Skip to main content

100 Spanish Phrases Every Intermediate Learner Should Know

By Lucia Published:

15 min video

This video brings together 100 useful Spanish phrases for learners who already know the basics and want to sound more natural. Use it as a listening and speaking lesson: notice the phrasing, rhythm, and situations where each expression fits.

Watch the lesson

Try it yourself

Choose ten phrases that you could genuinely use this week. Say each one aloud, make a new sentence with it, and then revisit the video the next day to see how many you can recall without subtitles.

Watch the original lesson on YouTube.

Edited lesson transcript: 100 intermediate Spanish phrases

This reading companion follows Lucia’s English explanations and all 100 Spanish phrase models, with English translations. It keeps the ten levels and the journey through Toledo. Repeated pauses and filler are trimmed, and punctuation is edited for reading.

You may have been learning Spanish for years, yet your brain locks up when you need to speak. Lucia’s focus is rehearsing the moment: practice useful phrases in the real-life situations where you get stuck. The ten levels give you expressions to reach for in those conversations. Along the way, she takes you to ten places in Toledo. She mentions a free PDF with all 100 phrases in the original video description.

0:58 · Level 1: Talking about how long you have been doing something

Video location: Puerta de Bisagra.

You are mid-conversation and want to say how long you have been doing something, but cannot remember which tense fits. Or you want to explain when you started learning Spanish and the sentence falls apart. These phrases show how native speakers express time.

  • 1. Llevo tres años estudiando español.I've been studying Spanish for three years.
  • 2. He estado viviendo en España desde hace seis meses.I've been living in Spain for six months.
  • 3. Hace un año que empecé a aprender español.It's been a year since I started learning Spanish.
  • 4. He trabajado aquí desde 2019.I've been working here since 2019.
  • 5. Llevo mucho tiempo queriendo visitar Latinoamérica.I've been wanting to visit Latin America for a long time.
  • 6. ¿Cuánto tiempo llevas viviendo aquí?How long have you been living here?
  • 7. No he practicado español esta semana.I haven't practiced Spanish this week.
  • 8. Hace años que no hablo con él.I haven't spoken to him in years.
  • 9. Desde que llegué, no he parado de aprender.Since I arrived, I haven't stopped learning.
  • 10. Ya llevo seis meses viendo tus vídeos.I've already been watching your videos for six months.

Been watching for more than six months? Drop a comment and tell Lucia your story. Level one complete!

2:26 · Level 2: Describing your health, energy, or physical state

Video location: Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz.

You feel off but cannot explain it in Spanish, or you need help in a real situation. Don’t worry: no te preocupes. These expressions help you describe your health and energy. In the examples, use malo, cansado, resfriado for masculine agreement, or mala, cansada, resfriada for feminine agreement.

  • 11. Ayer por la noche no dormí bien.I didn't sleep well last night.
  • 12. El fin de semana pasado estuve malo/mala.I was sick last weekend.
  • 13. Me duele la cabeza desde esta mañana.I've had a headache since this morning.
  • 14. Me encuentro un poco cansado hoy. / Me encuentro un poco cansada hoy.I'm feeling a bit tired today.
  • 15. Estoy resfriado, pero nada grave. / Estoy resfriada, pero nada grave.I have a cold, but it's nothing serious.
  • 16. No tengo mucha energía últimamente.I haven't had much energy lately.
  • 17. He tenido dolor de espalda todo el día.I've had back pain all day.
  • 18. ¿Te encuentras bien? Tienes mala cara.Are you okay? You don't look well.
  • 19. Estoy mejor, gracias por preguntar.I'm better, thanks for asking.
  • 20. Me sentó mal la cena de anoche.Last night's dinner didn't agree with me.

Another line in phrase 16: Igual necesitas descansar. — Maybe you need to rest. Here igual means “maybe,” a colloquial use common in Spain. After phrase 20, Lucia jokes that perhaps the dinner upset her because she ate three kilos of natillas for dessert. That is a custard dessert.

Learner note: Lucia recommends me duele la cabeza, using la rather than mi. This is the usual pattern because me already identifies whose head it is. Keep that model, but do not treat every body-part possessive as a grammar error: some regional varieties also use possessives in these constructions. See FundéuRAE’s explanation. The colloquial “maybe” meaning of igual is also recorded in the RAE’s dictionary of doubts.

3:59 · Level 3: Making, changing, or forgetting plans

Video location: Plaza de Zocodover.

Plans change all the time, but discussing that in Spanish can make you freeze. Use these phrases to keep the conversation flowing and adjust plans without sounding rude, awkward, or unsure.

  • 21. ¿Podríamos cambiar el día de la reunión?Could we change the day of the meeting?
  • 22. ¿Te importa si lo dejamos para otro día?Do you mind if we leave it for another day?
  • 23. Perdona, se me había olvidado que habíamos quedado mañana.Sorry, I'd forgotten that we were meeting tomorrow.
  • 24. ¿Qué día te viene bien?What day works for you?
  • 25. ¿Quedamos el jueves por la tarde?Shall we meet on Thursday afternoon?
  • 26. Tengo que cancelar la cita de mañana.I have to cancel tomorrow's appointment.
  • 27. Al final no voy a poder ir.It turns out I won't be able to go.
  • 28. ¿Y si lo hacemos online mejor?What if we do it online instead?
  • 29. Me viene fatal esta semana.This week is a terrible time for me.
  • 30. ¿Podemos moverlo al lunes?Can we move it to Monday?

