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Spanish Conversational Skills Syllabus
The Conversational Skills syllabus for Spanish in full: 3 chapters and 9 topics, every one listed below, plus 51 Conversational Skills flashcards with answers.
Conversational Skills syllabus: all 3 chapters
Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.
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Basic Conversation
3 topics- Introducing Yourself
- Asking for Directions
- Shopping and Dining
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Intermediate Conversation
3 topics- Talking About Daily Routines
- Discussing Weather and Travel
- Expressing Opinions and Preferences
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Advanced Conversation
3 topics- Debating and Persuasion
- Narrating Stories and Events
- Discussing Abstract Topics
Spanish Conversational Skills flashcards — 51 questions with answers
In Spanish, what is the standard phrase to say "My name is..." when introducing yourself?
"Me llamo..." (literally "I call myself..."). Alternatively "Mi nombre es..." You then give your name, e.g. "Me llamo Ana."
What is the difference between "¿Cómo estás?" and "¿Cómo está usted?" when meeting someone?
"¿Cómo estás?" is the informal (tú) form used with friends, peers, and children; "¿Cómo está usted?" is the formal (usted) form used with strangers, elders, and in professional settings.
How do you say "Nice to meet you" in Spanish, and what is the typical reply?
"Mucho gusto" or "Encantado/a." A common reply is "Igualmente" (Likewise) or "El gusto es mío" (The pleasure is mine). Use "encantado" if male, "encantada" if female.
When introducing yourself, which verb do you use to state your nationality or profession, and why?
You use "ser" (not "estar") because nationality and profession are permanent/inherent traits, e.g. "Soy mexicano," "Soy médico." Note: professions omit the indefinite article (not "soy un médico").
How do you ask someone's name formally versus informally in Spanish?
Informal: "¿Cómo te llamas?" Formal: "¿Cómo se llama (usted)?" The reflexive pronoun changes from "te" (informal) to "se" (formal).
What is the key phrase for asking "Where is...?" when seeking directions in Spanish?
"¿Dónde está...?" for a specific/fixed location (e.g. "¿Dónde está el baño?"), or "¿Dónde hay...?" (Where is there...?) when asking if any such place exists nearby (e.g. "¿Dónde hay un banco?").
Give the Spanish directional commands for "turn right," "turn left," and "go straight."
"Gire/Doble a la derecha" (turn right), "Gire/Doble a la izquierda" (turn left), and "Siga (todo) recto/derecho" (go straight ahead).
What does "Está a dos cuadras de aquí" mean, and what does "cuadra" refer to?
"It is two blocks from here." "Cuadra" (or "manzana" in Spain) means a city block, the standard unit for describing walking distance in directions.
How do you politely open a request for directions from a stranger in Spanish?
"Disculpe, ¿me podría decir cómo llegar a...?" (Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to...?) or "Perdone, ¿por dónde se va a...?" Using "usted" forms and "podría" (conditional) makes it polite.
What are the Spanish prepositions of location for "next to," "in front of," and "behind"?
"al lado de" (next to), "enfrente de / frente a" (in front of / across from), and "detrás de" (behind). "Cerca de" means near and "lejos de" means far from.
In a shop, how do you ask "How much does it cost?" for one item versus several items?
Singular: "¿Cuánto cuesta?" or "¿Cuánto vale?" Plural: "¿Cuánto cuestan?" The verb "costar" agrees with the item(s) being priced.
What is the polite phrase a shopper uses to say "I would like..." and why is it preferred over "quiero"?
"Quisiera..." or "Me gustaría..." (I would like...). These conditional/imperfect-subjunctive forms are softer and more courteous than the blunt "Quiero..." (I want).
In a restaurant, what is the difference between "la carta" and "la cuenta"?
"La carta" is the menu ("el menú" often refers specifically to a fixed-price meal). "La cuenta" is the bill/check. To ask for the bill: "La cuenta, por favor."
How does a waiter typically ask what you would like to order, and how do you respond?
Waiter: "¿Qué va a pedir?" or "¿Qué desea?" Response: "Para mí, ..." (For me, ...) or "Voy a pedir..." (I'm going to order...), followed by the dish.
What is the standard way to say "I am allergic to..." when dining in Spanish?
"Soy alérgico/a a..." e.g. "Soy alérgica a los frutos secos" (I'm allergic to nuts). Use "ser" and match gender; the item follows "a."
Which verb structure is used to talk about daily routine actions like "I wake up" and "I brush my teeth," and why?
Reflexive verbs, because the action is done to oneself: "me despierto" (I wake up), "me levanto" (I get up), "me lavo los dientes" (I brush my teeth). The reflexive pronoun (me/te/se...) precedes the conjugated verb.
How do you say "in the morning," "in the afternoon," and "at night" in Spanish when describing a routine?
"por la mañana" (in the morning), "por la tarde" (in the afternoon/evening), and "por la noche" (at night). "de la mañana/tarde/noche" is used when giving a specific clock time.
