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Phase 1 · Weeks 1–6 · Survival Spanish

The 50 Power Chunks

Pre-built phrases you say automatically — no sentence construction, no thinking. These are your survival weapons.

What is a chunk and why does it beat single words?
A chunk is a fixed phrase your brain stores and retrieves as one unit — like "How much does it cost?" in English. You don't build that sentence when you say it; you recall it whole. Native speakers operate almost entirely in chunks. When you learn ¿Cuánto cuesta? as a single unit, you say it instantly, correctly, with natural rhythm. When you try to build it word-by-word from grammar rules, you hesitate, stutter, and get the wrong word order. Learn these 50 chunks until they are automatic. Say each one aloud 10 times right now. Then say it every day until it fires without thinking.

Two ways to practice: Browse the list and click cards to mark them drilled. Or use Drill Mode — a flashcard session that quizzes you one chunk at a time, showing Spanish first, then revealing the meaning. Repeat until every card is green.

Chunks drilled: 0 / 50 0%
Section 01 Opening Every Interaction 8 chunks
In Mexico, you greet before you ask anything. Walking into a store, approaching someone on the street, calling someone over — always open with a greeting. Skipping it reads as rude or aggressive.
01
Buenos días, ¿me puede ayudar? Good morning, can you help me? BWEH-nos DEE-as, meh PWEH-de ah-yoo-DAR Your all-purpose opening in any store, office, or business. Swap días / tardes / noches based on time of day. This phrase alone will get you further than a hundred single vocabulary words.
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02
¿Qué onda? ¿Cómo estás? What's up? How are you? (casual) keh ON-da, KO-mo es-TAS Use with people your age or younger, or anyone you've already met. More natural than just "hola" once you know someone even a little.
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03
Mucho gusto en conocerle. Very pleased to meet you. (formal) MOO-cho GOOS-to en ko-no-SEHR-leh Use on a first meeting with anyone older or in a professional context. Mexicans appreciate formality on first encounter — it signals respect.
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04
Aquí andamos, gracias a Dios. Getting by, thank God. (response to "how are you?") ah-KEE an-DA-mos, GRA-syas ah dyos The most authentically Mexican response to ¿Cómo estás? Mexicans will smile when they hear this from a foreigner. Far more natural than "muy bien."
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05
Con permiso. / Disculpe. Excuse me. (passing) / Excuse me. (getting attention) kon per-MEE-so / dis-KOOL-peh Con permiso = when physically passing someone or entering a space. Disculpe = when getting someone's attention or apologizing for a minor inconvenience. Know the difference.
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06
Buen provecho. Enjoy your meal. / Bon appétit. bwen pro-VEH-cho Say this to strangers you pass who are eating — in a restaurant, on the street, anywhere. It's a warm social custom. Mexicans always acknowledge others eating. This will get you smiles constantly.
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07
Que le vaya bien. Take care. / May things go well for you. keh leh VAH-ya byen The warm Mexican goodbye — used more than "adiós." Say it when leaving any interaction: a store, a conversation, a taxi. Instantly marks you as someone with real cultural knowledge.
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08
Nos vemos. / Hasta luego. See you around. / See you later. nos BEH-mos / AS-ta LWEH-go Nos vemos is warm and casual — what you say to someone you'll likely see again. Hasta luego is slightly more formal. Both beat "adiós" in everyday Mexican use.
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Section 02 Asking for What You Need 10 chunks
These are your daily workhorses. Master these and you can handle almost any store, market, or service interaction. The structure "¿Me da...?" (Will you give me...?) is polite, natural, and universally used in Mexican commerce.
09
¿Cuánto cuesta? / ¿Cuánto cobra? How much does it cost? / How much do you charge? KWAN-to KWES-ta / KWAN-to KO-bra ¿Cuánto cuesta? = for a product. ¿Cuánto cobra? = for a service (taxi, plumber, haircut). You will say one of these multiple times every single day.
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10
¿Me da uno de esos, por favor? Can you give me one of those, please? meh DA OO-no deh EH-sos, por fa-VOR Point at what you want + say this. Works in taquerías, markets, bakeries, pharmacies. uno / dos / tres + de esos scales to any quantity. The most useful market phrase you own.
