🌍 How do you say 'where' in Spanish?

Are you travelling to Spain or learning Spanish? One of the first questions you'll need to ask is 'where' something is – from the bathroom to a restaurant or your friends.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to say 'where' in Spanish, when to use dónde or adónde, how to combine it with other question words, and some cultural tips and practical exercises to help you speak like a local.

❓ How do you say 'where' in Spanish?

The word for 'where' in Spanish is dónde.

🗣️ ¿Dónde estás? → Where are you?

🗣️ ¿Dónde vives? → Where do you live?

Tips for learners:

🌟 Always write dónde with an accent in questions.
🌟 Use it to ask about a place or position.

🏠 How do you say 'where is' in Spanish?

When you want to ask 'Where is…?' in Spanish, use:

¿Dónde está…?

💡 Common travel examples:

🗣️ ¿Dónde está el baño? → Where is the bathroom?

🗣️ ¿Dónde está la estación de tren? → Where is the train station?

🗣️ ¿Dónde está mi hotel? → Where is my hotel?

This phrase is essential for travellers in Spain.

👫 How do you say 'Where are you?' in Spanish?

When looking for a friend or sending a text, say:

¿Dónde estás? → Where are you?

For more than one person, change the verb:

🗣️ ¿Dónde estáis? → Where are you all? (Spain, informal)

🗣️ ¿Dónde están? → Where are you all? (Latin America & formal Spain)

🧭 Another word for 'where' in Spanish

Spanish also has adónde / a dónde, meaning 'to where' or 'where to'.
Use it with movement verbs like ir (to go) or viajar (to travel).

🗣️ ¿Adónde vas? → Where are you going?

🗣️ ¿A dónde viajan mañana? → Where are they travelling tomorrow?

Quick tip:

➡️  dónde → location (Where is it?)

➡️ adónde → destination / movement (Where are you going?)

🗺️ Combine 'where' with other Spanish question words

To make more precise questions, combine dónde with other interrogatives:

🗣️ ¿Dónde y cuándo? → Where and when?

🗣️ ¿Dónde y quién? → Where and who?

🗣️ ¿Dónde y cómo? → Where and how?

These are very common when planning trips or meeting people.

🛎️ Essential phrase: 'Where is the bathroom?' in Spanish

Probably the most useful travel phrase:

¿Dónde está el baño? → Where is the bathroom?

Other polite alternatives in Spain:

🗣️ ¿Dónde está el aseo? → Where is the restroom?

🗣️ ¿Dónde está el servicio? → Where is the toilet? (formal)

💡 Tip: In Spanish bars and restaurants, you’ll often see ‘aseos’ or ‘servicios’.

🎯 Common mistakes when using 'where' in Spanish

❌ Forgetting the accent: donde ≠ dónde in a question.

❌ Mixing ser and estar:

Correct → ¿Dónde está el museo? (location)

Not → ¿Dónde es el museo? (Only for events)

❌ Using dónde for movement:

Correct → ¿Adónde vas? (Where are you going?)

Not → ¿Dónde vas? (Sounds incomplete)

🌟 Cultural tip for Spanish learners

In Spain, people often use dónde in informal greetings:

👋 ¡Hola! ¿Dónde andas? → Hi! Where are you?

This is a friendly way to ask where someone is without expecting a precise location.

📚 Useful Spanish travel vocabulary

🧳 el aeropuerto → the airport
🚖 la parada de taxis → the taxi stop
🚉 la estación → the station
🏨 el hotel → the hotel
🏖️ la playa → the beach
🛍️ el centro comercial → the shopping centre

📝 Interactive practice exercises: 

Try to translate these into English:

Try this quizz:

💬 And you?

When you travel to Spain, what’s the first 'where' question you always ask? Tell us in the comments!