?)
Final Tips for Mastering Spanish as a Digital Nomad in Spain 
💡
Learning Spanish is one of the most exciting parts of your digital nomad journey in Spain. It helps you connect with locals, navigate daily life with ease, and truly experience the culture.
Here are a few final tips to make your learning process more fun and effective:
📆 Practice Daily
Make Spanish part of your everyday routine. Listen to music, watch Spanish shows, or chat with locals at cafés. The more you use it, the more natural it becomes.
💬 Be Confident (Even If You Make Mistakes!)
Don’t stress about getting everything right. Locals will appreciate your effort, and every mistake is a step toward fluency. Just speak and keep going!
📱 Use Helpful Tools
Apps like Babbel, Duolingo, or finding a language exchange partner can make learning easier and more engaging.
🌍 Get Immersed
Surround yourself with Spanish—join local meetups, work from coworking spaces, and talk to people. Immersion is the fastest way to learn.
🎉 Have Fun With It
Spanish is full of personality and expression. Enjoy the process, play with slang, and laugh at the awkward moments—it’s all part of the adventure!
Mastering these Spanish basics will make your time in Spain smoother, more fun, and much more meaningful.
¡Buena suerte y disfruta de tu aventura! (Good luck and enjoy your adventure!) ✨🌍
Mastering these Spanish basics will make your time in Spain smoother, more fun, and much more meaningful.
¡Buena suerte y disfruta de tu aventura! (Good luck and enjoy your adventure!) ✨🌍
How Is Your Spanish Going?
We’d love to hear from you! 🌍
- What Spanish phrase or expression has been most helpful during your time in Spain?
- Is there a specific phrase you’ve been eager to learn?
- Got any insider phrases to share?
👉 Drop a comment below and let’s learn together! 👇
You want to work remotly from Spain but don’t know where to start? Check out our 4 Simple Steps to Become a Digital Nomad in Spain guide for everything you need to get started! 🚀 Whether you’re just starting out or already soaking up the Spanish sun, this guide will provide you with everything you need to navigate the digital nomad journey in Spain.