Embarking on a journey to learn Spanish? Starting with basic vocabulary is key to building a strong foundation. Whether you’re planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country, connecting with Spanish-speaking friends and family, or simply enriching your linguistic skills, mastering fundamental Spanish words will significantly boost your comprehension and confidence in speaking.
This guide provides you with over 300 easy Spanish words, carefully selected to help beginners like you make rapid progress. These are the most useful and common Spanish vocabulary words that will empower you to start communicating effectively right away.
Essential Spanish Vocabulary Categories
To make your learning process structured and efficient, we’ve categorized these basic Spanish words into practical themes. This approach will help you memorize and apply them in real-life situations more easily.
Spanish Words for People
Knowing how to identify and refer to people is fundamental in any language. In Spanish, una persona (a person) is a great starting point and a versatile word for anyone, regardless of age or gender. It’s also a Spanish cognate, making it easy for English speakers to remember. For plural forms, you can use las personas or la gente (people).
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| un abuelo/una abuela | a grandfather/grandmother |
| un amigo/una amiga | a friend |
| una chica | a girl |
| un chico | a boy |
| la gente | people |
| un hermano/una hermana | a brother/sister |
| un hijo/una hija | a son/daughter |
| un hombre | a man |
| un invitado/una invitada | a guest |
| una madre/Mamá | a mother/mom |
| una mujer | a woman |
| un niño/una niña | a child |
| un padre/Papá | a father/dad |
| una persona | a person |
| un primo/una prima | a cousin |
| un tío/una tía | an uncle/aunt |
| un vecino/una vecina | a neighbor |
Mastering these words will enable you to talk about family, friends, and individuals you encounter. Remember to also learn Spanish subject pronouns to effectively refer to people in sentences.
Greetings and Polite Conversation Starters in Spanish
Good manners are universally appreciated, and showing politeness in Spanish will make your interactions much smoother and more enjoyable. Even simple attempts to use Spanish greetings and polite phrases will be well-received by native speakers. Learning how to say “hello in Spanish” and other basic phrases is your first step towards engaging in polite small talk.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| adiós | Goodbye |
| buenas noches | Good evening/Good night |
| buenas tardes | Good afternoon |
| buenos días | Hello/Good morning (until lunch) |
| con permiso | excuse me (to pass through) |
| de nada | you’re welcome |
| disculpe/disculpa | excuse me |
| gracias | thank you |
| lo siento | I’m sorry |
| mucho gusto. | Nice to meet you. |
| perdón/perdone/perdona | excuse me/I’m sorry |
| por favor | please |
| Señor | sir |
| Señora | ma’am |
| Señorita | miss |
These phrases are crucial for starting conversations, showing respect, and navigating everyday social interactions in Spanish-speaking environments.
Question Words in Spanish
Question words are your tools for gathering information, making inquiries, and understanding the world around you in Spanish. Whether you need to ask for directions, clarify information, or simply engage in conversation, mastering these interrogatives is essential. If you’re looking for a simple sí (yes) or no (no) answer, remember you can often turn a statement into a question just by raising your intonation, or by using the characteristic upside-down question mark in written Spanish.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿A qué hora? | At what time? |
| ¿Cómo? | How? |
| ¿Con quién? | With whom? |
| ¿Cuándo? | When? |
| ¿Cuánto/cuánta? | How much? |
| ¿Cuántos/cuántas? | How many? |
| ¿Cuánto cuesta? | How much does it cost? |
| ¿Hay…? | Is there…?/Are there…? |
| ¿Dónde? | Where? |
| ¿Por qué? | Why? |
| Porque | Because |
| ¿Qué? | What? |
| ¿Quién? | Who? |
Understanding and using these question words will empower you to ask for help, make plans, and explore independently while traveling or interacting with Spanish speakers. Don’t forget to familiarize yourself with the unique upside-down question mark used in Spanish!
Time and Numbers in Spanish
Being able to tell time and use numbers in Spanish is vital for punctuality and handling daily practicalities. Once you’ve learned counting in Spanish, mastering key phrases related to la hora (time) and los números (numbers) will ensure you’re puntual (on time).
