6 tips, vocabulary and expressions that will make you speak Spanish like a native

When we have been studying a language for a while and we are already able to understand and speak it, there comes a point where we want to go to the next level.

What is that level? Master the language so much like a true native.

Are you a Spanish student and find yourself in this situation?

Do you feel like you can't speak as fluently as the Spanish?

If so, you don't have to worry anymore, because in this article we are going to teach you many things to learn to speak spanish like a native.

The article will be divided as follows:

• 6 tips to speak like a native Spanish.
• Expressions in Spanish for greet and say goodbye like a native.
• Popular Spanish expressions for value as a young native does.
• Sayings common and idioms with examples.
• 20 expressions in spanish that will make you sound like a true native.
• Activities to practice.

Sounds like a very top article, right? 😌

We assure you that after reading it, if you apply it, your Spanish will sound much more advanced and natural.

Let's start!

6 Tips to speak like a native 

We start with the 6 tips to speak like a native.

It is about practical tips and very simple ones that, from now on, you can start doing.

Consume content in Spanish 

In fiction content, songs or radio programs You will find that Spanish people speak naturally and use many expressions that we are going to teach you in this article.

Furthermore, in these contents there are sometimes difficult words in Spanish for foreigners. You will be able to see how they use them, in what situations, the tone they use, etc.

The more content of this type you consume, the easier it will be to absorb this Spanish vocabulary.

Observe the natives and copy them

When you talk to native Spaniards, pay close attention to how they speak.

Observe the grammar they use, the expressions, how they ask questions, the tone when they exclaim, etc.

It will help you eliminate plaques from your tongue

Observing how natives speak will be beneficial for remove traces from your tongue.

Many times we make the mistake of trying to literally translate a phrase from our language into Spanish, or using English as a reference, and this is not always going to work.

For example, many foreigners say: 

• My head hurts. ❌

But a Spaniard would never actually use the possessive "mi" in this sentence, but rather the article "la": 

• My head hurts. 👍🏻

Something similar happens when a foreigner says: 

• Now I'm going home. ❌

In this case, a Spaniard would never say the article "la" if he is talking about his own house. 

We would simply say: 

• Now I'm going home. 👍🏻

Be careful with the mistakes of the natives (ao', pa', duty of...)

Now, when talking to natives you will realize that not all of them speak Spanish perfectly. In fact, we often use contractions or apocopes that are not correct.

For example, with the past perfect it is very common to hear ashortening in participles that end in -ado.

Instead of saying, for example, "I bought lettuce," there are people who would say "I bought buy lettuce. 

that "ao'" is totally incorrect and you should always avoid it.

Something similar also happens with the union of para + infinitive. 

Sometimes you'll hear that instead of saying "stop," some people say "da".

Examples:

• I called you to ask how you are.👍🏻

• I called you to ask how you are. ❌

That “pa” is also a very relaxed and colloquial brand of Spanish, it is better not to say it.

Another very typical mistake that we Spaniards make is to confuse the periphrases of «duty + infinitive» and  «duty of + infinitive».

Both are verbal periphrases that use the same verb with an infinitive, but one has the preposition "de" and the other does not.

If we add or remove this preposition, the meaning of the verb changes completely. 

Do you know what the meaning of each one is?

With "duty + infinitive" we express obligation.

Example: 

• If you want to pass the exam, you must study.

Instead, "duty of + infinitive" is used to express probability.

Example: 

• Jack didn't come to class today, he must be sick.

As you can see, although they are verbs that are written and sound very similar, their meaning has nothing to do with each other. Don't confuse them! 🙈

Make native friends and connect with them 

Another way to practice your Spanish with people is to meet Spanish or Spanish-speaking friends.

In the micro environment: family and friends

If you are lucky enough to have Spanish or Spanish-speaking people in your family environment or in your circle of friends, take advantage of it. 

Hang out with them as much as you can and watch how they talk. Connecting with these people will be very useful if you want your Spanish to sound more natural.

In the macro environment: life on the street

If you don't have Spanish natives in your closest community, look at how they speak the Spaniards you interact with in stores, supermarkets, banks, museums, etc.

Even if they are small conversations, words are often repeated and Spanish expressions which will be very convenient if you want to speak like a native.

