Spanish Speaking Question

C

CharlesW

The Rainmaker
About once every 2 weeks, a friend of mine and I meet for lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Great food and great service from a bunch of great people.
Now, I would like to be able to walk in some day and address the people in their language. Not a full fledged conversation, but more than just hello. Heck, I don't even know how to say hello.

Just a few thoughts.
Buenos Dias = Good Day, is this OK for a greeting?
Dos = Two, when they ask how many?
Gracias = Thank you
Smoking or non-smoking = Haven't a clue
What do I want to drink? = Aqua for water
Yes = ?
No = ?
What is an acceptable "how ya doing?" type of phrase.
How should I respond to that question if it is asked of me? Bueno = good, which is how I will be doing.
Any suggestions?

Charles
 
Yes = Si
No = No
What is an acceptable "how ya doing?" Como Estas
Well=Bien
Good=Bueno
what the f#$k=qué la cogida

As my famous quote... Google is the answer to all being. Google has all answers to anything. With that said... check this out... you will be speaking fluent spainsh in no time

http://translate.google.com/translate_t
 
let me see if I can recall my Spanish,

no smoking=no fuma

what do you want to drink= Que quiere beber, ( I want water) Quiero aqua

Bueno should be just fine to answer I'm doing good/ok
 
Buenos Dias = Good Day, is this OK for a greeting? Buenos Dias is good for the morning, Buenas Tardes is for the afternoon and Buenas Noches is for night time.
Dos = Two, when they ask how many? Yes
Gracias = Thank you Yes
Smoking or non-smoking = Se puede fumar? If you want to ask if you can smoke.
What do I want to drink? = Aqua for water It is Agua.
Yes = Si
No = No
What is an acceptable "how ya doing?" type of phrase. Como estas?
How should I respond to that question if it is asked of me? Bueno = good, which is how I will be doing. Muy bien gracias.
Any suggestions?
Buenas Tardes! good afternoon
Me da una mesa para dos, por favor. when you are asking for a table for 2 people.
 
Como estas is the familiar. Don't use that unless you are...well familiar with your hosts.

Como esta is the correct and polite form.

As noted Ag ua is the correct word for water.
 
Thanks everyone!
Great information so far.
What I didn't want to do was use a phrase in the incorrect manner and offend someone.
Como esta and como estas being an example of something I would not have been aware of.
I also think the Focusedonsound may have tossed in one that I might not want to use in a family restaurant. :D

Charles
 
I usually limit my speaking to short phrases like gracias, de nada, por favor, si, no, etc. I hate the idea of butchering thier language (although my spanish is good), so I limit it to siple stuff. They recognize my efforts without me tearing apart the language. Pronouncing your meal selection properly helps a lot too.
 
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