The magic words help here: lo siento (I’m sorry), perdona (sorry / excuse me), gracias (thank you), and por favor (please).

5:21 · Level 4: Reacting to ideas and making suggestions naturally

Video location: Termas Romanas and Cuevas de Hércules.

You have an idea, but all you can think of is podemos over and over. Lucia uses these expressions a lot. Vary your suggestions with the following models.

  • 31. ¿Y si le preparamos una fiesta sorpresa a Carla?What if we throw Carla a surprise party?
  • 32. ¿Y si probamos algo distinto esta vez?What if we try something different this time?
  • 33. ¿Por qué no salimos a cenar el viernes?Why don't we go out to dinner on Friday?
  • 34. ¿Has pensado en hablarlo directamente con él?Have you thought about discussing it with him directly?
  • 35. Podríamos hacer una videollamada.We could have a video call.
  • 36. ¿Te parece si lo hablamos con calma mañana?How about we talk it over calmly tomorrow?
  • 37. Tengo una idea que quizá te guste.I have an idea you might like.
  • 38. Lo que podríamos hacer es dividir las tareas.What we could do is divide up the tasks.
  • 39. ¡Qué guay! Me encantaría ir contigo.How cool! I'd love to go with you.
  • 40. Vale, pero solo si tú también vienes.Okay, but only if you come too.

Notice ¿Y si…? — “What if…?” Lucia says this is an expression she uses a lot. She also reminds you that the free PDF with all 100 phrases is linked in the video description.

6:47 · Level 5: Expressing preferences and making choices

Video location: Iglesia de San Pedro Mártir.

Someone offers you two or three options, and you cannot find the words for “I prefer,” “I don’t mind,” or “you choose.” These expressions keep the conversation moving.

  • 41. Me gusta más la corbata lisa que la de rayas.I prefer the plain tie to the striped one.
  • 42. De entre estas opciones, prefiero la ensalada.Among these options, I prefer the salad.
  • 43. Me da igual, tú eliges.I don't mind; you choose.
  • 44. Esta me parece más cómoda.This one seems more comfortable to me.
  • 45. Creo que esta opción es mejor para todos.I think this option is better for everyone.
  • 46. No estoy seguro, pero creo que prefiero la otra. / No estoy segura, pero creo que prefiero la otra.I'm not sure, but I think I prefer the other one.
  • 47. Me quedo con la segunda.I'll go with the second one.
  • 48. El bolso azul combina mejor con tus zapatos.The blue bag goes better with your shoes.
  • 49. No me convence del todo, pero puede funcionar.I'm not totally convinced, but it might work.
  • 50. Uf, no sé. ¿Cuál te gusta más a ti?Ugh, I don't know. Which one do you like best?

Now you know 50 phrases! Well done. The more you prepare in advance, the more fluent you can sound in the moment. Rehearse these phrases, then level up, up, up!

8:15 · Level 6: Talking about reasons, blame, or gratitude

Video location: Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes.

You want to explain why something happened, say it was because of someone or something, or admit that it was your fault. If English instincts get in the way, practice these Spanish patterns.

  • 51. Por culpa de mi jefe tengo que trabajar el sábado.Because of my boss, I have to work on Saturday.
  • 52. Gracias a mi compañera me puedo ir de vacaciones.Thanks to my coworker, I can go on vacation.
  • 53. No fui porque estaba lloviendo mucho.I didn't go because it was raining heavily.
  • 54. Gracias a ti lo conseguí.Thanks to you, I managed it.
  • 55. Lo hice por ti.I did it because of you.
  • 56. Por eso te llamé ayer.That's why I called you yesterday.
  • 57. No pude asistir por una emergencia.I couldn't attend because of an emergency.
  • 58. Gracias a ese vídeo entendí el subjuntivo.Thanks to that video, I understood the subjunctive.
  • 59. Todo salió bien gracias al trabajo en equipo.Everything went well thanks to teamwork.
  • 60. Gracias por tu ayuda.Thanks for your help.

For phrase 58, Lucia points viewers to her subjunctive lesson in the video. You are doing great; keep it up. There is something important coming in level ten.

9:25 · Level 7: Talking about what you have done and what you have not

Video location: Puente de San Martín and Río Tajo.

Starting a question with “Have you seen…?” or “Have you done…?” is very common in Spain, as Lucia explains. Learners may avoid these patterns because they fear making mistakes. Don’t skip them: practice the models in their conversation contexts.

