50 Intermediate Spanish Phrases for Real Conversations
Move beyond textbook lines and practise Spanish you can use in an actual exchange. In this video, Lucía presents 50 intermediate phrases for real conversations. Watch once for the flow, then return to the expressions you want to use yourself.
Watch the lesson
Make the phrases your own
Pause after a phrase and say it aloud before Lucía continues. Repeat it with a detail from your own life, then record a short answer using three phrases from the lesson. Revisit your recording tomorrow and try again without looking at the screen.
Edited lesson transcript
Follow the complete lesson in its original order, with all 50 Spanish phrases, Lucía’s English explanations and the Spanish examples. This transcript has been edited for punctuation and caption errors; music cues and repeated caption fragments are omitted. The lines marked Example translation are English translations of the Spanish examples. Time links let you replay each part. A learner note below clarifies one literal gloss in the video.
0:00 — Introduction
¡Hola! In this video, I am going to teach you 50 small-talk phrases that native speakers actually use in everyday conversations, so you get them right away when they say them and you sound more natural too. Watch till the end so you don’t miss the phrases I personally use constantly. And you can download the PDF with the phrases of this lesson for free in the description below.
0:27 — Starting a conversation / Iniciando una conversación
I grouped the phrases into ten topics so it’s easier to follow along. Let’s start where every conversation starts: breaking the ice. Starting a conversation. Iniciando una conversación.
0:32 — 1. ¿Qué es de tu vida?
What have you been up to?
Literally, “What’s of your life?” A step up from a simple “How are you?” This one invites a real catch-up.
¿Qué es de tu vida? ¡Hace siglos que no te veo!
Example translation: What have you been up to? I haven’t seen you in ages!
0:47 — 2. ¿Alguna novedad?
Any news?
¿Qué sabes de Pablo? ¿Alguna novedad?
Example translation: What do you know about Pablo? Any news?
0:54 — 3. ¡Qué casualidad!
What a coincidence!
Perfect for when you bump into someone you know somewhere unexpected. “¡Qué coincidencia!” means exactly the same.
¡Isa! ¡Qué casualidad! ¿Qué haces por aquí?
Example translation: Isa! What a coincidence! What are you doing here?
1:14 — Making plans / Haciendo planes
Once you’ve broken the ice, the conversation might lead to you making plans with that person. Making plans. Haciendo planes.
1:17 — 4. ¿Te apuntas?
Are you in?
Use this anytime you’re inviting someone to join something. You can reply with “Claro, me apunto”: “Sure, I’m in!” Or “Cuenta conmigo”: “Count me in.”
Vamos a cenar el viernes. ¿Te apuntas?
Example translation: We’re going out for dinner on Friday. Are you in?
1:32 — 5. ¿Tienes algo que hacer luego?
Do you have anything to do later?
A casual, low-pressure way to feel out if someone is free.
¿Tienes algo que hacer luego? Podríamos tomar algo.
Example translation: Do you have any plans later? We could have a drink.
1:46 — 6. Ahí estaré.
I’ll be there.
Confirms you’re definitely coming. “Ahí estaré” or “Allí estaré.”
—La fiesta es a las nueve. —Perfecto, ahí estaré.
Example translation: —The party is at nine. —Perfect, I’ll be there.
2:00 — 7. Luego te confirmo.
I’ll confirm later.
For when you’re not 100% sure and you don’t want to commit.
—¿Vienes a la cena? —No lo sé todavía, luego te confirmo.
Example translation: —Are you coming to dinner? —I don’t know yet; I’ll confirm later.
2:20 — Opinions / Opiniones
Now, a huge part of sounding natural in Spanish isn’t just what you say; it’s how you react to other people. Let’s talk about giving opinions. Opiniones.
2:23 — 8. A mí me parece que…
I think that…
Your go-to way to introduce an opinion without sounding too blunt.
A mí me parece que tiene razón.
Example translation: I think they’re right.
2:33 — 9. Depende de cómo se mire.
It depends how you look at it.
The perfect noncommittal answer. Very Spanish.
—¿Salió bien? —Depende de cómo se mire.
