30 Basic Spanish Conversation Starters

Are you ready for a friendly conversation in Spanish? Sometimes, the hardest part of the conversation in a foreign language is just starting a conversation, but don’t worry. Just practice these Spanish conversation starters and you can strike a conversation in Spanish with any friend or potential friends!

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Basic Spanish Conversation Starters for Beginners

You might have heard some of these Spanish conversation phrases, but just as you’ve guessed it, they are essential and indispensable ones. These Spanish conversational phrases are used every day! So it’s worth taking a little time to memorize them.

Imagine an everyday situation where you can use these Spanish conversation starters and repeat them several times. This should help you memorize them quickly.

Let’s get started! Don’t forget to download the Basic Spanish Conversation Starters pdf for later (Yes, it’s free! You can download it at the end of this page).

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How to Start a Conversation in Spanish

Easy Ways to Strike a Conversation When You See a Friend

Here are some common Spanish conversation starters you can use next time you see your Spanish-speaking friends!

1. Hola

(Hi)

2. ¿Cómo estás?

(How are you?)

3. ¿Qué onda?

(What’s up?)

4. ¿Qué tal?

(How’s it going?)

5. ¿Has escuchado lo de María?

(Have you heard the news about Maria?)

Okay, it does sound a bit gossipy, but a friendly, nice gossip won’t hurt anyone….maybe about a famous person’s recent achievement or something like that.

6. ¿Tienes planes para este fin de semana?

(Do you have any plans for this weekend?)

This is classic. You can even use it as a casual pick-up line and take that special person out this weekend.

7. ¿Cómo la has pasado este fin de semana?

(How was your weekend?)

8. ¿Has visto alguna película (peli) últimamente?

(Have you seen any movie lately?)

Basic Spanish Phrases for When You See a Friend You Haven’t Seen in a Long Time

There are some easy and useful conversation starters to remember.

9. Hola Miguel! Cómo has estado?

(Hi Miguel! How have you been?)

10. Tanto tiempo sin saber de tí!

(I haven’t heard anything about you for a long time – it’s been a long time / It’s been a while.)

11. ¿Dónde andabas?

(Where were you? – Where have you been?)

12. ¿Qué pasó contigo?

(What happened to you?)

13. ¿Cómo está tu familia?

(How’s your family?)

Do you need to download the free list of 30 Spanish Conversation Starters in PDF? You can download it at the end of this page!

Spanish Conversation Starters You Can Use at a Party or Any Social Gathering

When you want to strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know, you can use these phrases.

Some basic Spanish conversation starters will be useful when you meet new people or just want to make small talk in Spanish.

14. Soy Mike. Cómo te llamas?

(I’m Mike. What’s your name?)

15. Mucho gusto!

(Nice to meet you!)

16. ¿De dónde eres?

(Where are you from?)

17. ¿De dónde conoces a Maria?

(How do you know Maria?)

18. ¿Estudias o trabajas?

(Do you study or work?)

This is another classic pick-up line. Supposedly, since this question implies that you can be young enough to be a student or mature enough to be working, it flatters everyone.

19. ¿Has probado este vino?

(Have you tried this wine?)

If you love wine, you know you must try a new wine in every country you go to:) I love Spanish wine and enjoyed it while living there. If you visit Spain, please try “Ribera de Duero Tempranillo (red)” and “Verdejo (white).” I know they are less famous than “Rioja” and “Albariño,” but I recommend them wholeheartedly!

20. ¿Te gusta la cerveza?

(Do you like beer?)

According to my Spanish friend’s not-so-unbiased option, “Alhambra Reserva 1925” is the best beer in Spain.

21. ¿Qué estudias?

(What are you studying?)

22. ¿En qué trabajas?

(What do you do for a living?)

23. ¿A qué te dedicas?

(What do you do for a living?)

24. Es un día muy bonito, ¿verdad?

(It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?)

25. Parece que va a llover.

(It looks like it’s going to rain.)