  • 61. No he probado nunca los arándanos.I've never tried blueberries.
  • 62. Ya he comido, gracias.I've already eaten, thanks.
  • 63. Todavía no he hablado con ella.I haven't talked to her yet.
  • 64. ¿Has visto la última temporada?Have you seen the latest season?
  • 65. Se me ha olvidado tender la ropa.I forgot to hang out the laundry.
  • 66. Aún no he terminado la presentación.I haven't finished the presentation yet.
  • 67. Nunca he estado en Argentina.I've never been to Argentina.
  • 68. Acabo de llegar.I've just arrived.
  • 69. He estado pensando en eso últimamente.I've been thinking about that lately.
  • 70. No me ha respondido todavía.He or she hasn't replied to me yet.

You have made it through level seven! Be proud of that. Drop the word farola (streetlamp) in the comments so Lucia knows you are part of the cool club. Just three levels left!

10:45 · Level 8: Handling uncertainty, conditions, and polite questions

Video location: Catedral de Toledo.

You are unsure and want to be polite while also being clear. These phrases help you express uncertainty or doubts respectfully.

  • 71. Depende de si tengo mucho trabajo o no.It depends on whether I have a lot of work or not.
  • 72. ¿Te importa si lo hablamos mañana mejor?Do you mind if we talk about it tomorrow instead?
  • 73. Si tengo tiempo, te aviso.If I have time, I'll let you know.
  • 74. No estoy seguro, déjame pensarlo. / No estoy segura, déjame pensarlo.I'm not sure; let me think about it.
  • 75. Puede que sí, puede que no.Maybe yes, maybe no.
  • 76. No sé qué haría en tu lugar.I don't know what I'd do in your place.
  • 77. Si pudiera ayudarte, lo haría.If I could help you, I would.
  • 78. ¿Y si resulta que no funciona?What if it turns out that it doesn't work?
  • 79. ¿Te molestaría si cambio la hora?Would you mind if I changed the time?
  • 80. No tengo claro qué va a pasar.I'm not sure what's going to happen.

You have come so far. Keep practicing: these phrases can make a real difference to your Spanish. Just two more levels!

12:02 · Level 9: Reacting to surprising information or sharing news

Video location: Alcázar de Toledo.

Your friend tells you something wild. You want to respond like a human rather than a textbook, but your brain stalls. These phrases help you jump back into the conversation.

  • 81. ¿Sabes que mi hermana se va a casar?Did you know my sister is getting married?
  • 82. Parece que el profesor hoy está enfadado.It seems the teacher is angry today.
  • 83. ¿En serio? No me lo puedo creer.Seriously? I can't believe it.
  • 84. ¡No me digas!No way!
  • 85. Me acabo de enterar.I just found out.
  • 86. ¡Qué fuerte!That's crazy!
  • 87. ¿Y eso?How come?
  • 88. ¿Cómo es posible?How is that possible?
  • 89. Eso no me lo esperaba.I wasn't expecting that.
  • 90. Te tengo que contar una noticia importante.I have to tell you some important news.

Get ready for the last ten phrases. Take notes and amaze Spanish speakers.

13:02 · Level 10: Using conditionals and hypotheticals with confidence

Video location: Puente de Alcántara.

You want to imagine a scenario, express regret, or say what you would do differently. Lucia explains that the conditional and subjunctive can feel like a maze for students in the program. In the video, conditional forms are orange and subjunctive forms are light blue.

  • 91. Si tuviera más tiempo, iría contigo.If I had more time, I'd go with you.
  • 92. Habría ido, pero tenía mucho trabajo.I would have gone, but I had a lot of work.
  • 93. Si mañana viajo a Málaga, no podré ir.If I travel to Málaga tomorrow, I won't be able to go.
  • 94. Ella está actuando como si no supiera nada.She's acting as if she didn't know anything.
  • 95. Si lo hubiera sabido antes, te habría ayudado.If I'd known earlier, I would have helped you.
  • 96. Como no te des prisa, vas a llegar tarde.If you don't hurry up, you're going to be late.
  • 97. Si llueve, cancelamos la barbacoa.If it rains, we'll cancel the barbecue.
  • 98. Si me toca la lotería, dejo el trabajo.If I win the lottery, I'm quitting my job.
  • 99. Me gustaría que vinieras conmigo.I'd like you to come with me.
  • 100. Aunque tuviera el dinero, no lo compraría.Even if I had the money, I wouldn't buy it.

In phrase 98, winning the lottery means quitting the job: ¡Adiós! — Bye! In phrase 91, tuviera is imperfect subjunctive and iría is conditional. Phrase 95 uses hubiera sabido (pluperfect subjunctive) with habría ayudado (compound conditional). In phrase 99, gustaría is conditional and vinieras is imperfect subjunctive. Phrase 100 similarly pairs tuviera with compraría.

14:25 · Closing: You watched until the end: 100 phrases. Great job! Now that you have practiced them for real-life situations, Lucia recommends the full-hour, subtitled conversation with a Spanish friend shown at the end of the video. Hear these patterns in an unscripted conversation and bridge the gap between learning and speaking. See you there! Her rainy-day closing joke is: “Hurry up, I’m going to get soaked!”

Want to use this in real conversations?In the Spanish Accelerator, a coach corrects you live, every week, until speaking feels natural.
See how it works