Spanish phrases - useful sentences for holidaymakers

A few Spanish phrases my prove useful during your stay on holiday, or if you're newly arrived to start a new life in Tenerife and they may provide a handy tool to get you started in speaking a bit of Spanish.

Don't be embarrassed to try these out on the natives. They are generally delighted when someone from another country makes the effort. (Usually, the Tenerife native you're speaking to will have a better command of English than you do of Spanish, but don't worry - just go for it!)

Bars and Restaurants

"Do you have a menu?" - "¿Tiene [tee-EN-ay] una carta/un menu?"

"A table for two/three/four, please" - "Una mesa para dos/tres/cuatro, por favor"

First course - Primero plato

Main course - Segundo plato

Dessert - Postres

Knife, fork, spoon, teaspoon - Cuchillo [cu-CHILL-yo], tenador, cuchara, cucharita

Salt and pepper - Sal y [ee] pimienta [pee-me-EN-ta]

Vinagre - vinagre [bin-AG-ray]

Sugar - Azucar [a-SOO-car]

Ketchup - The same

Brown sauce - Salsa ache epe [atchay eppay] Literally "sauce HP".

"I need a serviette" - "Necesito una sevilleta [servil-YET-a]"

"Where are the toilets?" - "¿Donde estan [don-des-TAN] los servicios?"

"The bill, please" - La cuenta, por favor

"Anything to drink?" - "¿Algo para beber [beb-air]?"

Tea for two - Te [tay] para dos

Not for the faint hearted

Click on the following link for a list of naughty Spanish words, so you know if you're being sworn at...

enter if you dare

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