Learning Spanish in a classroom is one thing. Living it every day is something completely different.
When you spend a year in Spain, Spanish becomes much more than a school subject. It’s the language you hear around the dinner table with your host family, the language you use with your new friends, the jokes you start to understand and, before you know it, the expressions you find yourself using without even realising it.
So, if you’re getting ready for your Spanish adventure, here’s your unofficial guide to the words and expressions you’ll probably be saying before you know it. 🇪🇸❤️
You know you’ve lived in Spain when… 🇪🇸
- You know that “ahora” doesn’t always mean right now. 😂
- You say “vale” at least 20 times a day.
- You automatically say “¿qué tal?” when you meet someone.
- You’ve learned that dinner at 10 p.m. is completely normal.
- You’ve started saying “¡qué guay!” without thinking.
- You understand that “un café” can turn into a 2-hour conversation.
Spanish words you’ll use ALL the time
Vale → Okay / Alright
Probably the most useful Spanish word you’ll learn. You’ll hear it everywhere and use it for almost everything.
Pues → Well… / So…
A little filler word Spaniards use to start a response, explain something or simply keep the conversation going.
O sea → I mean / In other words
Used when explaining, clarifying or rephrasing something. You’ll hear this one a lot in everyday conversations.
Bueno → Well / Okay / Alright
Depending on the context, it can mean different things. It’s often used to start a sentence, change the subject or wrap up a conversation.
Claro → Of course / Sure / Exactly
A very common way to agree with someone or show that you understand what they mean.
Exacto → Exactly
Used when you completely agree with what someone has just said.
Depende → It depends
The perfect Spanish answer when there isn’t a simple yes or no. 😏
Luego → Later
It means “later”, although exactly when “later” is can sometimes be open to interpretation. 😂
Ahora → Now / Right now
It usually means “now”, but depending on the context, it can also mean “in a moment”. Welcome to Spanish time!
Entonces → So / Then
Used to connect ideas, draw a conclusion or move a conversation forward.
Venga → Come on / Okay / Let’s go
One of those wonderfully versatile Spanish words. It can encourage someone, signal agreement, end a conversation or mean “let’s go!”
Total → Anyway / So, basically
Often used when summarising a story or getting to the point: “Total, que…” → So, basically…
Igual → Maybe / It might be / It doesn’t matter
In everyday Spanish, “igual” can be used to express possibility: “Igual voy” → Maybe I’ll go.
Ya → Already / Now / Okay / I know
Another tiny word with a million uses! “Ya” can mean “already”, show that you understand, or even signal that you want to move on.
“Spanish phrases that make zero sense… until you live here” 😂
“Ahora voy” → I’m coming… eventually.
“En un rato” → At some point later.
“Quedamos a las 9” → The plan starts around 9-ish.
“No pasa nada” → Literally the solution to everything.
“¿Tomamos algo?” → This could take several hours.
“Un momentito” → Definitely not necessarily one minute.
Things your Spanish host family will say” 🏠❤️
¿Has comido? → Have you eaten?
¿Quieres más? → Do you want some more?
¡Abrígate! → Put something warm on!
Avísame cuando llegues → Let me know when you arrive.
¿A qué hora vuelves? → What time are you coming back?
¿Te llevo? → Shall I give you a lift?
Hay comida en la nevera → There’s food in the fridge. 😌
Spanish expressions you can’t translate literally
Estar como una cabra 🐐 → To be crazy
Tener un cacao 🍫 → To be confused
Estar en las nubes ☁️ → To have your head in the clouds
Ponerse las pilas 🔋 → To get your act together
Ser pan comido 🍞 → To be a piece of cake
Estar hecho polvo → To be exhausted
Costar un ojo de la cara 👁️ → To cost a fortune
No tener pelos en la lengua → To speak your mind
Your Spanish vocabulary after 6 months in Spain”
At the beginning:
Hello → Hola
Okay → Okay
6 months later:
Vale, tío, qué guay, me apunto, luego te digo, no pasa nada, qué pereza, estoy de chill, ¿quedamos? 😂
Careful… you’re starting to sound Spanish. 🇪🇸😂