What languages are spoken in Spain besides Spanish?

Spain has four main languages: Castilian Spanish (the national language), Catalan (in Catalonia and Valencia), Basque (in the Basque Country), and Galician (in Galicia). You may hear these regional languages alongside Spanish in their respective areas.

Why do Spanish people speak so fast?

Spanish is naturally a fast language, and Spaniards tend to speak quickly in everyday conversation. They also use a lot of abbreviations and slang. Do not be afraid to ask them to slow down with 'mas despacio, por favor'.

Why do Spanish people switch to English when I try to speak Spanish?

Spaniards often switch to English to be helpful when they sense you are struggling. It is not rude, just efficient. To keep the conversation in Spanish, start with 'hola' and pause before speaking to signal your intent.

What are false friends in Spanish?

False friends are Spanish words that look like English words but have different meanings. For example, 'embarazada' means pregnant (not embarrassed), 'constipado' means you have a cold (not constipated), and 'libreria' is a bookstore (not a library).

Is Spanish in Spain different from Latin American Spanish?

Yes. Spain uses 'vosotros' for informal plural you, while Latin America uses 'ustedes'. Pronunciation also differs. In central Spain, 'c' and 'z' are pronounced with a 'th' sound. In Andalusia, final consonants are often dropped.

What is the best time to practice Spanish in Spain?

Spaniards are not early risers, and conversations flow better in the afternoon or evening. The best time to practice is after lunch or in the evening, especially over tapas and wine when people are relaxed.

How can I prepare Spanish phrases before my trip?

Use Google Translate to prepare key phrases for specific situations like ordering food, asking directions, or buying tickets. Practice saying them in your head before you need them. The 100 most common Spanish words make up about half of everyday conversations.

Do Spanish people use hand gestures when speaking?

Yes, Spaniards are very expressive and use hand gestures frequently. You can use gestures to help communicate if your words fail. Just avoid the American OK sign (thumb and index finger circle) as it can be offensive.

What is the Spanish lisp?

In central and northern Spain, the letters 'c' (before e or i) and 'z' are pronounced with a 'th' sound, like in the English word 'think'. So 'gracias' sounds like 'grathias'. This is not actually a lisp but a standard pronunciation feature.

Speaking Spanish in Spain: 10 Tips for Travellers (2026)

Speaking Spanish in Spain

Main language:Castilian Spanish

Regional languages:Catalan, Basque, Galician, Valencian

English levels:Good in cities, limited in villages

Key tip:Start with 'Hola' and pause

False friend warning:Embarazada means pregnant

Best practice time:After lunch or evening

Heading to Spain? Ready to soak up the sun, sip on tinto de verano (not sangria, please), and maybe try out a little Spanish? Good on you.

But before you start tossing around "gracias" and "hola" like confetti, there are a few things you should know about speaking Spanish in Spain.

Compare hotel prices in Spain

Find the best deal across booking sites

Booking.com Hotels.com Expedia

1. Spain Has Multiple Languages (Not Just Spanish)

Here is where things get interesting.

Spain is not a one-language country. Sure, Castilian Spanish is what you will hear most often, but do not be surprised if locals throw you a linguistic curveball.

Catalonia (Barcelona and beyond): They speak Catalan. It looks like Spanish, but do not call it a dialect. Trust me, Catalans take their language seriously.
Basque Country: Basque (Euskara) is nothing like Spanish. In fact, it is nothing like any language in Europe. Good luck guessing a single word.
Galicia: They have Galician (Galego), which sounds like a mix of Spanish and Portuguese.
Valencia: Valencian is very similar to Catalan but still distinct.

So, if you are in Barcelona and someone greets you with "Bon dia!" instead of "Buenos dias", do not panic. Just smile and nod.

2. Spanish People Talk Fast (Really Fast)

This one caught us off guard, especially after moving from Costa Rica.

Life there was slow, and so was the language. People spoke clearly, words were fully pronounced, and abbreviations were rare.

Then we arrived in Spain.

People speak fast here. Really fast. It is common to hear what sounds like completely new words, only to find out they are shortened versions of other words or even full sentences.

