Cari Luna - The Everything Spanish Phrase Book: A Quick Reference for Any Situation

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THE

SERIES

Dear Reader,

Thanks for picking up The Everything Spanish Phrase Book. I hope youre as excited about learning Spanish as I am about sharing this phrase book with you.

I wasnt born speaking Spanish. In fact, I first started studying Spanish in college to prove to someone that I couldnt learn a foreign language! Well, I was wrong. Wasnt I surprised to find that not only could I learn a language, but that I was able to converse in Spanish within a couple of months? That first Spanish class laid a groundwork of grammar and vocabulary that allowed me to become truly fluent only two years later. (Okay, admittedly, that was after living in Spain for a year.) Now, years later, Im here to spread the palabra. Anyone, and I mean anyone, can learn a foreign language. All it takes is an open mind, a loose tongue, a good grounding in grammar, plus some practice.

Thanks for taking the journey with me and enjoy the ride!

Cari Luna

Avon, Massachusetts

For Doa Sofa

Thanks to Billy, who provided infinite amounts of patience, love, and home-cooked spinach burritos while I wrestled to get this book in on deadline.

Thanks to my agent, the mighty Jacky Sach.

Thanks to my editor, the always encouraging and supportive Eric Hall.

Thanks to Julie Gutin, the dedicated and enthusiastic development editor.

1. Do you speak English?
   Habla usted ingls?
   AH-blah OO-stehd een-GLEHS
2. I dont understand.
   No comprendo.
   noh kohm-PREHN-doh
3. Im allergic to
   Soy alrgico/a a
   sohy ah-LEHR-hee-koh/kah ah
4. I need a doctor.
   Necesito un doctor.
   neh-seh-SEE-toh oon dohk-TOHR
5. Where is the emergency exit?
   Dnde est la salida de emergencia?
   DOHN-deh eh-STAH lah sah-LEE-dah deh eh-mehr-HEN-see-ah
6. Hello!
   Hola!
   OH-lah
7. Good-bye!
   Adis!
   ah-dee-OHS
8. My name is
   Me llamo
   me YAH-moh
9. Where is ?
   Dnde est ?
   DOHN-deh eh-STAH
10. Im lost.
    Estoy perdido/a.
    eh-STOHY pehr-DEE-doh/dah

Bienvenidos! Welcome to The Everything Spanish Phrase Book! Whether you intend to use this book when traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, or to speak with Spanish-speakers in your community or workplace, here youll find the tools that will help you to communicate.

If you already have some formal knowledge of Spanish under your belt, youll appreciate this book as a quick reference or refresher. The thematic organization will make it easy to find the information youre looking for.

No prior experience with Spanish? No problem! You may be surprised to find out how much of the Spanish language youve already absorbed from the world around you. Spanish is everywhere these days. In fact, many words in common usage in American English today have been adopted directly from Spanish. In addition to the Spanish vocabulary you already have, well build up your skills in an easy-to-understand way. Dont worry! Anyone can learn a foreign language, with a little bit of patience and a willingness to try. Perhaps along the way youll even fall in love with this beautiful language, and dedicate yourself to further study of it.

No phrase book can hope to present a language in its entirety. You can use The Everything Spanish Phrase Book as a means of reviewing the basics in anticipation of a trip or other situation that will call for Spanish language skills, or you can carry it with you and refer to it as the need arises. You can start off with a basic introduction to Spanish pronunciation and grammar, to get your bearings. Youll find that understanding Spanish grammar will make your communication in Spanish easier and more natural. Itll allow you to take a step away from searching for individual words and phrases and toward true conversation.

The following chapters are organized by vocabulary theme or situation. Each thematic section provides you with the words and phrases youll need for most typical encounters, from meeting someone for the first time, to travel, dining out, and working together in a business setting. Each vocabulary word and phrase is followed by a transliteration to help you pronounce it properly. You can also refer back to the pronunciation guide in Chapter 1 whenever you need a reminder.

In addition to thematic chapters, theres also a collection of must-have words and phrases for basic communication, organized into one chapter for quick, at-a-glance reference. Use it on the spot as the need arises, or in combination with the appropriate thematic chapter for more in-depth conversation.

And theres also a chapter that covers idioms, sayings, and slang to give you a feel for the flavor of everyday conversation in Spanish. While not necessary for navigating the streets of Barcelona, closing a business deal in Mexico City, or ordering a meal in Miami, having a few idioms and slang words in your arsenal will make it easier to connect with the native speakers around you.

This chapter is by no means intended to replace formal Spanish instruction or a Spanish textbook. What it will give you is a basic understanding of Spanish pronunciation and grammar, to put the phrases youll find later in the book into a framework. We hope that this basic introduction will serve you well as you explore the rest of this book. In the next chapter, we jump right into conversation.