The Language
Spanish is the main language of Venezuela. However, Venezuelan Spanish differs in pronounciation from the Spanish spoken in Spain. There are also some variations in vocabulary. Venezuelans call their language castellano.
Besides Spanish, there are over 30 native Indian languages, of which several have common origins. In more remote areas, some Indians still only speak their own language and have no knowledge of Spanish.
Generally, the knowledge of foreign languages in Venezuela is very basic. Even in better hotels the receptionists don't always speak English. It is therefore useful to learn at least some common phrases before your departure to Venezuela, or to carry a phrasebook.
Phrases for the Traveller
Click on 
to hear the pronounciation
| Basics | ||
| yes | si | |
| no | no | |
| I don't know | no se | |
| hello | hola | |
| good morning | buenos días | |
| good afternoon | buenas tardes | |
| good evening | buenas noches | |
| good night | buenas noches | |
| goodbye | hasta luego | |
| please | por favor | |
| thank you | gracias | |
| You're welcome | de nada / a la orden | |
| Useful Phrases | ||
| Do you speak English? | ¿Hablas ingles? | |
| I don't speak Spanish | No hablo español | |
| Please write that down | Por favor escríbelo | |
| Where is ... ? | ¿Donde esta ...? | |
| How can I get to ... ? | ¿Cómo puedo llegar a ... ? | |
| My name is ... | Me llamo ... | |
| What is your name? | ¿Cómo te llamas? | |
| Could I use your telephone? | ¿Podría usar su teléfono? | |
| Getting around | ||
| airport | aeropuerto | |
| bus terminal | terminal de pasajeros | |
| I'd like a ticket to ... | Quiero un pasaje a ... | |
| Is it far? | ¿Está lejos? | |
| hitchhike | pedir la cola | |
| bus stop | parada | |
| ticket | boleto | |
| Healthcare | ||
| accident | accidente | |
| ambulance | ambulancia | |
| hospital | hospital | |
| pharmacy | farmacia | |
| I don't feel well | me siento mal | |
| I have a fever | tengo fiebre | |
| Please call a doctor | Por favor, llame un medico | |
| Where is the nearest hospital? | ¿Dónde queda el hospital más cercano? | |
| Could you help me, please? | ¿Me podrías ayudar, por favor? | |
| Post and Telecommunication | ||
| post office | correo (IPOSTEL) | |
| letter | carta | |
| parcel | paquete | |
| registered mail | correo certificado | |
| public telephone | teléfono público | |
| long-distance call | llamada de larga distancia | |
| international call | llamada internacional | |
| collect/reverse charge call | llamada a cobro revertido | |
| Hotel / Restaurant | ||
| Do you have rooms available? | ¿Hay habitaciones? | |
| single room | habitación sencilla | |
| double room | habitación doble ( 2 beds) habitación matrimonial ( 1 big bed) |
|
| Where is the toilet? | ¿Donde está el baño? | |
| fan | ventilador | |
| air-conditioning | aire acondicionado | |
| the bill | la cuenta | |
Links
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- El dicionario de los panas - Typical Venezuelan expressions (in Spanish only)
- Translation - Utility of AltaVista
- Spanish for Travellers