For more information on poder, see here.
Can I…?
| ¿Puedo pagar con visa? | Can I pay by visa? |
| ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? | Can I pay by card? |
| ¿Se puede abrir la ventanilla? | May I open the window? |
| ¿Se puede fumar en el tren? | Is smoking allowed on the train? |
To ask someone if they mind if you do something, you can use ¿Le importa que…? (Do you mind if…?) followed by a verb in the present subjunctive. For more information on the subjunctive, see here.
Do you mind if…?
| ¿Le importa que ponga mi maleta en el portaequipajes? | Do you mind if I put my suitcase on the rack? |
| ¿Le importa que me siente aquí? | Do you mind if I sit here? |
To say what you have to do, you can use tengo que (I have to) followed by an infinitive. tengo comes from the verb tener (to have). For more information on tener, see here.
I have to…
| Tengo que coger otro vuelo para ir a Bilbao. | I have to get a connecting flight to get to Bilbao. |
| Tengo que comprar un chaleco reflectante. | I have to buy a high-visibility vest. |
| Tengo que coger el tren de las 8.30. | I have to catch the 8.30 train. |
| Tenemos que hacer una reserva. | We have to make a reservation. |
| ¿Tenemos que cambiar de tren? | Do we have to change trains? |
Another way to say what has to be done is to use the expression hay que (you have to or we have to).
You have to…
| Hay que enseñar el carnet de conducir. | You have to show your driving licence. |
| Hay que imprimir el billete electrónico. | You have to print out your e-ticket. |
| Hay que devolver el coche antes de las tres. | We have to get the car back before three. |
If you want to say what you should do, you can use debería followed by an infinitive. debería comes from the verb deber. For more information on deber, see here.
I should…
| Debería comprar mi billete por Internet. | I should buy my ticket online. |
| Deberíamos echar más gasolina. | We should get some more petrol. |
| Deberíamos ir a recoger el equipaje. | We ought to go and pick up the luggage. |
Here are some key phrases you are likely to be given when you are travelling around.
| El tren de Cáceres sale de la vía tres. | The train for Cáceres is leaving from platform three. |
| ¿Puedo ver su billete? | Can I see your ticket? |
| ¿Le importa que me siente aquí? | Do you mind if I sit here? |
| Es mejor que coja un taxi. | You’d be better getting a taxi. |
| Cuando llegue a la plaza pregunte allí. | Ask again when you get to the square. |
| Siga recto hasta el semáforo. | Go straight on till you get to the traffic lights. |
| Coja la primera calle a la derecha. | Take the first turning on the right. |
| Gire a la izquierda. | Turn left. |
| Está muy cerca. | It’s very near. |
| Está enfrente del museo. | It’s opposite the museum. |
| Se puede ir andando. | It’s within walking distance. |
| Está a tres paradas de aquí. | It’s three stops from here. |
• 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 manual if you haven’t got the exact change or you aren’t paying by card. Otherwise, you can go into an automático lane. Nowadays, there are also Telepeaje (teletoll) lanes identified by a sign showing a white T on 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.
I’m looking for…