Example translation: —Did it go well? —It depends how you look at it.
2:47 — 10. Yo no lo veo así.
I don’t see it that way.
A polite way to disagree without starting a fight.
Yo, la verdad, no lo veo así.
Example translation: Honestly, I don’t see it that way.
2:57 — 11. Puede ser.
Could be.
Short, useful and very common. A safe response when you’re not fully convinced.
—Creo que va a llover. —Puede ser.
Example translation: —I think it’s going to rain. —Could be.
3:12 — 12. Eso no tiene nada que ver.
That has nothing to do with it.
For when someone brings up an unrelated point in an argument. You’ll hear this a lot in Spanish debates.
Eso no tiene nada que ver con lo que estamos hablando.
Example translation: That has nothing to do with what we’re talking about.
3:35 — Reactions / Reacciones
Okay, now someone tells you, “Mi hermana está embarazada”: “My sister is pregnant.” What would you reply? In Spanish, of course. Let me give you some options. Reactions. Reacciones.
3:38 — 13. ¡No me digas!
No way!
Classic reaction to any kind of news: big or small, good or bad.
—A María le han dado la beca. —¡No me digas! ¡Qué bien!
Example translation: —María has been awarded the scholarship. —No way! That’s great!
3:53 — 14. ¡Qué fuerte!
That’s intense!
For genuinely shocking or surprising news.
—Le han despedido sin avisar. —¡Qué fuerte!
Example translation: —He’s been fired without warning. —That’s shocking!
4:07 — 15. ¡Anda ya!
Come on!
A more playful, disbelieving reaction, often used with a smile.
—He ganado la lotería. —¡Anda ya!
Example translation: —I’ve won the lottery. —Come on!
4:20 — 16. No puede ser.
That can’t be.
Genuine disbelief. Slightly more serious in tone.
—Se ha cancelado el vuelo. —No puede ser.
Example translation: —The flight has been cancelled. —That can’t be.
4:32 — 17. Me quedé de piedra.
I was stunned.
Literally, “I turned to stone.” For describing your own reaction to something shocking after the fact.
Cuando me lo dijo, me quedé de piedra.
Example translation: When they told me, I was stunned.
4:46 — 18. Eso sí que no me lo esperaba.
I really didn’t see that coming.
Similar to the last one, but works great as an immediate reaction too.
¿En serio se van a vivir a Japón? Eso sí que no me lo esperaba.
Example translation: Seriously, are they moving to Japan? I really didn’t see that coming.
5:04 — Complaints / Quejas
Wow. Not every conversation is exciting news, though. Sometimes we just need to vent a little. Complaints. Quejas.
5:07 — 19. No aguanto más.
I can’t take it anymore.
For when you’ve had enough. “No puedo más” also works.
No aguanto más este calor.
Example translation: I can’t take this heat anymore.
5:16 — 20. No tengo ganas de nada.
I don’t feel like doing anything.
A very common way to express low motivation, physical or emotional.
Hoy no tengo ganas de nada, la verdad.
Example translation: Honestly, I don’t feel like doing anything today.
5:31 — 21. Estoy hecho/a polvo.
I’m exhausted.
Literally, “I became dust.” One of the most common ways to say you’re wiped out.
Learner note: Estoy means “I am”: this describes a present state. “I’m exhausted” is the idiomatic meaning; the video’s past-tense literal gloss is clarified in the accuracy note below.
Estoy hecha polvo. He dormido fatal.
Example translation: I’m exhausted. I slept terribly.
5:44 — 22. Ya no sé qué hacer.
I don’t know what to do anymore.
Perfect for venting about a problem with no clear solution.
Lo he probado todo. Ya no sé qué hacer.
Example translation: I’ve tried everything. I don’t know what to do anymore.
5:55 — The free phrase sheet
Hey, amigo o amiga! If you want all 50 phrases in one place so you can review them without rewatching or taking notes, I made a free PDF cheat sheet with every phrase and translation. You can download it from the link in the description or by scanning this QR code, completely free.
