Lesson 1: Essential Greetings & First Impressions
Master the most important Spanish greetings, polite expressions, and basic self-introductions. Learn how to say hello, goodbye, please, and thank you—the words that open every conversation.
🌞 Lesson 1: Essential Greetings & First Impressions
Welcome to Your First Spanish Words!
Imagine walking into a café in Madrid, meeting a new friend in Mexico City, or greeting your Spanish-speaking neighbor. What are the first words you need? Not complex grammar rules or verb conjugations—just the simple, powerful words that connect you with people: hello, goodbye, please, and thank you.
In this lesson, you'll learn the 20-30 most essential Spanish words that form the foundation of every interaction. These aren't just vocabulary items to memorize—they're your keys to real conversations.
🎯 Why These Words Matter
Before we dive in, let's understand something crucial: politeness opens doors in Spanish-speaking cultures. Using the right greeting at the right time shows respect and cultural awareness. Spanish speakers use different greetings depending on:
- ⏰ Time of day (morning vs. evening)
- 👥 Formality level (stranger vs. friend)
- 🌍 Regional preferences (Spain vs. Latin America)
💡 Pro tip: When in doubt, being slightly more formal is always safer than being too casual!
🌅 Core Greetings: Time-Based Hello's
Spanish has specific greetings for different times of day. Unlike English where "hello" works anytime, Spanish speakers are more precise:
+------------------+----------------------+------------------+
| TIME OF DAY | SPANISH GREETING | PRONUNCIATION |
+------------------+----------------------+------------------+
| Morning | Buenos días | BWEH-nohs |
| (until lunch) | | DEE-ahs |
+------------------+----------------------+------------------+
| Afternoon | Buenas tardes | BWEH-nahs |
| (lunch-sunset) | | TAR-dehs |
+------------------+----------------------+------------------+
| Evening/Night | Buenas noches | BWEH-nahs |
| (after dark) | | NOH-chehs |
+------------------+----------------------+------------------+
🔍 Breaking It Down
Buenos/Buenas = "Good" (masculine/feminine)
- "Buenos" pairs with "días" (masculine noun)
- "Buenas" pairs with "tardes" and "noches" (feminine nouns)
🧠 Memory trick: Think of "buenas" as "bonus" good vibes—you're wishing someone a good time!
Días = "days" (cognate with English "diurnal") Tardes = "afternoons" (think "tardy" = late in the day) Noches = "nights" (cognate with "nocturnal")
⚠️ Common mistake: Don't say "buenas días"! The gender must match: "buenos días" always.
👋 Casual Greetings: Keeping It Simple
For informal situations with friends, family, or peers, Spanish has relaxed options:
Hola (OH-lah) = "Hi/Hello"
- Works ANY time of day
- Safe with anyone
- The most versatile greeting!
🤔 Did you know? "Hola" comes from an old exclamation meaning "ho there!" (like calling someone's attention). It's been used since at least the 14th century!
¿Qué tal? (keh TAHL) = "How's it going?"
- Literally "what such?" (doesn't translate directly)
- Casual, friendly
- Often paired with "Hola": "Hola, ¿qué tal?"
🎭 SITUATIONAL SCENARIO 1: Arriving at a Hotel
Let's see these greetings in action. You've just arrived at a hotel in Barcelona at 10 AM:
🏨 Reception Scene:
YOU: Buenos días.
(BOO-eh-nohs DEE-ahs)
[Good morning]
RECEPTIONIST: Buenos días. ¿Cómo está?
[Good morning. How are you?]
YOU: Bien, gracias.
(bee-EHN, GRAH-see-ahs)
[Well, thank you]
💬 Natural flow: Notice how "buenos días" opens the conversation. The receptionist responds with the same greeting—this is normal! It's like an echo of respect.
🙏 The Magic Words: Please & Thank You
These are non-negotiable in polite Spanish conversation:
Por favor (pohr fah-VOHR) = "Please"
- Literally "for favor" (as a favor)
- Put at the end OR beginning of requests
- Makes commands into polite requests
Gracias (GRAH-see-ahs) = "Thank you"
- From Latin "gratias" (thanks)
- Cognate with English "grace" and "gratitude"
De nada (deh NAH-dah) = "You're welcome"
- Literally "of nothing" (it's nothing!)
