If you’re a beginner learning Spanish, one of the first things you’ll want to learn is how to talk about places in the city. Being able to ask for directions and understand the responses is essential for navigating any Spanish-speaking city. In this article, I will teach you some basic Spanish vocabulary related to places in the city, as well as some tips for using it in conversation.
To practice using this vocabulary in conversation, consider taking a beginner Spanish lesson focused on places in the city. By practicing with a teacher or tutor, you can get feedback on your pronunciation and grammar, as well as gain confidence in your ability to speak Spanish in real-life situations.
Common Places in Spanish
If you are a beginner learning Spanish, it’s important to know some common places in the city. Knowing these places will help you navigate the city and communicate with locals more effectively. Here are some common places in Spanish that you should know.
When you are in a new city, it’s important to know how to ask for directions and locations. Here are some useful phrases to help you get started:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿Dónde está…? | Where is…? |
| ¿Cómo llego a…? | How do I get to…? |
| ¿Hay un… cerca de aquí? | Is there a… near here? |
| ¿Me puede decir cómo llegar a…? | Can you tell me how to get to…? |
| Estoy perdido/a. | I’m lost. |
To understand the responses to these questions, you need to know some common places in the city. Here are some of them:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Banco | Bank |
| Cine | Cinema |
| Supermercado | Supermarket |
| Restaurante | Restaurant |
| Museo | Museum |
| Biblioteca | Library |
| Hospital | Hospital |
| Farmacia | Pharmacy |
| Parque | Park |
| Oficina de correos | Post office |
| Escuela | School |
To make it easier for the person you’re asking to understand you, it’s helpful to know some basic vocabulary for directions. Here are some words that you might need to use:
- Derecha (right)
- Izquierda (left)
- Recto (straight)
- Cerca (near)
- Lejos (far)
Public Services and Amenities
When traveling to a new city, it is important to know where to find public services and amenities. In this section I will provide you with information on the various services available in Spanish.
Transportation Words in Spanish
| Español | Inglés |
|---|---|
| Estacionamiento | Parking |
| Parada de autobús | Bus stop |
| Estación de tren | Train station |
| Estación de autobuses | Bus station |
| Puerto | Port |
| Estación de metro | Subway station |
| Parada de taxi | Taxi rank |
| Autopista | Highway |
| Peaje | Toll box |
| Calle | Street |
| Avenida | Avenue |
| Aeropuerto | Airport |
| Pasajero | Passenger |
Emergency and Health Services
| Español | Inglés |
|---|---|
| Emergencia | Emergency |
| Ambulancia | Ambulance |
| Hospital | Hospital |
| Estación de policía | Plice station |
| Estación de Bomberos | Fire station |
| Sala de primeros auxilios | Emergency office / room |
| Farmacia | Pharmacy |
Civic Institutions
| Español | Inglés |
|---|---|
| Biblioteca | Library |
| Escuela | School |
| Universidad | University |
| Parque | Park |
| Plaza | Square |
| Museo | Museum |
| Teatro | Theater |
| Ayuntamiento | City hall |
| Oficina de correos | Post office |
| Supermercado | Supermarket |
| Mercado | Market |
| Aeropuerto | Airport |
| Oficina de turismo | Tourist office |
| Banco | Bank |
| Centro comunitario | Community center |
| Iglesia | Church |
List of Shops in Spanish
In this section, I will teach you a list of words related to shops, and entertainment in Spanish.
If you need to buy food or groceries, you have several options. The most common type of store is the “supermercado“, which is a large supermarket. These stores usually have a wide variety of food and household items. You can also find smaller “tiendas” or “mercados“, which are more like convenience stores. These stores may have a smaller selection, but they’re often more convenient if you just need to pick up a few things. If you’re looking for fresh produce, you can visit the “mercado de frutas y verduras” (fruit and vegetable market).
| Español | Inglés |
|---|---|
| Supermercado | Supermarket |
| Tienda de ropa | Clothing store |
| Zapatería | Shoe store |
| Joyería | Jewelry store |
| Librería | Bookstore |
| Tienda de electrónicos | Electronics store |
| Panadería | Bakery |
| Carnicería | Butcher shop |
| Pescadería | Fish market |
| Frutería | Fruit store |
| Tienda de comestibles | Grocery store |
| Mercado | Market |
| Restaurante | Restaurant |
| Cafetería | Café/Coffee shop |
| Bar | Bar |
| Discoteca | Nightclub |
| Cine | Movie theater |
| Parque de diversiones | Amusement park |
| Teatro | Theater |
| Galería de arte | Art gallery |
| Centro comercial | Shopping mall |
| Salón de belleza | Beauty salon |
If you’re looking for a place to eat, you have many options. You can visit a “restaurante” (restaurant) for a sit-down meal. If you want something more casual, you can visit a “cafetería” (cafe) or “pastelería” (bakery). These places usually serve coffee, pastries, and light meals. If you’re in a hurry, you can visit a “comida rápida” (fast food) restaurant.
Entertainment Venues Vocabulary
If you’re looking for something to do, you can visit an “cine” (movie theater) or “teatro” (theater). If you want to watch a sports game, you can visit a “estadio” (stadium) or “arena” (arena). If you want to listen to music, you can visit a “discoteca” (nightclub) or “sala de conciertos” (concert hall). These venues are great places to have fun and meet new people.
Related Posts:
The city in Spanish Exercises
Shops in Spanish for Beginners
Places in the city Practise
Places in the city Spelling activity
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