13 Spanish Sentence Starters to Instantly Improve Your Conversational Spanish

One of the best ways to improve your conversation skills in Spanish is by committing a few set phrases to memory, so you’re not having to translate everything word-for-word. If you can begin the sentence with a starter, it can give you just enough extra time to translate the rest of your idea more smoothly into Spanish. You’ll find it useful to not only include single words in your vocabulary study, but common phrases too. Be careful though, as many phrases you may be comfortable with in English do not translate word for word into Spanish.

So, let’s get into it! Here are 13 widely used Spanish sentence starters you can make use of during conversation.

Introducing Ideas or Steering Conversation in Spanish

1. En cuanto a - as for, regarding

En cuanto a is a valuable sentence starter that roughly translates in English to “as for,” “regarding,” or “about.” You can use this phrase when you are having a conversation with someone, and you’d like to change the subject or bring up a topic.

• En cuanto a la boda, le dije que podría asistir.
• About the wedding, I told her that I would be able to attend.

In this case, en cuanto a brings up the topic of the wedding. If you put “regarding” into a translator, you might get five different ways to say it, but don’t overcomplicate things—you really only need one or two ways, especially as a learner. Let’s take a look at another example.

• En cuanto a nuestra conversación, creo que deberíamos conseguir un perro.
• Regarding our conversation, I think we should get a dog.

2. Por lo general - in general/generally

Por lo general is an easy to remember phrase that you should make room for on your vocabulary list!

• Por lo general, creo que lo más importante es dormir bien por la noche.
• In general, I think that the most important thing is to get a good night’s sleep.

You may also hear "general" switched out for other words, changing the meaning.

• Por lo visto, va a nevar esta noche.
• By the looks of it, it’s going to snow tonight.

3. Lo importante es que - the important thing is that

This is one of the most useful ways to make use of lo in Spanish. It shows us again why relying on direct translations can be problematic. Notice that we sometimes use the subjunctive mood because we are expressing what should happen.

• Lo importante es que recojas a mi papá del médico.
• The important thing is that you pick up my dad from the doctor.

You can substitute many adjectives into this phrase to change the meaning. In the following example, the indicative form is used (hace) because we are stating a fact.

• Lo curioso es que no hace ejercicio pero se mantiene en forma.
• The funny thing is that he doesn’t work out but stays in shape.

4. Ya que - since

Ya que is a super useful phrase that can be used both at the beginning or middle of a sentence. It translates to “since” or “because.”

• Ya que no fuiste a la fiesta de John, tampoco fui.
• Since you didn’t go to John’s party, I didn’t go either.

Here is ya que being used in the middle of a sentence:

• Compré un nuevo abrigo de invierno ya que ahora vivo en Canadá.
• I bought a new winter coat since I now live in Canada.

Sharing Opinions in a Spanish Conversation

5. Me parece que - it seems to me that

Although the way this phrase is written in English may seem uncommon, me parece que is a natural and common way to express your opinion on something.

• Me parece que los estados del sur tienen el mejor clima de América del Norte.
• It seems to me that the southern states have the best climate in North America.

It can also be used without an object pronoun, as parece que, meaning “it seems that.”

• Parece que Argentina va a ganar la Copa del Mundo este año.
• It seems like Argentina is going to win the World Cup this year.

6. Qué opinas de - what do you think about / what is your opinion of

Knowing phrases to ask someone’s opinion are essential for those who want to learn conversational Spanish. Qué opinas de is a common way to ask what someone thinks about something. Below are examples of this phrase in use.

• ¿Qué opinas de nuestro nuevo gobernador?
• What do you think about our new governor?

• ¿Qué opinas de vivir en Irlanda por un año?
• What do you think of living in Ireland for a year?

7. Desde mi punto de vista - From my point of view

This is another easy-to-remember phrase as it mirrors English.

• Desde mi punto de vista, Anna tiene la culpa.
• From my point of view, Anna is the one to blame.

Sequencing and Timing in Conversation

8. Estoy a punto de - I am about to

Use this phrase in place of the common “about to do something” construction in English. If you know your estar conjugations, it is easy to modify this phrase to speak about others.

• Estoy a punto de preparar la cena.
• I’m about to make some dinner.

• Está a punto de perder la cabeza.
• He’s about to lose his mind.

9. Al - upon

Although short, al is a very useful way to begin a sentence. Despite not hearing “upon” too much in English, the Spanish counterpart is common. When using it to begin a sentence, it is generally followed by a verb in its infinitive form.

• Al llegar a casa, me fui directamente a la cama.
• Upon getting home, I went straight to bed.

• Al verla, recordé que fuimos juntos a la escuela.
• Upon seeing her, I remembered that we went to school together.

10. Para remate - to top it off / to boot

Primarily used in Central America, para remate can be used to emphasize something happening in addition to other things.

• Para remate, empezó a llover justo cuando se fue de la casa.
• To top it off, it started to rain right when she left her house.

Making Requests or Suggestions in Spanish

11. Qué tal si - what about, how about

While you might already know that qué tal as a common way to say “how’s it going” or “what’s up,” it is also useful as its own sentence starter. It can be used to suggest doing something. To make a suggestion, use it followed by si and the conjugated verb.

• ¿Qué tal si vamos al parque?
• How about we go to the park?

• ¿Qué tal si nos mudamos a Perú?
• How about we move to Peru?

12. Sería posible - would it be possible

For native English speakers, the Spanish constructions that mirror English tend to be the easiest to remember, that’s why this is a great sentence starter! Just plug in the verb after the phrase in its infinitive form.

• ¿Sería posible elegir un restaurante un poco más barato?
• Would it be possible to choose a slightly cheaper restaurant?

• ¿Sería posible arreglar mi coche?
• Would it be possible to fix my car?

13. Te importaría - would you mind

Similar to the previous one, te importaría serves as a great way to request something without demanding. The verb that follows should be in the infinitive form.

• ¿Te importaría quitar los pies del sofá?
• Would you mind taking your feet off the sofa?

You’re on the road to fluent conversation in Spanish!

Well, there you have it, 13 commonly used sentence starters in Spanish. Find a few that might be useful for your own needs, add them to your word list, and use them in conversation! Getting comfortable conversing with others in Spanish is challenging, but hopefully you now are prepared to use and understand some of these phrases. Stay consistent, be patient with yourself, and before you know it, you'll be speaking like a pro.