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First conversations

Spanish for travelers in Colombia: useful phrases

Useful phrases for cafés, transport and asking someone to slow down, with short explanations you can use immediately.

For a first visit, useful Spanish is the language that helps you ask, confirm and recover when a conversation goes too fast. Practise complete sentences aloud, then change one word to fit your situation.

Four short conversations to rehearse

SituationSay thisMeaning
Getting startedBuenos días. ¿Me puede ayudar?Good morning. Can you help me?
At a café¿Cuánto cuesta este café?How much is this coffee?
Finding a place¿Dónde queda la estación?Where is the station?
Keeping the conversation going¿Puede hablar más despacio, por favor?Could you speak more slowly, please?
Make it yours:

Change “este café” to “este libro” or “este pasaje”. Keep the question frame and practise the new item.

When you do not understand

Do not pretend you followed everything. Try “Entendí una parte. ¿Puede repetir la última palabra?” (“I understood part of it. Could you repeat the last word?”). This is more precise than switching the whole conversation to English.

A small practice loop

  1. Read a phrase aloud three times.
  2. Cover the Spanish and say it from the English meaning.
  3. Change one word or place.
  4. Use it with a real person when the situation arises.

Want a routine for the month before a trip? Follow the four-week plan.

Want guided practice?

WeLearn offers Spanish classes in Bucaramanga and online. Ask about current schedules and prices before booking a paid class.

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