Language Tips for New York

NYC has huge Spanish-speaking communities, especially in Queens, Bronx, and parts of Brooklyn. Basic Spanish will help you in bodegas, restaurants, and with taxi drivers way more than any other language.

"Hola", "gracias", "por favor", and "la cuenta" (the check) will get you surprisingly far. Many amazing restaurants in Queens are Spanish-only menus, so Google Translate is your friend.

Don't be shy about trying — New Yorkers appreciate effort and most people speak some English anyway. City is incredibly multilingual.