Welcome to the wonderful world of Colombia! Whether you’re planning a trip through the Andes, an exploration of Bogotá ‘s bustling streets or an adventure in Colombia’s Amazon rainforest, one thing’s for sure: a little Spanish vocabulary will come in handy.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to a set of essential words and phrases to make your trip to Colombia easier, depending on the context, to “survive”. Whether you want to order a delicious local dish, ask for directions through the winding streets of Medellín, or simply strike up a friendly conversation with friendly Colombians, this vocabulary guide will help you fully immerse yourself in this unforgettable experience.
Of course, you can also use an online translator like Deepl or Google Translate. But having a few basic notions will help you in case of absence of Internet, and to have small discussions more fluid.
General
To make the most of your trip to Colombia, a few words of Spanish can make all the difference. Here’s the essential general vocabulary, the basics, to at least be polite, know a few survival phrases, numbers and figures.
| French | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Hi | Hola |
| Good morning | Buenos días |
| Good afternoon | Buenas tardes |
| Good evening | Buenas noches |
| Please | Por favor |
| Thank you | Gracias |
| You’re welcome | De nada |
| Excuse me | Perdón |
| Yes | Sí |
| No | No |
| Do you speak English? Do you speak French? | ¿Habla inglés? ¿Habla francès? |
| I don’t speak Spanish | No hablo español |
| My name is Carolina | Me llamo Carolina |
| How are things? | ¿Cómo estás? |
| I’m fine | Estoy bien |
| Excuse me, where is… ? | Perdón, ¿dónde está… ? |
| Toilets | Baño |
| Yes, no | Sí, no |
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? |
| Help me | Ayúdame |
| I don’t understand | No entiendo |
| Can you help me? | ¿Puede ayudarme? |
| Sorry to bother you | Perdón por molestarlo |
| 0 | Cero |
| 1 | Uno |
| 2 | Back |
| 3 | Tres |
| 4 | Cuatro |
| 5 | Cinco |
| 6 | Seis |
| 7 | Siete |
| 8 | Ocho |
| 9 | Nueve |
| 10 | Diez |
| 11 | Once |
| 12 | Doce |
| 13 | Trece |
| 14 | Catorce |
| 15 | Quince |
| 16 | Dieciséis |
| 17 | Diecisiete |
| 18 | Dieciocho |
| 19 | Diecinueve |
| 20 | Veinte |
| 30 | Treinta |
| 40 | Cuarenta |
| 50 | Cincuenta |
| 60 | Sesenta |
| 70 | Setenta |
| 80 | Ochenta |
| 90 | Noventa |
| 100 | Cien |
| 200 | Doscientos |
| 500 | Quinientos |
| 1 000 | Mil |
| 10 000 | Diez mil |
| 100 000 | Cien mil |
| 1 000 000 | Un millón |
| 10 000 000 | Diez millones |
Entry formalities
A basic understanding of Spanish vocabulary related to entry formalities and the airport can prove invaluable. We’ll guide you through the essential words and expressions to help you navigate smoothly through your arrival/departure at the airport.
| French | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Passport | Pasaporte |
| Tourist Visa | Visa de turismo |
| Air ticket | Tiquete de avión |
| Customs | Aduana |
| Flight (airplane) | Vuelo (avión) |
| Arrival | Llegada |
| Departure | Salida |
| Immigration | Migración |
| Recording | Registro |
| Length of stay | Duración de la estadía |
| Date of birth | Fecha de nacimiento |
| Place of birth | Lugar de nacimiento |
| Nationality | Nacionalidad |
| Embassy | Embajada |
| Consulate | Consulado |
| Entry requirements | Requisitos de entrada |
Security
| French | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Police | Policía |
| Please help me! | ¡Ayúdame! |
| Danger | Peligro |
| Stay away! | No te acerques! |
| I’m lost | Estoy perdido(a) |
| Help! | ¡Socorro! |
| Stolen wallet | Cartera robada |
| Stolen phone | Teléfono robado |
| I don’t want any problems | No quiero problemas |
| Where are the police? | ¿Dónde está la policía? |
| Call the police! | ¡Llame a la policía! |
| I need help | Necesito ayuda |
| Light | Fuego |
Health
Discover the essentials of Spanish health vocabulary in Colombia. From “doctor” and “pharmacy” to “fever” and “allergy”, this guide will prepare you for every medical eventuality during your trip. Be prepared to communicate your health needs in Spanish for a worry-free experience in Colombia.
| French | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Hospital | Hospital |
| Doctor | Medical |
| Pharmacy | Farmacia OR Droguería |
| Emergency | Urgencias |
| I’m sick | Estoy enfermo |
| Drug | Medicamento |
| Headache | Dolor de cabeza |
| Stomach ache | Dolor de estomago |
| Allergy | Alergia |
| Fever | Fiebre |
| Injury | Lesión |
| Diarrhea | Diarrea |
| Mountain sickness | Soroche |
| Sun cream | Bloqueador solar |
| Mosquito repellent | Repelente |
| I need help | Necesito ayuda |
| Where’s the hospital? | ¿Dónde está el hospital? |
| I have an allergy | Tengo una alergia |
| Where can I find a doctor? | ¿Dónde puedo encontrar un médico? |
| Can you call an ambulance? | ¿Puede llamar una ambulancia? |
Transport
Get ready to navigate your way around Colombia with our Spanish transportation vocabulary guide. From “bus station” to “stop”, you’ll have the right words to get around with ease. Find out how to ask for directions, buy tickets, and more, to make traveling in Colombia as smooth as possible.