No amount of Duolingo will prepare you for that, or the amount of Spanish slang they regularly throw into conversation, either.

So do not worry if you do not understand anything the first time someone speaks to you. Spaniards talk quickly, and even if you ask them to slow down ("mas despacio, por favor"), they might still sound like a bullet train.

The good news? If you make an effort, people notice. And that effort goes a long way.

3. Locals Will Switch to English (Here is How to Stop Them)

In some countries, locals slow down and encourage you to practice the language.

In Spain, it is a little different. Most people will switch to English the moment they sense you are struggling. It is not rude. It is just efficient.

But if you want to improve your Spanish, you will need to push through and keep speaking it.

This can be frustrating.

Picture this.

You are at a restaurant. You have already decided what to order. You used Google Translate, practised your sentence in your head for five minutes, and now you are ready.

The waiter arrives. You deliver your line perfectly.

But the waiter looks confused. Your heart sinks. Did you say it wrong? Is your accent that bad?

In most cases, the problem is simple. The waiter was expecting English and is now mentally stuck.

What usually happens next? They switch to English, and suddenly, all your effort feels wasted.

Local tip

Start with a simple "hola" and pause for a second. It signals that you are speaking Spanish and helps shift their expectations. It works with waiters, cab drivers, just about anyone. Small thing. Big difference.

4. Do You Even Need to Speak Spanish in Spain?

Short answer? Not really. Long answer? It depends.

Just give it your best shot.

In major tourist spots like Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville, you will get by with English, hand gestures, and a confident smile. But step into a small village, a family-run tapas bar, or try asking an older local for directions, and you will wish you knew a few basic phrases.

A little Spanish goes a long way.

5. Use Google Translate to Prepare Key Phrases

If you are heading somewhere, like the bus station, take a minute to prep a few key phrases. Think "How much?", "Where is the bus terminal?", or "Which bus goes to Malaga?"

This trick has helped me more times than I can count. The phrases stick way better when you practice them in your head instead of reading straight from Google Translate.

6. Learn the 100 Most Common Words

No joke. The 100 most common Spanish words make up about half of everyday conversations.

Learning them is a challenge, but far from impossible. You will be surprised how much you can understand just by picking out a few key words in a sentence.

7. Spain Spanish is Different from Latin American Spanish

If you studied Spanish in high school, you probably learned the Latin American version. But Spain has its own twists:

Vosotros: In Spain, they use "vosotros" for informal "you all" instead of "ustedes". If your textbook skipped this, welcome to the club.
Pronunciation differences: In Madrid, "gracias" sounds like "grathias," thanks to the famous Spanish lisp. But head to Andalusia, and they might drop the last letters altogether. "Que pasa?" turns into "Que pahh?"

8. English is Not as Common as You Think

You will find English speakers in big cities and tourist areas. Outside of that, it is a different story.

In smaller towns, do not expect waiters, taxi drivers, or shopkeepers to understand you. A few Spanish words or a translation app can save you a lot of confusion.

9. Hand Gestures Can Save You

Spaniards are expressive talkers.

A well-timed hand gesture can help get your point across if your words fail you. Just avoid the classic American "OK" sign (thumb and index finger forming a circle) since it can be offensive here.

10. Watch Out for False Friends

Spanish has words that look like English but mean something totally different. A few examples:

Embarazada does not mean embarrassed; it means pregnant.
Constipado is not about digestion; it means you have a cold.
Libreria is not a library; it is a bookstore.
Sensible does not mean sensible; it means sensitive.
Exito does not mean exit; it means success.

Bonus: Spanish is a Late-Night Language

If you are trying to practice your Spanish in the morning, good luck. Spaniards are not early risers, and conversations tend to flow better after lunch, or better yet, after a few glasses of wine at 10pm.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. In major cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville, you can get by with English. But in smaller towns and villages, knowing a few basic phrases will make your trip much easier and more enjoyable.

You do not need to master Spanish to have a great time in Spain. But knowing a few words and embracing the local quirks will make your trip smoother and a lot more fun.

Grab a phrasebook, practice rolling your r's, and dive in. By the end of your trip, you might be ordering tapas like a local.