Useful Phrases for Making Requests in Spanish: A Guide for Beginners

Learning how to make requests is an essential skill in any language, and Spanish is no exception. In Spanish, there are different ways to ask for things depending on the context and the relationship with the person you’re speaking to. Below, we’ll explore five common situations where you might need to make a request in Spanish and provide you with key expressions you can use in each scenario.

1. At the Bar

When you’re at a bar or café in Spain, a very common way to ask for something is by saying “¿Me pones…?” which translates roughly to “Can you give me…?” It’s an informal and natural way to order food or drinks from the bartender or server. Here are some examples:

  • ¿Me pones un café con leche? (Can you give me a coffee with milk?)
  • ¿Me pones un zumo de naranja? (Can you give me an orange juice?)

2. Asking Someone to Do Something

If you need someone to do something for you, you can use the structure “¿Puedes + infinitive?” which means “Can you + verb?” This is a polite and straightforward way to ask for assistance or a favor. For example:

  • ¿Puedes pasarme el informe? (Can you pass me the report?)
  • ¿Puedes abrir la ventana? (Can you open the window?)
  • ¿Puedes hablar más bajo? (Can you speak more quietly?)

3. Asking for Permission

When you want to ask for permission, a common phrase in Spanish is “¿Puedo + infinitive?” which translates to “Can I + verb?” This shows respect for the other person’s space or belongings and is a courteous way to make a request. Examples include:

  • ¿Puedo usar tu teléfono? (Can I use your phone?)
  • ¿Puedo sentarme aquí? (Can I sit here?)
  • ¿Puedo coger tu coche? (Can I take your car?)

4. Borrowing Something

If you need to borrow something, you can use “¿Me prestas…?” or “¿Me dejas…?” which translate to “Can you lend me…?” or “Can you let me…?”. Here are some examples:

  • ¿Me prestas tu teléfono? (Can you lend me your phone?)
  • ¿Me dejas un bolígrafo? (Can you lend me a pen?)
  • ¿Me dejas 20 eurillos? (Can you lend me 20 euros?)

5. Asking for Something Without Returning It

Sometimes, you might need to ask for something that you won’t be giving back, like a cigarette or a minute of someone’s time. In these cases, “¿Me das…?” meaning “Can you give me…?” is the appropriate phrase. Examples include:

  • ¿Me das un cigarro? (Can you give me a cigarette?)
  • ¿Me das fuego? (Can you give me a light?)
  • ¿Me das una copia del informe? (Can you give me a copy of the report?)

Conclusion

Learning to make requests properly in Spanish will help you navigate everyday situations more smoothly and communicate more effectively. Whether you’re ordering a coffee at a bar or asking for help at work, each context requires a specific way of making your request. Practice these expressions, and soon you’ll find your Spanish sounding more natural and fluent.

We hope this guide has been helpful in explaining different ways to make requests in Spanish. Do you know any other useful expressions? Let us know in the comments!