Survive the Bank in Spanish (A2): cajero automático, cuenta, transferencia
Picture this: you’re traveling, need cash, and walk into a bank. You can handle small talk, but how do you ask for the ATM, open an account, or make a transfer—in Spanish? In this A2 guide, you’ll learn essential banking vocabulary and polite phrases so you can handle real-world money moments confidently.
En el banco: palabras clave (Key words)
We’ll start with core words you’ll hear and use at the bank. Read the Spanish, then the English. Notice gender (el/la) and common collocations.
Tip: “retirar” and “sacar” both mean “to withdraw” in banking contexts. You’ll hear both across Spanish-speaking countries.
Quiero una cuenta.
Phrases you’ll use
Let’s practice short, useful sentences. Read the Spanish, then the translation. Notice polite forms like “quisiera” and “¿Podría…?”
Make a polite request.
Gramática práctica: ir a + infinitivo
In Spanish, “ir a + infinitive” means “to be going to” (near future). Use it to talk about banking plans.
- Voy a depositar dinero. = I’m going to deposit money.
- Vamos a abrir una cuenta. = We’re going to open an account.
Polite requests: “Quisiera…” (I would like…) or “¿Podría…?” (Could you…?). At the bank, these are perfect to sound respectful.
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| yo | voy |
| tú | vas |
| él/ella/usted | va |
| nosotros/as | vamos |
| vosotros/as | vais |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | van |
Vamos hacer una transferencia hoy.
Reorder a mini bank dialogue
Put the conversation in a logical order (greeting → offering help → request → ID → response).
Cultura bancaria: lo que conviene saber
Across Spain and Latin America, banks often open Monday–Friday, mornings and early afternoons. You may need to take a number (un turno) and wait your turn. For many operations—like opening an account—you’ll need identification (DNI/NIE in Spain; cédula in many Latin American countries), and sometimes proof of address (comprobante de domicilio).
Words to recognize:
- el horario = opening hours
- el turno = ticket/number for your turn
- la identificación = ID
If you hear “firma, por favor,” they need your signature. If a clerk says “Un momento, por favor,” relax—they’re processing your request.
Quiero abrir una cuenta por ahorros. → Quiero abrir una cuenta de ahorros. Use "de" to link the noun phrase: "cuenta de ahorros". ¿Dónde está el ATM? → ¿Dónde está el cajero automático? Use the Spanish term instead of English borrowing. tarjeta de debito → tarjeta de débito Don’t forget the accent on "débito".Quick check: mini quiz
Choose the best answer. Then read the explanation.
More real-life phrases
Practice a few more with translations. These are common at the counter.
- ¿Me puede mostrar su identificación? = Can you show me your ID?
- Necesito actualizar mis datos. = I need to update my details.
- Quiero cambiar dólares a pesos. = I want to change dollars to pesos.
- ¿Cuánto es la comisión? = How much is the fee?
- No entiendo el cargo. = I don’t understand the charge.
Pro tip: Ask for clarity politely. “¿Me puede explicar esto, por favor?” = “Could you explain this to me, please?”
¿ decirme la comisión, por favor?
Wrap-up
You now know the essentials: el cajero automático, la cuenta corriente, la cuenta de ahorros, depósito, retiro, transferencia, saldo, intereses—and how to use polite requests like "Quisiera…" and "¿Podría…?".
Next time you visit a bank, try mixing English thinking with Spanish action: “Voy a…” + verb to state your plan, then a polite request to get help. Poco a poco, ¡vas a dominar el banco!