How to Start Conversations: 70 Phrases for Cafés & Travel

Published Jun 24, 2026·Updated Jun 24, 2026

Transcript

Read along, Spanish & English, side by side

Do you find that you say where it is so quickly that no one understands you?

And, well, sometimes you mix up the masculine and feminine, right?

Today, we're going to fix that right away.

You're going to learn 70 essential phrases, yes, 70 for real-life situations, in cafés, in stores, and on transportation.

Everything clear and practical at A2 level, so you can speak with more confidence starting today.

Hi, I’m Carlos, let’s get straight to it.

By the way, the complete lesson is on Vocabli.

Okay, let's start with greetings and introductions, which are the basics.

And I’m María.

Look, with simple greetings, you already connect; you can say hello, good morning, good afternoon, or good night.

Then you ask how are you or how's it going and respond with very well, thanks, or so-so, and end with, and you, to keep the conversation going.

To introduce yourself, use my name is, like, my name is Carlos, or you can also say I’m Carlos.

When you meet someone, you say nice to meet you or delighted, if you’re a guy, delighted, if you’re a girl.

So far, so good, right?

And courtesy never hurts, please, thank you, thank you very much, and when you respond, you’re welcome.

If you need to pass, excuse me.

And if you make a small mistake, sorry; if you hurt someone or something serious, I’m sorry.

Excuse me is also formal and very useful.

Now, a mini roleplay in a café, to start strong.

I'm the customer, you’re the waitress, sound good?

Let’s practice and include clear pronunciation, without rushing.

Okay, let’s go.

Good morning.

Good morning.

For me, a coffee with milk, please.

Look, that sounds polite to me and works very well.

Sure, anything else?

Here, anything else is super common.

You can respond with yes, I'd like a toast, or no, nothing else, thank you.

Yes, I'd like a toast with tomato.

You can also say, can you give me a toast, in Spain.

And at the end, the bill, please, to pay.

And if you want to take the food, say to go, if it’s for here, for here.

Another key phrase? They accept card.

And, well, always ask calmly, where's the bathroom?

Clearly separating the words, where's the bathroom?

Exactly.

Some people blend it all together and it sounds like where's the bathroom, and the waiter is just like, what?

Slower, please.

That’s another useful phrase, slower, please.

Yes, and if you don’t understand something, I don’t understand.

You can say repeat that, or formally, could you repeat that, please?

Also, when you don’t know, I don’t know.

And if you need help, can you help me, or will you help me, in a friendly tone.

Let's include some vocabulary: when you can’t remember a word, ask, how do you say… in Spanish?

And then, what does it mean? if you don’t understand a new word.

They’re magic phrases to keep the conversation going.

Okay, pause for a second for a sensitive topic.

Some people say that memorizing phrases doesn’t help, only immersion.

I believe that, honestly, a core set of phrases saves you in real situations.

Then you connect and grow with practice.

Totally.

And, listen, a true story, a boy asked for a dog instead of a soda.

Just imagine everyone’s face.

That's why, basic but very clear, I want a soda, I want still water, no sugar, please.

And the classic, how much does it cost?

Say it clearly, how much does it cost?

If there’s a sale, ask, is it on discount?, though with there’s a discount, you’re good.

And don’t forget, thank you, even if you don’t buy.

Let’s go with directions because many get confused here.

Start with, excuse me, how do I get to...?

For example, excuse me, how do I get to the station?

Then you understand, to the right, to the left, straight ahead.

And ask, is it close or far?, to know whether to walk or take the bus.

For transport, say, a ticket to Madrid, please.

If you’re going and coming back, round trip.

Ask, what time does it leave?, and which platform?, for the train.

Also, which line is it?, if you’re using the metro or bus.

And if you arrive at a hotel, I have a reservation.

With that they’ll know where to place you.

If something’s not working, say calmly, sorry, the key isn't working and wait for help.

Keep a friendly and slow tone.

Before we continue, let’s do a mini-test, okay?

Let’s see, listeners, and you, María, what does it mean in Spain and when do I use it?

Two seconds to think.

It means, you can serve me, and you use it in cafés and bars, something informal and friendly.

For example, can you get me a coffee?

Exactly, and if you want to be formal, would you please get me a coffee, using “you”?

Perfect.

And now that we’re talking about formal and informal, remember, excuse me, and could you, sound more formal.

Hey, and can you, sound more friendly.

Adjust according to the place and the person, you know?

Another thing that gets mentioned a lot, apps with games help, yes, but don’t forget to talk for real.

