70 Basic Spanish Phrases for Your Unforgettable Trip to Paraguay 🇵🇾

¡Hola, futuro viajero a Paraguay! 👋 Are you ready to embark on an adventure to the heart of South America and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of this hidden gem? 💎 Before you pack your bags, let's equip you with the ultimate language toolkit - a collection of 70 must-know Spanish phrases that will have you navigating Paraguay like a pro! 🗺️

Now, you might be thinking, "Spanish? I've got that covered! I've been to Mexico and Spain!" Hold your horses, amigo! 🐎 Paraguayan Spanish has its own unique flavor, with a dash of Guaraní influence that will keep you on your toes. 🌶️ But don't worry, we've got you covered with this definitive guide to mastering the local lingo. 😉

Greetings and Pleasantries (1-10)

1. Hola - Hello (OH-lah)
2. Buenos días - Good morning (BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs)
3. Buenas tardes - Good afternoon (BWEH-nahs TAHR-dehs)
4. Buenas noches - Good evening/night (BWEH-nahs NOH-chehs)
5. ¿Cómo estás? - How are you? (KOH-moh ehs-TAHS)
6. Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú? - Fine, thanks. And you? (bee-EHN, GRAH-see-ahs. ee TOO)
7. Mucho gusto - Nice to meet you (MOO-choh GOOS-toh)
8. Por favor - Please (pohr fah-VOHR)
9. Gracias - Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
10. De nada - You're welcome (deh NAH-dah)

Navigating the City (11-20)

Exploring Paraguay's vibrant cities, like Asunción 🏙️ or Ciudad del Este 🌇, is an essential part of your adventure. Here are some key phrases to help you find your way:

11. ¿Dónde está...? - Where is...? (DOHN-deh ehs-TAH)
12. ...el banco - ...the bank (ehl BAHN-koh)
13. ...el supermercado - ...the supermarket (ehl soo-pehr-mehr-KAH-doh)
14. ...el hospital - ...the hospital (ehl ohs-pee-TAHL)
15. ¿Cómo puedo llegar a...? - How can I get to...? (KOH-moh PWEH-doh yeh-GAHR ah)
16. ...la plaza - ...the square (lah PLAH-sah)
17. ...la catedral - ...the cathedral (lah kah-teh-DRAHL)
18. ...el museo - ...the museum (ehl moo-SEH-oh)
19. ¿Cuánto cuesta el taxi? - How much does the taxi cost? (KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah ehl TAHK-see)
20. ¿Puedes llamar un taxi, por favor? - Can you call a taxi, please? (PWEH-dehs yah-MAHR oon TAHK-see, pohr fah-VOHR)

Dining and Delicacies (21-35)

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with Paraguay's mouthwatering cuisine! 🍽️ From the iconic chipá (cheese bread) to the hearty sopa paraguaya (corn bread), you'll want to savor every bite. Here's how to navigate the culinary scene:

21. ¿Qué me recomiendas? - What do you recommend? (keh meh reh-koh-MYEHN-dahs)
22. Quisiera probar... - I'd like to try... (kee-SYEH-rah proh-BAHR)
23. ...el chipá - ...the chipá (cheese bread) (ehl chee-PAH)
24. ...la sopa paraguaya - ...the Paraguayan soup (corn bread) (lah SOH-pah pah-rah-GWAH-yah)
25. ...el mbeju - ...the mbeju (cassava starch flatbread) (ehl mbeh-HOO)
26. ...el vorí vorí - ...the vorí vorí (Paraguayan chicken soup) (ehl voh-REE voh-REE)
27. ¿Es picante? - Is it spicy? (ehs pee-KAHN-teh)
28. Soy vegetariano/a - I'm vegetarian (SOY veh-heh-tah-RYAH-noh/nah)
29. No como... - I don't eat... (NOH KOH-moh)
30. ...carne - ...meat (KAHR-neh)
31. ...gluten - ...gluten (GLOO-tehn)
32. ...lactosa - ...lactose (lahk-TOH-sah)
33. ¿Puedo ver el menú, por favor? - Can I see the menu, please? (PWEH-doh vehr ehl meh-NOO, pohr fah-VOHR)
34. La cuenta, por favor - The bill, please (lah KWEHN-tah, pohr fah-VOHR)
35. ¡La comida estuvo deliciosa! - The food was delicious! (lah koh-MEE-dah ehs-TOO-voh deh-lee-SYOH-sah)

Shopping and Bargaining (36-45)

Paraguay is a shopper's paradise, with bustling markets 🛍️ and unique handicrafts. 🎨 Here's how to navigate the art of bargaining:

