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30 real-life Spanish speaking situations, with English translations

Short scenes from everyday life: cafés, markets, work, travel, friends. Four connected sentences each, from simple to richer. Read them aloud: speaking practice beats silent reading for getting words out when you need them.

Practise speaking freeNatural Spanish expressions

Ordering at the café

You walk into your neighbourhood café and order breakfast.

  1. Buenos días, quiero un café con leche, por favor.
    Good morning, I would like a coffee with milk, please.
  2. También quiero un cruasán, porque tengo mucha hambre.
    I also want a croissant, because I am very hungry.
  3. Prefiero sentarme cerca de la ventana para ver la calle.
    I prefer to sit near the window to watch the street.
  4. Este café es mi lugar favorito porque el camarero siempre recuerda mi pedido.
    This café is my favourite place because the waiter always remembers my order.

At the market

You are shopping for dinner at the local market.

  1. Necesito tomates y cebollas para la cena.
    I need tomatoes and onions for dinner.
  2. ¿Cuánto cuesta un kilo de tomates, señora?
    How much does a kilo of tomatoes cost, madam?
  3. Son un poco caros, pero se ven muy frescos.
    They are a bit expensive, but they look very fresh.
  4. Al final compro también fresas, porque a mi familia le encantan de postre.
    In the end I also buy strawberries, because my family loves them for dessert.

Weekend plans with a friend

A friend calls you to make plans for Saturday.

  1. El sábado quiero ir al cine contigo.
    On Saturday I want to go to the cinema with you.
  2. La película empieza a las siete de la tarde.
    The film starts at seven in the evening.
  3. Antes podemos cenar en el restaurante nuevo del centro.
    Before that we can have dinner at the new restaurant downtown.
  4. Si salimos temprano, encontraremos mesa sin reservar, que es mucho más fácil.
    If we leave early, we'll get a table without booking, which is much easier.

Asking for directions

You are lost in a new city and ask a passer-by for help.

  1. Perdone, ¿dónde está la estación de tren?
    Excuse me, where is the train station?
  2. Estoy un poco perdido porque es mi primer día aquí.
    I am a little lost because it is my first day here.
  3. Ah, entonces sigo recto y giro a la derecha en la plaza.
    Ah, so I go straight and turn right at the square.
  4. Muchas gracias por su ayuda, la gente de esta ciudad es muy amable.
    Thank you very much for your help, the people in this city are very kind.

Talking about your day

A colleague asks how your day is going.

  1. Hoy tengo mucho trabajo en la oficina.
    Today I have a lot of work at the office.
  2. Por la mañana escribo correos y por la tarde tengo dos reuniones.
    In the morning I write emails and in the afternoon I have two meetings.
  3. Después del trabajo voy al gimnasio para relajarme un poco.
    After work I go to the gym to relax a little.
  4. Aunque el día es largo, me gusta mi rutina porque aprendo algo nuevo cada semana.
    Although the day is long, I like my routine because I learn something new every week.

Telling a friend about a trip

You just came back from a short trip and tell a friend about it.

  1. El fin de semana pasado visité Sevilla con mi hermana.
    Last weekend I visited Seville with my sister.
  2. Caminamos por el centro y probamos tapas en un bar pequeño.
    We walked around the centre and tried tapas in a small bar.
  3. Lo que más me gustó fue el flamenco en la plaza por la noche.
    What I liked most was the flamenco in the square at night.
  4. Quiero volver en primavera, porque dicen que la ciudad huele a azahar.
    I want to go back in spring, because they say the city smells of orange blossom.

Checking in at the hotel

You arrive at your hotel after a long journey and check in at reception.

  1. Buenas tardes, tengo una reserva a mi nombre.
    Good afternoon, I have a reservation under my name.
  2. Es una habitación doble para tres noches.
    It is a double room for three nights.
  3. ¿Puedo pedir una habitación tranquila que no dé a la calle?
    Can I ask for a quiet room that does not face the street?
  4. Como el vuelo llegó con retraso, me encantaría cenar algo ligero antes de subir.
    Since the flight arrived late, I would love to have something light for dinner before going up.

At the pharmacy

You have a cold and go to the night-duty pharmacy for advice.

