50 Simple Spanish Questions To Ask in a Conversation (and How To Answer)
Want to know how to create more fluid and authentic Spanish conversations?
The secret ingredient is questions!
Just a few simple Spanish questions can transform your quiet small talk into a flowing conversation.
Don’t let your anxiety or nerves stop you from starting that first dialogue.
Intimate conversations create lasting bonds, increased happiness, greater life longevity, and less stress.
Humans are social creatures—we thrive on relationships and connection! It’s time to let your socialization needs run free.
Dive into this guide for 50 Spanish questions across a variety of topics, along with excellent tips and tricks for conversing in your second language.
These dialogue examples, question words and answers, and speaking prompts will reshape you into a Spanish conversationalist master!
¿Qué esperas?
What are you waiting for?
Table of Contents:
- How To Have a Conversation in Spanish
- About Spanish Question Words
- How To Write Questions in Spanish
- Spanish-Speaking Prompts
- Spanish Conversation Topics
- 50 Spanish Questions To Use in Conversation
- Spanish Dialogue Examples
- Practice Conversations in Spanish With a Free Class
How To Have a Conversation in Spanish
Looking for tips on how to start a conversation in Spanish?
The first conversation you have in Spanish is always the scariest. However, it quickly gets easier with practice!
These 3 conversational tips and tricks will help you feel more comfortable and better prepared for your future Spanish discussions!
1. Take Control of the Conversation
When you’re speaking in your second language, there will always be words and phrases that you don’t know.
One way to avoid getting too confused is by taking control of the conversation. Steer your conversation companion towards the topics that you are most familiar with. This way, you will be better prepared to answer and understand them.
Once you’re feeling comfortable, make the bold choice to discuss a more difficult topic. New topics can be challenging, but they also help you learn tons of new words!
2. Ask Lots of Questions
Conversation is a vocal back and forth dance between people. You can present simple questions to take the lead and guide your dance partner.
They also enable you to learn more about things you don’t fully understand.
You can use questions to pause the conversation or clarify something your partner said that you didn’t understand. So, stock up on simple past questions so that you can always be prepared.
Questions are powerful—be sure to use them!
3. Watch Body Language
Talking in your non-native tongue is challenging in the beginning.
The speaker across from you might use words you don’t know or slang that doesn’t translate well.
Making eye contact and watching body language go a long way to smoothing the conversation channels. Hand motions and body gestures are a language in and of themselves!
If your Spanish is failing you, just listen to what their body is saying!
About Spanish Question Words
Some of the most important words in any language are “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” “why,” and “how.”
These question words enable you to search for answers, direct thoughts, and gain new insights. They are an essential part of any language learner’s vocabulary.
Here are some simple ways to use them!
Where (¿Dónde?)
Whether you need to ask for directions or talk about geography, dónde is the word you will need!
Dónde means “where” in Spanish. But, if you add the preposition a in front of the word, then it becomes “to where.”
Similarly, the preposition de makes the word become “from where.”
Take a look at these example sentences!
Examples
¿Dónde está la tienda?
Where is the store?
¿De dónde viene?
Where is it coming from?
¿Adónde vamos?
Where are we going?
When (¿Cuándo?)
If you want to ask about calendar plans in Spanish, then you need to know the word cuándo!
Cuándo is Spanish for “when.” Use cuándo to discover events, holidays, and more!
Keep in mind that you can’t use this word to ask for a specific time. If you want to know the exact time in minutes or hours, then you need to use a qué hora (at what time).
Examples
¿Cuándo es el concierto?
When is the concert?
¿Cuándo son las vacaciones?
When is vacation?
What/Which (¿Qué?/¿Cuál?)
You can say “what” in Spanish using two different words.
More often than not, qué is the correct question word to use.
The only time you need to use cuál is when you are asking about a choice between options. It’s sort of like saying “which” in English.
Examples
¿Qué estás haciendo?
What are you doing?
¿Cuál es tu color favorito?
Which color is your favorite?
Who (¿Quién?)
Use quién to ask about people in Spanish. If you are asking about just one person, then it’s quién.
If you need to ask about multiple people, then you have to use quiénes.
Examples
¿Quién eres tú?
Who are you?
¿Quiénes son?
Who are they?
¿Quién lo hizo?
Who did it?
Why (¿Por qué?)
Por qué is an incredibly helpful question word. It let’s you understand the purpose and meaning behind something.
Additionally, por qué can transform into porque to become a new word. Por qué translates as “why” but porque means “because!”
Examples
¿Por qué lo hizo?
Why did he do that?
¿Por qué están aquí?
