30 Spanish phrases for giving simple advice

1. Deberías + infinitive — You should

Deberías is one of the most direct ways to suggest something. It is polite but firm.

Example:
Deberías estudiar un poco cada día.

Usage note: Use with friends or acquaintances for general recommendations.

2. Deberías de + infinitive — Regional variation

Some speakers add de as in Deberías de estudiar. Both are understood, but pure grammar prefers Deberías without de.

3. Deber + infinitive — Should (formal)

Use Deber in the conditional or present: Debes = you must/should (more direct).

Example:
Debes ir al médico si no mejoras.

Usage note: Debes is stronger than Deberías and can sound like an order.

4. Conviene + infinitive — It is advisable

Conviene is impersonal and polite, good for neutral advice.

Example:
Conviene llegar temprano al examen.

Usage note: Often used in formal or written Spanish.

5. Sería buena idea + infinitive — It would be a good idea

This softens the suggestion and sounds very polite.

Example:
Sería buena idea pedir ayuda si te sientes perdido.

6. Te recomiendo + noun/infinitive — I recommend

This is a direct and friendly way to give recommendations.

Example:
Te recomiendo llevar una botella de agua.

Usage note: Use with people you know or when offering specific suggestions.

7. Recomiendo — I recommend (neutral)

Recomiendo is the same verb without the indirect object pronoun; it sounds slightly more formal.

Example:
Recomiendo esta película para relajarte.

8. Te sugiero + noun/infinitive — I suggest

Te sugiero is slightly softer than Te recomiendo and often implies an idea rather than a strong recommendation.

Example:
Te sugiero probar eso antes de comprarlo.

9. Sugerir — to suggest (formal)

As a verb without the pronoun, Sugerir appears in instructions or lists.

Example:
Sugerimos descansar cada hora cuando trabajas en la pantalla.

10. Intenta + gerund/infinitive — Try

Intenta is a very common, friendly way to encourage someone to try something.

Example:
Intenta respirar profundo cuando estás nervioso.

11. Prueba + noun/infinitive — Try (imperative)

Prueba is similar to Intenta and is used informally with one person.

Example:
Prueba este restaurante; la comida es excelente.

12. Haz — Do/make (imperative)

Haz is the imperative of hacer and works for direct advice.

Example:
Haz una lista antes de ir de compras.

Usage note: More direct and used with people you know well.

13. No hagas — Don’t do (imperative negative)

Use this to warn or advise against something.

Example:
No hagas eso sin preguntar primero.

14. Evita + noun/gerund — Avoid

Evita is polite and useful for health, safety, or social advice.

Example:
Evita comer demasiado tarde si tienes sueño durante la noche.

15. Mejor + phrase — Better to

Mejor expresses preference and is very conversational.

Example:
Mejor no salir hoy, está lloviendo mucho.

16. Sería mejor + infinitive — It would be better

Polite and conditional, ideal for delicate situations.

Example:
Sería mejor hablar con calma y resolverlo.

17. Podrías + infinitive — You could

Podrías is tentative and friendly; it suggests options.

Example:
Podrías llamar al servicio técnico para preguntar.

18. Por qué no + present/imperative — Why not

Use Por qué no to offer a suggestion casually.

Example:
Por qué no cenamos afuera esta noche.

19. ¿Por qué no + infinitive — Question form

This is the interrogative way to propose an idea and invite agreement.

Example:
¿Por qué no pruebas con un horario nuevo?

20. Es mejor + infinitive/noun — It is better

Es mejor is straightforward, used for clear advice.

Example:
Es mejor ahorrar un poco cada mes.

21. Valdría la pena + infinitive — It would be worth it

This phrase explains that an action has value or benefit.

Example:
Valdría la pena visitar el museo si te interesa el arte.

22. Te conviene + infinitive/noun — It suits you / is advisable for you

Te conviene personalizes the advice and suggests practicality.

Example:
Te conviene llevar protector solar hoy.

23. No deberías + infinitive — You should not

Use No deberías to warn gently against an action.

Example:
No deberías gastar todo tu dinero en una sola cosa.

24. Procura + infinitive — Make sure / try to

Procura emphasizes effort or care, useful for instructions.

Example:
Procura apagar las luces cuando salgas.

25. Cuidado con + noun/gerund — Watch out for / be careful with

Short and practical for safety or social situations.

Example:
Cuidado con el escalón, está resbaladizo.

26. Ten en cuenta + noun/clause — Keep in mind

Use this to remind someone of important details.

Example:
Ten en cuenta que la tienda cierra a las ocho.

27. Si yo fuera tú + conditional — If I were you

This is a hypothetical and very common way to give personal advice.

Example:
Si yo fuera tú, hablaría con tu jefe antes del viernes.

28. En tu lugar + conditional — In your place

Similar to Si yo fuera tú but slightly more formal.

Example:
En tu lugar, pediría un reembolso.

29. ¿Qué tal si + present/imperative — How about if

Friendly and collaborative, great for brainstorming solutions.

Example:
¿Qué tal si empezamos mañana a primera hora?

30. Piensa en + noun/gerund — Think about

A gentle way to encourage reflection before making a decision.

Example:
Piensa en las consecuencias antes de firmar.

Putting phrases into context: short dialogues

Seeing these phrases used in conversation helps you feel how native speakers mix formal and informal advice. Below are two brief dialogues that combine several phrases.

Example 1 — Friend with exam stress:
A: Estoy muy nervioso por el examen.
B: Deberías repasar los apuntes y descansar bien la noche anterior.
A: ¿Y si no tengo tiempo?
B: Intenta hacer un resumen de lo más importante. Deberías dormir al menos seis horas.

Example 2 — Travel tip:
A: No sé si llevar ropa de abrigo.
B: Mejor llevar una chaqueta ligera. En tu lugar, también cogería un paraguas por si acaso.
A: Buena idea, gracias.

Politeness and formality tips

Choose your phrase based on how close you are to the person and the situation. Use Deberías, Te recomiendo, or Podrías for friendly advice. For formal or neutral settings, prefer impersonal forms like Conviene or Es mejor. Avoid overly direct imperatives like Haz or No hagas with strangers unless the situation calls for clear instructions.

Pronunciation and quick grammar notes

Most of these phrases are straightforward: pair a modal verb (deberías, podrías, conviene) with an infinitive to keep the structure simple. Remember that the first appearance of each Spanish key term in this article is bold and subsequent uses are italic for emphasis. Pronunciation tip: stress is usually on the second-to-last syllable for many verbs in the present tense, but watch irregular verbs like hacer and ir. Listening practice with native speakers will help solidify natural rhythm.

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid using Debes when you want to be polite; it can sound like an order. Do not mix formal and informal second-person pronouns in the same sentence. Be careful with direct imperatives in formal contexts. Finally, watch regional variations: some countries use Deberías de while others do not, and verb preferences can vary by region.

Resources to continue learning

Practice these phrases in real conversations, language exchanges, or with flashcards. Watch Spanish TV shows or short clips and note how native speakers give advice. Use audio resources to improve intonation and natural delivery. Repetition and real-life use will make these expressions feel natural.

Conclusion

Mastering 30 simple Spanish advice phrases will make everyday conversations smoother and more natural. Use polite forms for formal situations and casual phrases with friends. Practice with the provided examples and dialogues to build confidence and fluency.