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Just Moved In? These Expressions Will Definitely Be Useful in Spain
Spain is not only about siesta and the notorious tranquila. What does heat represent for Spaniards? Why may qué come across as rude? And how do you book a doctor’s appointment or buy a bag at the checkout? La Cotorra has put together a concise cheat sheet that will help you settle in more smoothly.
When good morning, afternoon, and evening begin
Alongside the universal Hola, Spanish offers several greeting phrases: buenos días, buenas tardes, and buenas noches – that is, good morning, good afternoon, and good evening. Buenos días is normally used until midday. After that Spaniards will greet you with buenas tardes. From roughly seven o’clock in the evening onwards, buenas noches becomes the appropriate choice.
If you do not wish to keep track of the time, you may simply greet people with muy buenas. This form is extremely common in everyday speech and avoids specifying the time of day.
Making appointments with doctors and public offices
If you wish to book an appointment – whether with a gastroenterologist or the town hall – what you need is a cita, the equivalent of appointment in English. The same word also means “date”. However, it is not used for a meeting with colleagues; that would be a reunión.
“I beg your pardon, what did you say?”
In Russian, when we fail to hear someone clearly, we usually say “что?” (“what?”). As a result, Russian speakers often use qué? When trying to ask a Spaniard to repeat something.
The polite option is ¿cómo?, literally “how?” used in the sense of “I am sorry, could you repeat that?”. Qué, used in this way, may sound abrupt or rude to a native speaker (although they will probably realise that you do not intend to be impolite).
Essential vocabulary for renting a flat
If you have already downloaded Idealista and decided to look for accommodation on your own without an estate agent, here are some terms that will help you:
- Alquilar el piso means “to rent a flat”. When calling a landlord or agent, it is best to begin with Me gustaría alquilar el piso – “I would like to rent the flat”.
- Anuncio – an advertisement.
- Fianza – a deposit equivalent to one month’s rent. In addition, landlords often request a garantía adicional, usually another month’s rent. Naturally, you will also pay the first month in advance – mes corriente.
If you need to remain within a very specific budget, it is better to clarify all conditions during the initial phone call. It is also worth reading La Ley de Vivienda – the Housing Act – to understand your rights more clearly.
Taxes
A gestor is your tax adviser. The rules for submitting tax returns differ depending on your residence permit and the region in which you live. A gestor will ensure that you do not make errors in your declarations and will also explain which tax deductions you may be entitled to.
The absolute essentials for the supermarket
There is not much to remember here. The key things you must tell the cashier – apart from basic politeness – are whether you would like a carrier bag (una bolsa) and how you wish to pay: con tarjeta (by card) or en efectivo (in cash).
Restaurant reservations
Planning to dine out on a Friday evening or at the weekend? Then you should make arrangements in advance. Reserva means “reservation” – exactly what you need. On weekdays it is generally easier, but if the restaurant is popular, it is advisable to book from Monday to Thursday as well.
Spanish politeness
Russian-speaking newcomers are often surprised by how frequently Spaniards – from postal workers to passers-by – offer compliments. Prepare yourself: you will hear cariño, reina, bonita, and bonito very often. All of these words carry exclusively positive meanings.
Heat – and why you will also need the word “cold”
Spaniards have a particular fondness for the word calor (heat): in summer, it is heard on streets and terraces, in shops and on public transport. It is usually accompanied by a fan in the speaker’s hand. The phrase ¡Qué calor! (“what heat!” / “it is so hot!”) is a genuine cultural symbol. It appears in song titles and is seamlessly integrated into films and series.
Yet you will also need its antonym, frío (cold). Spaniards’ perception of cold is far more subjective. It is not uncommon to hear someone use the word to describe a temperature of plus twenty degrees.