Learn how to ask the right questions on your next trip to Latin America or Spain!
If you’re traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, mastering a few basic question words can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’re asking for directions, checking times, or figuring out what’s for dinner, these interrogatives will help you communicate clearly and confidently.
❓Common Spanish Question Words Every Traveler Should Know
Here are the most useful interrogatives and how to use them:
📍 ¿Dónde…? – Where…?
Use this to ask for location.
- 🗣️ ¿Dónde está el baño?
(Where is the bathroom?) - 🗣️ ¿Dónde puedo tomar un taxi?
(Where can I get a taxi?)
🕒 ¿A qué hora…? – At what time…?
Perfect for asking about schedules or appointments.
- 🗣️ ¿A qué hora sale el bus?
(What time does the bus leave?) - 🗣️ ¿A qué hora abre el museo?
(What time does the museum open?)
📅 ¿Cuándo…? – When…?
Ask about dates and times with this word.
- 🗣️ ¿Cuándo es el tour?
(When is the tour?) - 🗣️ ¿Cuándo llegan tus amigos?
(When are your friends arriving?)
🧭 ¿Cómo…? – How…?
Useful for learning about methods or conditions.
- 🗣️ ¿Cómo llego al centro?
(How do I get downtown?) - 🗣️ ¿Cómo se dice “menu” en español?
(How do you say “menu” in Spanish?)
❓ ¿Qué…? – What…?
Use this to ask for clarification or information.
- 🗣️ ¿Qué es esto?
(What is this?) - 🗣️ ¿Qué recomiendas?
(What do you recommend?)
👤 ¿Quién…? / ¿Quiénes…? – Who…? (singular/plural)
Ask about people.
- 🗣️ ¿Quién va contigo?
(Who is going with you?) - 🗣️ ¿Quiénes están en el grupo?
(Who are in the group?)
🤔 ¿Por qué…? – Why…?
Great for asking reasons or causes.
- 🗣️ ¿Por qué está cerrado?
(Why is it closed?) - 🗣️ ¿Por qué hay tanta gente?
(Why are there so many people?)
💰 ¿Cuánto…? / ¿Cuántos…? / ¿Cuántas…? – How much? / How many?
Useful when shopping or handling money and quantities.
- 🗣️ ¿Cuánto cuesta?
(How much does it cost?) - 🗣️ ¿Cuántos días vas a quedarte?
(How many days are you staying?)
💡 Bonus Tip: Use a Rising Intonation
When speaking Spanish, you can also turn a statement into a question simply by raising your voice at the end.
Example:
- ¿Tienes una reserva? (Do you have a reservation?)
Rising intonation = question tone.
✈️ Travel Confidently with These Questions
Knowing these basic Spanish question words will help you navigate travel situations like:
- Booking transportation
- Asking for directions
- Ordering food
- Shopping in local markets
- Interacting with locals!
🌎 Want to learn more useful Spanish for travel? Join one of our Spanish Immersion Programs and travel with us to Costa Rica or Ecuador—where you’ll improve your Spanish through real-world practice, not just textbooks!
