Spanish for Bolivia

Mi español · level A0

Asking for directions in Spanish, in Bolivian cities

To ask the way in Spanish, start with disculpe, then ask ¿dónde está la plaza? for a place you both know, or ¿hay una farmacia por aquí? to find one nearby. In Bolivian cities the answer comes in blocks, cuadras, not metres: dos cuadras nomás means just two blocks. Thank the person with muchas gracias before you leave.

  • 2 lessons, about 16 min in all
  • Free, no account
Start with lesson 1

Key phrases, with audio

Every phrase comes from the lessons. Press play to hear it.

  • Disculpe.Excuse me.
  • Disculpe, ¿hay una farmacia por aquí?Excuse me, is there a pharmacy around here?
  • Disculpe, ¿dónde está la salida?Excuse me, where is the exit?
  • Está aquí cerca.It's close by.
  • Hay un banco en la plaza.There's a bank on the plaza.
  • La parada está en la esquina.The stop is on the corner.
  • El banco está a tres cuadras.The bank is three blocks away.
  • Dos cuadras nomás.Just two blocks.
  • Perdón.Sorry (after a bump)
  • Muchas gracias.Thank you very much

How it works

The polite words

Disculpe
Before a question, to get someone's attention: excuse me.
Perdón
Sorry, after a bump or to get past.
Muchas gracias
Thank you very much, before you leave.
De nada
The answer to thanks: you're welcome.

Understanding the answer

Está aquí cerca
It is close by.
en la esquina
On the corner.
a tres cuadras
Three blocks away: distances come in blocks, not metres.
nomás
At the end of the answer: only, no big deal. It is usually good news.

The rule card of lesson 6

hay says there is, estar says where it is

  • hay introduces something new and never changes form: hay un cajero, hay tres cajeros.
  • estar places something you both already know, and agrees with it: el cajero está ahí, los cajeros están ahí.
  • Look at the word before the noun. un, una, dos, algo and nada point to hay. el, la, mi and este point to estar.
  • Hay una farmacia en la esquina.There is a pharmacy on the corner: you are telling them it exists.
  • La farmacia está en la esquina.The pharmacy is on the corner: they already know it, you are saying where.

In Bolivia

What the lessons tell you about doing it here.

  • La Paz · Lesson 5

    Disculpe first

    At a counter in Bolivia, disculpe before your question is a small habit that goes a long way: it shows you know you are interrupting, and it usually earns you a more patient answer.

  • Santa Cruz · Lesson 6

    Blocks, not metres

    In Bolivian cities, directions come in cuadras (blocks), not metres. And nomás at the end, as in dos cuadras nomás, means only, no big deal. In Santa Cruz you will hear it all the time, and it usually carries good news.

  • Terminal · Lesson 18

    Joven: a friendly word for anyone

    When you ask your way at a terminal counter, the employee who answers may call you joven, young one. In Bolivia it is a friendly, respectful way to address someone whose name you do not know, used well beyond actual youth: being called joven at forty is normal, and no one is teasing you.

Short dialogues

The chat that closes each lesson: what you hear, and the reply the lesson teaches.

Doña Carmen, neighbourLesson 5
  1. Buenas tardes. ¿Cómo está?Good afternoon. How are you?
  2. YouEstoy bien, gracias. ¿Y usted?
  3. Bien, gracias.Fine, thank you.
  4. YouDisculpe, ¿hay una farmacia por aquí?
  5. Hay una farmacia en la esquina.There's a pharmacy on the corner.
  6. YouMuchas gracias.
  7. De nada. Hasta mañana.You're welcome. See you tomorrow.
Don Jorge, neighbourLesson 6
  1. Buenas tardes.Good afternoon.
  2. YouBuenas tardes. Disculpe, ¿dónde está la plaza?
  3. Está aquí cerca.It's close by.
  4. YouMuchas gracias. ¿Hay un banco por aquí?
  5. Hay un banco en la plaza.There's a bank on the plaza.
  6. YouMuchas gracias, señor.
  7. De nada. Hasta luego.You're welcome. See you later.

Practise it in a free lesson

Lessons 5 and 6 of Mi español teach exactly this, with short exercises and these dialogues.

  • Lesson 5 · {min} to {max} min Free

    Polite words, and is there one nearby?

    Approach a stranger politely, say sorry and thank you, and ask whether there is a pharmacy or a market nearby.

    Start lesson 5

  • Lesson 6 · {min} to {max} min Free

    Where is it? Asking the way

    Ask where a place is, understand that it is close by, tell there is from it is, and thank the person before you leave.

    Start lesson 6
Start with lesson 1

Use it in Bolivia

The situations these lessons prepare you for.

  • Live it in Bolivia

    Explore Santa Cruz

    Chapter 1 Bolivia Pass

    You will stop someone in the street politely, ask whether something is nearby, and thank them.

    See this situation

Words from the glossary

  • disculpe: excuse me / sorry (usted)
  • cuadra: city block
  • nomás: just, simply (softening particle)
  • joven: 'young one', friendly address term

Every lesson of the course