| French | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Airport | Aeropuerto |
| Plane | Avión |
| Bus | Autobús |
| Bus station | Nozzle terminal OR Land terminal |
| Cab | Cab |
| Metro | Metro |
| Car | Carro OR Coche |
| Car rental | Alquiler de carro |
| Ticket | Boleto |
| One-way ticket | Solo de ida |
| Round trip | Ida y vuelta |
| Rates / Prices | Tarifa / Precio |
| Stop | Parada |
| How do I get downtown? | ¿Cómo llegar al centro de la ciudad? |
| What’s the next station? | ¿Cuál es la próxima estación? |
| What time does the next bus leave? | ¿A qué hora sale el próximo autobús? |
| Where can I buy a ticket? | ¿Dónde puedo comprar un boleto? |
| How much does a ticket to Medellín cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete a Medellín? |
| How long does it take to get to…? ? | ¿Cuánto tiempo se tarda en llegar a… ? |
Telephone and electricity networks
Get ready to stay connected in Colombia with our Spanish vocabulary guide to telephone and electrical networks. From “phone charger” to “Wi-Fi connection”, you’ll have the essential words to stay connected and manage electronic devices with ease.
| French | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Internet | Internet |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi |
| Wi-Fi password | Contraseña de Wi-Fi |
| Cellular network | Red celular |
| SIM card | SIM card |
| Mobile data | Datos móviles |
| Charging (phone) | Carga (del teléfono) |
| Socket outlet | Toma de corriente |
| Plug adapter | Adaptador de enchufe |
Money & Budget
Manage your wallet in Colombia with our Spanish vocabulary guide to money and budgeting. Essential words like “withdrawal”, “exchange” and “credit card” will help you talk money with Colombians. Avoid scams and unpleasant surprises with these basics.
| French | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Silver | Dinero |
| Credit card | Tarjeta de crédito |
| Cash | Efectivo |
| Ticket | Ticket |
| Currency | Moneda |
| Exchange rates | Tasa de cambio |
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? |
| Dear | Caro |
| Cheap | Barato |
| Too expensive | Muy caro |
| Expensive | Costoso |
| I want to pay | Quiero pagar |
| Check, please | La cuenta, por favor |
| Where’s an ATM? | ¿Dónde hay un cajero automático? |
Housing
Words like “hotel”, “reservation”, “room” and “check-out” will be your key to a comfortable stay. You’ll also know how to request Wi-Fi and report a problem in the room. Don’t let the language barrier hold you back. With this vocabulary, you’ll feel right at home wherever you are in Colombia.
| French | Spanish |
|---|---|
| 1 night, 2 nights, etc. | Una noche, dos noches, etc. |
| Hotel | Hotel |
| Youth hostel | Hostal |
| Room | Habitación |
| Reservation | Reserva |
| Key | Llave |
| Bed | Cama |
| Pillow | Almohada |
| Coverage | Cobija |
| Bathroom | Baño |
| Towel | Toalla |
| Shampoo | Champú |
| Shower gel | Gel de baño |
| Air conditioning | Aire acondicionado |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi |
| Breakfast included | Desayuno incluido |
| I would like to make a reservation | Quisiera reservar |
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? |
| Where’s the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño? |
| When is check-out? | Cuando es el check out |
| What time is breakfast? | ¿A que hora es el desayuno? |
| It’s very comfortable | Es muy cómodo |
| Air conditioning not working | El aire acondicionado no funciona |
| I have no electricity in the room | No tengo electricidad en la habitación |
| Internet not working | Internet no funciona |
| What is the Wifi password? | ¿Cuál es la contraseña del Wifi? |
Food & Nutrition
It’s time to savor Colombian cuisine with this Spanish-language survival guide to food and eating in Colombia. You’ll learn the essential words for ordering traditional dishes, or indicating your food preferences. Don’t miss your chance to taste the unique flavors of Colombia. Bon appétit!
| French | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Menu | Menú |
| Breakfast | Desayuno |
| Lunch | Almuerzo |
| Dinner | Cena |
| Food | Comida |
| Drink | Bebida |
| Water | Agua |
| Wine | Vino |
| Beer | Cerveza |
| Bread | Pan |
| Rice | Arroz |
| Meat | Carne |
| Chicken | Pollo |
| Fish | Pescado |
| Vegetables | Verduras |
| Fruits | Frutas |
| Cheese | Queso |
| Milk | Leche |
| Salt | Sal |
| Pepper | Pimienta |
| Spicy | Picante |
| Gluten-free | Sin gluten |
| Check, please | La cuenta, por favor |
| I’m a vegetarian | Soy vegetariano/a |
| I’m allergic | Soy alérgico/a |
| I would like to order | Me gustaría ordenar |
| Delicious | Está delicioso |
| The oil | Aceite |
| Spicy | Picante |
| Sugar | Azúcar |
