🇨🇱 73 Basic Spanish Phrases for Your Next Trip to Chile 🌶️

¡Hola, amigos! 😄 Get ready to spice up your Spanish skills and embark on an unforgettable adventure in Chile! 🌶️🇨🇱 Chilean Spanish is a unique blend of slang, expressions, and linguistic twists that'll keep you engaged and entertained. 😎

🍴 Food and Drink (10 phrases)

1. ¿Qué me recomiendas? (keh meh reh-koh-MYEN-dahs) - What do you recommend?
2. Quiero probar el pastel de choclo. (KYEH-roh proh-BAHR el pahs-TEHL deh CHOH-kloh) - I want to try the corn pie.
3. ¿Puedo tener un completo, por favor? (PWEH-doh teh-NEHR oon kohm-PLEH-toh, pohr fah-VOHR) - Can I have a completo (hot dog with toppings), please?
4. Me encantaría probar un terremoto. (meh ehn-kahn-tah-REE-ah proh-BAHR oon teh-rreh-MOH-toh) - I'd love to try a terremoto (a traditional Chilean cocktail).
5. ¿Tienes algo vegetariano? (TYEH-nehs AHL-goh veh-heh-tah-RYAH-noh) - Do you have any vegetarian options?
6. ¿Cuál es el plato típico de esta región? (kwahl ehs el PLAH-toh TEE-pee-koh deh EHS-tah reh-HYOHN) - What's the typical dish of this region?
7. ¿Me puedes traer la cuenta, por favor? (meh PWEH-dehs trah-EHR lah KWEHN-tah, pohr fah-VOHR) - Can you bring me the bill, please?
8. ¿Dónde puedo encontrar el mejor vino chileno? (DOHN-deh PWEH-doh ehn-kohn-TRAHR el meh-HOHR VEE-noh chee-LEH-noh) - Where can I find the best Chilean wine?
9. Quisiera hacer una reserva para dos personas. (kee-SYEH-rah ah-SEHR oo-nah reh-SEHR-vah PAH-rah dohs pehr-SOH-nahs) - I'd like to make a reservation for two people.
10. ¿Cuáles son los ingredientes de este plato? (KWAH-lehs sohn lohs een-greh-DYEN-tehs deh EHS-teh PLAH-toh) - What are the ingredients in this dish?

🍽️ Foodie Fact: Don't miss out on trying a traditional Chilean curanto, a feast of seafood, meat, and vegetables cooked in a pit!

🗺️ Getting Around (8 phrases)

1. ¿Dónde queda la plaza de armas? (DOHN-deh KEH-dah lah PLAH-sah deh AHR-mahs) - Where is the main square?
2. ¿Cómo llego al museo? (KOH-moh YEH-goh ahl moo-SEH-oh) - How do I get to the museum?
3. Necesito ir al baño. (neh-seh-SEE-toh eer ahl BAH-nyoh) - I need to go to the bathroom.
4. ¿Cuánto cuesta el pasaje? (KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah el pah-SAH-heh) - How much is the fare?
5. ¿A qué hora sale el próximo bus? (ah KEH OH-rah SAH-leh el PROHK-see-moh boos) - What time does the next bus leave?
6. ¿Puedes llamarme un taxi, por favor? (PWEH-dehs yah-MAHR-meh oon TAHK-see, pohr fah-VOHR) - Can you call me a taxi, please?
7. ¿Hay una estación de metro cerca de aquí? (ahy OO-nah ehs-tah-SYOHN deh MEH-troh SEHR-kah deh ah-KEE) - Is there a metro station near here?
8. ¿Cuánto tiempo toma llegar al aeropuerto? (KWAHN-toh TYEHM-poh TOH-mah yeh-GAHR ahl ah-eh-roh-PWEHR-toh) - How long does it take to get to the airport?

🚶‍♂️ Travel Tip: Renting a car in Chile can be expensive, so consider using public transportation or ride-sharing apps like Uber or Cabify.