Why are they here?
How (¿Cómo?)
Use cómo to ask “how” in Spanish. Cómo helps you learn how things work and how you can achieve results.
Bear in mind that you can’t use cómo to ask “how much” or “how many.” For these questions, you need to use the question word cuanto!
Examples
¿Cómo funciona?
How does it work?
¿Cómo puedo aprender español?
How can I learn Spanish?
How Many/Much (¿Cuántos?)
Cuántos is all about numbers!
This question word allows you to ask “how many” or “how much” in Spanish.
Examples
¿Cuánto cuesta?
How much does it cost?
¿Cuántos hay?
How many are there?
How To Write Questions in Spanish
Questions in Spanish are slightly different from those in English.
One distinct difference with Spanish questions is that they utilize two question marks.
Just like in English, Spanish questions have a normal question mark at the end of the sentence. However, they also have a second upside-down question mark at the beginning!
The two question marks look like this:
¿Cómo estás?
How are you?
It’s important to remember that the question marks go only around the question itself. Any connecting words or introductions should be left out!
Here are some examples:
Si mañana llueve, ¿quieres ir al cine?
If it rains tomorrow, do you want to go to the movies?
El año que viene, ¿dónde vivirás?
Next year, where will you live?
Tú vs Usted
When asking questions in Spanish, you can use either tú or usted. Both of these second person pronouns are a way to say “you” in Spanish.
However, you need to use each one in the proper context!
Usted
Use usted when you want to respond with respect or professionalism. Usted is the better choice when talking with teachers, elders, and strangers.
Tú
Tú, on the other hand, is for conversations between close friends or children. It’s very informal and shows a sense of familiarity.
If you aren’t sure which pronoun to use, just mimic the one that the other person is using!
To conjugate verbs using usted you drop the “s.” If you hear someone add an “s” in a conversation, that means they are speaking to you using tú.
Take a look at the differences in these examples!
How are you?
¿Cómo estás?
¿Cómo está usted?
Who are you?
¿Quién eres tú?
¿Quién es usted?
Spanish-Speaking Prompts
It can be hard to know how to start a conversation in Spanish.
Having some Spanish prompts on hand is an excellent way to assure your impromptu conversation takes place.
These Spanish prompts let you ease into the conversation and ask permission to begin.
¿Tienes un momentito?
Do you have a moment?
¿Puedo hacerte una pregunta?
Can I ask you a question?
Tengo una pregunta para ti.
I have one question for you.
Spanish Conversation Topics
There is no shortage of questions to ask people when you are learning a second language. There is a whole new culture for you to discover!
When you first start learning a second language, it can be helpful to have your conversation topics prepared. By knowing and studying your conversation topics ahead of time, your conversational Spanish will flourish!
Here are some beginner Spanish conversation topics that you are sure to come across!
The Weather
Talking about the weather makes for easy small talk. Rain, snow, sleet, or shine, you can discuss the outdoors no matter what the clouds decide!
Study Resources:
Books/Movies/Media
Nothing tells you more about a person than their favorite song, book, or TV show. These works of entertainment provide an insight into their listener’s character and values.
Books and TV are strong bonding tools. Find someone who shares the same interests as you to form an instant connection!
Study Resources:
- 11 Native Spanish Shows on Netflix for Teenagers (14+)
- Free Ebooks for Beginners
- 10 Most Famous Spanish Songs of the 80s With Lyrics PDF
Restaurants/Food
There are delightful desserts and dinners to talk about from all over the globe!
Food is a favorite topic of many since it leaves you feeling full and satisfied. Fill up your brain with some yummy vocabulary so that you never miss out on these appetizing conversations!
Study Resources:
Local Sights/Events/Travel
The Spanish language is spread all over the world. There are lots of new countries and events to explore!
Prepare for your visit abroad with these travel and locational vocabulary terms!
Study Resources:
- A Vocabulary Guide to Roads and Traffic in Spanish
- Places and People in Your Neighborhood
- Travel Vocabulary
50 Spanish Questions To Use in Conversation
Now that you know the most common conversation topics in Spanish, it’s time to ask questions!
These 50 Spanish questions are sure to enhance your conversational skills. Get ready to converse with native speakers like a pro!
Conversation Starters in Spanish
Sometimes, the hardest part of talking is starting the dialogue. Practicing easy Spanish conversation starters can help take the nerves and anxiety out of striking up a conversation.
Here are some basic Spanish questions to ask someone in nearly any situation!
