Tourism (Junior Cert Spanish): Revision Notes
Tourist attractions and giving directions
When travelling in Spanish-speaking countries, you'll need to know how to talk about tourist attractions, ask for information, and understand directions. This topic covers essential vocabulary and grammar structures for navigating tourist situations.
Tourist attractions
These are common places and activities that tourists enjoy visiting. Learning these words will help you understand tourist brochures, ask for recommendations, and describe what you want to see.
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| el castillo | the castle | el arte | the art |
| la isla | the island | la arquitectura | the architecture |
| la plaza | the square | la plaza de toros | the bullring |
| la foto | the photo | el río | the river |
| el espectáculo | the show | el barco | the boat |
| el desfile | the parade | el parque temático | the theme park |
| la fiesta | the festival, party | disfrutar | to enjoy |
| el museo | the museum | la exposición | the display, exhibition |
| el concierto | the concert | la fuente | the fountain |
| el baile | the dance | el parque acuático | the water park |
| el caballo | the horse | ||
| el edificio | the building | ||
| la cultura | the culture |
Example Sentences: Using Tourist Vocabulary
- Acabo de visitar el castillo. - I have just visited the castle.
- ¿Hay un museo en la plaza? - Is there a museum in the square?
- Me gusta disfrutar del arte. - I like to enjoy art.
- El desfile es muy bonito. - The parade is very beautiful.
Grammar Note: Notice that some nouns are masculine (el) and others are feminine (la). The article must match the gender of the noun.
Recent actions with "acabar de"
This structure expresses actions that have just happened, similar to "have just" in English. You conjugate acabar in the present tense and add de plus the infinitive of the main verb.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| acabo de llegar | I have just arrived |
| acabas de comprar | you have just bought |
| acaba de salir | he/she has just left |
| acabamos de ver | we have just seen |
| acabáis de mandar | you have just sent |
| acaban de dar | they have just given |
Key Grammar Rule: The structure is acabar (conjugated) + de + infinitive. Always include the word "de" between the conjugated form of acabar and the main verb.
Example Sentences: Using "Acabar de"
- Acabo de llegar al hotel. - I have just arrived at the hotel.
- ¿Acabas de ver la exposición? - Have you just seen the exhibition?
- Acabamos de comprar las entradas. - We have just bought the tickets.
Tourist information
When seeking information as a tourist, you'll encounter these useful terms. They help you understand what's available and make enquiries about services and locations.
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| el plano | the (street) plan, map | la lista | the list |
| el sitio de interés | the place of interest | el hotel | the hotel |
| el barrio antiguo | the old quarter | el camping | the campsite |
| la estación | the station | la excursión | the trip |
| el horario | the timetable | la tienda | the shop |
| el centro comercial | the shopping centre | la bicicleta | the bicycle, bike |
| la piscina | the swimming pool | al aire libre | open air |
| el público | the public | abierto/a | open |
| cerrado/a | closed | reservar | to book |
| alquilar | to hire |
Example Sentences: Tourist Information Vocabulary
- ¿Tiene un plano de la ciudad? - Do you have a city map?
- El centro comercial está cerrado. - The shopping centre is closed.
- Quiero reservar una habitación de hotel. - I want to book a hotel room.
- Se puede alquilar bicicletas aquí. - You can hire bikes here.
Asking about possibilities with "se puede"
Use se puede plus an infinitive to ask if something is possible. It's equivalent to "Can one...?" or "Can you...?" in English.
This structure is very useful for asking about services, permissions, and possibilities in tourist situations.
Example Sentences: Using "Se puede"
- ¿Se puede coger un tren de aquí a Barcelona? - Can you get a train from here to Barcelona?
- ¿Se puede alquilar bicicletas en el pueblo? - Can you hire bikes in town?
- Se puede ir de excursión a estos sitios. - You can go on a trip to these places.
- Se puede usar la piscina del camping de al lado. - You can use the pool in the campsite next door.
Giving and asking for directions
When navigating or helping others find their way, these direction words and phrases are essential. They help you understand and give clear instructions.
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| a la derecha | on the right | antes de | before |
| a la izquierda | on the left | después de | after |
| al lado de | next to | hasta | up to, as far as |
| a unos metros | a few metres away | estar cerca (de) | to be near/close (to) |
| estar lejos (de) | to be far (from) | la esquina | the (street) corner |
| la plaza | the square | el puente | the bridge |
| la calle | the street | la carretera | the road |
| el final | the end | a pie | walking |
| bajar | to go down | coger | to catch |
| continuar | to continue | salir | to leave |
| seguir | to follow, carry on | subir | to go up |
| tomar | to take | cruzar | to cross |
| caminar | to walk |
Example Sentences: Directions Vocabulary
- El museo está a la derecha. - The museum is on the right.
- Siga esta calle hasta el final. - Follow this street to the end.
- El hotel está cerca de la estación. - The hotel is near the station.
- Cruce el puente y tome la primera calle. - Cross the bridge and take the first street.
Giving instructions (imperatives)
When giving directions to one person, remove the 's' from the normal second-person singular verb form. For example, bajas becomes baja.
Grammar Rule for Commands: To form commands for one person, take the normal "tú" form of the verb and remove the final 's'. This is the key rule for giving directions politely.
Example Commands: Giving Directions to One Person
- Toma la primera calle. - Take the first street.
- Cruza el puente. - Cross the bridge.
- Sigue esta calle. - Follow this street.
- Coge el autobús en la plaza. - Catch the bus in the square.
For giving directions to more than one person, use these plural endings:
- -ar verbs → -ad: tomad
- -er verbs → -ed: coged
- -ir verbs → -id: seguid
Useful phrases for directions
These practical phrases will help you ask for and understand directions effectively:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿Por dónde se va a...? | How do you get to...? |
| ¿Hay un/una... por aquí? | Is there a... round here? |
| Por favour ¿sabe dónde está(n)...? | Excuse me, do you know where... is/are? |
| ¿Qué sitios de interés recomiendas? | What places of interest do you recommend? |
Example Dialogue: Asking for Directions
- Por favour ¿hay un supermercado por aquí? - Excuse me, is there a supermarket round here?
- ¿Qué sitios de interés recomienda para los turistas? - What places of interest do you recommend for tourists?
Translation practice
Translation Exercise
Translate into English:
- Acabo de visitar el castillo antiguo.
- ¿Se puede alquilar bicicletas en el centro?
Translate into Spanish: 3. The museum is next to the square. 4. Can you get a train to Barcelona?
Common Errors and Fixes
-
Error: Acabo llegar ❌
Fix: Acabo de llegar ✅
Reason: Always use de between acabar and the infinitive. -
Error: ¿Se puede a visitar el museo? ❌
Fix: ¿Se puede visitar el museo? ✅
Reason: Use the infinitive directly after se puede, no preposition needed. -
Error: Tomas la primera calle (when giving directions) ❌
Fix: Toma la primera calle ✅
Reason: Remove the 's' when giving commands to one person.
Translation Answers
1. I have just visited the old castle. 2. Can you hire bikes in the centre? 3. El museo está al lado de la plaza. 4. ¿Se puede coger un tren a Barcelona?
Key Points to Remember:
- Use acabar de + infinitive to say you have just done something
- Se puede + infinitive asks if something is possible or allowed
- Remove the 's' from verbs when giving directions to one person (tomas → toma)
- Direction vocabulary helps you navigate and assist others in Spanish-speaking countries
- Practice these tourist phrases to handle real travel situations confidently