🛍️ Shopping and Bargaining (6 phrases)

1. ¿Cuánto cuesta esto? (KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah EHS-toh) - How much does this cost?
2. ¿Puedes hacerme un descuento? (PWEH-dehs ah-SEHR-meh oon dehs-KWEHN-toh) - Can you give me a discount?
3. ¿Aceptas tarjeta de crédito? (ahk-SEHP-tahs tahr-HEH-tah deh KREH-dee-toh) - Do you accept credit cards?
4. Me lo llevo. (meh loh YEH-voh) - I'll take it.
5. ¿Tienes esto en una talla más grande/pequeña? (TYEH-nehs EHS-toh ehn OO-nah TAH-yah mahs GRAHN-deh/peh-KEH-nyah) - Do you have this in a larger/smaller size?
6. ¿Dónde puedo encontrar recuerdos típicos? (DOHN-deh PWEH-doh ehn-kohn-TRAHR reh-KWEHR-dohs TEE-pee-kohs) - Where can I find typical souvenirs?

🛍️ Shopping Tip: Visit the Pueblo de Los Dominicos in Santiago for a wide variety of traditional Chilean handicrafts.

👥 Socializing and Making Friends (10 phrases)

1. ¿De dónde eres? (deh DOHN-deh EH-rehs) - Where are you from?
2. ¿A qué te dedicas? (ah KEH teh deh-DEE-kahs) - What do you do for a living?
3. ¿Te gustaría ir por un café? (teh goos-tah-REE-ah eer pohr oon kah-FEH) - Would you like to go for a coffee?
4. Estoy tratando de mejorar mi español. (ehs-TOY trah-TAHN-doh deh meh-hoh-RAHR mee ehs-pah-NYOHL) - I'm trying to improve my Spanish.
5. ¿Cuáles son tus pasatiempos? (KWAH-lehs sohn toos pah-sah-TYEHM-pohs) - What are your hobbies?
6. ¿Has probado el pisco chileno? (ahs proh-BAH-doh el PEES-koh chee-LEH-noh) - Have you tried Chilean pisco?
7. ¿Qué lugares me recomiendas visitar en Chile? (KEH loo-GAH-rehs meh reh-koh-MYEHN-dahs vee-see-TAHR ehn CHEE-leh) - What places do you recommend visiting in Chile?
8. ¿Te gusta el fútbol? ¿Cuál es tu equipo favorito? (teh GOOS-tah el FOOT-bohl? kwahl ehs too eh-KEE-poh fah-voh-REE-toh) - Do you like soccer? What's your favorite team?
9. ¿Quieres intercambiar números de teléfono? (KYEH-rehs een-tehr-kahm-BYAHR NOO-meh-rohs deh teh-LEH-foh-noh) - Do you want to exchange phone numbers?
10. Gracias por tu ayuda y amabilidad. (GRAH-syahs pohr too ah-YOO-dah ee ah-mah-bee-lee-DAHD) - Thank you for your help and kindness.

😄 Friendship Tip: Chileans are known for their warm hospitality, so don't be surprised if you're invited to a traditional asado (barbecue) or a fun-filled fútbol match!

💕 Flirting and Romance (6 phrases)

1. Eres muy linda/lindo. (EH-rehs mwee LEEN-dah/LEEN-doh) - You're very beautiful/handsome.
2. ¿Quieres bailar conmigo? (KYEH-rehs bigh-LAHR kohn-MEE-goh) - Do you want to dance with me?
3. Me encanta tu sonrisa. (meh ehn-KAHN-tah too soh-NREE-sah) - I love your smile.
4. ¿Te gustaría cenar conmigo? (teh goos-tah-REE-ah seh-NAHR kohn-MEE-goh) - Would you like to have dinner with me?
5. ¿Puedo invitarte un trago? (PWEH-doh een-vee-TAHR-teh oon TRAH-goh) - Can I buy you a drink?
6. Me gustaría conocerte mejor. (meh goos-tah-REE-ah koh-noh-SEHR-teh meh-HOHR) - I'd like to get to know you better.

