In this workshop you practice a short, useful exchange about local ingredients. You will ask which spices are common in a place, understand a reply that names several seasonings, and then recall the same exchange with the roles swapped. The recordings give you the exact lines to use, so you can focus on clear pronunciation and on keeping the question-and-answer order intact.
Asking Which Spices Are Common
Start with a polite question. The line «Disculpe, ¿qué especias son comunes aquí?» means "Excuse me, what spices are common here?" The opening words get attention, and the rest asks about spices in the local area. You can also use a shorter version. The line «¿Qué especias son comunes aquí?» means "What spices are common here?" Another natural option is «¿Qué condimentos se usan más por acá?», which means "What seasonings are used most around here?" A third option is «¿Cuáles son las especias típicas de esta región?», meaning "What are the typical spices of this region?" All of these ask about local seasoning habits. Choose one question and say it slowly, then repeat it at a natural speed. Keep the same meaning: you are asking about spices, not about a specific dish.
Understanding a Local Reply
When someone answers, listen for the names of seasonings. The line «Por acá usamos mucho el comino, el orégano y el chile seco.» means "Around here we use a lot of cumin, oregano, and dried chile." The reply names three seasonings and says they are used a lot in this area. A follow-up question can ask about one more item. The line «¿Y el achiote también es común?» means "And is annatto also common?" This keeps the same topic and asks whether annatto is also used. The answer «Sí, el achiote se usa bastante, sobre todo en el sureste.» means "Yes, annatto is used quite a bit, especially in the southeast." It confirms annatto and adds a regional detail. Notice that the question comes first, then the reply, then the follow-up, then the final answer. Keep that order when you practice.
Keeping the Exchange in Order
A simple way to practice is to read the exchange as a conversation. One person asks with «Disculpe, ¿qué especias son comunes aquí?», the other replies with «Por acá usamos mucho el comino, el orégano y el chile seco.». Then the first person asks «¿Y el achiote también es común?», and the other answers with «Sí, el achiote se usa bastante, sobre todo en el sureste.». If you swap roles, the order stays the same: question, reply, follow-up, answer. Only who speaks each line changes. You can also practice the shorter questions «¿Qué especias son comunes aquí?», «¿Qué condimentos se usan más por acá?», «¿Cuáles son las especias típicas de esta región?», and «¿Con qué sazonan la comida aquí?»; «¿Con qué sazonan la comida aquí?» means "What do they season the food with here?" Use one question at a time and answer with «Por acá usamos mucho el comino, el orégano y el chile seco.» or «Sí, el achiote se usa bastante, sobre todo en el sureste.» when it fits. This keeps the subject on local seasonings and avoids mixing in a different topic.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
¿Qué especias son comunes aquí?
What spices are common here?
keh es-PEH-syahs sohn koh-MOO-nehs ah-KEE
¿Qué condimentos se usan más por acá?
What seasonings are used most around here?
keh kohn-dee-MEHN-tohs seh OO-sahn mahs pohr ah-KAH
¿Cuáles son las especias típicas de esta región?
What are the typical spices of this region?
KWAH-lehs sohn lahs es-PEH-syahs TEE-pee-kahs deh EHS-tah reh-HYOHN
¿Con qué sazonan la comida aquí?
What do they season the food with here?
kohn keh sah-SOH-nahn lah koh-MEE-dah ah-KEE
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Disculpe, ¿qué especias son comunes aquí?
Excuse me, what spices are common here?Por acá usamos mucho el comino, el orégano y el chile seco.
Around here we use a lot of cumin, oregano, and dried chile.¿Y el achiote también es común?
And is annatto also common?Sí, el achiote se usa bastante, sobre todo en el sureste.
Yes, annatto is used quite a bit, especially in the southeast.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Spice Question Exchange
You are a visitor at a small local market. You want to know which spices are common in the area. A vendor is ready to answer.
Your task: Read the visitor's question aloud using «Disculpe, ¿qué especias son comunes aquí?». Then read the vendor's reply aloud using «Por acá usamos mucho el comino, el orégano y el chile seco.». Say both lines clearly, keeping the question first and the reply second.
Choose the Matching Reply
You hear a visitor ask about local spices. You need to choose the reply that matches the question and keeps the same topic.
Your task: The visitor says «Disculpe, ¿qué especias son comunes aquí?». Which reply fits: «Por acá usamos mucho el comino, el orégano y el chile seco.» or «Sí, el achiote se usa bastante, sobre todo en el sureste.»? Say your chosen reply aloud, then explain in English why it fits the question about common spices.
Recall the Exchange with Swapped Roles
You have practiced the visitor and vendor lines. Now swap roles: the vendor becomes the visitor and the visitor becomes the vendor.
Your task: Without looking at the lines, recall the exchange in order. The new visitor asks with «Disculpe, ¿qué especias son comunes aquí?», the new vendor replies with «Por acá usamos mucho el comino, el orégano y el chile seco.», the visitor asks «¿Y el achiote también es común?», and the vendor answers «Sí, el achiote se usa bastante, sobre todo en el sureste.». Say all four lines aloud.
Common questions
Can I practice both roles by myself?
Yes. You can read the visitor's question «Disculpe, ¿qué especias son comunes aquí?», then the vendor's reply «Por acá usamos mucho el comino, el orégano y el chile seco.», then the follow-up «¿Y el achiote también es común?», and then the answer «Sí, el achiote se usa bastante, sobre todo en el sureste.». If you swap roles, you still keep the same order: question, reply, follow-up, answer. There is no automatic assessment, so use the success criteria to check yourself.
What should I listen for in the reply?
Listen for the names of seasonings. In «Por acá usamos mucho el comino, el orégano y el chile seco.» you hear cumin, oregano, and dried chile. In «Sí, el achiote se usa bastante, sobre todo en el sureste.» you hear annatto and a regional detail. The reply stays on the topic of local spices, so you do not need to change the subject or ask about a different dish.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: ask about ingredients in local cuisineChecked September 2026
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