6:17 — Encouraging and comforting / Animar o consolar a alguien
¡Muy bien! Back to the phrases. When someone’s venting to you, though, you need to know how to respond. Let’s cover that. Encouraging, comforting someone. Animar o consolar a alguien.
6:22 — 23. No te preocupes, todo se arregla.
Don’t worry, everything will work out.
A classic, warm response to someone who’s stressed.
No te preocupes, todo se arregla, ya verás.
Example translation: Don’t worry; everything will work out, you’ll see.
6:35 — 24. Ánimo, tú puedes.
Cheer up, you’ve got this!
Short and encouraging. Great for a friend facing something difficult.
¡Ánimo, tú puedes con esto!
Example translation: Come on, you’ve got this!
6:47 — 25. Eso tiene solución.
That has a solution.
Reassuring someone that their problem isn’t as bad as it feels.
Tranquila, eso tiene solución.
Example translation: Relax; there’s a solution to that.
6:58 — 26. Cuenta conmigo para lo que necesites.
Count on me for anything.
A sincere offer of support.
Cuenta conmigo para lo que necesites, ¿vale?
Example translation: Count on me for whatever you need, okay?
7:09 — 27. No le des más vueltas.
Don’t overthink it.
For when someone’s overanalysing a situation.
No le des más vueltas. Ya está hecho.
Example translation: Don’t overthink it. It’s already done.
7:20 — 28. Todo pasa por algo.
Everything happens for a reason.
A common, slightly philosophical way to comfort someone.
Todo pasa por algo, ya lo verás.
Example translation: Everything happens for a reason, you’ll see.
7:38 — Likes and preferences / Gustos y preferencias
Comforting people is easier when you also know how to talk about your own tastes and preferences, right? Which brings us to our next group: likes and preferences. Gustos y preferencias.
7:43 — 29. No me llama mucho la atención.
It doesn’t really interest me.
A polite way to say something is not for you.
El fútbol no me llama mucho la atención.
Example translation: Football doesn’t really interest me.
7:53 — 30. No es lo mío.
It’s not my thing.
A very common, casual way to say something isn’t for you.
Cocinar no es lo mío.
Example translation: Cooking isn’t my thing.
8:03 — 31. Soy más de…
I’m more of a … person.
Great for comparing preferences.
—¿Te gusta el té? —Yo soy más de café.
Example translation: —Do you like tea? —I’m more of a coffee person.
8:15 — 32. Me da lo mismo.
It’s all the same to me.
For when you don’t have a preference.
—¿Prefieres pizza o pasta? —Me da lo mismo.
Example translation: —Do you prefer pizza or pasta? —It’s all the same to me.
8:25 — 33. Para gustos, colores.
To each their own.
Literally, “For tastes, colours.” A classic saying used when people disagree on preferences.
A mí no me gusta, pero bueno, para gustos, colores.
Example translation: I don’t like it, but, well, to each their own.
8:49 — Connectors and fillers / Conectores y muletillas
If this is helping, drop a like; it helps the channel a lot. ¡Gracias! And keep going. Now let’s look at a few small words that instantly make you sound more fluent. Connectors and fillers. Conectores y muletillas.
8:54 — 34. O sea…
I mean… / That is…
One of the most used fillers in everyday Spanish. Use it to clarify or rephrase.
O sea, lo que quiero decir es que no puedo ir.
Example translation: I mean, what I’m trying to say is that I can’t go.
9:05 — 35. A todo esto…
By the way… / Speaking of which…
Great for changing topics smoothly or adding a related thought.
A todo esto, ¿sabes si viene Marta?
Example translation: By the way, do you know if Marta is coming?
9:17 — 36. Total, que…
So, anyway…
Useful when wrapping up a story or explanation.
Total, que al final no fuimos.
Example translation: So, anyway, we didn’t end up going.
9:27 — 37. Como te decía…
As I was saying…
For picking a conversation back up after an interruption.
Como te decía, el problema fue el vuelo.
Example translation: As I was saying, the problem was the flight.
