Essential Travel Phrases: A Simple Guide to Exploring Colombia

As you set foot in Colombia, you'll be captivated by its vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm-hearted people.

While language barriers can be overcome with technology, learning a few essential travel phrases in the local language will open doors to more meaningful connections and cultural experiences.

In this blog series, "Essential Travel Phrases," we'll equip you with practical phrases that will not only help you communicate effectively but also allow you to embrace the nuances of Colombian culture.

Let's dive into the richness of Colombian Spanish and embark on a journey that celebrates authentic encounters with the locals.

Disclaimer: The images used in this blog series have been generated in the style of painting using an AI image creator. Any resemblance to real places, people, or events is purely coincidental and unintentional. While the AI image creator endeavors to represent the cultural essence of each country, we acknowledge that the outcome might not always be entirely accurate or culturally sensitive. We apologize if any images inadvertently depict offensive or inappropriate gestures, as it was not the intention of the AI image creator.

Address and Title

Colombians are known for their friendliness and warmth, and addressing people with respect is essential.

Here are some common ways to address individuals in Colombia:

• Addressing Men: Use "Señor" (sehn-yohr), which means "Mr.," when addressing adult men or someone you wish to show respect to.

• Addressing Women: Use "Señora" (sehn-yoh-rah), meaning "Mrs.," when speaking to adult women to display courtesy and respect.

• Addressing Young Individuals: For younger individuals or children, you can use "Joven" (hoh-vehn), which translates to "young person" and is a friendly way to address someone of a younger age.

Related blog post: Respecting Cultures: A Traveller's Guide to Do's and Don'ts in Medellín, Colombia

Greetings

• Hello: "Hola" (oh-lah)

• How are you?: "¿Cómo estás?" (koh-moh ehs-tahs?)

• I am fine, thank you: "Estoy bien, gracias" (ehs-toy byehn, grah-see-yahs)

• Good morning: "Buenos días" (bweh-nohs dee-ahs)

• Goodbye: "Adiós" (ah-dyohs)

• See you later: "Hasta luego" (ahs-tah looeh-goh)

Gesturing

• Excuse me (to get someone's attention): "Perdón" (pehr-dohn)

• Excuse me (to pass someone in front): "Con permiso" (kohn pehr-mee-so)

• Yes: "Sí" (see)

• No: "No" (noh)

• Please: "Por favor" (pohr fah-vohr)

• Thank you: "Gracias" (grah-see-yahs)

Dining

• Do you have an English menu?: "¿Tiene un menú en inglés?" (tyeh-neh oon meh-noo ehn een-glehs?)

• Can I have [dish name]?: "¿Me podría traer [nombre del plato]?" (meh poh-dree-ah trah-ehr [nohm-breh del plah-toh]?)

• Bill, please: "La cuenta, por favor" (lah kwehn-tah, pohr fah-vohr)

• Hot / Cold: "Caliente / Frío" (kah-lyehn-teh / free-oh)

• Regular / Large: "Normal / Grande" (nohr-mahl / grahn-deh)

• Less sugar / No sugar: "Menos azúcar / Sin azúcar" (meh-nohs ah-soo-kahr / seen ah-soo-kahr)

• Less spicy / Not spicy: "Menos picante / Sin picante" (meh-nohs pee-kahn-teh / seen pee-kahn-teh)

• I am allergic to..: "Soy alérgico/a a.." (soy ah-lehr-hee-koh/ah ah..)

  • Common allergens include:

    • Nuts (nueces)

    • Shellfish (mariscos)

    • Dairy (lácteos)

    • Eggs (huevos)

    • Wheat (trigo)

    • Soy (soya)

    • Fish (pescado)

    • Gluten (gluten)

    • Peanuts (cacahuetes)

Related blog post: Top 15 Must-Eat Street Foods: Savouring the Flavours of Colombia

Shopping and Friendly Haggling

• How much is this?: "¿Cuánto cuesta esto?" (kwan-toh kwehs-tah ehs-toh?)

• Can I try this?: "¿Puedo probar esto?" (pweh-doh proh-bahr ehs-toh?)

• Do you accept credit card?: "¿Aceptan tarjeta de crédito?" (ah-sehp-tahn tahr-heh-tah deh kreh-dee-toh?)

• It's too expensive!: "¡Es muy caro!" (ehs mwee kah-roh!)

• Cheaper, please!: "Más barato, por favor" (mahs bah-rahtoh, pohr fah-vohr!)

• Give me a discount!: "Hágame un descuento, por favor" (ah-gah-meh oon dehs-kwehn-toh, pohr fah-vohr!)

Related blog post: Top 10 Must-Try Desserts: A Sweet Tooth's Journey to Colombia

Getting Around

• Where is the nearest...:

• Toilet: "¿Dónde está el baño más cercano?" (dohn-deh ehs-tah ehl bahn-yoh mahs sehr-kah-noh?)

• Convenience store: "¿Dónde está la tienda de conveniencia más cercana?" (dohn-deh ehs-tah lah tyen-dah deh kohn-veh-nyehn-syah mahs sehr-kah-nah?)

• Bus station: "¿Dónde está la estación de autobuses?" (dohn-deh ehs-tah lah ehs-tah-syohn deh ah-oo-toh-boos-es?)

• Train station: "¿Dónde está la estación de trenes?" (dohn-deh ehs-tah lah ehs-tah-syohn deh treh-nehs?)

• Please take me to..: "Lléveme a.." (yeh-veh-meh ah..)

• Do you speak English?: "¿Habla inglés?" (ah-blah een-glehs?)

Emergency

• Help!: "¡Ayuda!" (ah-yoo-dah!)

• Can you speak English?: "¿Habla usted inglés?" (ah-blah oo-stehd een-glehs?)

• I need a doctor: "Necesito un médico" (neh-seh-see-toh oon meh-dee-koh)

• I need an ambulance: "Necesito una ambulancia" (neh-seh-see-toh oo-nah ahm-boo-lahn-syah)

• I need the police: "Necesito la policía" (neh-seh-see-toh lah poh-lee-syah)

Related blog post: Safety, Rules, and Authentic Experiences: Your Guide to a New Destination

Bonus

In Colombia, expressing gratitude is essential, and locals often say "Mil gracias" (meel grah-see-yahs), which means "a thousand thanks."

Using this phrase will make the people you meet feel appreciated and valued.

Final Thoughts

As you venture through the diverse landscapes and experience the vibrant culture of Colombia, embracing the local language will elevate your journey to new heights.

Remember to approach interactions with warmth, respect, and an open heart, as Colombians are known for their hospitality and generosity.

Immerse yourself in the richness of the language, savour the flavours of Colombian cuisine, and explore the beauty of this enchanting country.

Your efforts to learn and use these essential travel phrases will undoubtedly pave the way for unforgettable experiences and cherished memories.

¡Feliz viaje! (Happy travels!)

Note: In our "Essential Travel Phrases" blog series, we explore the rich linguistic diversity within each country and across continents. While regions may belong to the same country, slight variations in slang and style of speech make them unique. We aim to provide essential phrases tailored to specific countries to help you navigate cultural nuances and connect with locals effortlessly.

Author: Booms Ho, New Age Nomads

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