What are three common Spanish adverbs of frequency, ordered from most to least often?
"siempre" (always) > "normalmente / generalmente" (usually) > "a veces" (sometimes) > "casi nunca" (almost never) > "nunca" (never). They describe how often a routine action happens.
How do you tell time in Spanish for "It is one o'clock" versus "It is three o'clock"?
"Es la una" (singular, because one) but "Son las tres" (plural for all other hours). Use "y" for minutes past ("y media" = half past) and "menos" for minutes to the hour.
Which verb means "to have breakfast/lunch/dinner" in Spanish, and give the three verbs.
"desayunar" (to have breakfast), "almorzar / comer" (to have lunch), and "cenar" (to have dinner). "Comer" broadly means "to eat" but often specifically means to have the midday meal.
Show the other 31 Conversational Skills flashcards
How do you say "It's hot," "It's cold," and "It's sunny" in Spanish, and which verb governs these?
Weather uses "hacer": "Hace calor" (it's hot), "Hace frío" (it's cold), "Hace sol" (it's sunny), "Hace viento" (it's windy). "Hace buen/mal tiempo" = the weather is good/bad.
Why do you say "Está lloviendo" but "Hace calor" — which weather expressions use different verbs?
Precipitation and states use their own verbs or "estar": "llueve / está lloviendo" (it's raining), "nieva / está nevando" (it's snowing), "está nublado" (it's cloudy). General conditions use "hacer" (Hace calor/frío/sol/viento).
How do you ask "What's the weather like?" in Spanish?
"¿Qué tiempo hace?" Note that "tiempo" means both "weather" and "time." A forecast question is "¿Qué tiempo va a hacer mañana?"
In travel Spanish, what is the difference between "ida" and "ida y vuelta"?
"(billete/boleto de) ida" is a one-way ticket; "ida y vuelta" is a round-trip (return) ticket. "Billete" is common in Spain, "boleto" in Latin America.
What is the difference between "viajar," "ir," and "venir" in terms of direction of movement?
"viajar" = to travel (general). "ir" = to go (movement away from the speaker toward a destination). "venir" = to come (movement toward the speaker's location).
How do you express "I like" and "I don't like" in Spanish, and what is grammatically unusual about "gustar"?
"Me gusta" (I like it) / "No me gusta." "Gustar" works backwards: the thing liked is the subject and the person is an indirect object, so it literally means "it is pleasing to me." Plural things take "me gustan."
How do you say "I prefer X to Y" in Spanish?
"Prefiero X a Y," e.g. "Prefiero el té al café" (I prefer tea to coffee). Note "a + el" contracts to "al." "Preferir" is an e→ie stem-changing verb (prefiero, prefieres...).
List three Spanish phrases for giving an opinion ("In my opinion...").
"En mi opinión...", "Creo que...", "Pienso que...", "Me parece que...", "Desde mi punto de vista...". Each is followed by a statement of your view.
After "No creo que..." (I don't think that...), which mood must the following verb take, and why?
The subjunctive, because negating belief expresses doubt/uncertainty: "No creo que sea verdad" (I don't think it's true — "sea," not "es"). Affirmative "Creo que es verdad" keeps the indicative.
How do you agree and disagree with an opinion in Spanish?
Agree: "Estoy de acuerdo (contigo)" (I agree with you), "Tienes razón" (You're right). Disagree: "No estoy de acuerdo," "Discrepo," or "No lo veo así" (I don't see it that way).
What is the difference between "me gusta" and "me encanta" when expressing preference?
"Me gusta" = I like it; "Me encanta" = I love it / it delights me (stronger). Ascending intensity: "no me gusta" < "me gusta" < "me gusta mucho" < "me encanta."
In a debate, how do you introduce a counterargument in Spanish ("On the other hand..." / "However...")?
"Por otro lado..." / "Por otra parte..." (on the other hand), "Sin embargo..." / "No obstante..." (however/nevertheless). These transitions signal a contrasting point.
Give three Spanish connectors used to add supporting arguments or reasons in a debate.
"Además" (moreover/besides), "porque" (because), "ya que / puesto que" (since/given that), "por eso" (that's why), "por lo tanto" (therefore). They link claims to reasons or add points.
How do you concede a point while still holding your position in Spanish ("Although...", "Even so...")?
"Aunque..." (although — takes subjunctive for hypotheticals), "a pesar de que..." (despite the fact that), "aun así..." (even so). Example: "Aunque tengas razón, aun así no estoy de acuerdo."
What persuasive phrase means "You have to admit that..." / how do you strengthen a claim in Spanish?
"Hay que reconocer que..." (one has to admit that), "Está claro que..." (it's clear that), "Sin duda..." (without a doubt), "Es evidente que..." (it's evident that).
In persuasion, how do you soften a strong assertion to sound less aggressive in Spanish?
Use hedges: "Quizás..." / "Tal vez..." (perhaps, + subjunctive), "Puede que..." (it may be that, + subjunctive), "Diría que..." (I'd say that), or "En cierto modo..." (in a way).
