Survival Spanish for Daily Life in Mexico
⚠️ Disclaimer: For general information only — not tax, financial, or legal advice. Figures may be outdated or incorrect; tax rules change frequently. Verify important decisions with the CRA/IRS or a qualified professional. You use this information at your own risk.
The short answer
You don't need fluent Spanish to live in Mexico — but 30 well-chosen phrases will unlock restaurants, taxis, markets, and your landlord. Here's the survival kit, plus the fastest ways to level up in Mexico City.
The 30 phrases that matter
Greetings & politeness
- Hola / Buenos días / Buenas tardes / Buenas noches — hello / good morning / afternoon / evening
- Por favor / Gracias / De nada — please / thanks / you're welcome
- Con permiso — excuse me (passing by); Perdón — sorry
- ¿Habla inglés? — do you speak English?
Ordering food
- La carta, por favor — the menu, please
- Quisiera… / Para mí… — I'd like… / for me…
- ¿Qué me recomienda? — what do you recommend?
- La cuenta, por favor — the check, please
- ¿Aceptan tarjeta? — do you take cards?
- Para llevar — to go; Para comer aquí — to eat here
- Sin picante / poco picante — not spicy / a little spicy
- ¡Qué rico! — delicious!
Taxis & directions
- ¿Cuánto cuesta ir a…? — how much to go to…?
- Aquí está bien, gracias — here is fine, thanks
- ¿Puede poner el taxímetro? — can you turn on the meter?
- A la derecha / a la izquierda / derecho — right / left / straight
Shopping & markets
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? / ¿Cuánto es? — how much?
- ¿Tiene algo más barato? — do you have anything cheaper?
- Solo estoy viendo, gracias — just looking, thanks
- ¿Me da un kilo de…? — give me a kilo of…
Landlord & apartment
- ¿Cuándo vence la renta? — when is rent due?
- Se descompuso… (el boiler / la regadera) — the … broke (water heater / shower)
- ¿Incluye el mantenimiento? — does it include the maintenance fee?
How Mexicans actually speak
- Diminutives soften everything: ahorita (right now… ish), tantito (a little bit). "Ahorita" famously can mean anything from "in a minute" to "never" — read the tone.
- ¿Mande? means "pardon?" — it's polite, not rude.
- Tipping waiters 10–15% is expected; say la propina if adding it.
Fastest ways to learn in CDMX
- Apps: Duolingo for daily habit; italki for cheap 1-on-1 conversation practice with Mexican tutors (often under US$10/hour).
- Schools: Instituto de Lengua y Cultura / International House in Roma/Condesa run group courses popular with expats; many offer 2–4 week intensive modules.
- Practice: order in Spanish even when they switch to English; join intercambio (language exchange) meetups — free and social.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get by with zero Spanish in Mexico City?
In Roma, Condesa, and Polanco — mostly yes, thanks to tourism and expats. Outside those bubbles, daily life (landlords, plumbers, markets) runs on Spanish. Learn the 30 phrases first.
Is Mexican Spanish very different from Spain's?
Yes in accent and slang, no in grammar basics. Ustedes replaces vosotros, and slang (güey, chido, órale) is everywhere. You'll adapt in weeks.
Should I learn before I arrive?
A month of Duolingo + the phrase list above is enough to land softly. Serious study is easier once you're surrounded by it.
Sources
- Instituto Cervantes, Plan curricular (reference for standard usage): https://cvc.cervantes.es/ensenanza/biblioteca_ele/plan_curricular/default.htm
- italki tutor marketplace: https://www.italki.com
- Duolingo Spanish course: https://www.duolingo.com/course/es/en/Learn-Spanish
Disclaimer — please read. This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not tax, accounting, legal, financial, or immigration advice, and reading it does not create a professional or client relationship between you and Llandora. Tax and immigration rules change frequently and differ by country, province/state, and personal circumstances; figures, thresholds, and examples in this article may be outdated, incomplete, or incorrect, and may not apply to your situation. Always verify current rules with the official sources (CRA, IRS, IRCC, USCIS) and consult a licensed professional before making any decision. Llandora makes no warranty of any kind — express or implied — about the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or timeliness of this content. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Llandora disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, cost, or expense arising from errors or omissions in this article or from any action taken or not taken in reliance on it, whether direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential. You rely on this article entirely at your own risk.