  1. Hola, necesito algo para el resfriado.
    Hi, I need something for a cold.
  2. Me duele la garganta y toso mucho por la noche.
    My throat hurts and I cough a lot at night.
  3. Menos mal que esta farmacia de guardia está abierta hasta tan tarde.
    Thank goodness this night-duty pharmacy is open so late.
  4. Si el jarabe no me hace efecto en dos días, iré al médico como usted me recomienda.
    If the syrup does not take effect in two days, I will go to the doctor as you recommend.

Visiting the doctor

You describe your symptoms during a doctor’s appointment.

  1. Doctora, no me encuentro bien desde el lunes.
    Doctor, I have not been feeling well since Monday.
  2. Tengo fiebre por la tarde y me duele la cabeza.
    I have a fever in the afternoon and my head hurts.
  3. Además duermo mal, porque me despierto varias veces.
    Also, I sleep badly, because I wake up several times.
  4. Prefiero saber qué me pasa antes de tomar nada, aunque tenga que hacerme un análisis.
    I prefer to know what is wrong with me before taking anything, even if I have to get a blood test.

Taking the bus

You are catching a bus across town for the first time.

  1. Perdone, ¿este autobús va al centro?
    Excuse me, does this bus go downtown?
  2. Quiero bajarme en la parada de la catedral.
    I want to get off at the cathedral stop.
  3. Voy a recargar mi tarjeta porque solo me queda un viaje.
    I am going to top up my card because I only have one trip left.
  4. Me siento al lado de la ventana para avisar al conductor cuando veamos la plaza.
    I sit by the window so I can let the driver know when we see the square.

At the bank

You visit your bank branch to sort out a problem with your card.

  1. Buenos días, mi tarjeta no funciona.
    Good morning, my card is not working.
  2. Ayer intenté pagar en el supermercado y no pude.
    Yesterday I tried to pay at the supermarket and I could not.
  3. También quiero preguntar por las comisiones de mi cuenta.
    I also want to ask about the fees on my account.
  4. Si no me pueden dar una tarjeta nueva hoy, necesito sacar efectivo antes de irme.
    If you cannot give me a new card today, I need to withdraw cash before I leave.

Viewing an apartment

You are visiting a flat for rent and asking the landlady questions.

  1. Hola, vengo a ver el piso del anuncio.
    Hello, I am here to see the flat from the ad.
  2. Me gusta mucho la luz del salón.
    I really like the light in the living room.
  3. ¿El precio incluye el agua y la comunidad?
    Does the price include water and the building fees?
  4. Antes de firmar nada, me gustaría volver con mi pareja para que ella también lo vea.
    Before signing anything, I would like to come back with my partner so that she can see it too.

A job interview

You introduce yourself at an interview for a job you really want.

  1. Buenos días, muchas gracias por recibirme.
    Good morning, thank you very much for seeing me.
  2. Trabajo desde hace tres años en atención al cliente.
    I have been working in customer service for three years.
  3. Me interesa este puesto porque quiero aprender de un equipo más grande.
    I am interested in this position because I want to learn from a bigger team.
  4. Aunque estoy un poco nervioso, creo que mi experiencia encaja muy bien con lo que buscan.
    Although I am a little nervous, I think my experience fits very well with what you are looking for.

Booking an appointment

You call the dental clinic to arrange an appointment this week.

  1. Hola, quiero pedir cita con el dentista.
    Hello, I want to make an appointment with the dentist.
  2. ¿Tienen algo libre el jueves por la mañana?
    Do you have anything free on Thursday morning?
  3. A las diez me viene perfecto, porque entro a trabajar a las doce.
    Ten o’clock works perfectly for me, because I start work at twelve.
  4. Si surge algún problema, les llamaré con tiempo para cambiar la cita, no se preocupe.
    If any problem comes up, I will call you in good time to change the appointment, don’t worry.

Talking about the weather

You chat with a neighbour in the lift about the strange weather this week.

  1. ¡Qué calor hace hoy!
    It is so hot today!
  2. Ayer llovió toda la tarde y hoy hay un sol tremendo.
    Yesterday it rained all afternoon and today the sun is blazing.
  3. Dicen que el fin de semana bajan las temperaturas otra vez.
    They say temperatures will drop again at the weekend.
  4. Voy a llevar paraguas de todas formas, porque este tiempo cambia cuando menos te lo esperas.
    I am going to take an umbrella anyway, because this weather changes when you least expect it.

Cooking a paella

You are making paella for the first time and telling a friend how it goes.

