Fidel Ugochukwu Perez: Welcome, welcome, dear listeners, to another enlightening episode of Language Talks Podcast! I’m your host, Fidel Ugochukwu Perez, and I’m thrilled to embark on this journey of language exploration with you.
Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or you’ve been a dedicated listener from the start, I extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you. Language Talks is not just a podcast; it’s a community—a space where we delve into the tones of language and communication, and where we strive to enhance our linguistic dexterity together.
In today’s episode, we’re focusing on a fundamental aspect of language learning: improving our listening and spoken Spanish skills. As global citizens navigating an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to comprehend and articulate ourselves effectively in Spanish is priceless.
For our new listeners, I want to extend a special invitation: not only can you enjoy the auditory experience of Language Talks, but you can also access detailed transcriptions of each episode. Simply head over to Spotify and navigate to the show notes, or visit our website at www.gistandmore.com/podcasts. There, you’ll find a treasure trove of resources to complement your learning journey.
So, whether you’re tuning in during your morning commute, on your evening stroll, or during your cherished moments of relaxation, I encourage you to open your ears and your mind as we embark on this exploration of language mastery.
Stay tuned, dear listeners, as we dive into actionable tips, insightful discussions, and engaging exercises to take our listening and spoken Spanish skills to new heights.
[Background music fades in gently]
Once again, I’m Fidel Ugochukwu Perez, your guide on this linguistic adventure. Let’s embark on this journey together. Welcome to Language Talks Podcast!
Basic Spanish Greetings
It is hard to learn Spanish without learning how to greet people. More so than questions and basic words, the ability to correctly greet someone in Spanish will allow you to start conversations. This basic skill is vital for practicing as you continue to learn.
With these basic words, you will be able to begin to form sentences and provide answers to simple questions. These basic words will also aid you in connecting sentences and ideas as you begin to learn more Spanish words.
Hola (Hello)
Adios (Goodbye)
Gracias (Thank you)
Por favor (Please)
Si (Yes)
Claro (Of course)
No (No)
Amor (Love)
Todo (All)
Basic Spanish Questions
The ability to ask basic questions is a key part to being conversational in Spanish. With these basic questions, you will have the ability to initiate conversations. Not only will you be able to start conversations, but you will be able to keep them going to engage with people.
¿Cómo te llamas? (What is your name?
¿Qué hora tienes? (What time is it?)
¿De dónde viene? (Where are you from?)
¿Dónde vives? (Where do you live?)
¿Puede ayudarme? (Can you help me?)
¿Podría ayudarle? (Can I help you?)
¿Cuánto cuesta eso? (How much does it cost?)
¿Entiende? (Do you understand?)
Basic Spanish Verbs
While learning Spanish vocabulary is obviously important, without basic Spanish verbs, you’ll never be able to actually speak Spanish. With these basic verbs, you’ll be able to take basic Spanish vocabulary and start putting full sentences and ideas together.
Abrir (To open)
Ayudar (To help)
Estar (To be)
Gustar (To like)
Jugar (To play)
Llamar (To call)
Querer (To want)
Tener (To have)
Ser (To be)
Saber (To know)
It will certainly be hard to speak Spanish without knowing words for people. Just think about a conversation in English and how often your reference people? It may seem simple but mastering the different words for people in Spanish will definitely give you confidence and the skills to begin actively speaking Spanish.
Weather is one of the most common topics of conversation. It is also one of the best ways to start a conversation, especially with someone you don’t know.
Yet, most people learning Spanish fail to learn some of the basic words for Spanish. With these words, you’ll have the tools to start speaking to anyone.
Caliente (Hot)
Frío/ fría (Cold)
Lluvia (Rain)
Sol (Sun)
Luna (Moon)
Nieve (Snow)
Viento (Wind)
As a language learner, you will probably be most excited to start speaking a new language, and to do this effectively, you will need to know how to greet people.
Hola – Hello
Buenos días – Good morning
Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
Buenas noches – Good night
Adiós – Goodbye
Hasta luego – See you later
¿Cómo estás? – How are you?
Estoy bien – I’m good
Mucho gusto – Nice to meet you
¿Cómo te llamas? – What’s your name?
Examples:
Hola, mucho gusto. ¿Cómo estás? – Hello, nice to meet you. How are you?
Buenas tardes. Estoy bien, gracias. ¿Y tú? – Good afternoon, I’m good, thanks. And you?
Numbers: Prices, Dates, Times, and Ages
Another crucial part of the Spanish language is numbers. You need numbers to understand prices, dates, times, and ages.
All of these aspects of a language are basic but essential for everyday life.
Uno – One
Dos – Two
Tres – Three
Cuatro – Four
Cinco – Five
Seis – Six
Siete – Seven
Ocho – Eight
Nueve – Nine
Diez – Ten
Examples:
Mi cumpleaños es el tres de octubre – My birthday is on October third
Tengo cinco años – I am five years old
Son las seis y media – It’s six thirty
El libro cuesta nueve dólares – The book costs nine dollars
Me gusta salir por la noche – I like to go out at night
El banco está cerrado porque es una fiesta nacional – The bank is shut as it’s a national holiday
Food and Drink
Another vital aspect of learning the Spanish language (and culture) is learning the common food and drink words. If you are lucky enough to study Spanish in Spain or Latin America, you will get well-acquainted with these delicious words very quickly.
Agua – Water
Café – Coffee
Té – Tea
Leche – Milk
Pan – Bread
Queso – Cheese
Huevo – Egg
Tortilla de patatas – Spanish tortilla
Zumo de naranja – Orange juice
Me pone/ me trae… por favor – Please give me/ bring me…
Examples:
Me pone un cafe con leche, por favor – Please give me a milky coffee
Me trae queso con el pan, por favor – Please bring me cheese with the bread
n this episode of Language Talks Podcast, we’ve equipped you with essential phrases and greetings to kickstart your Spanish journey.
From greetings to introductions, you now have the tools to navigate through everyday conversations with ease. Join us next time as we continue our exploration of the Spanish language and dive deeper into its rich tapestry of words and expressions. ¡Nos vemos pronto! (See you soon!)
