Useful Phrases for Living: A - Z

Question

I have been living in Madrid since December. Periodically, I find myself in a situation where I have an urgent need for something, usually very basic, and I don't know how to get my need met.

The SpanishDict.com translator then comes to the rescue.

Armed with my new word and my new way of putting it into a sentence, I go out into the city to meet my need. It is always an adventure.

So, let's make this into an A-Z vocabulary game, and I'll go first.

One of the first things I needed after I moved here was a vacuum cleaner. I went into the hardware store, where I suspected they did not sell vacuum cleaners, but I asked the following question:

**A Aspiradora

¿Vendes las aspiradoras?

Do you sell vacuum cleaners?**

They said, "no, solo los bolsos." (no, only the bags). But, they sent me in the direction of an appliance store and I came home with an "aspirador" to add to my new word.

So, let's try to meet the needs of daily life with a vocabulary building A-Z game. Either a noun or a verb can follow the A-Z pattern.

Answer 1

G -- gimnasio -- gym, gymnasium

¿Dónde esta el gimnasio? Quiero a ejercer.

Where is the gym? I want to exercise.

I'm not sure if the verb for exercise is right.... - amykay, Oct 14, 2010

Answer 2

el herrador----farrier

¿Quién es el mejor herrador en esta pueblo?

Who is the best horseshoer in this town?

Answer 3

Fregona
Mesero! Necesitamos una fregona aqui! Waiter, We need a mop over here!

Answer 4

E

¡Entra¡

The imperative form of "entrar," to enter.

If you and someone else are trying to pass through the same doorway and you want to encourage them to go before you, you could say this.

Answer 5

D -- Delincuencía .... crime

¡Policia! ¡He sido víctima de un delincuencia!

Police! I've been the victim of a crime!

I could have used this when they stole my bike and I went to report it to the police! - JoyceM, Oct 14, 2010

That's awful, I hope you got it back! - amykay, Oct 14, 2010

Answer 6

C -- ¿Cuanto cuesta?

Much does this cost?

Very useful when items are not priced, like a tag sale or outdoor market.

I use this all of the time! - JoyceM, Oct 14, 2010

Answer 7

B

Baño: bathroom

¿Donde estan los baños? Where are the bathrooms?

This is a very useful phrase. You can also call them "aseos."

That was my very first thought. - 008f2974, Oct 14, 2010

Believe it or not, I needed to learn to ask for a vacuum before a restroom! - JoyceM, Oct 14, 2010

Answer 8

HI Joyce, this would be a very useful and interesting help for many...but you need a mod for this thread, please tell me if you can find one, lots of mistakes in the posts so far, sorry

Answer 9

I -- iglesia ... church

¿Hay una iglesia cerca aquí?

Is there a church near here?

Answer 10

C

Corte de pelo

Haircut

Today I need to get a haircut.

Necesito hoy conseguir un corte de pelo,