You can also listen to people on the street, how they talk, what types of jokes they make, what expressions they repeat most frequently.

In short, it is about being a very observer.

Don't get obsessed with the accent

Often, many foreigners believe that to speak like an authentic Spaniard, what must be done is to completely eliminate the accent of their origin.

And this is not necessary at all. In addition to the fact that it is really difficult to achieve it, there are other reasons why your accent should not worry you.

There is no single Spanish accent

The first big reason why you shouldn't get obsessed with the accent is that it really there is no single spanish accent.

Spain has a wide variety of accentsendless that extends through each autonomous community and its different locations. Furthermore, each country where Spanish is spoken has its own accent. And that's wonderful.

It is true that there are some accents that sound more normative or clearer than others, but they are all correct and there is no such thing as a neutral Spanish accent.

Your accent is not a problem if it does not impede understanding

On the other hand, you shouldn't worry about your accent as long as it does not prevent the understanding of the message you want to convey.

When all foreign people speak Spanish they have the accent of their country. 

Normally, for native Spaniards or other foreigners, that is not a problem when it comes to understanding those people.

Now, it is true that sometimes a very strong accent can interfere with communication and make your Spanish more difficult to understand.

This can happen especially if you continue to pronounce the words as they are pronounced in your language, and not as they are pronounced in Spanish.

This yes it should be corrected.

Practice what you have learned and train your pronunciation: alone or in company 

To speak like a Spaniard, it is not enough to just listen to native speakers attentively or consume a lot of content in this language.

You must put into practice everything you have learned and develop pronunciation.

The best is practice it with other people, if you go to Spanish classes with other classmates it is ideal.

If this is not your case, you can do it solo, recording yourself and analyzing your mistakes so you can correct them.

It is not necessary to reach C2 to achieve native fluency

There is a false belief that to speak like a native Spanish you have to reach the highest level, C2. 

But the truth is that you don't need to have such a high level to speak naturally and use typical expressions that Spaniards use.

You simply need to apply the above tips and practice the useful phrases in Spanish and the rest of the content that we are going to show you below 😉.

Expressions to greet and say goodbye that will make you look like a native

We have already finished the 6 tips. They are very easy to put into practice, right?

Now let's start with the Spanish vocabulary and the expressions with their meanings.

At this point we show you some ways to talk to greetings and farewells as a Spaniard does.

Greetings

We all know that the main word to say hello is "hello".

Furthermore, typical Spanish phrases more formal They are "good morning", "good afternoon" and "good night".

But we have many more popular Spanish phrases to greet. 

 Some of the greetings What is said the most are the following.

How are you?

With this question, in addition to saying hello, we are showing interest in mood and health of the other person we greet.

For this purpose, “how are you?” It is the most used phrase and most formal, along with “how are you?”

How is everything going?

"How's everything going?" is an expression in Spanish that is used to take an interest in the person's life, such as work, personal projects, hobbies or also your mood.

It's a little more informal than the previous sentence.

How are you doing?

"How are you doing?" has a very similar meaning to "how is everything going?", but it is more colloquial yet.

This is one of the typical phrases from Spain that is used in a registry personal and close, with friends, family or colleagues.

It is not advisable to say this expression in a more serious setting or with unknown people.

Farewells

The words that are usually used to say goodbye are «See you later» or "goodbye".

They can be used in practically any situation and with anyone.

However, there are other expressions of farewells which we are going to see next.

See you!

This way of saying goodbye is ideal if you know that you will see the other person again.

It's something like "we will meet again."

Furthermore, if you notice, this expression has exclamatory marks, so it denotes a farewell with a lot of energy and good vibes.

With this phrase you show that you want to see that person again another day.

We already talked

"We already talked" is used when there is a pending conversation or open about something.

At this moment we must leave, but in the future our conversation will be resumed.

Example: 

• Tomorrow I will start my new job. I'll tell you how it goes. Well, Victor, I have to go. We already talked.

We are in contact

This is the most formal to say goodbye Furthermore, it also expresses the will to want to talk again with the person. 

For example, imagine that you and that person share a project, or that you want to hint at a possible work collaboration in the future. 

Example: 

• Hello, Miguel:

 We have received your resume. In a few weeks we will inform you about the selection process. 

We are in contact.

