2 · 4 · Easy · Keeping a Conversation Going

“¿Tengo que ir?” means “Do I have to go?” in Mexican Spanish. Ask whether going/leaving is necessary, rather than ask advice or permission.

“¿Tengo que esperar?” means “Do I have to wait?” in Mexican Spanish. Ask whether waiting is required, rather than whether waiting would be advisable.

“¿Tengo que hacer esto?” means “Do I have to do this?” in Mexican Spanish. Ask whether performing the understood task is required.

“¿Cuánto va a tardar?” means “How long will it take?” in Mexican Spanish. Ask about the expected duration of a known task or trip.

“Lo hice.” means “I did it.” in Mexican Spanish. Confirm having completed the understood action.

“¿Cómo se cierra?” means “How do you close it?” in Mexican Spanish. Ask how a device/container/door is closed.

“¿Cómo se abre?” means “How do you open it?” in Mexican Spanish. Ask how a device/container/door is opened.

“Díselo.” means “Tell him.” in Mexican Spanish. Ask the listener to relay an already understood message to an identified man.

“¿Cómo se usa?” means “How do you use it?” in Mexican Spanish. Ask for operating or usage instructions for an understood item.

“¿Cómo se pronuncia?” means “How do you pronounce it?” in Mexican Spanish. Ask for pronunciation of an understood word/name.

“Tengo que irme.” means “I have to leave.” in Mexican Spanish. Explain the need to end a visit or conversation.

“Quiero decir...” means “I mean...” in Mexican Spanish. Conventional self-correction marker followed by the corrected wording.

“Por si acaso.” means “Just in case.” in Mexican Spanish. Give precaution as a reason for doing/taking something extra.

“Puedes acompañarnos.” means “You can join us.” in Mexican Spanish. Invite the listener to join the speaker’s group.

“¿Me echas la mano?” means “Could you give me a hand?” in Mexican Spanish. Echar la mano is a conversational Mexican expression for helping someone. Use ¿Me echa la mano? with someone you address as usted.

“Se acabó.” means “It’s over.” in Mexican Spanish. Say an event/situation has ended, not merely that a work task is finished.

“¿Por qué no estás de acuerdo?” means “Why do you disagree?” in Mexican Spanish. Ask the listener to explain disagreement respectfully.

“¿En qué estás pensando?” means “What are you thinking about?” in Mexican Spanish. Gently ask what is occupying someone’s thoughts, rather than solicit an opinion on a shared topic.

“¿A quién le toca?” means “Whose turn is it?” in Mexican Spanish. Ask whose turn it is now in a game or queue.

“De ahora en adelante.” means “From now on.” in Mexican Spanish. Mark a new rule/arrangement applying from this moment onward.

“Hay una manera.” means “There’s a way.” in Mexican Spanish. Reassure that some method/solution exists for the understood problem.

“Cara a cara.” means “Face to face.” in Mexican Spanish. Specify speaking or meeting face to face rather than remotely.

“Sigue mi consejo.” means “Take my advice.” in Mexican Spanish. Ask the listener to follow the speaker’s advice.

“Pienso en ti.” means “I think of you.” in Mexican Spanish. Express affectionate thoughts of the listener with appropriate familiarity.