1. How are you? (¿Cómo estás?)
2. Where are you from? (¿De dónde eres?)
3. What is your name? (¿Cómo te llamas?)
4. I like your shirt! Where did you get it? (Me gusta tu camiseta. ¿Dónde la conseguiste?)
5. How is your day? (¿Cómo va tu día?)
6. What are your plans for this weekend? (¿Qué planes tiene para este fin de semana?)
7. Have you been here before? (¿Has estado aquí antes?)
Example Questions and Answers
¿Cómo estás?
Estoy bien, gracias.
How are you?
I am good, thank you.
¿De dónde eres?
Soy de los Estados Unidos.
Where are you from?
I am from the United States.
¿Qué planes tienes para este fin de semana?
Este fin de semana voy a salir con mis amigos.
What are your plans for this weekend?
This weekend, I am going to hang out with my friends.
Get To Know You Questions
The most rewarding part about conversations is creating a lasting human connection.
Socialization is an essential part of a well-rounded lifestyle. Communication and conversation even have cognitive and health benefits!
Discover your new friend’s personality, preferences, and perspective with these get to know you questions!
8. Where did you grow up? (¿Dónde creciste?)
9. What is your favorite book/movie? (¿Cuál es tu libro/película favorita?)
10. How old are you? (¿Cuántos años tienes?)
11. What do you like to do for fun? (¿Qué te gusta hacer para divertirte?)
12. What is the most memorable lesson you learned? (¿Cuál es la lección más memorable que ha aprendido?)
13. What is your biggest fear? (¿Cuál es tu mayor temor?)
14. Who is your hero? (¿Quién es tu héroe?)
15. Who is your favorite author? (¿Cuál es tu autor favorito?)
Example Questions and Answers
¿Cuántos años tienes?
Tengo 20 años.
How old are you?
I am 20 years old.
¿Dónde creciste?
Me crié en la ciudad.
Where did you grow Up?
I grew up in the city.
¿Qué te gusta hacer para divertirte?
Para divertirme me gusta leer.
What do you like to do for fun?
For fun, I like to read.
Questions About the Weather
Conversing about the weather is a famous small talk tactic. This neutral topic is safe in just about any situation!
16. What’s the weather like today? (¿Qué tiempo hace hoy?)
17. What is the temperature? (¿Cuál es la temperatura?)
18. Is it raining? (¿Está lloviendo?)
19. Should I bring a jacket? (¿Debo llevar una chaqueta?)
20. How hot/cold is It? (¿Cuánto calor/frío hace?)
21. What is your favorite season? (¿Cuál es tu estación favorita?)
Example Questions and Answers
¿Qué tiempo hace hoy?
Hace sol y calor.
What’s the weather like today?
It’s sunny and hot.
¿Cuál es tu estación favorita?
Mi estación favorita es el verano.
What is your favorite season?
My favorite season is summer.
¿Está lloviendo?
No, no llueve.
Is it raining?
No, it’s not raining.
¿Cuál es la temperatura?
Estamos a 50 grados.
What is the temperature?
It is 50 degrees.
Yes or No Questions
Sometimes, a simple “no” or “yes” will suffice!
Cut to the chase with these quick questions that only require one-word answers.
22. Do You Like ___? (¿Te gusta ___?)
23. Do you have pets? (¿Tienes mascotas?)
24. Do you drink coffee? (¿Tomas café?)
Example Questions and Answers
¿Te gusta el senderismo?
Sí, me gusta el senderismo.
Do you like hiking?
Yes, I like hiking.
¿Tomas café?
No, no tomo café.
Do you drink coffee?
No, I don’t drink coffee.
Family Questions
Family members sneak their way into your heart. They grow up with you, take care of you, and spend lots of time with you (sometimes too much!).
Unsurprisingly, you might want to share about your family during the conversation. These household questions enable you to do just that!
25. Do You Have a large or small family? (¿Tienes una familia grande o pequeña?)
26. Do you have any brothers or sisters? (¿Tienes hermanos o hermanas?)
27. What is your favorite family tradition? (¿Cuál es tu tradición familiar favorita?)
Example Questions and Answers
¿Tienes una familia grande o pequeña?
Tengo una familia pequeña.
Do you have a large or small family?
I have a small family.
¿Tienes hermanos o hermanas?
Tengo una hermana.
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
I have one sister.
¿Cuál es tu tradición familiar favorita?
Mi tradición familiar favorita es comer juntos durante las fiestas.
What is your favorite family tradition?
My favorite family tradition is eating together during the holidays.
Discuss Food
Who wouldn’t want to talk about their favorite dishes and preferred cuisines?
Eating is something you do every day! Food is a huge part of culture and lifestyle. Food preferences and differences are a fun topic to explore—especially with someone from another country!