It can also be something more personal, like a friend who is going to make a major change in their life and you are waiting to hear from them in the future.

Expressions to value something like a young native

Do you know how react in Spanish in the face of different events?

We teach you four expressions with examples very popular among young people to make it seem like you have lived here all your life.

How cool!

"Cool" is one of the Spanish colloquial words most used among young people.

How many words does Spanish have that mean cool? 

The truth is that many. If we say the exclamatory phrase "how cool!" We will be expressing with enthusiasm that we like something or what we think it's good, beautiful, interesting, fun, etc. 

They are always positive emotions.

Example:

• Is the new Star Wars movie going to be filmed in Valencia? How cool! 😁

What a fantasy!

This exclamatory phrase has been added to the youth language of short Spanish phrases in recent years. 

It is used for value something we love. We like it so much that it doesn't seem real, but rather a fantasy story. Hence this word is used.

Example:

• Did you buy me this beautiful jacket? What a fantasy! 😍

What a bummer!

We also have colloquial expressions with a meaning of evaluating something negatively. 

"What a bummer!" we say it when something works for us tremendously boring.

Example:

• It's been an hour now and nothing interesting has happened in this movie yet. What a bummer!

What a mess!

This is another of the expressions of young people who talk about boredom that something produces. It is very similar to the previous one.

Furthermore, we think it is one of the funny Spanish expressions because it reminds us of toast.

Common sayings that reflect the Spanish personality

Now let's look at some of the sayings, or Spanish idioms, what do we Spaniards say the most and what is better represent our personality.

If you use these examples of phrases made in Spanish from time to time, we assure you that the Spanish will be speechless with you 😯. 

Spanish idioms have been deeply rooted in our culture for centuries, so if you know how to use them, you will sound like a true native.

If you are interested in this topic, we have an article about the idiomatic expressions very interesting. We encourage you to take a look.

To do it, chest

Sometimes we make mistakes and we can't go back to fix them.

In those situations the only thing we can do isface the consequences and try to learn from what has been done by acting as best as possible and with strength, without wasting time in regrets.

It is in these situations when we say this saying: «To what's done, chest».

This saying reflects the so passionate attitude of the Spanish.

There is no evil that does not come for good

We continue with more examples of idioms. 

"There is no evil that does not come with good" has a very message optimistic, and whatever happens, no matter how bad it is, will generate at the same time something good.

Imagine that, for example, you take a university course and, halfway through the course, you realize that you don't like it.

At first it may seem like a drama because it is a wasted year and a huge expense of money.

But at the same time something good also happens, and that experience will help you realize that this is not what you want to do in your life and you will develop your future work in another sector.

We Spaniards are quite optimistic, and this saying reflects it very well.

Let them take away my dancing!

There are examples of idiomatic expressions in Spanish that reflect the positive and hedonistic attitude of the Spanish. 

We love to live and enjoy life every second.

«Let them take away what I danced!» means that the consequences of our actions can be negative, or that they simply bad times may come.

However, everything the good things we have experienced and enjoyedNo one can take it away from us, like our laughter with friends, family paellas, trips, parties, etc.

20 Verbs and expressions that will make you sound like a true native

In this section we present to you 20 popular expressions and sayings that we Spaniards use a lot. 

Estas expresiones españolas están muy integradas en nuestra cultura.

Try to use them daily and you will see how your communication with the Spanish improves.

Thank goodness!

Among the typical Spanish phrases, "thank goodness!" is used for express relief due to the fact that something that was expected to have negative results actually it went well. 

Example: 

• Yesterday I forgot my cell phone on the restaurant table when I left. Una hora después me di cuenta y regresé. Luckily, my cell phone was still on the table. Thank goodness!

It is also said when we feel that we are lucky for some reason.

• ¡Thank goodness that I met you! You have helped me a lot.

Let's see...

Seguro que has escuchado más de una vez esta expresión. It is one of the Spanish phrases that we say the most.

Here are some uses of "Let's see...":

• to express the desire to meet someone to talk, go somewhere, teach you something, or anything else.

«Let's see si quedamos un día y me enseñas las fotos de tu boda».

«Let's see if we go to the new Sorolla exhibition.

• to express doubt or probability about something.

«Aitor says that tomorrow he is going to meet his ex-girlfriend to fix things. Let's see what's going on..."