- The standard response to "gracias"
🆚 Confused Pair: Gracias vs. Gracious
English speakers sometimes pronounce "gracias" wrong because of the English word "gracious." Remember:
- ❌ "GRAY-shus" = English word
- ✅ "GRAH-see-ahs" = Spanish thank you
The "ci" in Spanish makes an "s" sound (like "see"), not a "sh" sound!
🎭 SITUATIONAL SCENARIO 2: At a Café
You're ordering coffee at 3 PM:
☕ Café Scene:
YOU: Buenas tardes.
[Good afternoon]
WAITER: Buenas tardes. ¿Qué desea?
[Good afternoon. What would you like?]
YOU: Un café, por favor.
(oon kah-FEH, pohr fah-VOHR)
[A coffee, please]
WAITER: Aquí tiene.
[Here you are]
YOU: Gracias.
[Thank you]
WAITER: De nada.
[You're welcome]
💡 Notice: "Por favor" comes at the END of your request. While you can put it at the beginning ("Por favor, un café"), ending with it sounds more natural.
👋 Saying Goodbye: Farewell Options
Every greeting needs a goodbye! Spanish offers several options:
Adiós (ah-dee-OHS) = "Goodbye"
- Most formal/definitive goodbye
- Use when you won't see someone for a while
- From "a Dios" = "to God" (may God be with you)
Hasta luego (AHS-tah LWEH-goh) = "See you later"
- Literally "until later"
- Most common casual goodbye
- Implies you'll see them again soon
Hasta mañana (AHS-tah mah-NYAH-nah) = "See you tomorrow"
- Literally "until tomorrow"
- Perfect for workplace/school settings
Chao (CHOW) = "Bye"
- Borrowed from Italian "ciao"
- Very casual, used among friends
- Common in Latin America
+------------------+------------------+------------------+
| GOODBYE | FORMALITY | WHEN TO USE |
+------------------+------------------+------------------+
| Adiós | Formal/Final | Long partings |
| Hasta luego | Casual/Friendly | Everyday goodbye |
| Hasta mañana | Neutral | See them tomorrow|
| Chao | Very casual | Friends only |
+------------------+------------------+------------------+
🌍 Regional note: In Spain, you'll hear "hasta luego" constantly. In Latin America, "chao" is super popular. Both are correct!
🗣️ Essential Polite Expressions
These phrases show courtesy and help you navigate social situations:
Perdón (pehr-DOHN) = "Excuse me/Sorry"
- Use to apologize for small mistakes
- Use to get someone's attention
- Use to ask someone to repeat something
Disculpe (dees-KOOL-peh) = "Excuse me" (formal)
- More formal than "perdón"
- Good for asking strangers for help
- Shows extra respect
Con permiso (kohn pehr-MEE-soh) = "Excuse me" (when passing)
- Literally "with permission"
- Use when physically moving past someone
- Very polite, shows cultural awareness
🆚 Perdón vs. Disculpe vs. Con Permiso
These all mean "excuse me," but context matters:
- Perdón: You bumped into someone → "Perdón!"
- Disculpe: You need to ask a stranger a question → "Disculpe, ¿dónde está...?"
- Con permiso: You need to squeeze past someone on a bus → "Con permiso."
🎭 SITUATIONAL SCENARIO 3: Meeting Someone New
You're at a language exchange event in the evening:
🤝 Meeting Scene:
YOU: Buenas noches. Hola.
[Good evening. Hi.]
NEW FRIEND: Hola. ¿Qué tal?
[Hi. How's it going?]
YOU: Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?
(bee-EHN, GRAH-see-ahs. ee TOO?)
[Well, thanks. And you?]
NEW FRIEND: Muy bien, gracias.
[Very well, thanks.]
[Later, saying goodbye...]
YOU: Hasta luego. Gracias.
[See you later. Thank you.]
NEW FRIEND: De nada. Chao.
[You're welcome. Bye.]
💬 Natural pattern: Notice the back-and-forth of "gracias" and asking how the other person is ("¿Y tú?" = "And you?"). This reciprocity is key in Spanish conversations!
🧩 Building Blocks: Yes, No, & Basic Responses
These tiny words do heavy lifting:
Sí (SEE) = "Yes"
- Note the accent mark! "Si" (no accent) means "if"
- Clear, simple affirmation
No (NOH) = "No"
- Exactly like English
- Can be softened with "gracias": "No, gracias"
Bien (bee-EHN) = "Good/Well/Fine"
- Super versatile!