Explore new tastes and smells with these delicious questions!
28. Do you like to cook? (¿Te gusta cocinar?)
29. What ‘s your favorite food? (¿Cuál es tu comida favorita?)
30. Do you have a favorite local restaurant? (¿Tienes un restaurante local favorito?)
31. What ‘s the craziest thing you’ve ever eaten? (¿Qué es lo más loco que has comido?)
Example Questions and Answers
¿Te gusta cocinar?
Me encanta cocinar.
Do you like to cook?
I love cooking.
¿Cuál es tu comida favorita?
Mi comida favorita es la pasta.
What’s your favorite food?
My favorite food is pasta.
¿Tienes un restaurante local favorito?
Mi restaurante favorito es Panera.
Do you have a favorite local restaurant?
My favorite restaurant is Panera.
¿Qué es lo más loco que has comido?
Lo más loco que he comido son los caracoles.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever eaten?
The craziest thing that I have ever eaten is snails.
Asking About Work
Work is a huge part of most people’s lives. Naturally, they will have a lot to say about this topic.
Discuss dream jobs, unique careers, and amazing projects with these 5 simple Spanish questions!
32. What is your job? (¿Cuál es tu trabajo?)
33. What is the first thing you do after work? (¿Qué es lo primero que haces después del trabajo?)
34. What ‘s your dream job? (¿Cuál es el trabajo de tus sueños?)
35. How long have you been at your job? (¿Cuánto tiempo llevas en tu trabajo?)
36. Do you like your job? (¿Te gusta tu trabajo?)
Example Questions and Answers
¿Cuál es tu trabajo?
Soy contador.
What is your job?
I am an accountant.
¿Cuánto tiempo llevas en tu trabajo?
Llevo tres años en mi trabajo.
How long have you been at your job?
I have been at my job for three years.
¿Cuál es el trabajo de tus sueños?
Mi trabajo soñado es escribir.
What’s your dream job?
My dream job is writing.
Talking About Travel
You don’t have to live abroad to talk about travel!
This exciting topic adds spice and wonder to any conversation. It helps you learn more about the world and explore different experiences.
These are very simple Spanish questions that will help you talk about your dream destination!
37. Do you prefer to visit the city or nature? (¿Prefiere visitar la ciudad o la naturaleza?)
38. What countries have you traveled to? (¿A qué países has viajado?)
39. Do you speak any other languages? (¿Hablas otros idiomas?)
40. Do you prefer the beach or mountains? (¿Prefieres la playa o la montaña?)
Example Questions and Answers
¿Prefiere visitar la ciudad o la naturaleza?
Prefiero la ciudad.
Do you prefer to visit the city or nature?
I prefer the city.
¿Hablas otros idiomas?
Hablo tres idiomas.
Do you speak any other languages?
I speak three languages.
¿Prefieres la playa o las montañas?
Prefiero la playa.
Do you prefer the beach or the mountains?
I prefer the beach.
Funny Questions To Ask in Spanish
Everyone loves a good laugh—even in Spanish!
From Spanish puns to jokes, there are plenty of ways to give your conversation partner the giggles. Here are a few questions in Spanish that are sure to brighten up your day!
41. Do you know any good jokes? (¿Conoces algún chiste bueno?)
42. What ‘s the craziest thing you’ve ever done? (¿Qué es lo más loco que has hecho?)
Example Questions and Answers
¿Conoces algún buen chiste?
Conozco muchos chistes.
Do you know any good jokes?
I know lots of jokes.
¿Qué es lo más loco que has hecho?
Lo más loco que he hecho es bucear.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
The craziest thing that I have ever done is scuba diving.
Questions About School
It doesn’t matter what country you’re from or which language you speak, school is a universal experience!
As a result, school is also an excellent conversation topic.
Whether you’re still in high school or on your way to a PhD, there is always something academic that you can discuss.
Here are a few classroom questions to get you started!
43. What are you studying? (¿Qué estás estudiando?)
44. What school/college do you go to? (¿A qué escuela/universidad asistes?)
45. What is your major? (¿Cuál es tu especialidad?)
46. What is your favorite class? (¿Cuál es tu clase favorita?)
Example Questions and Answers
¿Qué estás estudiando?
Estudio ingeniería.
What are you studying?
I am studying engineering.
¿Cuál es su clase favorita?
Mi clase favorita es la de español.
What is your favorite class?
My favorite class is Spanish.
Hard Spanish Questions
Want to impress a native Spanish speaker with your savvy language skills? Try asking them a hypothetical question!