"Let's seeIf I am capable of doing it as you have told me.

•  For draw attention from someone

"Hey! Let's see if you listen to me once and for all.

• But without a doubt, the most common way to use it is when we want to introduce an idea, a conclusion, an argument and We want a little time to organize our thoughts before speaking..

«What do I think about Pedro Almodóvar's new film? 

Let's see "If I compare it with the previous ones, I don't think this is his masterpiece."

I leave it there

In popular language, "I'll leave it there" It's like a way of saying that I have already given my opinion on a matter that is not closed and that other people can make assumptions, give their opinions or draw their own conclusions.

Example:

• Well, I have already given my opinion on this and I have nothing more to say. I leave it there.

It is also used for get someone's attention indirectly. You are subtly expressing something without actually saying it.

Example:

• Flights to Tokyo in October are at a good price, and that month we have two weeks of vacation… I leave it there.

In this example, the person is hinting that he wants to go to Tokyo with his interlocutor, but he does not say it directly but rather talks about the good opportunity that is presented.

It's a saying

This expression is used to indicate that a previous statement should not be taken literally, but as a figure of speech or a figure of speech. 

It is used a lot for qualify something that has been said exaggeratedly or in a very simple way.

Example:

• If you continue in this company you will be very unhappy! Well, is a saying. Maybe I have exaggerated. But I do think you have the potential to be in a better place.

What happens is that

We continue with more expressions and their meanings.

"What happens is that" is used to introduce an explanation or justification about something what has happened or what is being discussed. We will always use it in conversation, it does not work for the written record.

Example: 

• I wanted to go to the concert with you. What happens is that I finished work very late and I didn't have time.

This... what was I going to say to you?

Sometimes we are talking to someone and suddenly we forget something what we wanted to tell him. 

«This... what was I going to say to you?» it is said to try recover the thread and let that idea come to mind again. 

By expressing it verbally, perhaps because of the context the other person can help us know what it was.

It is very important when using it to lengthen the pronunciation of the word this. By doing so we give ourselves a little time to remember what we wanted to say. Pay attention to the Spanish when they say it and practice repeating their intonation.

Well, nothing

This is one of the phrases in Spanish that use a lot when conversing in Spanish. When the dialogue is over and there is nothing more to say, it is often said "Well, nothing". 

The conversation is no longer enough and it's time to say goodbye.

It is also said when you are trying to debate or convince someone but they have such strong ideas in their head that it is impossible. 

In this case the expression is used as a form of give up on the attempt at dialogue with that person.

Example:

• Well, nothing. I don't tell you anymore because you never listen to me.

rather 

This expression is used to give a different opinion to that of someone or something that has been said previously.

For example, imagine that you are with some friends at a restaurant and someone thinks that the meat is almost raw, to which you respond:

«I don't think the meat is raw. rather"I see her at her point."

It may not be that… 

This expression is used to warn of something negative what can happen or a possible danger.

always goes accompanied by advice, an order or preventive action.

It is a end connector advanced level and always goes with the subjunctive.

Example:

• Bring cash, it's not going to be that They do not accept cards in this restaurant.

It is the perfect expression for those who are always prepared in case something goes wrong.

What's up!

This is one of the most popular Spanish phrases used to deny something outright. 

Conversation example:

• You lived in Prague, right?
• What's up! I've never been there.

between you and me

"Between you and me" serves to indicate that what is going to be said is confidential and should not be shared with no one else. 

It is also a way to establish a bond of trust and closeness with the other person.

nothing happens 

This is one of the phrases in Spanish that we Spaniards say the most. 

When someone does something to us that could negatively affect us and apologizes, a typical response is this: "Nothing happens." 

With this phrase we are expressing that there is no problem, everything is fine and that small negative action It doesn't bother me or affect me.

It is used a lot in small everyday situations, if someone accidentally bumps into us for example, or if someone arrives a few minutes late for the meeting.

Conversation example:

• I'm very sorry, I'm late.
• Quiet, nothing happens. It's only five minutes.

That? + question

Spaniards sometimes, before asking something, say "what?" interrogative. This serves to draw the attention of the interlocutor and emphasize the question that is going to be asked.

Also, that “what?” also has an intention to know what you think the other person. It's like "What do you think of this?" or "what do you think of...?"