Telling Time in Spanish
The basics of telling time in Spanish are relatively straightforward. Use son las for times other than one o’clock, and es la for one o’clock. Similarly, use a las and a la for “at a certain time,” adjusting for one o’clock.
Many Spanish-speaking regions and organizations use a 24-hour clock, starting from 0:00 at medianoche (midnight) to 12:00 at mediodía (noon), and continuing until 23:59 (one minute before midnight).
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿A qué hora? | At what time? |
| A la una | At one o’clock |
| A las # | At # o’clock |
| A mediodía | At noon |
| A medianoche | At midnight |
| …y media | half past/:30 |
| …y cuarto | quarter past/:15 |
| …menos cuarto | quarter to/fifteen minutes before hour |
| …en punto | on the dot/exactly |
| ¿Qué hora es? | What time is it? |
| Es la una | It’s one o’clock |
| Son las # | It’s # o’clock |
| de la mañana | in the morning |
| de la tarde | in the afternoon |
| de la noche | in the evening/at night |
Numbers in Spanish
Spanish numbers are essential for dates, times, prices, addresses, and quantities. Numbers up to 29 are written as single words, while from 30 onwards, they generally use a three-word structure, such as treinta y ocho (38).
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cero | zero | dieciséis | sixteen | |
| uno | one | diecisiete | seventeen | |
| dos | two | dieciocho | eighteen | |
| tres | three | diecinueve | nineteen | |
| cuatro | four | veinte | twenty | |
| cinco | five | veintiuno | twenty-one | |
| seis | six | veintidós | twenty-two | |
| siete | seven | veintitrés | twenty-three | |
| ocho | eight | treinta | thirty | |
| nueve | nine | cuarenta | forty | |
| diez | ten | cincuenta | fifty | |
| once | eleven | sesenta | sixty | |
| doce | twelve | setenta | seventy | |
| trece | thirteen | ochenta | eighty | |
| catorce | fourteen | noventa | ninety | |
| quince | fifteen | cien | one hundred |
With these words, you can handle various numerical situations in Spanish, from asking about prices to making appointments.
Places in the Community: Spanish Vocabulary
Knowing Spanish words for places in the community is incredibly useful for sightseeing, running errands, and navigating your surroundings in a Spanish-speaking city (la ciudad). This vocabulary of common buildings and landmarks will help you find your way around and engage with the local environment.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el aeropuerto | the airport |
| el apartamento/el piso | the apartment/flat |
| el banco | the bank |
| el bar | the bar/pub |
| la biblioteca | the library |
| la calle | the street |
| la casa | the house |
| el cine | the movie theater |
| la ciudad | the city |
| el colegio/la escuela | the school |
| el estadio | the stadium |
| la farmacia | the pharmacy |
| el hospital | the hospital |
| el hotel | the hotel |
| la librería | the bookstore |
| el mercado | the market |
| el museo | the museum |
| el parque | the park |
| el restaurante | the restaurant |
| el supermercado | the supermarket |
| el teatro | the theater |
| la tienda | the store/shop |
| la universidad | the college/university |
Spanish Words for Household Items
Your immediate surroundings are an excellent place to practice Spanish. Take a walk around your casa (house) and try to name each room and object in Spanish. Labeling everyday items is a fantastic way to master basic Spanish nouns for things in el hogar (the home).
Rooms of the House
The cuartos (rooms) of the house in Spanish often have names linked to verbs describing the actions that typically occur there. Noticing these connections can strengthen your vocabulary retention.