Which two past tenses are the backbone of narrating stories in Spanish, and what does each do?
The pretérito (preterite) narrates completed, sequential actions that move the plot forward; the imperfecto (imperfect) sets the background — descriptions, ongoing states, weather, time, and habitual past actions.
Explain the contrast in "Llovía cuando salí de casa."
"Llovía" (imperfect) describes the ongoing background condition (it was raining), while "salí" (preterite) marks the single completed action that interrupted it (I left). This background-vs-event pairing is the core of Spanish narration.
List common Spanish time markers that typically trigger the preterite in a narrative.
"ayer" (yesterday), "anoche" (last night), "de repente" (suddenly), "entonces" (then), "el año pasado" (last year), "un día" (one day). They signal a specific, completed moment.
List common Spanish time markers that typically trigger the imperfect in a narrative.
"siempre" (always), "a menudo" (often), "todos los días" (every day), "mientras" (while), "generalmente" (usually), "cuando era niño/a" (when I was a child). They signal habitual or ongoing past.
How do you begin and end a story or fairy tale in Spanish (the equivalents of "Once upon a time" and "happily ever after")?
Begin: "Érase una vez..." / "Había una vez..." (Once upon a time...). End: "...y vivieron felices para siempre" / "y colorín colorado, este cuento se ha acabado" (a traditional closing rhyme).
What is the pluscuamperfecto (past perfect) in Spanish, how is it formed, and when is it used in narration?
It expresses an action completed before another past action. Formed with the imperfect of "haber" + past participle: "había hablado," "habían llegado." Example: "Cuando llegué, ya se habían ido" (they had already left).
How do you sequence events in a narrative using Spanish adverbs for "first," "then," and "finally"?
"Primero" (first), "luego / después" (then/afterward), "más tarde" (later), "por último / finalmente" (finally), "al final" (in the end). These ordinal connectors structure the timeline.
When discussing abstract topics, which mood follows impersonal expressions like "Es importante que..." or "Es posible que...", and why?
The subjunctive, because these impersonal expressions convey value judgment, necessity, or possibility rather than fact: "Es importante que estudiemos," "Es posible que llueva." Exception: "Es verdad/cierto que" takes the indicative.
How do you express hypothetical "if" situations about abstract topics in Spanish (contrary-to-fact conditionals)?
Use "Si + imperfect subjunctive, + conditional": "Si el mundo fuera justo, no habría pobreza" (If the world were just, there would be no poverty). The "si" clause takes the imperfect subjunctive; the result clause takes the conditional.
Which structure lets you generalize about abstract concepts impersonally ("one thinks," "people say") in Spanish?
The impersonal/passive "se": "se dice que" (it is said that), "se piensa que" (one thinks that), "se cree que" (it is believed that). It states a general view without naming a specific subject.
How do you express purpose ("in order to / so that") when discussing abstract ideas in Spanish?
"para + infinitive" when the subject is the same ("Estudio para aprender"), but "para que + subjunctive" when subjects differ ("Te lo explico para que entiendas" — so that you understand).
Give three Spanish phrases for structuring a discussion: introducing, adding, and concluding a point.
Introduce: "Para empezar..." / "En primer lugar..." (to begin / firstly). Add: "Asimismo..." / "Cabe añadir que..." (likewise / it should be added). Conclude: "En conclusión..." / "En resumen..." / "Para terminar...".
What is the difference between "por" and "para," both often translated as "for," in argumentative Spanish?
"Por" expresses cause, reason, or means ("Lucho por la justicia" — I fight because of/for the sake of justice). "Para" expresses purpose, goal, or recipient ("Estudio para el examen" — for the exam). Cause vs. purpose is the key distinction.
How do you ask for clarification or buy time in an abstract Spanish conversation ("What do you mean?" / filler phrases)?
Clarify: "¿Qué quieres decir con eso?" / "¿A qué te refieres?" (What do you mean by that?). Fillers to gain time: "Es decir..." (that is to say), "O sea..." (in other words), "Bueno..." (well), "A ver..." (let's see).
How do you express degrees of certainty about an abstract claim in Spanish, from certain to doubtful?
Certain (indicative): "Estoy seguro de que es cierto," "Sin duda es así." Doubtful (subjunctive): "Dudo que sea cierto," "No estoy seguro de que sea así," "Es poco probable que ocurra." Certainty takes indicative; doubt takes subjunctive.
Spanish Conversational Skills FAQ
What is in the Spanish Conversational Skills syllabus?
Spanish Conversational Skills is split into 3 chapters: Basic Conversation, Intermediate Conversation and Advanced Conversation. Together they contain 9 topics.
How many chapters are in Spanish Conversational Skills?
3 chapters, containing 9 topics. The largest chapter is Basic Conversation, with 3 topics.
Are there flashcards for Spanish Conversational Skills?
Yes — a 51-card Conversational Skills deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.