Example:

• What? Are you in the plan or not?

Man, vocative!

This expression is very curious. The word "man" here does not have the meaning of male. 

This word in many situations expresses surprise or joy.

When preceded by a person's name, what we are showing is surprise and joy at seeing that person.  And the most interesting thing of all is that it doesn't matter if we talk about a man or a woman, in both cases we will use "man."

Maybe we didn't expect to see that person or it had been a long time since we had seen them.

It could also simply be that we really wanted to see it.

Example:

• Man, Ana! Long time no see you! How's everything going for you?

Look that + verb (concessive value)

«Look what + verb» presents a concessive value.

It usually shows frustration when faced with an action that someone or something does repeatedly, even though we have done everything possible to try to prevent it.

Frustration or anger comes to not get successful our mission, despite having dedicated effort to it.

This is a concessive connector which is used exclusively in conversation and a little grammatical trick that you should know is that always goes with an indicative. 

Example: 

• Look what I told you You wash the dishes a thousand times when you finish eating, and yet you never do it.

(Even though I've told you a thousand times to wash the dishes, you don't do it.)

Oh!

the word “wow!” It can be the verb ir in the present subjunctive or a fossilized imperative.

In this article we see it as the latter.

Fossilized imperatives are words that They serve to express different emotions.

"Oh!" can be used in different contexts.

can transmit  disappointment or sorrow in the face of a bad event.

Example: 

• I arrived late at the airport and missed my flight, I had to buy the ticket again.
• Wow…Too bad!

Although it can also express irony, suspicion or sarcasm. 

Example: 

• Go, go…you told me that you couldn't come to my wedding because of work and it turns out that was a lie.

We can also find a use of "wow!" as a fossilized imperative that expresses surprise.

Example:

• Wow! I didn't know you had moved to Valencia! Do you like it?

Shut up, shut up

Believe it or not, this same verb repeated twice in the imperative can have many meanings.

The first would be the most obvious, which is ask someone not to talk because it is annoying or because you don't want to hear it anymore.

Since it is imperative, it is interpreted as a direct order, there is nothing polite about it.

Example:

• Shut up, shut up, I want to sleep.

However, this doubled verb can also express surprise or disbelief to something someone else has said. 

It would be similar to "really?" or "I can't believe it."

Example: 

• You say you've won the lottery? Shut up, shut up.

It also serves to emphatically express that someone is exaggerating or that it doesn't say something correct.

Example:

• Shut up, shut up. You are an exaggerator.

deep down 

This expression has quite a deep meaning.

We say "deep down" to show what we really think or feel about something, even if it is difficult for us to recognize it because it goes against our values or for any other reason.

Example:

• I don't like Leonardo. But in this situation, I know that,  in the background, he is right.

By the way

When we say "by the way", we are adding a new informationthat is related to what is being talked about or to something that has been said before.

Example:

• By the waySpeaking of movies: have you seen the latest Marvel movie?

Pulling

“Tirando” is not one of the most used Spanish words, but it is good to know it.

It is a word that answers the question "How are you?"

The meaning is that things get along more or less well, but without being in an excellent moment. It's not a very good emotion but it's not a bad one either.

Activities to practice

We have already finished our list of phrases made in Spanish.

It was a very interesting article, right? 

Now you know many popular expressions and their meaning.

Really, all of these expressions of Spain They are used a lot in our daily lives.

As we want you to speak Spanish like a native, we have prepared the following activities so that you assimilate what you have read.

Activity 1

In the activity you have to drag the appropriate Spanish expression and place it in its corresponding sentence.

Activity 2

Now you must choose the option that seems most appropriate to you among the four possible ones.

Have the exercises gone well? For sure yes!

Now that you have a base for speak like the Spanish, it is time to reinforce your level with new grammar and more vocabulary.

You can get this at our school  Hispania, Spanish school.

Our students leave very prepared to communicate in Spanish in the real world thanks to ourface-to-face Spanish courses and to our online Spanish courses.

You can be one of them too! 🙌🏻

what popular sayings and expressions Do you find the ones we have explained in this article more interesting?

Are there any that you already knew?

Tell us in the comments and we'll talk.

See you!

Article written by Carlos Martinez for Hispania, Spanish school. 

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