😘 Flirting Tip: Chileans appreciate a good sense of humor and witty banter, so don't be afraid to show off your playful side!

🚫 Things to Avoid Saying (3 phrases)

1. Avoid mentioning the Pinochet era or making jokes about politics, as it's still a sensitive subject for many.
2. Don't compare Chile to other Latin American countries, especially Argentina – there's a bit of a friendly rivalry there! 😅
3. Steer clear of using the word "coger" (koh-HEHR) in Chile, as it has a vulgar sexual meaning. Instead, use "tomar" (toh-MAHR) for "to take" or "agarrar" (ah-gah-RRAHR) for "to grab."

🙌 Greetings and Goodbyes (8 phrases)

1. ¡Hola! (OH-lah) - Hello!
2. Buenos días. (BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs) - Good morning.
3. Buenas tardes. (BWEH-nahs TAHR-dehs) - Good afternoon.
4. Buenas noches. (BWEH-nahs NOH-chehs) - Good evening/night.
5. ¿Cómo estás? (KOH-moh ehs-TAHS) - How are you?
6. Mucho gusto. (MOO-choh GOOS-toh) - Nice to meet you.
7. Hasta luego. (AHS-tah LWEH-goh) - See you later.
8. Chao. (CHAH-oh) - Bye.

🆘 Emergencies and Help (5 phrases)

1. ¡Ayuda! (ah-YOO-dah) - Help!
2. Necesito un médico. (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh) - I need a doctor.
3. Llame a la policía, por favor. (YAH-meh ah lah poh-lee-SEE-ah, pohr fah-VOHR) - Call the police, please.
4. Me han robado. (meh ahn roh-BAH-doh) - I've been robbed.
5. ¿Dónde está la embajada de [tu país]? (DOHN-deh ehs-TAH lah ehm-bah-HAH-dah deh [too pah-EES]) - Where is the embassy of [your country]?

🌐 Basic Phrases (12 phrases)

1. Sí. (see) - Yes.
2. No. (noh) - No.
3. Por favor. (pohr fah-VOHR) - Please.
4. Gracias. (GRAH-syahs) - Thank you.
5. De nada. (deh NAH-dah) - You're welcome.
6. Disculpe. (dees-KOOL-peh) - Excuse me.
7. Lo siento. (loh SYEHN-toh) - I'm sorry.
8. No entiendo. (noh ehn-TYEHN-doh) - I don't understand.
9. ¿Hablas inglés? (AH-blahs een-GLEHS) - Do you speak English?
10. No hablo mucho español. (noh AH-bloh MOO-choh ehs-pah-NYOHL) - I don't speak much Spanish.
11. ¿Cuánto cuesta? (KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah) - How much does it cost?
12. ¿Dónde está el baño? (DOHN-deh ehs-TAH el BAH-nyoh) - Where is the bathroom?

🎭 Chilean Slang (5 phrases)

1. ¿Cachai? (kah-CHIGH) - You know? / Do you understand?
2. Weón/Weóna (weh-OHN/weh-OH-nah) - Dude/Gal (friendly term)
3. Bacán (bah-KAHN) - Cool/Awesome
4. Carrete (kah-RREH-teh) - Party
5. Pololo/Polola (poh-LOH-loh/poh-LOH-lah) - Boyfriend/Girlfriend

😎 Slang Tip: Embracing Chilean slang will help you connect with locals and show that you're making an effort to understand their unique language and culture.

¡Y eso es todo, amigos! 🎉 With these 73 essential Spanish phrases, you'll be ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure in Chile. Remember to have fun, be respectful of local customs, and don't be afraid to practice your Spanish skills with the friendly Chilenos. ¡Buen viaje! 🇨🇱✨