Spanish phrases for your first day at work or in class

A first day is nerve-racking in any language. Doing it in Spanish adds a layer: new faces, new names, and people speaking faster than your course audio. The good news is that first-day conversations are surprisingly predictable. With a handful of phrases you can introduce yourself, ask for help without panicking, and come across as friendly from minute one.

Tú or usted?

Before the phrases, the question every learner asks. Spanish has two ways to say "you": informal tú and formal usted.

In Spain, most workplaces and universities use tú almost immediately, even with managers. In much of Latin America, usted is more common at first, especially with older colleagues or bosses, and in some countries (such as Colombia or Costa Rica) people use it even with friends.

A safe rule: start with usted with someone senior, and switch the moment they use tú with you or say Puedes tutearme (You can use tú with me). Nobody will be offended if you get it slightly wrong as a newcomer.

Introducing yourself

• Hola, soy Emma. Soy la nueva / el nuevo. Hi, I'm Emma. I'm the new one (f./m.).
• Hoy es mi primer día. Today's my first day.
• Encantado / Encantada. Nice to meet you. (Say encantado if you're a man, encantada if you're a woman.)
• Mucho gusto. Nice to meet you. (Very common in Latin America, and gender-neutral.)
• Vengo de Manchester. I'm from Manchester.
• Voy a trabajar en el equipo de marketing. I'm going to work in the marketing team.
• ¿Y tú, en qué departamento estás? And you, which department are you in?

In Spain, colleagues may greet you with two kisses on the cheek (dos besos), particularly in informal settings. In offices, a handshake is also normal, especially between men. Follow the other person's lead.

Remembering names

You'll meet a lot of people. It's fine to ask again:

• ¿Cómo te llamas? / ¿Cómo se llama? What's your name? (informal / formal)
• Perdona, ¿cómo era tu nombre? Sorry, what was your name again?
• ¿Cómo se escribe? How do you spell it?

When you don't understand

These are the most valuable phrases on this page. Use them without embarrassment:

• Perdona, no te he entendido. Sorry, I didn't understand you. (In Latin America: No te entendí.)
• ¿Me lo puedes repetir, por favor? Can you repeat that, please?
• ¿Puedes hablar un poco más despacio? Can you speak a bit more slowly?
• ¿Qué significa...? What does ... mean?
• ¿Cómo se dice ... en español? How do you say ... in Spanish?
• Todavía estoy aprendiendo español. I'm still learning Spanish.

That last one works wonders. Most people will slow down and become your informal teachers.

Practical questions at work

• ¿Dónde está la sala de reuniones? Where's the meeting room?
• ¿Dónde me siento? Where do I sit?
• ¿Cuál es la contraseña del wifi? What's the wifi password?
• ¿A quién le pregunto si tengo una duda? Who do I ask if I have a question?
• ¿A qué hora es la reunión? What time is the meeting?
• ¿Me puedes enseñar cómo funciona esto? Can you show me how this works?
• Te lo envío por correo. I'll send it to you by email.

Practical questions in class

• ¿Está ocupado este sitio? Is this seat taken?
• ¿Qué página es? What page is it?
• ¿Cuáles son los deberes? What's the homework? (In Latin America you'll often hear la tarea.)
• ¿Para cuándo es? When is it due?
• ¿Entra en el examen? Is it on the exam?
• No he traído el libro. I haven't brought the book.
• ¿Puedo ir al baño? Can I go to the toilet?

Breaks and making friends

The social side matters as much as the work. In Spain, the mid-morning coffee break and lunch are where friendships start.

• ¿Vamos a tomar un café? Shall we go for a coffee?
• ¿Dónde coméis normalmente? Where do you usually eat? (Spain, plural vosotros)
• ¿Puedo ir con vosotros? Can I come with you? (Latin America: ¿Puedo ir con ustedes?)
• ¡Que aproveche! / ¡Buen provecho! Enjoy your meal! (People say this when someone is eating; just reply Gracias.)
• ¿Hacéis algo después del trabajo? Are you doing anything after work?

Ending the day

• Hasta mañana. See you tomorrow.
• Que vaya bien. Take care / Have a good one (Spain).
• Gracias por la ayuda, de verdad. Thanks for your help, really.
• ¡Buen fin de semana! Have a good weekend!

A few tips for the first week

1. Pick five phrases and own them. You don't need all of these on day one. Soy el nuevo, ¿Me lo puedes repetir?, ¿Qué significa...?, ¿Vamos a tomar un café? and Hasta mañana will carry you a long way.
2. Say them out loud beforehand. Phrases you've practised aloud come out under pressure; phrases you've only read tend not to. Parlumi's speaking exercises are handy for this, with feedback on pronunciation.
3. Write down new words at the end of each day. Your colleagues will use workplace vocabulary no textbook covers. Collect it.
4. Accept that you'll miss things. Fast group conversations over lunch are the hardest listening there is. Smile, catch what you can, and ask one person afterwards.

By the end of the first week, the same phrases will start to come out automatically, and you'll be surprised how much of the office chatter you can follow.