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Spanish Chunks Library

Master high-frequency phrases using the 80/20 principle for rapid Spanish fluency

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Spanish Chunks to Master

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¿Qué tal?

How's it going?

Greetings & Smalltalk
Very common informal greeting used with friends, family, and colleagues. Often used alone or as a follow-up to hola.
3 examples
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Por favor

Please

Politeness Phrases
Essential politeness word. Used at the end or beginning of a request. Also used alone to get attention or express …
3 examples
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No hay mal que por bien no venga

Every cloud has a silver lining

Idioms & Sayings
One of the most common Spanish proverbs. Used to find something positive in a bad situation. Often said to comfort …
3 examples
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Tomar una decisión

To make a decision

Word Combinations
One of the most essential collocations in Spanish. Note: Spanish uses tomar (to take), not hacer (to make) with decisión.
3 examples
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¿Cómo estás?

How are you?

Greetings & Smalltalk
Standard informal greeting. Use ¿Cómo está usted? in formal situations.
3 examples
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Gracias

Thank you

Politeness Phrases
The most essential word in any language. Works in every context. Always well received.
3 examples
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Más vale tarde que nunca

Better late than never

Idioms & Sayings
Said when something happens later than expected but is still welcome. Can be used sincerely or with mild irony.
3 examples
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Hacer una pregunta

To ask a question

Word Combinations
Spanish uses hacer (to make/do) with pregunta — not preguntar una pregunta, which is redundant. Very common in class and …
3 examples
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¿Cómo te va?

How's it going for you?

Greetings & Smalltalk
Slightly warmer than ¿Cómo estás? — implies genuine interest in how things are going in life.
3 examples
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Muchas gracias

Thank you very much

Politeness Phrases
More emphatic than gracias. Use when someone has done something significant or gone out of their way for you.
3 examples
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En boca cerrada no entran moscas

Silence is golden / If you keep your mouth shut, you won't put your foot in it

Idioms & Sayings
Literally 'Flies don't enter a closed mouth'. Advises keeping quiet to avoid trouble or saying something you'll regret.
3 examples
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Dar un paseo

To go for a walk / To take a walk

Word Combinations
The natural collocation for taking a walk. Also dar una vuelta (to take a stroll). Both are very common in …
3 examples
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Buenos días

Good morning

Greetings & Smalltalk
Used from sunrise until around noon. Standard in both formal and informal settings.
3 examples
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De nada

You're welcome

Politeness Phrases
Standard response to gracias. Literally means 'of nothing' — implying it was no trouble at all.
3 examples
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A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda

The early bird catches the worm

Idioms & Sayings
Literally 'God helps those who rise early'. Encourages being proactive and starting things early to get the best results.
3 examples
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Perder el tiempo

To waste time

Word Combinations
Fixed collocation. Spanish uses perder (to lose) with tiempo, not malgastar, in everyday speech. The opposite is aprovechar el tiempo.
3 examples
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Buenas tardes

Good afternoon

Greetings & Smalltalk
Used roughly from noon until sunset. Common in shops, offices, and formal greetings.
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Lo siento

I'm sorry

Politeness Phrases
Used to apologise for something you did or to express sympathy. Stronger than perdón. Lo siento mucho = I'm very …
3 examples
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Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Idioms & Sayings
Advises accepting what you have rather than risking it for something better that may not materialise.
3 examples
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Tener razón

To be right

Word Combinations
Essential collocation. Spanish uses tener (to have) where English uses 'to be'. Never say 'ser correcto' for a person being …
3 examples
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