Spanish Phrases You’ll Actually Use in Mexico City

As a solo foreign traveller in Mexico City, where most locals don’t speak English fluently, I quickly learned that knowing a few basic Spanish phrases goes a long way. It smooths out everyday interactions and—more importantly—it shows respect for the culture and people who call this vibrant city home.

With that in mind, I put together a Spanish cheat sheet for fellow travellers who want to get by with a little more ease (and maybe even impress a local abuela). It’s a collection of essential phrases I’ve personally found most useful during my trip so far.

This isn’t an exhaustive guide, but it’ll cover your bases if you want to be the kind of traveller who genuinely tries—whether you’re ordering at a taquería, figuring out how to explain “no cilantro,” or trying to snag a deal on a handwoven tote in Coyoacán.

🗂️ What’s Inside the Cheat Sheet?

I’ve grouped the phrases into four super practical categories:

👋 General Greetings

You’ll use these literally everywhere. A friendly “buenos días” can warm up any interaction and instantly shows locals that you’re making an effort to speak their language.

🍽️ Ordering Food

Let’s face it—eating is a big part of why many of us travel. That said, ordering can feel daunting, especially when menus are in Spanish only (which is common). In those moments, Google Translate’s camera function is your best friend—just point, snap, and decode. Still, a few key phrases will get you far without having to mime “one taco, no onions.”

🛍️ Shopping

From bustling mercados (markets) to chic little boutiques, these phrases come in handy when browsing, asking about sizes, or making purchases. Bonus: knowing how to ask for a discount in Spanish? Iconic behaviour.

🔢 Numbers

Knowing your one to ten in Spanish is more useful than you might think. For example, if you’re like me and always use a security PIN when calling an Uber, you’ll need to say that number in Spanish to your driver—or risk a lot of awkward silence.

Anyway, enough preamble, here’s the link to the cheat sheet. I hope it helps you navigate your Mexico City adventures with a bit more ease—and maybe a little more confidence too. ¡Buen viaje!