On this page Greetings and goodbyes Being polite At the table Getting to know them Compliments and warmth When you're lost Celebrations Play the phrase challenge Tip: tap the speaker on each phrase and say it back three times. Then play the phrase challenge to unlock a free printable of all 50.
Greetings and goodbyes
Say one of these to every person, when you arrive and again when you leave.
Buenos días. Good morning. Until about noon.
Buenas tardes. Good afternoon. From noon until dark.
Buenas noches. Good evening. / Good night. Both hello and goodbye after dark.
Mucho gusto. Nice to meet you.
¿Cómo está? How are you? The respectful usted form, for parents and grandparents.
Muy bien, gracias. ¿Y usted? Very well, thanks. And you?
Hasta luego. See you later.
Nos vemos pronto. See you soon.
Being polite
Small words that make a big impression, especially with parents and grandparents.
Muchas gracias. Thank you very much.
Con permiso. Excuse me. When you squeeze past someone or leave the table.
Gracias por invitarme. Thank you for inviting me.
At the table
The meal is where families bond. These get you through it with style.
¡Buen provecho! Enjoy your meal! Say it to people who are eating when you arrive or leave the table.
Todo está delicioso. Everything is delicious.
¿Usted lo preparó? Did you make it?
Sí, gracias. Un poquito más. Yes, thanks. Just a little more.
Estoy lleno. I'm full. Estoy llena if you're a woman. Always compliment the food first.
¿Me pasa la sal, por favor? Could you pass the salt, please?
¿Me enseña a prepararlo? Will you teach me to make it? Asking for a family recipe is one of the kindest compliments you can give.
Getting to know them
The questions they'll ask you, and a few to ask back. Swap in your own details.
Me llamo Sam. My name is Sam. Swap in your own name.
Soy de Chicago. I'm from Chicago. Swap in your own city.
Trabajo en una escuela. I work at a school.
Llevamos dos años juntos. We've been together two years. Two women say juntas.
Nos conocimos en el trabajo. We met at work.
¿De dónde es usted? Where are you from?
¿A qué se dedica? What do you do for work?
Tiene una familia muy bonita. You have a lovely family.
Compliments and warmth
The phrases people remember and repeat to the rest of the family.
¡Qué bonita casa! What a lovely home!
Es un placer estar aquí. It's a pleasure to be here.
Ana me ha hablado mucho de ustedes. Ana has told me so much about you all. Swap in your partner's name.
Me siento como en casa. I feel at home.
Los quiero mucho. I love you all very much.
When you're lost
Everyone gets lost. These keep you in the conversation instead of going quiet.
¿Me lo puede repetir, por favor? Could you repeat that, please?
Más despacio, por favor. Slower, please.
Todavía estoy aprendiendo español. I'm still learning Spanish. Much better than No hablo español: it invites people to help you.
Perdón, no entendí. Sorry, I didn't understand.
¿Cómo se dice ... en español? How do you say ... in Spanish?
¿Qué significa ...? What does ... mean?
Entiendo un poquito. I understand a little.
¿Mande? Pardon? Very Mexican, and very polite.
Celebrations
Holidays, birthdays, and the moment everyone raises a glass.
¡Feliz Navidad! Merry Christmas!
¡Feliz Año Nuevo! Happy New Year!
¡Feliz cumpleaños! Happy birthday!
¡Felicidades! Congratulations!
¡Buen viaje! Have a good trip!
Free game
The Familia Phrase Challenge
Ten quick questions. Hear a phrase and pick what it means, or pick what you'd say in the moment. Level 2 is Christmas dinner.
Level 1: Meeting the family Score 0
Unlock Level 2 (Christmas dinner) and get all 50 phrases as a printable PDF.
Play again
Play Level 2: Christmas dinner
Challenge your partner
Want these phrases with their names in them?
Familia Ready turns their real names, their food, and your story into a short Spanish countdown timed to the day you see them. 10–15 minutes a day, made for beginners.
Start my countdown for $39 See a real plan first
Questions What are the most important Spanish phrases for meeting your partner's family? A warm greeting (Mucho gusto), a thank-you (Muchas gracias por invitarme), a compliment for the food (Todo está delicioso), and a rescue phrase for when you're lost (Todavía estoy aprendiendo español). Those four cover most first visits.
Should I use usted or tú with their parents? Usted. It's the respectful form, and it's never wrong with parents and grandparents. Switch to tú only when they invite you to.
How long does it take to learn these phrases? About two weeks at 10 minutes a day: say each one out loud three times, then test yourself with the game. Knowing 20 of them well beats knowing 50 badly.
Can I download the list? Yes. Play the phrase challenge at the bottom of the page and unlock the printable PDF of all 50 phrases, free.
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