A surprising trick that I love, watch local shows without subtitles for a while.

It forces you to use context and sharpens your ear.

And write sentences.

I mean, take five of these and make mini-dialogues in a notebook.

Many say I wish I’d done it sooner, because this way they loosen up when speaking.

Small habit, big change.

Let’s go with a second roleplay, this time at the station.

I’ll be the person at the counter.

You ask with clear sentences and, please, without rushing.

Hello, good morning.

A ticket to Valencia, please.

Round trip?

Yes, round trip.

What time does the next train leave?

Which platform?

And I’ll wrap up with thanks and you’re welcome, if they respond to me.

Very good.

If you can’t hear well, please repeat, or slower, please.

And if you get lost at the station, excuse me, where is platform three? Again, platform three.

Shall we schedule a quick time and plans?

What time is it?

I can’t right now, maybe later.

Today I work, tomorrow I rest.

These are short phrases everyone uses, and they help when organizing your day.

And it’s important to consider gender.

The map isn’t the same as the female map, okay?

Watch out for articles: the coffee and the toast, the bathroom, the bill.

If in doubt, ask naturally, excuse me, it’s hello, and that’s it.

Also, pay attention to your tone with confident expressions: yes, no, okay, of course.

If you don’t understand, say I don’t understand.

If you need meaning, ask what does it mean?

They're, let’s say, a basic conversation kit.

And be careful with pronunciation.

Don’t stick everything together.

For example, where is it?

With space and rhythm.

If they look at you oddly, breathe and repeat, slower, please.

People appreciate the effort, really.

Let’s talk about mistakes with Slán.

One person used a phrase they saw online, and it sounded strong in another region.

It’s better to use neutral phrases: hello, how’s it going, thanks, excuse me.

Dude, or things like that, depending on the region, can clash.

Totally.

In a bar, confidently and respectfully, say, I’d like a beer, do you have non-alcoholic?, for me, a tapa, please.

If the waiter asks, anything else?, respond clearly, no, nothing else, thanks, or yes, give me another one, and that’s it.

A quick review of cafe and shop phrases, which are key.

Phrases for me: I want, I’d like, they have, they accept card, the bill, please, to go, for here, how much does it cost?, I’ll take it.

With these, you can survive a whole Saturday.

And for directions and transport, excuse me, how do I get to...?, is it close or far?, to the right, to the left, straight ahead, what line is it?, a ticket to..., round trip, what time does it leave?, on which platform?, and I have a reservation when you arrive at the hotel.

Let’s add general conversation phrases: how do you say in Spanish?, what does it mean?, can you help me?, can you repeat?, slower, please, I don’t understand, I don’t know.

And total courtesy: please, thank you, you’re welcome, excuse me, I’m sorry, pardon, may I?, no problem.

And if you get stuck, go back to the simple. Hello, my name is, I am, nice to meet you, pleased to meet you. Then, how’s it going?, very well, thank you, and you? With this base, you can easily start and end conversations.

An extra tip for shops: if your size is not available, say, do you have another size?, and if you want color, do you have another color? And if you’re torn between two, ask, which one do you recommend?, it sounds super natural and friendly.

Yes, when something doesn’t convince you, it’s too expensive. Sometimes they offer a small discount and tell you the new price. You decide, I’ll take it or thanks, I’ll think about it, and you leave without drama.

Let’s go back a second to the dog anecdote. To avoid those moments, articulate well and use common words: soda, water, juice if you’re in Spain. Juice in many countries in America.

If you don’t know the local word, ask, how do you say this here? It always works.

And if they speak very fast, don’t get scared. Smile and drop your combo, excuse me, slower, please, can you repeat? With that, you set the pace, and the other person will likely slow down.

Okay, last mini practice. Imagine you’re lost. You say, excuse me, how do I get to the main square?

The person responds, straight ahead, to the left, and then to the right. You confirm, okay, straight ahead, then left, and then right, right? This way, you check and avoid turning the wrong way.

And if you doubt the distance, ask, is it close or far? If it’s far, they’ll tell you a bus or metro line. Then you, what line is it and what time does it leave? With these three, you’re already on your way.

And as we said before, if you want to practice all this calmly, the full interactive lesson with transcription, vocabulary cards, and exercises is available for free on Vocabli.

You have the link in the description. Thanks for being here, and well, we’ll talk soon.

Yes, stop by and play with the phrases until they come out naturally, without fear. It’s a tip from friends, don’t miss it. A big hug and see you next time.