You don't need fluent Spanish to visit Comuna 13, but a handful of phrases makes a real difference. The most useful ones help you greet people, ask before taking a photo, thank an artist, and buy something without pointing and guessing. Below are the phrases that matter most, with simple English pronunciation and notes on when to use each one.
A 60-second pronunciation primer
Spanish is very consistent: once you know the sounds, you can read almost anything aloud. The capitalized syllables in our guides show where the stress falls.
- Vowels are short and pure: a = "ah", e = "eh", i = "ee", o = "oh", u = "oo".
- ñ sounds like "ny" in "canyon": señor = seh-NYOR.
- ll and y sound like the English "y" in most of Colombia: calle = KAH-yeh.
- j and g before e/i sound like a breathy "h": gracias is unaffected, but gente = HEN-teh.
- h is silent: hola = OH-lah.
- Single r is a quick tap, like the "tt" in American "butter". Double rr is rolled, but a strong tap is fine.
Colombian Spanish, especially in Medellín, is often praised as clear and easy to follow. People are generally patient with learners, and a sincere attempt is almost always appreciated.
Greetings and basic courtesy
In Colombia, launching straight into a question without a greeting can feel abrupt. Start every interaction, whether in a shop, with a vendor or with a performer, with a greeting.
| Spanish | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Buenos díasBWEH-nohs DEE-ahs | Good morning | Until about noon |
| Buenas tardesBWEH-nahs TAR-dehs | Good afternoon | Noon until dark |
| BuenasBWEH-nahs | Hi (short, casual) | Anytime, very common |
| Por favorpor fah-VOR | Please | Always |
| Muchas graciasMOO-chahs GRAH-see-ahs | Thank you very much | Always |
| Con permisokohn pehr-MEE-soh | Excuse me (to pass) | On narrow stairs and crowded lanes |
| Disculpedees-KOOL-peh | Excuse me / sorry | To get attention or apologize |
| No, graciasnoh GRAH-see-ahs | No, thank you | Politely declining an offer |
You'll also hear con gusto (kohn GOOS-toh), "with pleasure", the classic paisa reply to "gracias".
Asking permission for photos
This is where Spanish matters most in Comuna 13. Murals on public walls are fine to photograph, but people aren't scenery. Ask before you photograph anyone, and never photograph children without a parent's clear OK.
| Spanish | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|
| ¿Puedo tomarle una foto?POO-eh-doh toh-MAR-leh OO-nah FOH-toh | May I take your photo? | To one person, formal |
| ¿Puedo tomarles una foto?POO-eh-doh toh-MAR-lehs OO-nah FOH-toh | May I take a photo of you all? | To a group or performers |
| ¿Una foto con usted?OO-nah FOH-toh kohn oos-TEHD | A photo with you? | Asking for a photo together |
| ¿Puedo grabar?POO-eh-doh grah-BAR | May I record/film? | Before filming |
| ¿Se puede tomar fotos aquí?seh PWEH-deh toh-MAR FOH-tohs ah-KEE | Can you take photos here? | Inside shops, studios and galleries |
| Gracias, qué amableGRAH-see-ahs keh ah-MAH-bleh | Thanks, how kind | After someone says yes |
If the answer is "no" or a shake of the head, just say "Listo, gracias" (LEES-toh, GRAH-see-ahs: "OK, thanks") and lower your camera. No negotiating. See portrait photography with locals for more.
Talking with artists and thanking them
Artists in Comuna 13 are used to visitors, and many love explaining their work. These phrases help you start the conversation and say thanks.
| Spanish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ¿Usted pintó este mural?oos-TEHD peen-TOH EHS-teh moo-RAHL | Did you paint this mural? |
| ¿Qué significa?keh seeg-nee-FEE-kah | What does it mean? |
| Me encanta su trabajomeh ehn-KAHN-tah soo trah-BAH-hoh | I love your work |
| Es muy bonitoehs mooy boh-NEE-toh | It's very beautiful |
| ¿Cómo se llama usted?KOH-moh seh YAH-mah oos-TEHD | What's your name? |
| ¿Tiene redes sociales?tee-EH-neh REH-dehs soh-see-AH-lehs | Are you on social media? |
| Gracias por compartir su historiaGRAH-see-ahs por kohm-par-TEER soo ees-TOH-ree-ah | Thank you for sharing your story |
For the art vocabulary itself, words like muralismo, pieza and bomba, see our Comuna 13 graffiti vocabulary guide.
