250 essential Spanish words for absolute beginners (CEFR A1). Greetings, numbers, colors, pronouns, basic verbs, prepositions, and survival phrases with example sentences.
CEFR A1 — Beginner
At this level you can introduce yourself, order food, ask directions. Vocabulary: ~500 words (cumulative).
Spanish → English260 words~26 days at 10 words/day0 downloadsA1
No ratingsNo ratingsby admin@wordsonrepeat.comJun 10, 2026
Estás is the tú form of estar. Spanish questions use inverted marks: ¿...?
adiós
goodbye
Adiós, nos vemos mañana.
Goodbye, see you tomorrow.
Nos vemos is a reflexive construction (vernos) meaning 'we see each other.'
buenos días
good morning
Buenos días, señor García.
Good morning, Mr. García.
Buenos is the masculine plural adjective agreeing with días (masculine noun).
buenas tardes
good afternoon
Buenas tardes, ¿puedo ayudarle?
Good afternoon, can I help you?
Buenas agrees with tardes (feminine). Puedo is yo form of poder; ayudarle uses formal le.
buenas noches
good evening / good night
Buenas noches, que descanses.
Good night, rest well.
Que descanses uses the subjunctive (descansar) to express a wish.
hasta luego
see you later
Hasta luego, cuídate.
See you later, take care.
Hasta means 'until.' Cuídate is the tú imperative of cuidarse (reflexive).
hasta mañana
see you tomorrow
Hasta mañana, buenas noches.
See you tomorrow, good night.
Hasta + time expression is a common farewell pattern: hasta luego, hasta mañana.
encantado
nice to meet you
Encantado de conocerte.
Nice to meet you.
Encantado agrees with the speaker's gender (encantada for female). Conocerte = conocer + te.
bienvenido
welcome
Bienvenido a nuestra casa.
Welcome to our house.
Bienvenido agrees with the person's gender/number. Nuestra is feminine possessive matching casa.
por favor
please
Un café, por favor.
A coffee, please.
Un is the masculine indefinite article. Por favor is a fixed polite phrase placed at the end.
gracias
thank you
Muchas gracias por tu ayuda.
Thank you very much for your help.
Muchas agrees with gracias (feminine plural). Por introduces the reason; tu is informal 'your.'
de nada
you're welcome
De nada, fue un placer.
You're welcome, it was a pleasure.
Fue is the preterite of ser (it was). Un placer uses masculine article since placer is masculine.
perdón
sorry / excuse me
Perdón, ¿dónde está la estación?
Excuse me, where is the station?
Dónde has an accent as a question word. Está (estar) indicates location. La matches feminine estación.
lo siento
I'm sorry
Lo siento, llego tarde.
I'm sorry, I'm late.
Lo siento literally means 'I feel it' (sentir). Llego is yo form of llegar; tarde = late.
disculpe
excuse me (formal)
Disculpe, ¿habla inglés?
Excuse me, do you speak English?
Disculpe is the usted imperative of disculpar. Habla is the usted form (same as él/ella).
uno
one
Solo quiero uno.
I only want one.
Quiero is the yo form of querer. Uno is used as a pronoun here; before a noun it shortens to un.
dos
two
Tengo dos hermanos.
I have two brothers.
Tengo is the irregular yo form of tener. Hermanos is masculine plural.
tres
three
Son las tres de la tarde.
It's three in the afternoon.
Son las + number tells time (plural). La tarde is feminine; de la = of the.
cuatro
four
Hay cuatro sillas en la mesa.
There are four chairs at the table.
Hay is the impersonal form of haber meaning 'there is/are.' Sillas is feminine plural.
cinco
five
Trabajo cinco días a la semana.
I work five days a week.
Trabajo is the yo form of trabajar (-ar verb). A la semana = per week (a + la).
seis
six
Mi hijo tiene seis años.
My son is six years old.
Tiene is él/ella form of tener. Spanish uses 'tener + años' for age, not ser.
siete
seven
La semana tiene siete días.