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11
Quiero esto / Quiero uno de estos. I want this / I want one of these. KYEH-ro ES-to / KYEH-ro OO-no deh ES-tos Point + quiero esto. Done. You don't need the noun. This is how Mexicans themselves order at street stalls — point and say what you want.
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12
¿Tiene [word]? / ¿Hay [word]? Do you have [word]? / Is there [word]? TYEH-neh / eye ¿Tiene agua? Do you have water? ¿Hay baño? Is there a bathroom? One of the most flexible frames in the language. Plug any noun in and you have a complete question.
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13
¿Dónde está el baño? Where is the bathroom? DON-deh es-TA el BA-nyo You know this one already. But also learn: ¿Dónde puedo encontrar...? (Where can I find...?) — same structure, infinite uses.
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14
¿A cómo está el kilo? How much per kilo? (market price) ah KO-mo es-TA el KEE-lo Essential at any tianguis or mercado. Mexican markets sell produce by the kilo, not by piece. This phrase is how everyone shops there. Say it and vendors will treat you like a local.
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15
¿Me puede dar un descuento? Can you give me a discount? meh PWEH-de dar oon des-KWEN-to At markets and tianguis, negotiating price is normal and expected. Asking politely is never offensive. The vendor may say no — that's fine. But you always ask.
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16
Para llevar, por favor. To go, please. PA-ra yeh-VAR, por fa-VOR Paired with: Para comer aquí. (To eat here.) These two cover every food ordering situation. Say one immediately after ordering so they know how to prepare it.
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17
La cuenta, por favor. The check, please. la KWEN-ta, por fa-VOR Waiters in Mexico don't bring the check until you ask. It's considered rude to rush a customer. You must initiate. Catch their eye, gesture, and say this. Also works: ¿Me cobra? (Can you charge me?)
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18
¿Acepta tarjeta o solo efectivo? Do you accept card or only cash? ah-SEP-ta tar-HEH-ta o SO-lo eh-fek-TEE-bo Many small businesses and street vendors are cash only. Always ask before you eat or buy to avoid an awkward situation. Mexico still runs heavily on cash outside major cities.
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Section 03 When You Don't Understand 8 chunks
This section might be the most important of all. Knowing how to manage a breakdown in communication is a skill. These phrases buy you time, get you repetitions, and signal to the other person how to help you. Use them constantly and without shame.
19
No entendí. ¿Me puede repetir? I didn't understand. Can you repeat that? no en-ten-DEE. meh PWEH-de reh-peh-TEER Say this every single time you don't understand rather than nodding and hoping. Nodding when you don't understand leads to real-world disasters — wrong turns, wrong food, missed appointments.
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20
Más despacio, por favor. Slower, please. mas des-PA-syo, por fa-VOR People will speak at full native speed to you. This is natural. You must ask for slower. Most people will happily oblige. Don't be embarrassed — you're learning and they know it.
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21
¿Cómo se dice [English word] en español? How do you say [word] in Spanish? KO-mo seh DEE-seh... en es-pa-NYOL Your most powerful learning tool in real life. When you don't know a word, ask for it on the spot from a native speaker. You'll remember it because it came from a real moment with a real person.
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22
Estoy aprendiendo español. Tengo paciencia de su parte. I'm learning Spanish. I appreciate your patience. es-TOY ah-pren-DYEN-do / TEN-go pa-SYEN-sya de soo PAR-teh Say this early in any difficult interaction. It changes everything. Mexicans become instantly warm and helpful when they know you're making the effort to learn their language.
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23
¿Me lo puede escribir? Can you write it down for me? meh lo PWEH-de es-kree-BEER When you absolutely cannot parse what someone is saying — ask them to write it. An address, a price, a name, a time. Written Spanish is far easier to decode than fast spoken Spanish.
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24
Entiendo un poco. I understand a little. en-TYEN-do oon PO-ko Honest, useful, and signals to people to keep their speech simpler. Better than saying nothing or pretending you understand fully.
