INTERMEDIATE SPANISH PHRASES
We work with and recommend booking flights with www.kiwi.com
Once you have mastered the basics of a language, you are then ready to move on to the next level and start handling more complex interactions.
Learning intermediate Spanish phrases will allow you to have everyday conversations, get around with confidence in a Spanish-speaking environment and open new frontiers.
However, even if you have studied the grammar and memorized long vocabulary lists, sometimes it is difficult to actually put your skills to the test.
Have you ever found yourself having a conversation in Spanish and going completely blank, forgetting every lesson you have learned?
If the answer is yes, do not fret, you are not alone.
In this guide, you will find a list of intermediate Spanish phrases for everyday conversations.
Using these structures and expressions will help you navigate conversations more easily.
PAST EVENTS
Meeting new people often involves discussing past events, so whether you are just making some small talk about the weekend or talking about what you did in the past will surely be a topic of conversation.
To do so, of course, it is crucial that you learn how to use the past tenses.
These intermediate Spanish phrases will help you kickstart a conversation about past events:
| Llegué a Colombia el mes pasado | I arrived in Colombia last month |
| El fin de semana pasado lo pasé genial | Last weekend, I had so much fun |
|
The Spanish expression pasarlo bien (or pasarlo genial) is a common way to say that you had a great time at a past event. If you wanted to say you did not have a good time, then you would just have to change bien or genial to mal or one of its synonyms. Cuando tuve la gripe lo pasé muy mal |
|
|
Ayer por la noche no pude dormir |
Last night, I could not sleep |
| Crecí en un pueblo muy pequeño | I grew up in a very small town |
| Anna y yo nos conocimos en Bogotá |
Anna and I met in Bogotá |
|
Terminé la carrera hace dos años |
I finished my degree two years ago |
|
Remember that the Spanish word carrera has several different uses and meanings, including an educational degree, a race as in athletics, and a street. |
|
|
Cuando era joven tenía una moto roja |
When I was young, I had a red motorcycle |
| Mi padre me enseñó a tocar el piano |
My father taught me how to play the piano |
MAKING AND ALTERING ARRANGEMENTS
Once you have started to make new friends with your newly acquired intermediate Spanish skills, it is time to make plans with them. Apart from learning the future tense, it is important that you learn to use some courtesy expressions.
These expressions would also be helpful in a business environment or even when making an appointment with the doctor. Here are some common phrases in intermediate Spanish to get you started:
|
¿Qué planes tienes este fin de semana? |
What are your plans for the weekend? |
| Podríamos cenar comida colombiana |
We could have Colombian food for dinner |
|
Espero que puedas venir a mi fiesta |
I hope you can make it to my party |
|
This is a polite expression you can use when you invite someone to an event. It is a way to express that you really want them to be there. Here is an example: El viernes estrenamos mi nueva película. Espero que puedas venir, ¡me encantaría verte! |
|
|
¿Quieres venir conmigo a la playa? |
Do you want to come with me to the beach? |
|
Necesito cambiar la hora de la visita |
I need to change the appointment time |
|
¿Podrás llegar a tiempo a la reunión? |
Will you make it on time for the meeting? |
| Llámame mañana por la tarde para hablarlo |
Call me tomorrow afternoon to discuss it |
EXPLAINING AND GIVING REASONS
If you want to start having more interesting conversations, a big step forward is learning to express your opinions and the motivations behind your actions. In this way, once you have described the things you have done, you can then also explain why, so the other person can understand and get to know you better.
Do not feel bad that when dealing with a whole new language and culture, you are probably going to make some beginner mistakes.
Here are a few more intermediate-level Spanish words and phrases you can use to give reasons and explain your actions.
|
Pensé que sería buena idea |
I thought it would be a good idea |
| Creo que deberíamos hacerlo |
I think we should do it |
|
En mi opinión, he hecho lo correcto |
In my opinion, I did the right thing |
|
There are several other ways to state your opinion in everyday Spanish:
|
|
|
Decidí probar tu recomendación |
I decided to try what you recommended. |
|
Lo escogí por tres razones: |
I chose it because of these three reasons: |
MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS
Learning Spanish allows you to travel to wonderful places, including Colombia and other Latin American countries.
Here are just a few useful Spanish phrases for intermediate learners who are ready to explore and review their new surroundings.
| No te pierdas las vistas desde el castillo | Do not miss the view from the castle |
| Tienes que probar el sancocho de mi abuela, es el mejor del mundo | You should try my grandmother’s sancocho (a soup). It is the best |
| Nos encantó el hotel, te lo recomiendo | We loved the hotel; I recommend it |
| No me gustó nada el museo | I did not like the museum at all |
| Cartagena es muy bonita, pero es un poco cara | Cartagena is very beautiful, but a little expensive |
| ¡Deberías aprender español! | You should learn Spanish! |
REACTION PHRASES FOR EVERYDAY CONVERSATIONS
These Spanish phrases for intermediate speakers will be useful for those times when you need to react to what someone else is saying.
Great!
El fin de semana pasado lo pasé genial – Last weekend, I had so much fun
Qué bien, ¡me alegro por ti! – Great, I am happy for you!
Sorry
Que pena – I am sorry
Ayer por la noche no pude dormí – Last night, I could not sleep
¡No me digas! Cuanto lo siento – You don’t say! I am so sorry
Interesting
Crecí en un pueblo muy pequeño – I grew up in a very small town
Qué interesante – How interesting
I cannot believe it
Cuando era joven tenía una moto roja – When I was young, I had a red motorcycle.
¿De verdad? No me lo puedo creer – Really? I cannot believe it
Cool!
Mi padre me enseñó a tocar el piano – My father taught me how to play the piano.
¡Qué guay! – How cool!
Be aware that guay is a very colloquial word. Other colloquial expressions that also mean how cool! include ¡Cómo mola! and ¡Qué pasada!
REACTION PHRASES
Even though the Spanish are known to be very easy going, they do value good manners and expect you to use the most common courtesy expressions. Of course, por favor (please) and gracias (thank you) go a long way, but it is wise to learn some other intermediate Spanish phrases in order to work on your politeness.
| Buen provecho | Enjoy your meal / Bon appetit |
|
Perdona que te interrumpa [Informal] Perdone que le interrumpa [Formal] |
Sorry for the interruption. |
| Although both expressions are polite, the use of the formal version will always sound even more well-mannered. | |
| Siéntete como en casa | Make yourself at home |
| Llámame si necesitas cualquier cosa | Call me if you need anything |
| Bienvenido a mi hogar Bienvenido a mi casa | Welcome to my home |
| Disfruta de tu estancia | Enjoy your stay |
| Espero noticias tuyas | I hope to hear from you |
| Que te vaya bien | Have a good one |
| Saluda a tus padres de mi parte | Send my regards to your parents |
|
¿Cómo se encuentra tu mujer después de la operación? – How is your wife doing after her surgery? Ay, mucho mejor, ¡gracias! – Oh, she is much better, thank you! Por favor, dile que le mando un abrazo – Please, tell her I send her a hug Claro, ¡de tu parte! – Of course, on your behalf! ¡Que tengas buen viaje! – Have a nice trip! ¡Bienvenidos a nuestro hogar! – Welcome to our home! |
|
With this guide, you have learned some of the most common Spanish phrases for intermediate speakers. These examples will help you ace your everyday conversations about past events, future plans, recommendations and much more.
They will also be useful for reacting to what someone else says and following Spanish etiquette.
COLOMBIAN SPANISH AND COLOMBIAN EXPRESSIONS
Like to create or customize a fantastico package tour of Colombia? Use our Plan My Trip page to start planning your dream Colombian vacation now!