Hypotheticals let you pose questions that aren’t limited by reality or money restraints. They open the door to limitless possibilities!
Hypothetical statements always start with “if,” or si in Spanish.
Hypothetical questions sound impressive, but they are actually incredibly easy to create!
All you need is a si clause, imperfect subjunctive verb, and a simple conditional verb.
Just follow this simple formula:
si + imperfect subjunctive verb + conditional verb
For extra conjugation help, check out our gramatical guide: A Simple Intermediate Guide to Subjunctive Conditional Spanish.
47. If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have only one item, what would it be? (Si te quedaras tirado en una isla desierta y sólo pudieras tener un objeto, ¿cuál sería?)
48. If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go? (Si pudieras ir a cualquier lugar de vacaciones, ¿a dónde irías?)
49. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? (Si pudieras vivir en cualquier lugar del mundo, ¿dónde sería?)
50. If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it? (Si tuvieras un millón de dólares, ¿qué harías con él?)
Example Questions and Answers
Si pudieras ir a cualquier lugar de vacaciones, ¿a dónde irías?
Si pudiera ir a cualquier lugar de vacaciones, iría a las Bahamas.
If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go?
If I could go anywhere on vacation, I would go to the Bahamas.
Si pudieras vivir en cualquier parte del mundo, ¿dónde sería?
Si pudiera vivir en cualquier parte del mundo, sería en España.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
If I could live anywhere in the world, it would be Spain.
Si tuvieras un millón de dólares, ¿qué harías con él?
Si tuviera un millón de dólares, me compraría una mansión.
If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?
If I had a million dollars, I would buy a mansion.
Spanish Dialogue Examples
These practice dialogues will help you plan out your next Spanish conversation. Each one shows you how to use one of your new thought-provoking questions in real life!
Watch how the question words appear and notice the flow of the conversation.
It’s time for some Spanish conversation with English translation practice!
Spanish Conversation 1
Juan: Hola, me llamo Juan.
Juan: ¿Cómo te llamas?
Cassandra: Hola, Juan, me llamo Cassandra.
Cassandra: ¿De dónde eres tú?
Juan: Soy de los Estados Unidos.
Juan: ¿Y tú?
Cassandra: Soy de México.
Juan: Hello, my name is Juan.
Juan: What is your name?
Cassandra: Hello, Juan, my name is Cassandra.
Cassandra: Where are you from?
Juan: I am from the U.S.
Juan: And you?
Cassandra: I am from Mexico.
Spanish Conversation 2
Cristina: ¿A qué te dedicas?
Erik: Soy maestra.
Erik: ¿Y tú?
Cristina: Trabajo con animales.
Erik: Me encantan los animales.
Erik: ¿Tienes mascota?
Cristina: Sí, dos perros y un gato.
Cristina: What do you do?
Erik: I am a teacher.
Erik: And you?
Cristina: I work with animals.
Erik: I love animals.
Erik: Do you have a pet?
Cristina: Yes, two dogs and a cat.
Spanish Conversation 3
Lucía: ¿A dónde vas?
Paula: Voy al Hotel de los Reyes.
Paula: ¿Dónde está la calle Rafael?
Lucía: La calle Rafael está junto a la biblioteca.
Lucía: ¿Has estado aquí antes?
Paula: No, es mi primera vez.
Lucía: Where are you going?
Paula: I am going to the Kings’ Hotel.
Paula: Where is Rafael Street?
Lucía: La calle Rafael está junto a la biblioteca.
Lucía: Have you been here before?
Paula: No, it is my first time.
Practice Conversations in Spanish With a Free Class
One of the best aspects of knowing a second language is being able to talk with more people. Now that your language toolbelt is full of simple Spanish questions, you’re ready to start practicing!
Luckily, there is no shortage of practice partners when it comes to speaking Spanish.
With more than 580 million speakers, Spanish is one of the most popular languages in the world. There are more than 20 countries that speak Spanish. In fact, the United States alone has over 41 million Spanish speakers!
There are loads of other great benefits to being bilingual too! People who speak two languages have better cognition and decision-making abilities, more job opportunities, and increased pay.
There is no better time to begin your language journey. The sooner you start, the quicker you’ll be speaking Spanish! The fastest way to achieve fluency is by practicing your conversation skills with a native Spanish-speaking teacher.
Our certified teachers at Homeschool Spanish Academy can help you take your Spanish to the next level. We offer flexible scheduling, affordable pricing, and tailored programs. Each 1-on-1 lesson is custom-tailored to fit your specific needs.
Try a risk-free class today and watch your Spanish skills skyrocket!
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“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”
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