
Tourists in Spain warned against using 'common' Spanish phrases that could get them in trouble
Visiting another country and learning local phrases can be a fun and fulfilling experience, but in Spain, a number of linguistic slip-ups are causing red faces.
According to Statista, over 18 million Brits visited Spain last year - and many may have left locals scratching their heads - or smirking when their back is turned.
Claudio Guasti, head of culture and communication at City Lit, has shared four of the most common - and hilarious - mistakes Brits make when speaking Spanish abroad.
Here's what to watch out for - and what to say instead - when visiting the popular holiday hotspot this year:
1. Avoid accidentally telling people you are aroused if you are warm
If you're feeling warm and want to express that in Spanish, avoid saying 'estoy caliente.'
While this might seem like a direct translation of 'I'm hot,' it actually refers to feeling sexually aroused in Spanish when describing a person.
The correct phrase to use is 'tengo calor,' which means, 'I have heat,' and is the appropriate way to say you feel hot due to the weather.
'Caliente' can still be used to describe food or drinks, for example: 'Quiero un té caliente', which means 'I'd like a hot tea', and 'El café está muy caliente', which means 'coffee is very hot'.
2. Avoid accidentally telling people you're married, instead of tired
Two similar-sounding Spanish words can cause confusion are 'cansado' and 'casado'.
'Estoy cansado' (for men) or 'estoy cansada' (for women) means 'I am tired'.
Meanwhile, 'estoy casado/casada' means 'I am married'.
It's an easy mix-up that could lead to confusion and awkwardness in conversation, so take care to use the correct term, especially when discussing how you feel.
3. Avoid accidentally saying you are pregnant, instead of embarrassed
A common language mistake is assuming 'embarazada' means 'embarrassed' because of the similarity in spelling. In fact, 'embarazada' means 'pregnant'.
To say you're embarrassed in Spanish, the correct phrase is 'estoy avergonzado' if males or 'estoy avergonzada' if female.
Using the wrong word in this case may lead to confusion or misunderstanding, so it's helpful to memorise the correct expression.
4. Avoid using 'hasta la vista' when saying goodbye - no one says this!
While the phrase 'hasta la vista' is recognised due to its appearance in popular films, it is not commonly used by native Spanish speakers in everyday conversations.
More appropriate and natural phrases for saying goodbye include 'hasta luego' (see you later) or 'adiós' (goodbye).

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
'Tourists at my Majorca hotel race for sunbeds - but I show them there's no point'
Clare Wright, from Nottingham, is staggered to see dozens of tourists at Protur Playa Cala Millor Hotel in Majorca, Spain, battle for sunbeds "like something out of The Hunger Games" A Brit is perplexed to film dozens of tourists at her Majorca hotel race for sunbeds - because she insists she gets one every morning without trouble. Speaking in a TikTok post from the hotel during her holiday, Clare Wright, 44, says she "has a little giggle" at the holidaymakers who she watches scramble for loungers each morning. The battle for prime spots at Protur Playa Cala Millor Hotel in Majorca, Spain, "like something out of The Hunger Games," Clare says. "People gathered in the cafe area from about 8:30am waiting for a little chain that the staff had put around a small section of the pool to be removed. As the staff finished the cleaning and walked towards the chain, everybody stood.... and as it was lifted, the games began." And in footage Clare has shared online, tourists dash across the pool deck the second the gates open. Holding towels and sunbathing gear, they had been queuing for half an hour. Clare recorded the clip during her five-day holiday the four-star hotel, which is on the east of the Spanish island. Speaking after filming the video, Clare, from Nottingham, added: "I watched from my balcony, having a little giggle, went to breakfast and then to the pool at about 10am to find a sun bed without any problem at all." "The night before, the entertainment manager said, 'No leaving towels down, the staff clean the pool area in the morning and no running as the floor will be wet and slippy, we are all adults here.' "I thought, 'What? People won't be running to get a sun bed here.' So I decided to watch and film it... I watched from my balcony, having a little giggle, went to breakfast and then to the pool at about 10am to find a sun bed without any problem at all." Clare said the race was pointless as there were enough sun loungers for everyone. The tourist continued: "There really was no need. It was such a lovely hotel and we had an amazing time there. It wasn't the hotel's fault - they had enough beds for everyone." Clare shared the clip on her TikTok account Wright_Wanders. The footage racked up more than 57,000 views and commentors described the guests as "sad". One said: "God, how said if that's what holidays are about." Another person added: "I hate this. I love hotels that remove stuff after 30 minutes if not in use." A third said: "That's just horrific. I'd never fight for a sun bed... Just come back from Majorca and in the hotel I was in, the pool opened at 10 no stress for a sun bed."