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25
¿Qué significa [word]? What does [word] mean? keh sig-NEE-fee-ka When someone says a word you don't know, stop them and ask. Every word you look up in the moment of a real conversation sticks far longer than any flashcard.
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26
¿Habla inglés, por casualidad? Do you happen to speak English? AH-bla een-GLES, por ka-swa-lee-DAD Your emergency backup. por casualidad (by any chance) makes it sound humble rather than entitled. Only use this after genuinely trying in Spanish — never as your first move.
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Section 04 Navigation & Transport 8 chunks
Mexico's cities are large, loud, and complex. These chunks keep you moving and out of danger. Know them cold before you need them — not when you're already lost.
27
¿Cómo llego a [place]? How do I get to [place]? KO-mo YEH-go ah The most important navigation chunk. Show your phone with a map if needed. Combine with: ¿Está cerca de aquí? (Is it near here?)
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28
Estoy perdido/a. ¿Me puede ayudar? I'm lost. Can you help me? es-TOY per-DEE-do / ah-yoo-DAR Say this without shame. Mexicans are famously willing to help someone who's lost — often walking them to their destination personally. This phrase will trigger that generosity.
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29
¿Me deja en [place], por favor? Can you drop me off at [place]? meh DEH-ha en... por fa-VOR The correct phrase for taxi and Uber drivers when you want them to stop somewhere specific. More natural than ¿Me lleva a...? in Mexican Spanish.
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30
¿A cuánto queda de aquí? How far is it from here? ah KWAN-to KEH-da de ah-KEE When someone gives you directions, always follow with this. "Cerca" (near) in Mexico can mean anything. This gets you a real answer — blocks, minutes, or kilometers.
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31
¿Este camión va a [place]? Does this bus go to [place]? ES-te ka-MYON ba ah Always verify before boarding a camión (bus). Mexican bus routes are complex and not always labeled clearly. Ask the driver or someone waiting at the stop.
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32
¿Me avisa cuando lleguemos? Can you let me know when we arrive? meh ah-BEE-sa KWAN-do yeh-GEH-mos Say to a taxi driver or bus driver when you're unsure of your stop. Most will happily alert you. Shows trust and keeps you from missing your destination.
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33
Aquí está bien, gracias. Here is fine, thanks. (stopping a taxi) ah-KEE es-TA byen, GRA-syas How you stop a taxi when you want to get out. Simple, clear, and natural. Works anywhere you want to indicate "stop here."
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34
¿Hay metro cerca de aquí? Is there a subway station near here? eye MEH-tro SEHR-ka de ah-KEE Mexico City's metro is excellent and cheap. Knowing how to ask for the nearest station saves money and time constantly.
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Section 05 Health & Emergency 6 chunks
You hope to never need these. But if you do, knowing them already — not fumbling to look them up — is the difference between handling a crisis and a crisis handling you. Learn these the same day you start Phase 1.
35
¡Necesito un médico urgente! I need a doctor urgently! neh-seh-SEE-to oon MEH-dee-ko oor-HEN-teh Memorize this one cold. If you or someone near you has a medical emergency, this phrase gets immediate action from anyone around you.
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36
Llame a una ambulancia, por favor. Please call an ambulance. YA-meh ah OO-na am-boo-LAN-sya Mexico emergency number is 911 (same as the US). But in a public emergency, shouting this phrase to bystanders gets faster results.
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37
Me duele mucho el [body part]. My [body part] hurts a lot. meh DWEH-leh MOO-cho el The all-purpose pain chunk. Me duele la cabeza (head). Me duele el estómago (stomach). Plug in any body part from Category 07 of your word list.
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38
Soy alérgico/a a [food/medicine]. I am allergic to [food/medicine]. soy ah-LEHR-hee-ko ah If you have any allergy, learn exactly how to say it in Spanish before you go anywhere near Mexican food service or a doctor. Don't improvise this one.
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39
