Collins Dictionaries - Easy Learning Spanish Conversation

To say what you have to do, you can use tengo que( I have to ) followed by an infinitive. tengocomes from the verb tener( to have ). For more information on tener, see here.

Another way to say what has to be done is to use the expression hay que( you have to or we have to ).

If you want to say what you should do, you can use deberíafollowed by an infinitive. deberíacomes from the verb deber. For more information on deber, see here.

Here are some key phrases you are likely to be given when you are travelling around.

Lifestyle Tips

• Spaniards are expected to carry identity cards at all times, so they take it for granted that anyone might need to prove their identity. Be prepared to present your passport when checking into a campsite or going to a hotel. You may be asked: ¿Su carnet?( Your ID card, please ) or ¿Su pasaporte?( Your passport, please ). As you’ll need to carry your passport with you, don’t forget to keep it in a safe place.

• If you’re in charge of a car, be ready to produce your driving licence if asked for it by the police. If you’ve left it behind, you may well be fined. The police officer might ask you: ¿Me deja ver su carnet de conducir?( Can I see your driving licence? ).

• When planning your journey, remember that in Spain autopistas( motorways ) are often toll motorways. Every so often you will come to a peaje( toll barrier ) where you will be required either to take a ticket or to hand over some money. When paying, you’ll need to choose a lane marked manualif you haven’t got the exact change or you aren’t paying by card. Otherwise, you can go into an automáticolane. Nowadays, there are also Telepeaje( teletoll ) lanes identified by a sign showing a white Ton a blue background. These are for cars fitted with a chip allowing journeys to be tracked and paid for automatically.

• Queues tend to be informal in Spanish-speaking countries. So if you’re at the bus stop or trying to get to an information desk and don’t know who’s last in line, just ask ¿Quién es el último?( Who’s last in the queue? ).

• If there’s no timetable at the bus stop, you can ask people waiting if they’ve seen your bus go past. Just ask ¿Ha pasado el número 33?( Has the number 33 been yet? ).

If you’re going to stay in a Spanish-speaking country, the phrases in this unit will help you find the sort of accommodation you want (hotel, hostel, self-catering, or a flat to rent) and ensure everything remains to your satisfaction when you’re there. We’ll also give you a few tips on what the receptionist or your landlord or landlady may say to you.

When looking for somewhere to stay, for instance in the local tourist office, you’ll want to specify the type of accommodation you’re looking for. The way to say this is busco( I’m looking for ), from the verb buscar.

To say what kind of room you’d like, how long you want to stay and so forth, you can use quieroor quisiera( I’d like ). They are both from the verb querer. For more information on querer, see here.

¿LO SABÍAS?