Whether you're strolling through the vibrant streets of Havana or exploring Cuba's stunning beaches, these 40 essential Spanish words and phrases will help you navigate your way through the local culture and make the most of your trip.
The official language of Cuba is Spanish. The Cuban Spanish dialect has been influenced by various sources, including the country's history of Spanish colonialism, African languages brought by slaves, and American English, among other influences. The Spanish spoken in Cuba is a Caribbean dialect, and it shares many features with the Spanish spoken in neighboring countries such as the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. However, like any other country, Cuba has its own unique idioms, slang, and expressions that distinguish its version of Spanish from those of other Spanish-speaking countries.
Traveling to Cuba can be an enriching experience, and having a basic understanding of the local language can go a long way in making your trip more enjoyable and less stressful. Here are 40 essential words and phrases in Spanish that could come in handy when visiting Cuba:
Basic Greetings
Hola - Hello
Adiós - Goodbye
Buenos días - Good morning
Buenas tardes - Good afternoon
Buenas noches - Good evening/Good night
Basic Phrases
Por favor - Please
Gracias - Thank you
De nada - You're welcome
Sí - Yes
No - No
¿Cómo estás? - How are you?
Estoy bien - I'm fine
Navigational Phrases
¿Dónde está...? - Where is...?
¿Cómo llego a...? - How do I get to...?
Izquierda - Left
Derecha - Right
Recto - Straight
Mapa - Map
At the Restaurant
Menú - Menu
Agua - Water
Comida - Food
Cuenta - Bill
Camarero/Camarera - Waiter/Waitress
¿Puedo tener la cuenta, por favor? - Can I have the bill, please?
Shopping
Tienda - Shop
Dinero - Money
Tarjeta de crédito - Credit card
¿Cuánto cuesta? - How much does it cost?
Emergency
Ayuda - Help
Policía - Police
Hospital - Hospital
Farmacia - Pharmacy
Emergencia - Emergency
Social Interactions
Amigo/Amiga - Friend (m/f)
¿Hablas inglés? - Do you speak English?
No entiendo - I don't understand
Mucho gusto - Nice to meet you
Disculpa/Perdón - Excuse me/Sorry
Cuban Specifics
Casa particular - A type of local accommodation similar to a bed and breakfast.
Mojito - A popular Cuban cocktail made with rum, lime, sugar, mint, and soda water.