- "Estoy bien" = I'm well
- "Muy bien" = Very good
Mal (MAHL) = "Bad/Badly"
- Opposite of "bien"
- "Estoy mal" = I'm not well
Muy (MWEE) = "Very"
- Intensifier that goes BEFORE adjectives
- "Muy bien" = Very good
- "Muy mal" = Very bad
📖 Mini-Story: A Day in Spanish
Let's put ALL these words together in a realistic scenario. Read through and notice how the vocabulary flows naturally:
María's Morning in Seville 🌞🇪🇸
María wakes up at 8 AM. She goes to her local bakery.
María: Buenos días. (Good morning) Baker: Buenos días. ¿Qué desea? (Good morning. What would you like?) María: Pan, por favor. (Bread, please) Baker: Aquí tiene. (Here you are) María: Gracias. (Thank you) Baker: De nada. (You're welcome)
At 2 PM, María meets her friend Carlos at a café.
María: Hola, Carlos. ¿Qué tal? (Hi, Carlos. How's it going?) Carlos: Muy bien, gracias. ¿Y tú? (Very well, thanks. And you?) María: Bien. (Good)
They accidentally bump into another customer.
María: Perdón. (Sorry) Customer: No, no. Está bien. (No, no. It's fine)
At 8 PM, leaving the café:
María: Hasta luego, Carlos. (See you later, Carlos) Carlos: Chao. Hasta mañana. (Bye. See you tomorrow) María: Sí, hasta mañana. (Yes, see you tomorrow)
Returning home, passing neighbors:
María: Buenas noches. Con permiso. (Good evening. Excuse me [passing]) Neighbor: Buenas noches. (Good evening)
🎯 Count the words! In this simple story, María used 15+ vocabulary items from this lesson. You can do the same!
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Wrong Gender Agreement
❌ "Buenas días" or "Buenos noches" ✅ "Buenos días" and "Buenas noches"
Why it matters: The adjective (buenos/buenas) must match the noun's gender. "Días" is masculine, while "tardes" and "noches" are feminine.
Mistake #2: Using "Adiós" Too Casually
❌ Saying "adiós" to your coworker when leaving for lunch ✅ Saying "hasta luego" instead
Why it matters: "Adiós" sounds very final, like you won't see them for a long time. It can seem dramatic for everyday situations!
Mistake #3: Forgetting Time-Appropriate Greetings
❌ Saying "buenos días" at 8 PM ✅ Saying "buenas noches" after dark
Why it matters: Time-specific greetings show cultural awareness. Using the wrong one marks you as a non-native speaker immediately.
Mistake #4: Mispronouncing "Gracias"
❌ "GRAY-shus" (like "gracious") ✅ "GRAH-see-ahs" (three syllables, no "sh" sound)
Why it matters: This mispronunciation is instantly recognizable and can confuse native speakers.
Mistake #5: Dropping "Por Favor"
❌ "Un café." (ordering like a command) ✅ "Un café, por favor." (polite request)
Why it matters: Spanish culture highly values politeness. Forgetting "por favor" can seem rude, even if you don't mean it that way.
🎯 Pronunciation Guide: Mastering the Sounds
Let's focus on the trickiest sounds for English speakers:
The Spanish "R"
Single R: Light tap, like the "tt" in "butter"
- "Gracias" = light R
- "Por favor" = light R
RR or R at start: Rolled/trilled R
- Don't worry about this yet! Not in this lesson's words.
The Spanish "J" (sounds like "H")
- Written "J" sounds like English "H" in "hot"
- Not in our current vocabulary, but good to know!
Vowels Are Pure
- A = "ah" (father)
- E = "eh" (bed)
- I = "ee" (see)
- O = "oh" (go)
- U = "oo" (food)
No "gliding" like in English! Each vowel is one clear sound.
🔧 Try this: Practice saying "gracias" slowly: "GRAH-see-ahs." Notice three distinct syllables, each with a pure vowel sound.
🌍 Cultural Context: Greetings Matter!
In Spanish-speaking cultures, greetings aren't just formalities—they're relationship builders:
The Kiss Greeting 💋
In Spain and many Latin American countries, friends greet with one or two kisses on the cheek (actually air kisses—cheek-to-cheek contact). This might feel awkward at first, but it's a warm, normal greeting!
