English Is Common in Tourist Areas
Most hotel staff, museum employees, and restaurant servers in central Madrid speak some English. You can get by in English in major tourist areas. However, in local neighborhoods, smaller tapas bars, pharmacies, and on public transport, Spanish is the primary language. A few Spanish phrases go a long way and are always appreciated by locals.
About Castilian Spanish
Madrid speaks Castilian Spanish (castellano), the standard form of Spanish used in central and northern Spain. This differs from Latin American Spanish in pronunciation, vocabulary, and some grammar.
Key pronunciation differences:
- The "c" and "z" sound: Before "e" or "i", the letter "c" is pronounced like "th" in "think" (not "s" as in Latin America). The letter "z" is always pronounced "th." So "gracias" sounds like "GRAH-thee-ahs" and "plaza" sounds like "PLAH-thah."
- The "ll" sound: In Madrid, "ll" is usually pronounced like "y" in "yes." So "silla" (chair) sounds like "SEE-yah."
- Vosotros: Spaniards use "vosotros" (you all) in informal settings, which you will not hear in Latin America. As a visitor, you can use "ustedes" everywhere without issue.
Accessibility and Mobility
These phrases cover the most common needs for wheelchair users and travelers with mobility limitations.
| Spanish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Uso silla de ruedas | OO-soh SEE-yah deh RWEH-dahs | I use a wheelchair |
| ¿Es accesible para sillas de ruedas? | es ahk-theh-SEE-bleh PAH-rah SEE-yahs deh RWEH-dahs? | Is it wheelchair accessible? |
| ¿Hay ascensor? | eye ahs-then-SOR? | Is there an elevator? |
| ¿Hay rampa? | eye RAHM-pah? | Is there a ramp? |
| ¿Puede ayudarme? | PWEH-deh ah-yoo-DAR-meh? | Can you help me? |
| ¿Donde esta el aseo adaptado? | DON-deh es-TAH el ah-SEH-oh ah-dahp-TAH-doh? | Where is the accessible toilet? |
| La puerta es demasiado estrecha | lah PWER-tah es deh-mah-see-AH-doh es-TREH-chah | The door is too narrow |
| El ascensor no funciona | el ahs-then-SOR noh foon-thee-OH-nah | The elevator is out of order |
Getting Help and Emergencies
Phrases for situations where you need immediate assistance.
| Spanish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Llame a una ambulancia | YAH-meh ah OO-nah ahm-boo-LAHN-thee-ah | Call an ambulance |
| Tengo una emergencia medica | TEN-goh OO-nah eh-mer-HEN-thee-ah MEH-dee-kah | I have a medical emergency |
| Soy alergico/alergica a... | soy ah-LEHR-hee-koh / ah-LEHR-hee-kah ah... | I am allergic to... (male/female) |
| ¿Donde esta la farmacia mas cercana? | DON-deh es-TAH lah far-MAH-thee-ah mahs ther-KAH-nah? | Where is the nearest pharmacy? |
| He perdido mi medicacion | eh per-DEE-doh mee meh-dee-kah-thee-OHN | I have lost my medication |
| ¿Habla ingles? | AH-blah een-GLEHS? | Do you speak English? |
Transportation
Phrases for public transport, taxis, and asking for directions.
| Spanish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Necesito un taxi adaptado | neh-theh-SEE-toh oon TAK-see ah-dahp-TAH-doh | I need an accessible taxi |
| ¿Puede bajar la rampa? | PWEH-deh bah-HAR lah RAHM-pah? | Can you lower the ramp? |
| ¿Esta estacion tiene ascensor? | ES-tah es-tah-thee-OHN tee-EH-neh ahs-then-SOR? | Does this station have an elevator? |
| Me bajo en la proxima parada | meh BAH-hoh en lah PROK-see-mah pah-RAH-dah | I am getting off at the next stop |
| ¿Puede poner mi silla de ruedas en el maletero? | PWEH-deh poh-NEHR mee SEE-yah deh RWEH-dahs en el mah-leh-TEH-roh? | Can you put my wheelchair in the trunk? |
Hotels and Dining
Phrases for checking in, asking about room features, and ordering at restaurants.
| Spanish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| He reservado una habitacion adaptada | eh reh-ser-VAH-doh OO-nah ah-bee-tah-thee-OHN ah-dahp-TAH-dah | I booked an accessible room |
| ¿La ducha tiene asiento? | lah DOO-chah tee-EH-neh ah-see-EN-toh? | Does the shower have a seat? |
| ¿Tienen mesa en la planta baja? | tee-EH-nen MEH-sah en lah PLAHN-tah BAH-hah? | Do you have a table on the ground floor? |
| ¿Puede quitar esta silla? | PWEH-deh kee-TAR ES-tah SEE-yah? | Can you remove this chair? |
| La cuenta, por favor | lah KWEN-tah, por fah-VOR | The bill, please |
| ¿Tienen terraza accesible? | tee-EH-nen teh-RRAH-thah ahk-theh-SEE-bleh? | Do you have an accessible terrace? |
Basic Courtesy
Everyday phrases that are appreciated by locals.
| Spanish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Hola | OH-lah | Hello |
| Buenos dias / Buenas tardes | BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs / BWEH-nahs TAR-dehs | Good morning / Good afternoon |
| Gracias | GRAH-thee-ahs | Thank you |
| Por favor | por fah-VOR | Please |
| Perdone | per-DOH-neh | Excuse me (to get attention) |
| No entiendo | noh en-tee-EN-doh | I do not understand |
| Adios / Hasta luego | ah-dee-OHS / AHS-tah LWEH-goh | Goodbye / See you later |
Translation Apps
Google Translate and Apple Translate both work offline if you download the Spanish language pack before your trip. Both apps support camera translation, which is useful for reading signs and menus. The camera feature works well for deciphering menu items, pharmacy labels, and directional signs.
Find Your Accessible Hotel
Verified photos, room measurements, and accessibility checklists for wheelchair-accessible hotels.
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