  1. Hoy voy a cocinar una paella.
    Today I am going to cook a paella.
  2. Ya tengo el arroz, el pollo y el azafrán.
    I already have the rice, the chicken and the saffron.
  3. Mi abuela me enseñó que el sofrito es lo más importante.
    My grandmother taught me that the sofrito is the most important thing.
  4. Espero que salga rica, porque he invitado a comer a toda la familia el domingo.
    I hope it turns out delicious, because I have invited the whole family for Sunday lunch.

Sunday lunch with the family

You describe your family’s long Sunday lunch tradition.

  1. Los domingos como en casa de mis padres.
    On Sundays I eat at my parents’ house.
  2. Mi madre siempre prepara demasiada comida para todos.
    My mother always makes too much food for everyone.
  3. Después del postre nos quedamos charlando en la mesa durante horas.
    After dessert we stay chatting at the table for hours.
  4. Esa sobremesa es mi momento favorito de la semana, porque nadie tiene prisa por irse.
    That after-lunch chat is my favourite moment of the week, because nobody is in a hurry to leave.

Studying for an exam

You tell a classmate how you are preparing for Friday’s exam.

  1. El viernes tengo un examen importante.
    On Friday I have an important exam.
  2. Esta semana estudio dos horas cada tarde en la biblioteca.
    This week I study two hours every afternoon at the library.
  3. Repaso los apuntes con una compañera y nos hacemos preguntas.
    I review the notes with a classmate and we quiz each other.
  4. Aunque el temario es largo, me siento preparado porque hemos empezado con tiempo.
    Although the syllabus is long, I feel prepared because we started in good time.

Returning a faulty purchase

You go back to the shop because the headphones you bought do not work.

  1. Hola, compré estos auriculares aquí el martes.
    Hi, I bought these headphones here on Tuesday.
  2. No funcionan bien, se corta el sonido todo el rato.
    They do not work properly, the sound cuts out all the time.
  3. Traigo el tique, así que quiero que me devuelvan el dinero.
    I have the receipt with me, so I want my money back.
  4. Prefiero el reembolso a un cambio, porque ya no confío en este modelo.
    I prefer a refund to an exchange, because I no longer trust this model.

Giving your opinion on a film

Friends ask what you thought of the film you all just watched.

  1. Pues a mí la película me encantó.
    Well, I loved the film.
  2. La historia es sencilla, pero los actores son buenísimos.
    The story is simple, but the actors are excellent.
  3. El final me sorprendió, no me lo esperaba para nada.
    The ending surprised me, I did not expect it at all.
  4. Entiendo que a ti te pareciera lenta, aunque para mí ese ritmo es justo lo que la hace especial.
    I understand that it seemed slow to you, although for me that pace is exactly what makes it special.

Calling customer service

Your internet is down and you call the phone company to report it.

  1. Buenas, llamo porque no tengo internet en casa.
    Hello, I am calling because I have no internet at home.
  2. El router tiene la luz roja desde esta mañana.
    The router has had a red light since this morning.
  3. Ya lo he apagado y encendido dos veces, como dice la web.
    I have already turned it off and on twice, as the website says.
  4. Necesito que envíen a un técnico pronto, porque trabajo desde casa toda la semana.
    I need you to send a technician soon, because I work from home all week.

Volunteering in the neighbourhood

You tell a friend about the community clean-up day you joined.

  1. El sábado ayudé a limpiar el parque del barrio.
    On Saturday I helped clean the neighbourhood park.
  2. Éramos unas veinte personas con guantes y bolsas.
    There were about twenty of us with gloves and bags.
  3. Conocí a vecinos que viven en mi calle desde hace años.
    I met neighbours who have lived on my street for years.
  4. Pienso apuntarme al próximo, porque el barrio se cuida mejor cuando lo hacemos entre todos.
    I plan to sign up for the next one, because the neighbourhood is better looked after when we all do it together.

At the local fair

You are enjoying the town’s April fair with some friends.

  1. Esta semana es la feria de mi ciudad.
    This week is my city’s fair.
  2. Las calles están llenas de luces y de música.
    The streets are full of lights and music.
  3. Anoche bailamos sevillanas en una caseta hasta muy tarde.
    Last night we danced sevillanas in a fair tent until very late.
  4. Lo mejor es que la gente sale a celebrar aunque no se conozca de nada.
    The best thing is that people come out to celebrate even if they do not know each other at all.

Telling a friend how you feel

A close friend notices you seem down and you open up a little.

