0.1.1 Common Greetings Flashcards Preview

Adiós is a bit more formal & final-sounding to native Spanish speakers. Chao is more informal and is especially used in South America.

Technically, this means “Good days”, but it’s used in Spanish any time before noon, just like we’d use “Good morning” in English.

Note: This phrase can also be used to mean “good evening” … typically until it’s dark outside.

Translation: “Hey!”

This generic greeting could be short for, say, buenas tardes (“good afternoon”), but it could really be used at any time – as if it means “good [anything]”!

This easy phrase may be a bit “familiar” & informal sounding, but you’re a rookie, so you’ll be forgiven.

Notice that conjugated verbs ending in o are used to express that “I” am doing something in first person present. (The full verb, hablar, means “to speak”.)

Note that in Spanish, you can just put “no” in front of a phrase to make it negative.

Translation: “Thank you!” / “You’re welcome!”

Note: Unlike in English, where “good night” is typically just a farewell, buenas noches can be used as both a greeting and a farewell (as long as it’s dark outside).

Translation: “Do you speak English?” / “Yes”

Use “¿Habla inglés?” when addressing someone formally or respectfully, and “¿Hablas inglés?” when speaking to someone informally or with familiarity.

Note: Me llamo … literally means “I call myself …”, but this is typically how you introduce yourself in Spanish. Fancy, huh.

Also note that the letters ll in Spanish are pronounced more like an English “y”.

Note: Literally, this translates to “How do you call yourself?”. I think I’m gonna start speaking English this way.

Translation: “Do you speak Spanish?” / “A little bit”

Mucho gusto literally translates to “much pleasure”. It is the simplest way in Spanish to say it’s nice to meet someone.

Igualmente literally means “equally” and is often shortened to igual in conversation.

If you just met a Spanish speaker and told them mucho gusto (“Nice to meet you”), it’s very likely that they would respond Igual.