36. ¿Cuánto cuesta esto? - How much does this cost? (KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah EHS-toh)
37. ¿Tiene un descuento? - Do you have a discount? (TYEH-neh oon dehs-KWEHN-toh)
38. ¿Cuál es su mejor precio? - What's your best price? (kwahl ehs soo meh-HOHR PREH-syoh)
39. Es demasiado caro - It's too expensive (ehs deh-mah-SYAH-doh KAH-roh)
40. Ofrezco... guaraníes - I offer... guaraníes (oh-FREHS-koh... gwah-rah-NEE-ehs)
41. ¿Aceptas tarjeta de crédito? - Do you accept credit card? (ah-SEHP-tahs tahr-HEH-tah deh KREH-dee-toh)
42. ¿Dónde puedo comprar...? - Where can I buy...? (DOHN-deh PWEH-doh kohm-PRAHR)
43. ...recuerdos - ...souvenirs (reh-KWEHR-dohs)
44. ...artesanías - ...handicrafts (ahr-teh-sah-NEE-ahs)
45. Me lo llevo - I'll take it (meh loh YEH-voh)

Customs and Culture (46-55)

To truly immerse yourself in Paraguay's rich culture, it's essential to understand some key customs: 🌍

46. ¿Cuál es la costumbre para...? - What's the custom for...? (kwahl ehs lah kohs-TOOM-breh PAH-rah)
47. ...saludar - ...greeting (sah-loo-DAHR)
48. ...despedirse - ...saying goodbye (dehs-peh-DEER-seh)
49. ...dar propina - ...tipping (dahr proh-PEE-nah)
50. ¿Puedo tomar una foto? - Can I take a photo? (PWEH-doh toh-MAHR oo-nah FOH-toh)
51. ¿Qué significa...? - What does... mean? (keh seeg-nee-FEE-kah)
52. ...mba'eichapa - ...how are you (in Guaraní) (mbah-ay-CHAH-pah)
53. ...rohayhu - ...I love you (in Guaraní) (roh-ah-YHOO)
54. ¡Viva Paraguay! - Long live Paraguay! (VEE-vah pah-rah-GWYE)
55. ¡Ike! - Cheers! (EE-keh)

Flirting and Fun (56-65)

Feeling a spark with a local Paraguayan? 😍 Here are some playful phrases to keep the conversation flowing:

56. Eres muy guapo/a - You're very handsome/beautiful (EH-rehs mwee GWAH-poh/pah)
57. ¿Estás soltero/a? - Are you single? (ehs-TAHS sohl-TEH-roh/rah)
58. ¿Quieres bailar? - Do you want to dance? (KYEH-rehs bah-ee-LAHR)
59. Me encantan tus ojos - I love your eyes (meh ehn-KAHN-tahn toos OH-hohs)
60. ¿Qué signo eres? - What's your zodiac sign? (keh SEEG-noh EH-rehs)
61. ¿Te gustaría tomar un café conmigo? - Would you like to have coffee with me? (teh goos-tah-REE-ah toh-MAHR oon kah-FEH kohn-MEE-goh)
62. ¡Qué sonrisa más hermosa tienes! - What a beautiful smile you have! (keh sohn-REE-sah mahs ehr-MOH-sah TYEH-nehs)
63. Me alegra haberte conocido - I'm glad to have met you (meh ah-LEH-grah ah-BEHR-teh koh-noh-SEE-doh)
64. ¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono? - What's your phone number? (kwahl ehs too NOO-meh-roh deh teh-LEH-foh-noh)
65. ¿Te gustaría salir conmigo? - Would you like to go out with me? (teh goos-tah-REE-ah sah-LEER kohn-MEE-goh)

Humorous Insults (66-70)

Engage in some playful banter with these lighthearted Paraguayan insults: 😜

66. Sos un banana - You're a banana (sohs oon bah-NAH-nah)
67. Cabezón/a - Big head (kah-beh-SOHN/nah)
68. ¡Qué pecho frío! - What a cold chest! (keh PEH-choh FREE-oh)
69. Andá a freír churros - Go fry churros (ahn-DAH ah freh-EER CHOO-rrohs)
70. ¡Qué nabo/a! - What a turnip! (keh NAH-boh/bah)

FAQs

Q: Do I need to know Guaraní to visit Paraguay?A: While knowing some Guaraní phrases can help you connect with locals, Spanish is widely spoken and will suffice for most interactions.

Q: Is it safe to travel to Paraguay?A: Paraguay is generally safe for tourists, but as with any destination, exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings.

Q: What's the best time to visit Paraguay?A: The best time to visit Paraguay is between May and September, during the dry season, when temperatures are mild and rainfall is minimal.

Now that you're armed with these 70 essential Spanish phrases, you're ready to embark on your Paraguayan adventure! Remember, don't be afraid to put your language skills to the test – Paraguayans are known for their warmth and hospitality, and they'll appreciate your efforts to speak their language. 🤗

¡Buen viaje! 🌎✈️