- cocinar (to cook) — la cocina (the kitchen)
- comer (to eat) — el comedor (the dining room)
- dormir (to sleep) — el dormitorio (the bedroom)
- bañarse (to bathe) — el baño (the bathroom)
- estar (to be) — la sala de estar (the living room)
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el ático | the attic |
| el baño | the bathroom |
| la cocina | the kitchen |
| el comedor | the dining room |
| el dormitorio/el cuarto/la habitación | the bedroom |
| la escalera | the staircase |
| el garaje | the garage |
| el hogar | the home |
| el jardín | the yard/garden |
| el salón/la sala (de estar) | the living room |
| el sótano | the basement |
Common Household Items
These Spanish nouns are indispensable for everyday life. While regional variations exist, these basic Spanish words are generally understood across Spanish-speaking regions.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la bañera/la tina | the bath/tub |
| unas botas | boots |
| la cama | the bed |
| la ducha | the shower |
| la escalera | the staircase |
| el fregadero | the kitchen sink |
| el inodoro/el retrete | the toilet |
| la lámpara | the lamp |
| el lavabo | the sink |
| la lavadora | the washing machine |
| el lavaplatos | the dishwasher |
| la mesa | the table |
| la secadora | the dryer |
| la silla | the chair |
| el sillón | the armchair |
| el sofá | the sofa |
Words for Clothing in Spanish
Spanish vocabulary for la ropa (clothing) is as diverse as fashion itself. A camiseta (t-shirt) in one country might be called a playera in another. This linguistic variety is a source of amusement among Spanish speakers. English speakers can relate, considering terms like “pants” vs “trousers” or “sweater” vs “jumper.” This list provides standard Spanish words for basic clothing items, forming a solid foundation for expanding your vocabulary.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| un abrigo | a coat |
| una blusa | a blouse |
| una bufanda | a scarf |
| unos calcetines | socks |
| una camisa | a button-up/dress shirt |
| una camiseta | a t-shirt |
| una chaqueta | a jacket/outer layer |
| un cinturón | a belt |
| una corbata | a tie |
| una falda | a skirt |
| unos jeans/unos vaqueros | jeans |
| un pantalón/unos pantalones | pants/trousers |
| un pijama | pajamas |
| unos pantalones cortos/un short | shorts |
| unas sandalias | sandals |
| una sudadera | a sweatshirt |
| un suéter/un jersey | a sweater/jumper |
| un traje | a suit |
| un traje de baño/un bañador | a bathing suit |
| un vestido | a dress |
| unos zapatos | shoes |
Spanish Words for Nature and Animals
Learning Spanish words for the outdoors will enhance your appreciation of la naturaleza (nature) and enable you to talk about the living things around you.
Nature Vocabulary in Spanish
Spending time al aire libre (outdoors/in the fresh air) is beneficial for your salud (health) and bienestar (well-being). Nature-related vocabulary is also a great starting point for beginner Spanish learners.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| un árbol | a tree |
| el bosque | a forest |
| el cielo | the sky |
| una estrella | a star |
| un lago | a lake |
| un mar | a sea |
| una montaña | a mountain |
| el río | the river |
| el sol | the sun |
| la tierra | the land |
Animals in Spanish
The names of los animales (animals) are a fun and engaging category of basic Spanish words, reminiscent of learning your first language! Learning animal names in Spanish allows you to discuss wildlife, pets (la mascota), and farm animals.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el caballo | the horse |
| el cerdo | the pig |
| el gato/la gata | the cat |
| la mascota | the pet |
| el oso | the bear |
| la oveja | the sheep |
| el pájaro | the bird |
| el pato | the duck |
| el perro/la perra | the dog |
| la rana | the frog |
| la serpiente | the snake |
| el toro | the bull |
| la vaca | the cow |
Common Adjectives in Spanish
Adjectives are crucial for making your Spanish descriptions more vivid and detailed. Integrating common Spanish adjectives will make your speech more expressive and engaging. The adjectives in this list are frequently found in beginner Spanish vocabulary resources. Remember that Spanish adjectives typically agree in gender and number with the nouns they describe, following Spanish grammar rules.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| abierto/abierta | open |
