Planning to learn Spanish in 9th grade? That’s fantastic! Knowing some key Spanish words beyond what textbooks teach can really boost your understanding and make learning more fun and relevant. You might think your introductory Spanish classes cover everything, but Spanish, like any language, has a lot of everyday expressions and slang that aren’t always in formal lessons. This guide will introduce you to some common and useful Spanish words, especially those used in Spain, to help you sound more natural and understand conversations better.
If you’ve already started learning Spanish, you’ll know the basics. But imagine going to Spain and hearing words that are totally new to you, even though you thought you knew Spanish! While the Spanish taught in schools is understood everywhere, local variations and everyday slang are a big part of the language. This article will help you bridge that gap by focusing on Spanish words commonly used in Spain that are super helpful for 9th graders to learn. Think of it as leveling up your Spanish skills!
Here are some essential Spanish words to expand your vocabulary:
Cool Spanish Words to Know
Just like in English, Spanish has words that are simply ‘cool’ or ‘awesome’ to use in everyday conversations. These words are more informal and add personality to your speech. If you want to sound more like a native Spanish speaker, especially in Spain, these are great words to incorporate.
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Guay: This Spanish word is the equivalent of “cool” in English. It’s used to express approval or excitement. Think of it as saying “awesome!” or “great!”. For example, if someone tells you about a fun plan, you can respond with “¡Qué guay!” meaning “How cool!” While other Spanish-speaking regions might use words like “chévere” (common in Colombia) or “chido” (in Mexico), “guay” is very typical in Spain.
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Vale: This is a super common Spanish word in Spain that simply means “okay”. You’ll hear it all the time! It’s used to agree with something, say “yes”, or show understanding. If someone asks “¿Vamos al cine?” (Shall we go to the cinema?), you could reply “Vale” to say “Okay”. While you might have learned “listo” for “ready” or “okay” in your Spanish classes, “vale” is the go-to word in Spain for agreement.
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Tío/Tía: You might know these Spanish words as “uncle” and “aunt”, but in Spain, they are also used informally to mean “dude”, “guy”, or “girl”. “Tío” is masculine, and “tía” is feminine, but “tío” is often used regardless of gender, similar to how “dude” can be used for anyone in English. You can use it to get someone’s attention or just as a casual way to refer to a friend. For example, “¡Tío, mira esto!” means “Dude, look at this!”.
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Vaqueros: This Spanish word for 9th graders is useful for talking about clothes. “Vaqueros” means “jeans”. Interestingly, “vaquero” originally means “cowboy”, and it refers to the clothing style of cowboys. So, “vaqueros” are jeans, and “estilo vaquero” means “cowboy style”. If you want to talk about your jeans, you’d say “Mis vaqueros nuevos” (My new jeans). You might have learned “jeans” (pronounced the same as in English) or “pantalones de mezclilla” in other Spanish contexts, but “vaqueros” is what you’ll hear in Spain.
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Zapatillas: When talking about shoes in Spanish, especially in Spain, “zapatillas” is a very common word. It generally refers to shoes of any kind, except for boots. So, sneakers, trainers, or casual shoes are all “zapatillas”. While you might have learned “zapatos” as the general word for shoes, “zapatillas” is more specific to casual footwear. If you want to say “I like your shoes”, you could say “Me gustan tus zapatillas”. For specific types of shoes, “tenis” might refer to sneakers and “botas” are boots (which is the same in Spain).
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Flipar: This Spanish verb is a fun one! “Flipar” means “to freak out” or “to be amazed”, usually in response to something surprising or unbelievable. It expresses a strong reaction of surprise or disbelief. If someone tells you something incredible, you might say “¡Flipo!” meaning “I’m freaking out!” or “I can’t believe it!”. Or you could say “Vas a flipar” meaning “You’re gonna freak out!”. Instead of saying “No me lo puedo creer” (I can’t believe it), “flipar” is a more colloquial and energetic way to express surprise.
Important Spanish Exclamations to Understand
Spanish, like many languages, uses exclamations to express emotions or reactions. These words are often used in everyday conversation and are important to understand, even if you don’t use them yourself right away. Being aware of these Spanish words for 9th graders can help you better understand Spanish speakers from Spain.
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Joder: This is a strong Spanish exclamation, but it’s very common in Spain. While its literal translation is a vulgar word, in everyday use, it’s more like saying “damn it!”, “shit!”, or “fuck!” in English when you’re frustrated, surprised, or annoyed. It’s versatile and can be used in many situations. If you stub your toe, you might say “¡Joder!” It’s important to know that while common among Spaniards, it can be considered rude in more formal settings or with people you don’t know well. “Jodete” could be translated as “Screw you!”, but “joder” by itself as an exclamation is less directly offensive.
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Hostia: Another common Spanish exclamation in Spain is “hostia”. Literally, “hostia” refers to the “host” or communion wafer in Catholicism. Using it as an exclamation is a form of mild blasphemy, but it has become so common that many younger Spaniards may not even think of its religious origin. “Hostia” is used to express surprise, amazement, or even pain, similar to how English speakers might say “holy crap!” or “holy shit!”. If you’re really surprised by something, you might exclaim “¡Hostia!”. Also, saying something is “la hostia” means it’s amazing.
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Gilipollas: This Spanish word is a stronger insult meaning “douchebag”, “asshole”, or “idiot”. It’s used to call someone stupid or annoying. While it’s a common insult in Spain, it’s definitely offensive and should be used carefully, if at all, especially as a 9th grader learning Spanish. It’s good to understand what it means if you hear it, but it’s not recommended to use it yourself unless you are very sure of the context and your relationship with the person you’re talking to.
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Coño: This is another Spanish exclamation that can be a bit stronger. The literal translation is a vulgar term for vagina. However, in Spain, it’s often used as a general exclamation, similar to “shit”, “fuck”, or “damn”. It expresses surprise, annoyance, or frustration. While it’s a common exclamation in Spain, it is considered more vulgar than “joder” and is definitely not something you would typically hear in more formal Spanish from other regions.
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Me cago en: This Spanish phrase is very vulgar and aggressive, meaning “I shit on”. The most common variation you might hear is “Me cago en todo” which means “I shit on everything” and expresses extreme frustration or anger, similar to “fuck my life” in English. Phrases like “Me cago en tu puta madre” (I shit on your whore mother) are extremely offensive and are generally only heard in very aggressive contexts, like arguments or on television dramas. It’s very important to understand that these phrases are highly offensive and should definitely not be used by 9th graders learning Spanish. It’s more for understanding the intensity of emotion in certain contexts if you hear it.
Learning these Spanish words for 9th graders will definitely make your Spanish sound more natural and help you understand conversations in Spain better. While some of the stronger exclamations are included for awareness, focusing on words like “guay”, “vale”, “tío/a”, “vaqueros”, “zapatillas”, and “flipar” will be incredibly useful and fun to incorporate into your Spanish vocabulary. Keep practicing and listening to native Spanish speakers to continue expanding your language skills!
