A tour through Patagonia is more than doable without mastering the Spanish language. That being said, a few key phrases and words will go a long way toward enhancing your Patagonian experience and improving your communications with locals and other travelers.
Tips
- Practice some basic phrases and words with one of the many free, online tools. We recommend the free mobile application/website Duolingo.
- Memorize numbers in Spanish. This will come in handy at supermarkets, hostels and anywhere else you’re engaging in a monetary transaction. While it’s very rare to be “scammed” by shop owners in Patagonia, like anywhere in the world, this can happen. Protect your wallet by knowing the difference between sixty (sesenta) and seventy (setenta).
Brief Glossary of Essential Words & Phrases
| English | Español |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hola |
| Bye | Chau Adíos |
| Thank you | Gracias |
| Thank you very much | Muchas gracias |
| Please | por favor |
| How are you? | ¿Qué tal? ¿Cómo estás? |
| Nice to meet you | mucho gusto |
| Likewise | igualmente |
| Bicycle | bicicleta |
| Bike | bici |
| Bike Touring | cicloturismo |
| Uphill | subida |
| Downhill | bajada |
| Camping | Acampar (to camp) Cámping |
| Can you help me? | ¿Me puedes ayudar? |
| Gravel | ripio |
| Wind | viento |
| Rain | lluvia |
| Danger | peligro |
| Hello, my name is ______. | Hola, me llamo ______. |
| I am riding my bike south/north | Estoy andamos mi bici al sur/norte |
| Do you have water? | ¿Tienes agua? |
| Can I camp in your yard? | ¿Puedo acampar en tu jardín? |
| I'm sorry | Lo siento |
| Pardon/I'm sorry | perdón |
| Excuse me | disculpe perdón |
| I am from _____. | Soy de ____. |
| And you? | y tú? |
| Where are you from? | ¿de donde eres? |
| Do you have vacancy? Is there a bed? | ¿tienes vacante? ¿Hay una cama? |
| How much (money)? | ¿Cuanto cuesta? |
| narrow (road) | angosto |
| wide | amplio |
| Is there a supermarket? | ¿Hay un supermercado? |
| Where is the market? | ¿Dónde esta el mercado? |
| Good vibes/cool | Buena onda. |
| Can you repeat more slowly? | Puedes repetir más despacio. |
| (to the) Right | (a la) derecha |
| (to the) Left | (a la) izquierda |
| Wheel | rueda |
| Flat tire | pinchazo |
| Slow motion | camara lenta |
| Do you know a place to sleep? | ¿Sabes un lugar para dormir? |
| barbeque/meat | asado |
| I went to ______. | Fui a ______. |
| Is there wifi? | ¿Hay wifi? |
| Is there an ATM? | ¿Hay un cajero automático? |
| Do you accept credit card? | ¿Acepta tarjeta de credito? |
| Good morning | Buenos días |
| Good night | Buenas noches |
| What is your name? | ¿Cómo se llama? |
| See you later | Hasta luego |
| See you soon | Hasta pronto |
| Cheers! | Salud! |
| Yes | Sí |
| No | no |
| I don't understand | Yo no comprendo |
| You're welcome | de nada |