The week has seven days.
La is the feminine article matching semana. Tiene means 'has' (tener, él/ella form).
ocho
eight
La clase empieza a las ocho.
The class starts at eight.
Empieza is the él/ella form of empezar (e→ie stem change). A las = at (time).
nueve
nine
Vivo en el piso nueve.
I live on the ninth floor.
Vivo is the yo form of vivir (-ir verb). En el piso = on the floor; el is masculine article.
diez
ten
Necesito diez minutos más.
I need ten more minutes.
Necesito is the yo form of necesitar. Más (more) goes after the noun in this construction.
once
eleven
El autobús sale a las once.
The bus leaves at eleven.
Sale is the él/ella form of salir (irregular). A las once = at eleven (feminine for horas).
doce
twelve
Son las doce del mediodía.
It's twelve noon.
Son las doce tells time. Del = de + el (contraction). Mediodía is masculine.
trece
thirteen
Mi número es el trece.
My number is thirteen.
Es is the él/ella form of ser, used for identity. El trece uses the article when referring to a specific number.
catorce
fourteen
Tiene catorce años.
He is fourteen years old.
Subject pronoun él is omitted; the verb tiene identifies the person. Tener + años = to be ... years old.
quince
fifteen
Llegamos en quince minutos.
We arrive in fifteen minutes.
Llegamos is the nosotros form of llegar (-ar verb). En + time = in (duration).
veinte
twenty
Cuesta veinte euros.
It costs twenty euros.
Cuesta is the él/ella form of costar (o→ue stem change), meaning 'it costs.'
treinta
thirty
Tengo treinta años.
I am thirty years old.
Tengo is the irregular yo form of tener. Spanish expresses age with tener, not ser.
cuarenta
forty
Mi padre tiene cuarenta y cinco años.
My father is forty-five years old.
Compound numbers use y (and): cuarenta y cinco = 45. Tiene is él/ella form of tener.
cincuenta
fifty
Hay cincuenta estudiantes en la clase.
There are fifty students in the class.
Hay is invariable for both singular and plural ('there is/are'). Estudiantes is gender-neutral.
sesenta
sixty
Una hora tiene sesenta minutos.
An hour has sixty minutes.
Una is the feminine article matching hora. Tiene is él/ella form of tener (has).
setenta
seventy
Mi abuela tiene setenta años.
My grandmother is seventy years old.
Mi is a possessive adjective (invariable for gender). Abuela is feminine; tener + años = age.
ochenta
eighty
El libro cuesta ochenta pesos.
The book costs eighty pesos.
El is the masculine article for libro. Cuesta is costar (o→ue stem change) in él/ella form.
noventa
ninety
Noventa más diez son cien.
Ninety plus ten is one hundred.
Son is the plural form of ser because the subject is a combined total. Cien = exactly 100.
cien
one hundred
Hay cien personas en la sala.
There are one hundred people in the room.
Cien is used for exactly 100; ciento for 101-199. Personas is always feminine.
cero
zero
La temperatura es cero grados.
The temperature is zero degrees.
Es (ser) describes a fact/measurement. Grados is masculine plural; no article needed after a number.
rojo
red
Me gusta el coche rojo.
I like the red car.
Me gusta uses indirect object + gustar. Rojo follows the noun (adjectives come after in Spanish).
azul
blue
El cielo está muy azul hoy.
The sky is very blue today.
Está (estar) describes a temporary/visible state. Azul doesn't change for gender. Muy = very.
verde
green
Los árboles son verdes en verano.
The trees are green in summer.
Son (ser) for inherent traits. Verdes is plural to match árboles. Los is masculine plural article.
amarillo
yellow
Las flores amarillas son muy bonitas.
The yellow flowers are very pretty.
Amarillas is feminine plural agreeing with flores. Las is the feminine plural article.
blanco
white
Lleva una camisa blanca.
He's wearing a white shirt.