  1. La verdad, hoy estoy un poco triste.
    Honestly, I am a little sad today.
  2. Echo de menos a mi familia, que vive lejos.
    I miss my family, who live far away.
  3. Hablar contigo me ayuda mucho, gracias por escucharme.
    Talking to you helps me a lot, thank you for listening to me.
  4. Sé que mañana me sentiré mejor, porque estos días grises nunca me duran mucho.
    I know I will feel better tomorrow, because these grey days never last long for me.

Tracking an online order

You ordered a jacket online and are dealing with the delivery.

  1. La semana pasada pedí una chaqueta por internet.
    Last week I ordered a jacket online.
  2. El paquete llega hoy entre las tres y las cinco.
    The package arrives today between three and five.
  3. Acabo de recibir un mensaje del repartidor con el aviso.
    I just got a message from the delivery driver with the notification.
  4. Si la talla no me queda bien, la devolveré gratis desde la tienda de la esquina.
    If the size does not fit me well, I will return it for free from the shop on the corner.

Dinner at a tapas bar

You order for the table at a busy tapas bar on Friday night.

  1. Camarero, ¿nos trae la carta, por favor?
    Waiter, could you bring us the menu, please?
  2. De momento, unas croquetas y una tortilla para compartir.
    For now, some croquettes and a Spanish omelette to share.
  3. Mi amiga es alérgica a las gambas, ¿lleva marisco esta tapa?
    My friend is allergic to prawns; does this tapa contain seafood?
  4. Pediremos el postre más tarde, porque aquí nos gusta cenar sin prisa.
    We will order dessert later, because here we like to have dinner without rushing.

First day at the gym

You just joined a gym and talk with the trainer about your goals.

  1. Hoy es mi primer día en el gimnasio.
    Today is my first day at the gym.
  2. Quiero hacer ejercicio tres veces por semana.
    I want to exercise three times a week.
  3. Mi objetivo es tener más energía, no levantar mucho peso.
    My goal is to have more energy, not to lift a lot of weight.
  4. Te agradezco que me prepares una rutina suave, porque llevo años sin entrenar.
    I appreciate you preparing a gentle routine for me, because I have not trained in years.

Meeting the new neighbour

You knock on the door to welcome the person who just moved in next door.

  1. Hola, soy tu vecino del tercero.
    Hi, I am your neighbour from the third floor.
  2. Te traigo un bizcocho para darte la bienvenida.
    I am bringing you a sponge cake to welcome you.
  3. Si necesitas cualquier cosa durante la mudanza, llama a mi puerta.
    If you need anything during the move, knock on my door.
  4. En este edificio nos ayudamos mucho, así que pronto te sentirás como en casa.
    In this building we help each other a lot, so you will soon feel at home.

Reporting a lost backpack

You left your backpack on the metro and go to the lost-and-found office.

  1. Buenas, he perdido mi mochila en el metro.
    Hello, I have lost my backpack on the metro.
  2. Es azul, pequeña, y dentro llevo mis llaves.
    It is blue, small, and my keys are inside.
  3. La dejé esta mañana en la línea dos, hacia las ocho.
    I left it this morning on line two, at around eight.
  4. Les dejo mi número para que me avisen en cuanto aparezca, por favor.
    I will leave you my number so you can let me know as soon as it turns up, please.

Planning a surprise birthday

You organise a surprise party for your best friend’s birthday.

  1. El viernes es el cumpleaños de mi mejor amiga.
    Friday is my best friend’s birthday.
  2. Estoy preparando una fiesta sorpresa en mi casa.
    I am preparing a surprise party at my house.
  3. Ya he encargado la tarta y he invitado a todo el grupo.
    I have already ordered the cake and invited the whole group.
  4. Lo difícil será guardar el secreto hasta el viernes, porque ella siempre lo adivina todo.
    The hard part will be keeping the secret until Friday, because she always guesses everything.

Questions

How should I practise these Spanish scenes?

Read a scene aloud once slowly, once at natural speed, then cover the text and say each line from its meaning. The sentences in each scene go from simple to richer, so stop at the line that feels hard and repeat it tomorrow.

Can I get feedback on my speaking?

Yes. In WordSlick each scene is a speaking exercise: you record yourself, get feedback, and the AI tutor AskSlick can role-play the situation with you.

From WordSlick’s speaking-scenario bank. Updated 2026-10-14.