Spanish speakers don’t use these 8 textbook expressions!

The stuff you learn in Spanish

textbook

s is good if you are just getting started, but did you know that us native

speakers

don't really talk like that to each other? In this video, I will show you

textbook

expressions

that I took from actual textbooks. One hundred percent real! They will have you learn things that our native

speakers

never use. Instead you have to learn the alternatives that I will show you in this video. I'm Paulísima, Spring Spanish teacher, and this is your first expression: Number 1. Where is the nearest metro station? Where is the nearest subway station?

The problem with this expression is that it is way too formal. Don't worry. If you use this expression, people will understand what you are trying to say. They will totally understand you. But you're here because you want to sound more natural, right? You can use these alternatives: The subway? Excuse me, which subway is closest? Yes, Allende. It's two blocks. Is there a subway around here? Yes, the Balderas metro is just around the corner. Excuse me, the subway? No, there is no subway here in Puebla, miss. Number 2. How do you charge me so much? How do you charge me so dearly?

This is just not the way someone would ask how something comes too expensive. At least not in Mexico. It seems a little "rude" to ask why something is expensive but... I can think of a couple situations where someone would ask this question. For example, if we are comparing between two similar products. Excuse me, how much do these cost? One hundred fifty pesos. And these? Six hundred. Why so expensive? The thing is that these are originals and these are imitations, that's why they are cheaper. Or in a taxi: How much do I owe you? One hundred and twenty pesos.

Why so expensive? It's the rate. Excuse me, why so expensive? It's what marks. Two things, first: Notice how I start most of my questions with: Excuse me. This is very common in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. It's just the way we are. We are very polite. You can learn more about our strange Mexican ways in this video. And second: If a taxi doesn't have a fit, you should ask for the price before boarding. You can learn all the Spanish that you would need to travel in a taxi in this video. Number 3. I would like to rent a car I would like to rent a car.

It sounds too formal too. That "would like" is not very common, at least not in Mexico. Good morning, to rent a car? Of course. What kind of car? Good morning, how can I help you? Yes, good morning, I come to rent a car. Number 4. Is there room service? There is room service? No, it doesn't sound natural at all, at least not in Mexico. One would ask this question in a hotel, but we would say: Is there room service? Or you could also say: Do you have room service? Or even: Do you have room service? Let me check availability.

We have a room with a garden view, is that okay? Yes that's fine. Excuse me, is there room service? Of course yes miss. I would just have to dial zero from the room. Yes that's fine. Excuse me, is there room service? Yes, Miss. Twenty-four hours. 5. Can you recommend a typical dish from here? Can you recommend a good wine? Can you recommend a…? is not a pattern that a native Spanish speaker would use. I've never heard anyone in Mexico asking this question in this way. Instead of trying to come up with your own way to say something you should try learning by chunks.

Chunks can help you speak fluently faster. Download a list with important Spanish chunks in the link in the description. If you are asking for a recommendation for yourself: We would say: Could you recommend a typical dish? o Can you recommend a typical dish? If you are asking for a recommendation for more people: we would say Could you recommend a typical dish? o Could you recommend a wine? That ME and NOS is what makes all the difference. It's my first time here in Puebla. Could you recommend me a typical dish? Yes, of course, I recommend the mole or the cemitas.

Number 6. I have a reservation in the name of… I have a reservation in the name of… The problem with this is that we wouldn't put or we wouldn't say the "yo" at the beginning. It's not necessary, because the conjugation "tengo" implies that we're talking about "yo", about me. Good evening, I have a reservation in the name of Paulísima. For two. I don't use the word "reserva" but I have heard it a lot. People do use it. It's just short for "reservation". Let me know in the comments if you use the word "reserva" or if you have heard the word.

Good morning, I have a reservation in the name of Paulísima. For four. Number 7. A room with a double bed A room with a double bed. No no no. It just doesn't sound right. Double bed sounds very strange. If you want a room with just one bed that fits two then, you want a simple room. If what you wanted is a room with two beds, then you want is a double room. I don't have a reservation, but we need a double room. Of course you do, miss. Do you have simple rooms? No miss, all our rooms are doubles.

Number 8. Can I request a late check-out? Can I request a late checkout? No, no, it doesn't sound good at all. I have never heard anyone say this phrase. This is supposed to mean "Can I get a late check-out?". But it doesn't sound right, even though "exit late" literally translates as "late check-out" But in Mexico we wouldn't use that phrase "Exit late" we would actually use the English word. We would say: Check out. Excuse me, would a late checkout be possible? I feel a little bad and need to rest a little more. Or: Excuse me, could you please check out later?

We have 10 more streets vs. textbook Spanish

expressions

for you. And Cory will take over and teach them to you right now.