| aburrido/aburrida | boring/bored |
| alto/alta | tall |
| bajo/baja | short (height) |
| barato/barata | inexpensive |
| bonito/bonita | cute |
| bueno/buena | good |
| caro/cara | expensive |
| cerrado/cerrada | closed |
| corto/corta | short (length) |
| dificil | difficult |
| fácil | easy |
| feliz | happy |
| feo/fea | ugly |
| fuerte | strong |
| grande | big |
| guapo/guapa | good-looking/attractive (person) |
| impresionante | amazing/impressive |
| largo/larga | long |
| lindo/linda | pretty |
| malo/mala | bad |
| nervioso/nerviosa | nervous |
| nuevo/nueva | new |
| pequeño/pequeña | small |
| tímido/tímida | shy |
| tranquilo/tranquila | calm |
| triste | sad |
Colors in Spanish
The colors of the arcoíris (rainbow) follow Spanish grammatical gender rules, similar to adjectives. Most color words have masculine and feminine forms, except for those derived from nouns like flowers, such as crema (cream), rosa (pink), naranja (orange), and lila (lilac). These are “invariable,” meaning they have only one form. This list covers the most basic color words in Spanish, and you can expand your vocabulary to include various shades as you progress.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| rojo/roja | red |
| anaranjado/anaranjada | orange |
| amarillo/amarilla | yellow |
| verde | green |
| azul | blue |
| morado/morada | purple |
| negro/negra | black |
| blanco/blanca | white |
| gris | gray |
| café | brown |
| rosado/rosada | pink |
Words for Taking Action: Spanish Verbs
Verbs are the action words of sentences, like correr (to run). These are some of the most useful and common Spanish verbs to express actions. Expanding your repertoire of Spanish action verbs will make your conversations more dynamic and engaging.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| bailar | to dance |
| beber | to drink |
| cambiar | to change |
| caminar | to walk |
| cantar | to sing |
| cocinar | to cook |
| comer | to eat |
| comprar | to buy |
| correr | to run |
| dibujar | to draw |
| dormir | to sleep |
| encontrar | to find |
| escribir | to write |
| escuchar | to listen to |
| hablar | to speak/talk |
| jugar | to play (sport/game) |
| leer | to read |
| manejar | to drive |
| mirar | to look at/watch |
| saltar | to jump |
| tocar | to play instrument/touch |
| tomar | to take/drink |
| traer | to bring |
| volar | to fly |
Spanish Occupations Vocabulary
Words for empleo (employment) in Spanish often have masculine and feminine forms to correctly refer to individuals of each gender. Spain’s guide for inclusive language provides detailed recommendations for referring to professions in a general and inclusive manner. Spanish words ending in -ista are gender-neutral, with the articles el and la indicating the gender, as in el dentista (male dentist) and la dentista (female dentist).
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el abogado/la abogada | the lawyer |
| el/la agente/representante | the agent/representative |
| el arquitecto/la arquitecta | the architect |
| el/la artista | the artist |
| el bombero/la bombera | the firefighter |
| el carpintero/la carpintera | the carpenter |
| el cocinero/la cocinera/el chef | the cook/chef |
| el conductor/la conductora | the driver |
| el contable/el contador/la contadora | the accountant |
| el/la dentista | the dentist |
| el/la deportista/atleta | the athlete |
| el doctor/la doctora | the doctor |
| el/la electricista | the electrician |
| el empleado/la empleada | the employee |
| el enfermero/la enfermera | the nurse |
| el ingeniero/la ingeniera | the engineer |
| el jefe/la jefa | the boss |
| el juez/la jueza | the judge |
| el maestro/la maestra | the teacher |
| el obrero/la obrera | the worker |
| el panadero/la panadera | the baker |
| el presidente/la presidenta | the president |
| el profesor/la profesora | the teacher/professor |
Popular Spanish Food Words
Vocabulary for la comida (food) and meals is essential if you plan to order food in Spanish, visit a mercado (market), or share meals with Spanish speakers. Start by learning basic food words to enhance your dining experiences.