South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
European countries Blue Badges can be recognised for parking
If heading to the likes of Portugal or Croatia soon, your Blue Badge could make parking that little bit easier when heading out to explore. However, advises that before visiting a country, you should always check whether it recognises the UK Blue Badge. It explains: 'Some countries may require you to display a local parking notice as well as your Blue Badge.' Popular countries in Europe where Blue Badges could be used Let's take a look at just some of the most popular countries in Europe where your Blue Badge could be recognised: Austria Belgium Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark - you must use a parking disc (clock) if using parking time concessions Estonia Finland Germany Hungary Ireland Malta Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Sweden Switzerland - you must use a parking disc (clock) if using parking time concessions says France 'may not recognise non-EU issued parking cards' while in Italy 'non-EU parking cards accepted in some regions only'. You can see the full list of European countries where Blue Badges are recognised for parking on the website. Blue Badge user rules UK travellers can also find links to each country's rules when it comes to parking for disabled people and Blue Badges. states: 'Even in countries that recognise the Blue Badge, parking rules can vary in different parts of the country. Rules can also change, and some countries may have changed their rules since the pages linked to this guidance page were published (June 26). 'You should research local parking regulations or get in touch with the relevant local authority for specific information. 'Local tourist information centres can also provide advice on parking rules for disabled people and may tell you about any specific requirements or restrictions in the area you are visiting.' Recommended reading: adds: 'We recommend that you carry any supporting documentation that may be required, such as a doctor's note or a translation of your Blue Badge, especially when travelling to countries with stricter parking rules.' When parking in European countries, Brits should always look for any signage indicating disabled parking spaces. Additionally, make sure that your Blue Badge is displayed correctly and that you comply with any additional requirements, such as displaying a parking disc in countries such as Denmark.


Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Travel experts reveal flight booking 'hack' can actually cost you more
Brits looking to save money on holidays have been warned of a common misconception that one 'hack' could help them snap up a better deal on their next break Budget-savvy Brits will know that when it comes to saving money on a getaway, it's not just all about finding the best holiday deals. Whether it's swerving cabin bag fees with clever packing tricks or unearthing cheap underrated destinations, there are plenty of ways to stretch your budget that little bit further. However, there's one common 'hack' that most Brits do thinking it will save them money, but in reality it could actually cost you more. Travel experts have spoken out and revealed that you should always think twice before going for the cheapest flight option when booking your holidays. The insiders have debunked the myth that "flying into the budget airport saves loads". When it comes to the major holiday destinations, there usually is one main international airport where most airlines fly. However, budget carriers such as easyJet and Ryanair often offer alternative flights to the same destination, such as a regional airport or another travel hub close by. If you've got a choice of two, it can be tempting to book the airport with the cheapest fares, but this doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get the best deal. In fact, if you don't do your research, it could cost you a lot more overall. The HelloTickets team warned that in reality, opting for a budget airport can actually mean "longer transfers, pricey shuttles, extra fatigue (amplified with kids)". That's not to say you shouldn't go for the cheaper airport; just work out the costs before you part with your cash. They explained: "Once you add transfer time and fares, the main airport is cheaper or equal almost one trip in two—and you're downtown faster." For example, Milan has three airports; Milan Malpensa (MXP), Milan Linate (LIN), and Milan Bergamo (BGY). Malpensa is the main airport, but Linate is closer to the city centre. As for Milan Bergamo, this is about an hour's drive away from the city centre, and therefore you can often find cheaper fares. If you fly to the latter, you'll need to pay for train tickets or a cab fare, which could cost you more than the ticket price difference if you'd gone for one of the other two airports. Get the latest travel news straight to your phone! JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP: Discover your next dream getaway in the UK or abroad by joining our free Mirror Travel WhatsApp community HERE. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. It's not the first time that UK holidaymakers have been warned that a cost-cutting trick could actually end up making a bigger dent in their holiday budget. While airlines' hand luggage rules can be a nightmare to navigate, in recent years people have been using the 'pillow hack' to get around those strict allowances. This trick involves packing some of your clothes into a pillow that you bring on the flight, so it doesn't technically count towards your allowance and you can get extra items onboard with you. It's worth noting that a lot of airport staff have wised up to the trick, but if you're lucky they will be kind and turn a blind eye. However if you're unlucky, then staff may decide your pillowcase is an extra bag, and charge you accordingly; often, this turns out to be more than if you'd paid for a second bag in the first place. But that's not the only risk; it could also mean you're denied boarding and unable to enjoy your holiday at all!