9:49 — Everyday expressions / Expresiones útiles para el día a día
These four alone will make your Spanish sound noticeably smoother. Natives use them constantly, often without even noticing. Let’s move on to some handy, all-purpose expressions you’ll hear a lot in conversations. Handy everyday expressions. Expresiones útiles para el día a día.
9:55 — 38. Ni se te ocurra.
Don’t even think about it.
Strong, direct, often said half joking, half serious.
Ni se te ocurra llegar tarde.
Example translation: Don’t even think about being late.
10:06 — 39. A ver qué pasa.
Let’s see what happens.
For uncertain situations.
No sé cómo va a salir esto. A ver qué pasa.
Example translation: I don’t know how this will turn out. Let’s see what happens.
10:16 — 40. Eso está por ver.
That remains to be seen.
A bit more sceptical than the previous phrase.
—¿Funcionará el coche? —Eso está por ver.
Example translation: —Will the car work? —That remains to be seen.
10:27 — 41. Miedo me da.
That scares me.
A playful inversion of “Me da miedo”, used a lot in casual speech.
—¿Qué hará Pedro por su cumpleaños? —Miedo me da.
Example translation: —What will Pedro do for his birthday? —It scares me to think about it.
10:40 — 42. ¿Qué le vamos a hacer?
What can we do about it?
A resigned, philosophical shrug of a phrase.
Se ha cancelado el plan. ¿Qué le vamos a hacer?
Example translation: The plan has been cancelled. What can we do about it?
10:51 — 43. Así es la vida.
That’s life.
Simple, universal and used constantly.
No salió como queríamos, pero así es la vida.
Example translation: It didn’t turn out how we wanted, but that’s life.
11:05 — Saying goodbye / Despedidas
And finally, how to wrap up a conversation like a native! Saying goodbye. Despedidas.
11:09 — 44. Saluda a tu familia de mi parte.
Say hi to your family for me.
A polite, warm way to end a conversation with someone you don’t see often. And you know their family, of course.
Saluda a tu familia de mi parte.
Example translation: Say hi to your family for me.
11:23 — 45. Me alegro de verte.
Good to see you.
Warm and sincere.
Me alegro mucho de verte, de verdad.
Example translation: I’m really glad to see you, honestly.
11:31 — 46. Cuídate.
Take care.
Sincere and common as a goodbye.
Nos vemos pronto. Cuídate.
Example translation: See you soon. Take care.
11:39 — 47. Ya nos contamos.
We’ll catch up later.
A relaxed way to end things when you’ve been catching up on life updates.
Bueno, me tengo que ir. Ya nos contamos.
Example translation: Well, I have to go. We’ll catch up later.
11:50 — 48. Hablamos luego.
We’ll talk later.
Very common, especially when ending a phone call or chat.
Vale, hablamos luego.
Example translation: Okay, we’ll talk later.
12:00 — 49. Que vaya bien.
I hope everything goes well for you.
Short, casual; works in almost any context.
Que vaya muy bien.
Example translation: I hope everything goes really well for you.
12:10 — One more phrase
Oh, those were 49. I need one more phrase. Wait, let me check on WhatsApp anything that I say a lot. Okay, I say this one all the time.
12:18 — 50. ¡Qué guay!
How cool!
Someone tells me anything cool and I’ll go, “¡Qué guay!”
—Mañana me voy de viaje a Italia. —¡Qué guay! ¡Qué envidia!
Example translation: —Tomorrow I’m going on a trip to Italy. —That’s so cool! I’m jealous!
12:34 — The conversation challenge
Hearing the phrases in context is what really makes them stick. So here’s your challenge: watch my one-hour real conversation video with my friend Dani. Try to notice phrases from this video and learn a handful of new ones. Click here to watch it next and see how much real Spanish you can understand when natives are just talking like normal people.
A note on the literal gloss
At 5:34, the video gives “I became dust” as a literal gloss of Estoy hecho/a polvo. The idiomatic translation “I’m exhausted” is correct. Estoy describes a present state: the image is closer to “I’m reduced to dust”, rather than the past-tense “I became dust”. Use hecho or hecha to agree with the person speaking. The RAE dictionary records estar hecho polvo as an informal expression for feeling deeply worn down.