Basic Food Vocabulary
Learning food vocabulary in Spanish is an ongoing process, starting with basic ingredients and expanding to traditional dishes for holidays, such as Day of the Dead foods, to enrich your cultural experiences.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el aguacate/la palta | the avocado |
| el arroz | the rice |
| la banana/el plátano | the banana |
| la carne | the meat |
| la cebolla | the onion |
| la ensalada | the salad |
| los frijoles | the beans |
| los huevos | the eggs |
| la leche | the milk |
| la lechuga | the lettuce |
| el maís | the corn |
| la manzana | the apple |
| el pan | bread |
| la papa/la patata | the potato |
| el pescado | the fish |
| la piña | the pineapple |
| el pollo | the chicken |
| el queso | the cheese |
| la sandía | the watermelon |
| el tomate/el jitomate | the tomato |
Table Setting Vocabulary
This basic table setting vocabulary will help you ask for what you need in a restaurant or at someone’s home. A simple way to ask for something is, ¿Me trae…? (Will you bring me…?). Don’t forget to add por favor (please).
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la cuenta | the check |
| la cuchara | the spoon |
| el cuchillo | the knife |
| el menú | the menu |
| la mesa | the table |
| el plato | the dish |
| la servilleta | the napkin |
| la taza | the mug |
| el tenedor | the fork |
| el vaso | the glass |
Beautiful Spanish Words
If you’re looking for words to uplift your spirits, explore these unique and beautiful Spanish words that capture positive emotions and concepts.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la amabilidad | kindness |
| la belleza | beauty |
| la dulzura | sweetness |
| el florecimiento | flourishing |
| la gracia | grace/charm |
| la hermosura | beauty |
| la maravilla | wonder/beauty |
| la paloma | dove |
| la paz | peace |
| la prosperidad | prosperity |
| la tranquilidad | tranquility |
Spanish Words to Express Love
Spanish, a Romance language derived from Latin, is inherently romantic and rich with words to express love and affection.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| un abrazo/abrazar | a hug/to hug |
| la amistad | friendship |
| el amor | love |
| el amor a primera vista | love at first sight |
| besitos | “little kisses” (affectionate closing) |
| un beso/dar besos | a kiss/to kiss |
| el cariño | affection |
| el corazón | the heart |
| enamorarse | to fall in love |
| Te amo/Te quiero. | I love you. |
| Te extraño./Te echo de menos. | I miss you. |
| Eres el/la mejor. | You’re the best. |
| Eres un sol. | You’re a sunshine. |
| Eres un tesoro. | You’re a treasure. |
| Estoy enamorado/enamorada. | I’m in love. |
| Estoy loco/loca (de amor) por ti. | I’m crazy for you. |
| Mi vida | My life |
Longest Words in Spanish
Challenge yourself with these exceptionally long and sometimes intimidating Spanish words, unless you suffer from hipopotomonstrosesquipedaliofobia, the unofficially longest word in Spanish, meaning “fear of long words.” If you’re comfortable with Spanish alphabet pronunciation, try these longer words syllable by syllable. Impress native speakers by pronouncing electroencefalografistas (brain imaging specialists), the official longest word in Spanish. Many of the longest Spanish words are medical terms or base words extended with prefixes and suffixes.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| anticonstitucionalmente | anti-constitutionally |
| contrarrevolucionario/contrarrevolucionaria | counterrevolutionary |
| desafortunadamente | unfortunately |
| desproporcionadamente | disproportionately |
| electroencefalografistas | specialists in brain imaging |
| esternocleidomastoideo | a specific muscle in the neck |
| internacionalización | internationalization |
| otorrinolaringológico/otorrinolaringológica | ear, nose, and throat specialist |
Expand Your Spanish Vocabulary with Immersive Learning
These 300+ basic Spanish words are an excellent starting point for beginners. Vocabulary lists are valuable resources for study and progress tracking. Mastering various parts of speech in Spanish, like nouns, verbs, and adjectives, will significantly improve your ability to communicate in diverse everyday situations.
While memorizing lists is helpful, truly mastering vocabulary requires seeing and using words in context. Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method effectively teaches vocabulary by connecting words with images, phrases, sentences, and stories, ensuring lasting retention and practical application.
Start your immersive Spanish learning journey today and unlock a world of communication!