26. Hoy hace mucho calor.

(It’s hot today).

27. Me encanta esta canción.

(I love this song.)

28. ¿Te gusta bailar?

(Do you like dancing?)

29. ¿Quieres bailar?

(Do you want to dance?)

30. Te traigo otra bebida?

(Can I bring you another drink?)

30+ Por Favor (Please)

30+ Gracias (Thank you)

Okay, the last two are not exactly conversation starters, but it’s always good to show consideration for others by saying “por favor” and appreciation by saying “gracias.”

You may want to check out this post to learn more phrases to introduce yourself in Spanish. Also, if you are interested in learning how to greet in Spanish, be sure to visit this post: How to Greet in Spanish.

If you are like me and feel better having a list of everything, don’t forget to head over to these posts below and download more of our freebies. These are some of our most popular lists.

Now, onto the next section, vocabulary! Below is a short list of words that are used VERY often, so it definitely won’t be a waste of your time to learn them now. You’ll have a chance to use them over and over!

VOCABULARY FOR STARTING A CONVERSATION IN SPANISH

Useful Spanish Nouns for a Casual Conversation

Una película (or una peli for short, colloquial) – a movie
La película (la peli for short) – the movie
Un fin de semana (or un finde for short, colloquial) – a weekend
El fin de semana (el finde) – The weekend
La cervaza (Also called chela in Mexico and caña in Spain) – the beer
El Vino tinto – the red wine
El Vino blanco – the white wine

Basic Spanish Verbs You Can Use in a Conversation

Estudiar – To study
Trabajar – To work
Probar – To try
Dedicar – To dedicate
Gustar – To like
Bailar – To dance
Parecer – To seem
Hacer – To do, to make, to be, to ask, and more

A little more about the verb “hacer.” I just wanted to give you some examples to show you that it has several different meanings, and that is a good thing! That means you only have to memorize one verb to talk about many different activities!

Do (example: hacer un favor – to do a favor, hacer la tarea – to do homework)
Make (example: hacer la cena – make dinner, hacer la cama – Make the bed)
Be (example: hacer frío. Hace frío – it’s cold)
Ask (example: hacer una pregunta – ask a question)

The verb “Hacer” is one of Spanish’s most versatile and useful verbs. It has more meanings and uses, but these four are the most common.

Extra: Helpful Hints on Spanish Pronouns/Adjectives

These can be confusing initially because they look and sound so similar. Pairing up with a word I already knew helped me remember how to use them correctly. You will see some pairing examples below.

Singular

Este – This (for masculine nouns), este hombre – this man
Esta – This (for feminine nouns), esta mujer – this woman
Ese – That (for masculine nouns), ese libro – that book
Esa – That (for feminine nouns), esa silla – that chair
Aquel – That (but something that’s further away, both in the distance or in time. That “thing or person” over there. For masculine nouns), aquel lugar – that place
Aquella – That (but something that’s further away, both in distance or in time. That “thing or person” over there. For feminine nouns.), aquella epoca – that era, back then

Plural

Estos – These (for masculine nouns)
Estas – These (for feminine nouns)
Esos – Those (for masculine nouns)
Esas – Those (for feminine nouns)
Aquellos – Those (but for things that are located further away or way back in time. Those “things or people” over there. For masculine nouns) aquellos momentos – those moments
Aquellas – Those (but for things that are located further away or way back in time. Those “things or people” over there. For feminine nouns) aquellas montañas – those mountains over there

Now, Are You Ready to Start a Conversation in Spanish?

Imagine several situations where you can use these conversation starter phrases and modify them to fit your personality and situations. Then all you have to do is repeat them until you feel comfortable saying your customized phrases, and you are ready to strike a conversation in Spanish! And don’t forget to get your copy of the basic Spanish conversation pdf below.

Happy Spanish-ing!

Download Your Copy of the Free 30 Spanish Conversation Starter PDF Now!

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