Lleva is él/ella form of llevar (to wear). Blanca is feminine to agree with camisa.
negro
black
Prefiero el café negro.
I prefer black coffee.
Prefiero is the yo form of preferir (e→ie stem change). Negro agrees with masculine café.
marrón
brown
Tiene los ojos marrones.
She has brown eyes.
Marrones is the plural of marrón (add -es). Los ojos = the eyes; body parts use the article, not possessive.
gris
gray
El día está gris y nublado.
The day is gray and cloudy.
Está (estar) for a temporary condition. Gris is invariable for gender. Y = and.
naranja
orange (color)
Me encanta el color naranja.
I love the color orange.
Me encanta follows the gustar pattern (lit. 'the orange color enchants me'). Naranja is invariable as a color.
rosa
pink
Le regalé una flor rosa.
I gave her a pink flower.
Le regalé: le = indirect object (to her), regalé = yo preterite of regalar. Rosa is invariable as a color.
morado
purple
Su vestido morado es elegante.
Her purple dress is elegant.
Su = her/his/your (formal). Morado agrees with vestido (masculine). Es (ser) for inherent quality.
yo
I
Yo quiero aprender español.
I want to learn Spanish.
Yo is often dropped since quiero already indicates first person. Aprender is an infinitive after querer.
tú
you (informal)
¿Tú hablas español?
Do you speak Spanish?
Tú (with accent) is the pronoun; hablas is the tú conjugation of hablar. Question uses ¿...? marks.
él
he
Él vive en Madrid.
He lives in Madrid.
Él (with accent) is the pronoun. Vive is the él/ella form of vivir (-ir verb). En = in.
ella
she
Ella trabaja en un hospital.
She works in a hospital.
Trabaja is the ella form of trabajar (-ar verb). Un hospital = masculine indefinite article.
usted
you (formal)
¿Usted es el señor López?
Are you Mr. López?
Usted uses third-person verb forms: es (ser). El señor = the gentleman/Mr.
nosotros
we
Nosotros estudiamos juntos.
We study together.
Estudiamos is the nosotros form of estudiar (-ar: -amos ending). Juntos = together (masculine plural).
ellos
they (masculine)
Ellos llegan mañana.
They arrive tomorrow.
Llegan is the ellos form of llegar (-ar: -an ending). Mañana = tomorrow (no preposition needed).
ellas
they (feminine)
Ellas son mis amigas.
They are my friends.
Son is the ellas form of ser. Mis is plural possessive. Amigas is feminine plural matching ellas.
ustedes
you all (formal)
¿Ustedes quieren algo de beber?
Do you all want something to drink?
Ustedes uses third-person plural: quieren (querer, e→ie). Algo de beber = something to drink.
este
this (masculine)
Este libro es interesante.
This book is interesting.
Este is a masculine demonstrative matching libro. Es (ser) for a permanent quality.
esta
this (feminine)
Esta casa es muy grande.
This house is very big.
Esta is the feminine demonstrative matching casa. Muy grande = very big; grande is invariable for gender.
ese
that (masculine)
Ese coche es de mi padre.
That car is my father's.
Ese is a masculine demonstrative (that, nearby). De mi padre = of my father (possession with de).
esa
that (feminine)
Esa chica es mi vecina.
That girl is my neighbor.
Esa is the feminine demonstrative. Es (ser) for identity. Vecina is feminine to match the subject.
mi
my
Mi familia es grande.
My family is big.
Mi (no accent) is a possessive adjective, invariable for gender. Familia is feminine but uses mi.
tu
your (informal)
¿Dónde está tu casa?
Where is your house?
Tu (no accent) is possessive 'your.' Dónde has accent as a question word. Está = location (estar).
su
his / her / your (formal)
Su nombre es María.
Her name is María.
Su can mean his, her, your (formal), or their. Context determines meaning. Es (ser) for identity.
nuestro
our
Nuestro profesor es muy bueno.
Our teacher is very good.
Nuestro agrees in gender with the noun (nuestro/nuestra). Profesor is masculine. Bueno = good.
qué
what
¿Qué quieres comer?