¿Dónde está la farmacia más cercana? Where is the nearest pharmacy? DON-deh es-TA la far-MA-sya mas sehr-KA-na Farmacias in Mexico are everywhere and many medications that require a prescription in the US are available over the counter. For minor illness, a farmacia is often faster than a clinic.
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40
¡Auxilio! / ¡Ayúdenme! Help! / Someone help me! owk-SEE-lyo / ah-YOO-den-meh ¡Auxilio! is the standard help shout in Mexico. ¡Ayúdenme! means "help me" (plural — calling everyone around). Both are instinctual when you've drilled them. Drill them.
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Section 06 Social Glue — Mexican Culture Phrases 10 chunks
These phrases don't just communicate information — they signal cultural fluency. When a foreigner uses these naturally, Mexicans respond with warmth, respect, and often real friendship. This is how you stop being a tourist and start belonging.
41
¡Órale! / ¡Ándale! Alright! / Let's go! / Exactly! / Come on! O-ra-leh / AN-da-leh Both are Mexican affirmations with no clean English equivalent. Órale = enthusiasm, agreement, surprise. Ándale = hurry up, go ahead, or exactly right. Context determines meaning. Use both freely — they are deeply Mexican.
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42
¡No manches! / ¡No me digas! No way! / You're kidding! / Get out of here! no MAN-ches / no meh DEE-gas No manches is a mild but very Mexican expletive used constantly in surprise, disbelief, or frustration. Far softer than its ruder cousin. Completely acceptable in all company. No me digas is "don't tell me / no way."
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43
Está muy chido / padrísimo. It's really cool / awesome. es-TA mwee CHEE-do / pa-DREE-see-mo Chido = cool (universal Mexican slang). Padre / Padrísimo = great / amazing. Both are warmly Mexican and heard constantly. Use either when reacting to something good — food, music, a place, a gift.
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44
Me cae muy bien. I really like you. / You're great. (personality) meh KAH-eh mwee byen Not romantic — this means you like someone's personality. Me cae bien = I like them. Me cae mal = I don't like them. ¿Te caigo bien? = Do you like me? Deeply embedded in Mexican social speech.
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45
¡Qué rico! / ¡Está riquísimo! So delicious! / This is incredibly good! keh REE-ko / es-TA ree-KEE-see-mo Say this genuinely after eating good food anywhere in Mexico and watch what happens. Cooks and vendors beam. It costs nothing and means everything. Use it every time the food is good — which will be often.
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46
Estoy enamorado/a de México. I'm in love with Mexico. es-TOY eh-na-mo-RA-do deh MEH-hee-ko Say this to any Mexican who asks what you think of their country. It's not flattery — it's how you actually feel, and it opens every door. Mexicans are enormously proud of their country and deeply appreciate when foreigners recognize its beauty.
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47
¿Me puede recomendar algo? Can you recommend something? meh PWEH-de reh-ko-men-DAR AL-go In restaurants, markets, and stores — asking for a recommendation signals trust in the person's expertise. Mexicans take this seriously and give thoughtful answers. You'll eat better, shop smarter, and make connections.
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48
Con mucho gusto. With great pleasure. / Gladly. (response to thanks) kon MOO-cho GOOS-to A warmer, more gracious version of "de nada." When someone thanks you sincerely, respond with this. Immediately signals class and warmth. Widely used in Mexican professional and social contexts.
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49
¡Échale ganas! Give it your all! / Keep pushing! / You've got this! EH-cha-leh GA-nas One of the most quintessentially Mexican phrases in existence. It means putting in full effort and heart. People say it as encouragement. Knowing this phrase — and what it truly means — is a sign you understand Mexican spirit.
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50
Sale y vale. / Ya quedamos. It's a deal. / We're set. / Agreed. SA-leh ee BA-leh / ya keh-DA-mos Sale y vale = it's settled, deal done. Ya quedamos = we've agreed, we're set. Both close a negotiation, a plan, or an arrangement in the most natural Mexican way possible. These are the phrases that seal things.
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¡Órale! All done.

You've drilled all 50 chunks. Come back tomorrow and run through them again.
Repetition is the only method that works.

CHUNK 1 OF 50