Multiple Greetings Per Day
Unlike English where you might say "hi" once, Spanish speakers often greet the same person multiple times if you encounter them throughout the day. Each encounter deserves a "hola"!
Never Rush Past
Walking past someone you know without greeting them is considered very rude. Always acknowledge people with at least "hola" or "buenos días."
Formality Shows Respect
When meeting someone older, in a position of authority, or in professional settings, use more formal language. "Buenos días" beats "hola" with your boss!
🤔 Did you know? In some Latin American countries, it's common to greet everyone in a small space—even strangers in an elevator or waiting room. A simple "buenos días" to the room is polite!
💡 Power Tips for Remembering
Tip #1: Time-Based Mnemonics
🧠 Buenos días = "Bonus day" (morning bonus of sunshine) 🧠 Buenas tardes = "Tar-day" (afternoon slows down like tar) 🧠 Buenas noches = "No-chess" (night—no time for chess, time for sleep!)
Tip #2: Practice Out Loud
Don't just read these words—say them! Even if you're alone, speaking activates different parts of your brain and builds muscle memory.
Tip #3: Create Greeting Rituals
Pick one daily routine:
- Say "buenos días" to yourself in the mirror each morning
- Say "gracias" when your coffee maker finishes
- Say "hasta mañana" to your pet before bed
Make Spanish part of your daily life!
Tip #4: Listen to Native Speakers
Search YouTube for "Spanish greetings" and listen to the rhythm and intonation. Spanish is melodic—try to capture that music!
📊 Quick Reference: Your First Words Cheat Sheet
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SPANISH GREETING ESSENTIALS ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ HELLOS: ║
║ • Hola = Hi/Hello (anytime) ║
║ • Buenos días = Good morning ║
║ • Buenas tardes = Good afternoon ║
║ • Buenas noches = Good evening/night ║
║ ║
║ GOODBYES: ║
║ • Adiós = Goodbye (formal/final) ║
║ • Hasta luego = See you later ║
║ • Hasta mañana = See you tomorrow ║
║ • Chao = Bye (casual) ║
║ ║
║ MAGIC WORDS: ║
║ • Por favor = Please ║
║ • Gracias = Thank you ║
║ • De nada = You're welcome ║
║ ║
║ POLITE PHRASES: ║
║ • Perdón = Sorry/Excuse me ║
║ • Disculpe = Excuse me (formal) ║
║ • Con permiso = Excuse me (passing by) ║
║ ║
║ BASIC RESPONSES: ║
║ • Sí = Yes ║
║ • No = No ║
║ • Bien = Good/Well/Fine ║
║ • Muy bien = Very good ║
║ ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
🎯 Key Takeaways
✅ Time matters: Use "buenos días" (morning), "buenas tardes" (afternoon), or "buenas noches" (evening)
✅ Hola is your friend: When in doubt, "hola" works any time with anyone
✅ Always add por favor: Transform commands into polite requests
✅ Respond to gracias with de nada: This is the standard, expected response
✅ Choose the right goodbye: "Hasta luego" for casual, "adiós" for formal/final partings
✅ Echo greetings back: If someone says "buenos días," respond with "buenos días"
✅ Gender agreement counts: "Buenos" días but "buenas" tardes/noches
✅ Pronunciation is key: "Gracias" = GRAH-see-ahs, not "gracious"
📚 Further Study
Ready to hear these words in action and expand your skills? Check out these resources:
Forvo.com Spanish Pronunciation - https://forvo.com/languages/es/ - Hear native speakers pronounce every word in this lesson. Search for any word and listen to multiple regional accents.
SpanishDict Basic Greetings - https://www.spanishdict.com/guide/spanish-greetings - Comprehensive guide with audio examples, cultural context, and regional variations.
Coffee Break Spanish Podcast (Episode 1) - https://coffeebreaklanguages.com/coffee-break-spanish/ - Free podcast that covers these essential greetings in context with clear explanations and real conversations.
🚀 Your Next Step
Congratulations! You now have the 20 most essential Spanish words—the ones that open doors, show respect, and start conversations.
🔧 Your homework: Tomorrow, try using ONE Spanish greeting in your daily life:
- Say "buenos días" when you wake up
- Tell your barista "gracias" with proper pronunciation
- Text a friend "hasta luego" instead of "bye"
Small actions build big skills. You're not just learning Spanish—you're becoming someone who speaks Spanish. There's a difference, and you're on your way! 🎉