A Few Words About the Spanish Language

Spaniards, like representatives of other major countries, tend to speak only their native language.

When a conversation partner realizes I am trying to speak Spanish, sometimes they support me with an English word, but generally, be prepared to make yourself understood in the local language.

What have I learned and what funny situations have I encountered?

Pronunciation

Generally, Spanish pronunciation is like the written form, but there are several exceptions.

LL

The double “ll” is pronounced as “ij.” So, not Marbella, paella, and calle, but [Marbeija], [paeija], [caije].

Therefore, if your name is Kalle, Malle, Ella, or Vallo, you’ll be called [Kaije], [Maije], [Eija], or [Vaijo].

J

When a word begins with “j,” it is pronounced like an “h,” often sounding like two “h”s. For example, ajo (garlic) [ahho], Jose [Hose], Javier [Havier], etc.

H

The letter “h” is not pronounced at all.

Y

When “y” is at the end of a word, it is pronounced like “i.” For example, soy (I am) [soi]. Everywhere else, it is like “j.” For example, yo (I) [jo]. There is a regional exception here. I said yo [jo] instead of [džo], and the teacher said it was correct. I was simply speaking Central American Spanish, in Spain it is [jo].

C

If “c” is followed by a, o, u, it is pronounced as [k], for example, casa (house) [kaassa].

But if “c” is followed by e or i, it is pronounced as [th (like in English, with a bit of an s sound)], for example, cerveza (beer).

Letter Combinations

• ja, ge, gi, jo, ju – pronounced as [ha], [he], [hi], [ho], [hu].
• ga, gue, gui, go, gu – pronounced as [ga], [ge], [gi], [go], [gu].

Sometimes It Happens

In Spanish, there are many expressions where changing one letter changes the meaning.

The teacher asked Linda if she was married. ¿Estás casado? (Are you married?)

Linda said, “Un poco” (A little). She thought the teacher asked if she was tired? ¿Estás cansado?

Or I had to say the sentence, “The teacher is good,” but I said, “The teacher is hot.”

• Manuel es bueno – Manuel is a good person.
• Manuel está bueno – Manuel is hot.

Both “ser” and “estar” mean “to be.”

And those similar words… In the store, I have to think about whether to ask where the garlic is or where the eyes are (ajos [ahos] – garlic or ojos [ohos] – eyes). Or then Pimiento (pepper) and Pimienta (pepper).

Useful Phrases

Por favor, hable más despacio – Please speak more slowly.

Spaniards speak very quickly. At first, I couldn’t distinguish the gaps between words; it all sounded like one long word to me. When I introduced Estonians, I said that a Spaniard could take a nap while an Estonian speaks. We are just so slow in our speech.

Entrada – entrance

Salida – exit To know where to enter and exit in a parking lot.

Empujar – push

Tirar – pull Signs on doors. Despite knowing how to read, I usually try both options.

What else might you encounter on signs?

Aseos – toilets

WC – WC

Caballeros – gentlemen

Señoras – ladies

Libre – free

Ocupado – occupied

No fumar – no smoking

Privado – private property

No pasar – no entry

Polite Expressions

Por favor – please

Gracias – thank you

Muchas gracias – thank you very much

Hola – hello

Buenas – hi (informal)

Buenos días – good morning (used before noon)

Buenas tardes – good afternoon

Adiós – goodbye

Buenas noches – good evening; good night

¡Hasta luego! – see you later

Disculpe – excuse me (when asking something or passing through a narrow space), formal

Disculpa – excuse me, informal

Lo siento – I’m sorry (when asking for forgiveness)

Perdón – sorry (when something happened due to your fault)

Sí – yes

Sí, gracias – yes, please

No – no

No, gracias – no, thank you

This was a small introduction to Spanish 😊