What do you want to eat?
Qué (accented) is an interrogative. Quieres is tú form of querer. Comer is the infinitive after querer.
quién
who
¿Quién es esa persona?
Who is that person?
Quién (accented) asks 'who.' Es (ser) for identity. Esa is a feminine demonstrative matching persona.
dónde
where
¿Dónde vives?
Where do you live?
Dónde (accented) asks 'where.' Vives is the tú form of vivir (-ir verb: -es ending).
cuándo
when
¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños?
When is your birthday?
Cuándo (accented) asks 'when.' Es (ser) for dates/events. Tu = your (informal, no accent).
cómo
how
¿Cómo te llamas?
What is your name?
Cómo (accented) asks 'how.' Te llamas is reflexive llamarse in tú form (lit. 'how do you call yourself').
por qué
why
¿Por qué estudias español?
Why do you study Spanish?
Por qué (two words, accented) = why. Estudias is the tú form of estudiar (-ar verb).
cuánto
how much
¿Cuánto cuesta esto?
How much does this cost?
Cuánto (accented) asks 'how much.' Cuesta is costar (o→ue stem change). Esto = this (neuter).
cuál
which
¿Cuál es tu color favorito?
Which is your favorite color?
Cuál (accented) asks 'which.' Es (ser) for identity. Favorito agrees with color (masculine).
ser
to be (identity/essence)
Quiero ser profesor.
I want to be a teacher.
Ser is in infinitive form after querer. No article before professions after ser: soy profesor.
estar
to be (state/location)
Estoy muy cansado hoy.
I am very tired today.
Estoy is the irregular yo form of estar. Cansado (tired) uses estar for temporary states.
tener
to have
Tengo una pregunta.
I have a question.
Tengo is the irregular yo form of tener. Una matches feminine pregunta.
ir
to go
Voy al supermercado.
I'm going to the supermarket.
Voy is the irregular yo form of ir. Al = a + el (contraction). Ir a = to go to.
hacer
to do / to make
¿Qué vas a hacer hoy?
What are you going to do today?
Vas a + infinitive is the near future (ir a + inf). Hacer is in infinitive form here.
querer
to want
Quiero un vaso de agua.
I want a glass of water.
Quiero is yo form of querer (e→ie stem change, but regular in yo). De agua = of water.
poder
to be able to / can
¿Puedo sentarme aquí?
Can I sit here?
Puedo is yo form of poder (o→ue stem change). Sentarme = sentar + me (reflexive pronoun attached).
saber
to know (facts)
No sé la respuesta.
I don't know the answer.
Sé is the irregular yo form of saber. No goes before the verb for negation. La matches feminine respuesta.
decir
to say / to tell
¿Qué quieres decir?
What do you mean?
Quieres decir literally means 'you want to say.' Decir is in infinitive after querer.
dar
to give
Te voy a dar un regalo.
I'm going to give you a gift.
Te = to you (indirect object). Voy a + infinitive = near future. Un regalo = a gift (masculine).
ver
to see
¿Puedes ver la montaña?
Can you see the mountain?
Puedes is tú form of poder. Ver is infinitive after poder. La matches feminine montaña.
poner
to put / to place
Pon los libros en la mesa.
Put the books on the table.
Pon is the irregular tú imperative of poner. Los is masculine plural article. En la mesa = on the table.
venir
to come
¿Quieres venir a mi fiesta?
Do you want to come to my party?
Quieres is tú form of querer. Venir is infinitive after querer. A mi fiesta = to my party.
salir
to go out / to leave
Vamos a salir a cenar.
We're going to go out for dinner.
Vamos a + infinitive = near future (we're going to). Cenar is infinitive meaning 'to have dinner.'
llevar
to carry / to wear
Llevo una mochila grande.
I'm carrying a big backpack.
Llevo is yo form of llevar (-ar verb). Grande follows the noun. Una matches feminine mochila.
hablar
to speak / to talk
Hablo español un poco.
