Spaniards tend to speak quickly and with passion, especially in larger cities like Madrid or Barcelona—but don’t worry, they’re usually happy to slow down when speaking with visitors. In Spain, you’ll notice regional accents and slang, like the famous “vale” (okay) used constantly in conversation, or “tío/tía” (dude/girl) when chatting with friends. One unique feature is the “lisp” sound, called ceceo, where “z” and soft “c” are pronounced like “th” (as in gracias sounding like “grathias”). Spanish people are expressive, warm, and often greet you with cheek kisses rather than a handshake. While Spain’s Spanish may sound fast at first, you'll quickly tune into the rhythm—and they’ll appreciate your effort to speak the language!