I'm leaving in Costa Rica since 2007.
And you'll see that people here are very kind.
They are also very patients so you don't have to be that nervous.
Learning the basis is very good.
Also, I can add some tips for you, here they are:
Buenos dias = Good morning
Buenas tardes = Good afternoon
Buenas = it's a way to say hi!
Hola = Hello!
?Como esta?= How are you doing?
Bien gracias= Good, thank you!
y ?usted?= And you?
Tengo hambre = I'm hungry
Tengo sed = I'm thirsty
Tengo sue?o= I'm sleepy
!Qué amable! = You're so kind!
Con mucho gusto = You're welcome!
?Qué hora es? = What time is it?
?Puedo llamar a mi familia por favor? = Can I phone to my family please?
Estoy enfermo = I'm sick
Me duele la cabeza= I got a headache
Me duele la pansa= My stomach hurts
Soy americano = I'm american
Soy de los Estados Unidos= I'm from USA
Mi nombre es...= My name is....
And for sure, you need to know: !Pura Vida!
It's a "tico" expression to say that everything fine, "pure life!"
Enjoy your trip!
Hasta Luego!
If you are going to a good language school your host family will have received training about how to make you comfortable and how to help you negotiate things. The idea is a bit scary but I have taken more than a 100 students to Costa Rica and for 90% of them the homestay was the best part of their experience.
I would say two things, most Costa Ricans use only the usted form of verbs in most occasions (not much tu), secondly don't put your toilet paper in the toilet but rather place it is a special container (or garbage can) next to the toilet.
How about "bano" (you can even pronounce it like I spelled it, sorry about that). I lived in Costa Rica for almost three months after taking part of Spanish 2 and learned that the people there are incredibly nice, better than they are in the united states. Just be friendly, chill, and enjoy your trip.
Well greet them everytime you see them- "Buenos Dias, Buenas Tardes, & Buenas Noches" most latin americans are really respectful. Use "Usted" to address an adult. Always say "Gracias". Becareful because Central American countries are not the safest so never get away from an adult & do not take anything valuable to show it off in the streets be side they will take it from you.
Good luck & have a nice trip.
The most important thing is to use "Por Favor", "Con Permisso?" y "Gracias" as frequently as possible. Also, knowing the phrase "Como se dice bien?" (How do you say good?) will help you learn to speak properly. Have fun!
Just buy a simple phrase book, no big deal !
I'm going with my spanish class and were living with a family who speaks no english, and im kind of nervous cause im only in spanish 2.. What are some things I would need to definitely know in the house.. besides the obvious