Buying art, snacks and souvenirs
| Spanish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ¿Cuánto vale?KWAHN-toh VAH-leh | How much is it? (very common in Colombia) |
| ¿Quién lo hizo?kee-EHN loh EE-soh | Who made it? |
| ¿Es original o impresión?ehs oh-ree-hee-NAHL oh eem-preh-see-OHN | Is it an original or a print? |
| ¿Recibe tarjeta?reh-SEE-beh tar-HEH-tah | Do you take cards? |
| ¿Me lo puede enrollar?meh loh PWEH-deh ehn-roh-YAR | Could you roll it up for me? |
| Me lo llevomeh loh YEH-voh | I'll take it |
| Regáleme un jugo, por favorreh-GAH-leh-meh oon HOO-goh | I'll have a juice, please (local way of ordering) |
"Regáleme" literally means "gift me", but in Colombia it's simply a polite way to order or ask for something. You're still paying! For the bigger picture on spending in the neighborhood, see where food and drink fit into a Comuna 13 visit.
A couple more courtesies help when buying. When you hand over cash, it's polite to say what you're paying with if it's a larger note: "¿Tiene cambio de este?" (tee-EH-neh KAHM-bee-oh deh EHS-teh: "Do you have change for this?"). And if you're just browsing, "Solo estoy mirando, gracias" (SOH-loh ehs-TOY mee-RAHN-doh: "I'm just looking, thanks") lets a vendor know without any awkwardness. Vendors calling "¡A la orden!" as you pass aren't pressuring you. It's simply the standard friendly invitation, and a smile and "gracias" is a perfectly good reply.
Getting around and asking for help
- ¿Dónde están las escaleras eléctricas? (DOHN-deh ehs-TAHN lahs ehs-kah-LEH-rahs eh-LEHK-tree-kahs) — Where are the escalators?
- ¿Dónde queda el baño? (DOHN-deh KEH-dah ehl BAH-nyoh) — Where is the bathroom?
- ¿Cómo llego a la estación San Javier? (KOH-moh YEH-goh ah lah ehs-tah-see-OHN sahn hah-vee-EHR) — How do I get to San Javier station?
- Más despacio, por favor (mahs dehs-PAH-see-oh) — More slowly, please
- No hablo mucho español (noh AH-bloh MOO-choh ehs-pah-NYOL) — I don't speak much Spanish
- ¿Habla inglés? (AH-blah een-GLEHS) — Do you speak English?
Medellín words you'll hear
Paisa Spanish has its own flavor. You don't need to use these, but recognizing them helps.
- Parce / parcero — buddy, friend. Very common.
- Vos — an informal "you", widely used in Medellín.
- Bacano / chévere — cool, great.
- ¡Qué chimba! — very colloquial "how awesome!" Better to recognize than to use with strangers.
- Listo — OK, done, ready. You'll hear it constantly.
- A la orden — "at your service", what vendors say to invite you in.
- ¿Bien o qué? — a casual "how's it going?"
One note on slang: it's tempting to try out words like parce or qué chimba once you've heard them a few times, and locals may find it charming among friends. With strangers, vendors and older residents, though, polite standard Spanish with usted always lands better. Save the slang for when someone uses it with you first.
Finally, don't worry about getting everything right. Mispronouncing a word or mixing up tomarle and tomarles won't offend anyone. What people notice is the effort and the intent: that you greeted them, asked first, and said thank you. Those three habits matter more than any vocabulary list.
FAQ
Do people in Comuna 13 speak English?
Some guides, artists and shop owners on the main route speak English, but many residents do not. A few Spanish phrases make everyday interactions easier and are warmly received.
Should I use usted or tú?
Usted is the safe, respectful default with strangers in Medellín, and paisas often use it even with friends. You will also hear vos, the local informal form. If someone switches to tú or vos with you, you can follow their lead.
How do I ask to take someone's photo?
Say ¿Puedo tomarle una foto?, pronounced POO-eh-doh toh-MAR-leh OO-nah FOH-toh. Smile, show your camera, and accept a no gracefully.
What does parcero or parce mean?
It is Medellín slang for friend or buddy. You will hear it everywhere. It is friendly, but as a visitor it is better to understand it than to overuse it with strangers.
Is it rude to speak English first?
Not rude, but opening with buenos días or buenas tardes before anything else is a simple courtesy that changes the tone of the whole interaction.