Walking the Camino de Santiago (particularly along the French Way route and as you get closer to Santiago de Compostela), you will meet people of all nationalities. Most people will come back from the Camino having made at least a few friends.
While you might meet many English-speaking along the way (both pilgrims and service providers), you will also need a few basic phrases in Spanish to help you communicate, particularly in smaller villages and towns. You will encounter other official languages in signs along the way, such as Basque (Euskara) in Navarra and Galego (in Galicia) but a bit of Spanish will help you get by. Here’s a list of basic Spanish vocabulary you might find helpful on your Camino. The Camino might be your chance to brush up on your Spanish:
English |
Spanish |
Accommodation/Services |
Alojamiento/Servicios |
| I’m looking for… | Estoy buscando |
| I’d like to… | Quisiera |
| Where is…? | Donde está…? |
| How much is …? | Cuanto cuesta…? |
| I don’t like it | No me gusta |
| It’s fine | Vale |
| Too expensive | Demasiado caro |
| Cheaper | Mas económico |
| Where are the toilets? | Dónde están los servicios? |
Conversation Essentials |
Conversación |
| Does anyone here speak English? | Hay alguien que hable inglés? |
| Hello | Hola |
| Good morning | Buenos días |
| Good afternoon | Buenas tardes |
| Good evening | Buenas noches |
| Bye/See you | Adiós |
| Please | Por favor |
| Thank you | Gracias |
| You’re welcome | De nada |
| Sorry/Excuse me | Perdone |
| What’s your name? | Como te llamas? |
| My name is | Me llamo |
| It’s a pleasure to meet you | Encantado/a |
| Where are you from? | De dónde eres? |
| I am from… | Soy de… |
| Can I have a … beer please? | Una cerveza por favor? |
| Can I have a … glass of wine please? | Un vino por favor? |
| I am a Vegetarian | Soy vegetariano/a |
| Could you help me please? | Puede ayudarme, por favor? |
| I’m allergic to… | Soy alérgico/a a… |
| ATM | Cajero |
Directions: |
Dirección: |
| How do I get to…? | Como puedo llegar a…? |
| Is it far? | Está lejos? |
| Go straight ahead | Vaya derecho |
| Turn left | Tuerza a la izquierda |
| Turn right | Tuerza a la derecha |
| Open | Abierto |
| Close | Cerrado |
| I am lost | Estoy perdido/a |
| Where is the …hospital? post office? bus station? | Dónde está… el hospital? correos? estación de bus? |