50 Spanish conversation starters
Online, most Spanish speakers use tú (the informal 'you') with people their own age, so tú is a relaxed, friendly choice. Use usted if the other person clearly writes to you that way or seems older; it is more common in everyday life in parts of Latin America such as Colombia and Central America. In Argentina and Uruguay you will see vos instead of tú: it is just as friendly, and they will understand your tú perfectly.
Spanish chat is warm and a little chatty. Asking about food, football or local customs is a great way in. Remember that meal times vary: in Spain lunch is often around 2 or 3 p.m. and dinner after 9.
Saying hello
1. ¡Hola! ¿Qué tal?
Hi! How's it going?
Works everywhere, with anyone.
2. ¡Buenas!
Hi there!
Short for buenos días / buenas tardes; very common and casual at any time of day.
3. ¡Buenos días! ¿Cómo estás?
Good morning! How are you?
Buenas tardes from lunchtime, buenas noches after dark. More formal: ¿Cómo está usted?
4. Encantado de conocerte.
Nice to meet you.
Encantado if you are a man, encantada if you are a woman. Mucho gusto works for anyone.
5. Me llamo Ana, ¿y tú?
My name is Ana, and you?
A first name is enough. In Latin America you may also see: ¿Cómo te llamas?
6. ¡Qué casualidad hablar con alguien tan lejos!
What a coincidence to be talking to someone so far away!
Where you are and time zones
7. ¿De dónde eres?
Where are you from?
Asking about the country or region is normal; no need to ask for more.
8. Yo soy de Corea del Sur.
I'm from South Korea.
Swap in your own country.
9. ¿Qué hora es allí ahora?
What time is it there now?
10. Aquí son las nueve de la noche.
It's nine at night here.
For one o'clock use es la una: Aquí es la una de la tarde.
11. ¿Estás empezando el día o ya lo estás terminando?
Are you starting your day or already finishing it?
A nice way to show interest in the time difference.
12. Nunca he estado en tu país. ¿Cómo es?
I've never been to your country. What's it like?
In much of Latin America you will also hear: Nunca estuve en tu país.
13. ¿Tu ciudad es grande o más bien tranquila?
Is your city big or more on the quiet side?
Food
14. ¿Qué se come típicamente en tu país?
What do people typically eat in your country?
15. ¿Cuál es tu comida favorita?
What's your favourite food?
16. Si algún día voy, ¿qué me recomiendas probar?
If I go someday, what do you recommend I try?
People love recommending their local dishes.
17. Aquí es muy típico el kimchi.
Kimchi is very typical here.
Use la for feminine words: Aquí es muy típica la paella.
18. ¿A qué hora se suele cenar allí?
What time do people usually have dinner there?
In Spain dinner is often at 9 or 10 p.m., earlier in most of Latin America.
19. ¿Te gusta la comida picante?
Do you like spicy food?
In Mexico you will also hear picoso or que pica.
20. ¡Qué rico! ¡Qué buena pinta!
Yum! That looks great!
¡Qué rico! is used everywhere; ¡Qué buena pinta! (looks good) is especially common in Spain.
Weather and seasons
21. ¿Qué tiempo hace allí hoy?
What's the weather like there today?
22. Aquí hace muchísimo calor.
It's really hot here.
Or: Aquí hace mucho frío (it's very cold here).
23. Lleva lloviendo desde esta mañana.
It's been raining since this morning.
Also common: Está lloviendo desde la mañana.
24. ¿Allí ahora es verano o invierno?
Is it summer or winter there right now?
In Argentina, Chile or Uruguay the seasons are the reverse of the northern hemisphere.
25. ¿Cuál es la mejor época para visitar tu país?
What's the best time of year to visit your country?
Hobbies and music
26. ¿Qué te gusta hacer en tu tiempo libre?
What do you like doing in your free time?
27. Me encanta cocinar y salir a caminar.
I love cooking and going for walks.
28. ¿Qué música se escucha mucho en tu país ahora?
What music is popular in your country right now?
29. ¿Me recomiendas algún cantante o grupo?
Can you recommend a singer or band?
In Latin America banda is also common for a band.
30. ¿Practicas algún deporte?
Do you play any sports?
31. ¿Eres de algún equipo de fútbol?
Do you support a football team?
Football is a favourite topic in almost every Spanish-speaking country.
32. ¿Has visto alguna serie buena últimamente?
Have you watched any good series lately?
Latin America: ¿Viste alguna serie buena últimamente?
Travel and local tips
33. Si voy a tu ciudad, ¿qué no me puedo perder?
If I visit your city, what can't I miss?
34. ¿Hay alguna costumbre que debería conocer?
Is there a custom I should know about?
35. ¿Allí se saluda con un beso o dando la mano?
Do people greet with a kiss on the cheek or a handshake there?
Spain: usually two cheek kisses among friends; much of Latin America: one. Handshakes are common in formal settings.
36. ¿Se suele dejar propina?
Do people usually leave a tip?
Customs differ a lot between countries, so it is a genuinely useful question.
37. ¿Cómo se mueve la gente por la ciudad, en metro o en autobús?
How do people get around the city, by metro or bus?
The bus has many local names: camión (Mexico), colectivo (Argentina), guagua (Canary Islands, Cuba, Puerto Rico).
38. ¿Qué expresión típica de allí me enseñas?
What typical local expression would you teach me?
A fun way to learn slang that textbooks skip.
Practising the language
39. Estoy aprendiendo español, perdona los errores.
I'm learning Spanish, sorry for any mistakes.
More formal: perdone los errores.
40. ¿Me corriges si me equivoco, por favor?
Could you correct me if I make a mistake, please?
41. ¿Puedes usar frases un poco más sencillas?
Could you use slightly simpler sentences?
42. Perdona, no lo he entendido. ¿Me lo explicas de otra forma?
Sorry, I didn't understand. Could you explain it another way?
Latin America usually says: No lo entendí.
43. ¿Qué significa «vale»?
What does 'vale' mean?
Vale (OK) is very Spanish; in Mexico you will see sale or órale, in Argentina dale.
44. ¿Cómo se dice «weekend» en español?
How do you say 'weekend' in Spanish?
Answer: el fin de semana.
45. ¿Suena natural o se dice de otra manera?
Does that sound natural, or is there another way to say it?
Wrapping up politely
46. Me ha encantado hablar contigo.
I've really enjoyed talking with you.
Latin America often says: Me encantó hablar contigo.
47. ¡Gracias por los consejos, son muy útiles!
Thanks for the tips, they're really useful!
48. Bueno, me tengo que ir. ¡Que tengas un buen día!
Well, I have to go. Have a good day!
49. ¡Que descanses!
Sleep well! / Get some rest!
Kind to say when it is late at night for the other person.
50. ¡Cuídate mucho! ¡Hasta la próxima!
Take care! Until next time!
Tips
- Start with tú; switch to usted only if the other person uses it with you.
- Spanish writes an upside-down mark at the start of questions and exclamations (¿ ¡). Leaving them out in a quick chat is fine, but they help readers.
- Words differ across countries (bus, OK, cool). If a word seems odd, just ask ¿Qué significa?
- Ask one question at a time and share a little about yourself too, so it feels like a conversation, not an interview.
Try them in a real chat: Open Shake & Talk ▶
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