I speak a little Spanish.
Hablo is the yo form of hablar (-ar: -o ending). Un poco = a little (adverbial phrase).
comer
to eat
Vamos a comer a las dos.
We're going to eat at two.
Vamos a + infinitive = near future. A las dos = at two o'clock (feminine article for horas).
vivir
to live
Vivo en una ciudad pequeña.
I live in a small city.
Vivo is yo form of vivir (-ir: -o ending). Pequeña is feminine to agree with ciudad.
trabajar
to work
Trabajo de lunes a viernes.
I work from Monday to Friday.
Trabajo is yo form of trabajar. De...a = from...to. Days of the week are masculine and lowercase.
estudiar
to study
Estudio español por las noches.
I study Spanish in the evenings.
Estudio is yo form of estudiar (-ar verb). Por las noches = in the evenings (habitual time).
leer
to read
Me gusta leer novelas.
I like to read novels.
Me gusta + infinitive = I like to. Leer is the infinitive. Novelas is feminine plural.
escribir
to write
Necesito escribir una carta.
I need to write a letter.
Necesito is yo form of necesitar. Escribir is infinitive after necesitar. Una matches feminine carta.
escuchar
to listen
Me gusta escuchar música.
I like to listen to music.
Me gusta + infinitive = I like to. Escuchar doesn't need a preposition (unlike English 'listen to').
comprar
to buy
Voy a comprar pan.
I'm going to buy bread.
Voy a + infinitive = near future. Pan (bread) is masculine and uncountable, so no article needed.
llamar
to call
Voy a llamar a mi madre.
I'm going to call my mother.
Voy a + infinitive = near future. Personal a is required before a person: llamar a mi madre.
necesitar
to need
Necesito ayuda con esto.
I need help with this.
Necesito is yo form of necesitar (-ar verb). Ayuda is a noun here. Con esto = with this.
gustar
to like / to be pleasing
Me gusta mucho esta ciudad.
I like this city a lot.
Gustar takes indirect object + verb: me gusta (it pleases me). Esta ciudad is the subject, so gusta is singular.
conocer
to know (people/places)
¿Conoces a mi hermana?
Do you know my sister?
Conoces is tú form of conocer. Personal a is required before people: conocer a mi hermana.
pensar
to think
Pienso que es una buena idea.
I think it's a good idea.
Pienso is yo form of pensar (e→ie stem change). Que introduces a clause. Buena agrees with idea (fem).
creer
to believe
Creo que tienes razón.
I believe you're right.
Creo is yo form of creer (-er verb). Que = that. Tienes razón = you are right (tener + razón).
abrir
to open
¿Puedes abrir la ventana?
Can you open the window?
Puedes is tú form of poder. Abrir is infinitive after poder. La matches feminine ventana.
cerrar
to close
Cierra la puerta, por favor.
Close the door, please.
Cierra is the tú imperative of cerrar (e→ie stem change). La puerta = the door (feminine).
entender
to understand
No entiendo la pregunta.
I don't understand the question.
Entiendo is yo form of entender (e→ie stem change). No before the verb negates it.
esperar
to wait / to hope
Espera un momento, por favor.
Wait a moment, please.
Espera is the tú imperative of esperar. Un momento = a moment (masculine). Por favor = please.
mirar
to look / to watch
Mira, allí está el museo.
Look, there is the museum.
Mira is the tú imperative of mirar. Allí = there. Está (estar) indicates location.
encontrar
to find
No puedo encontrar mis llaves.
I can't find my keys.
No puedo = I can't (negar + poder). Encontrar is infinitive after poder. Mis = my (plural).
tomar
to take / to drink
Voy a tomar un café.
I'm going to have a coffee.
Voy a + infinitive = near future. Tomar un café = to have a coffee (common usage in Spanish).
jugar
to play
Los niños juegan en el parque.
The children play in the park.
Juegan is ellos form of jugar (u→ue stem change). Los niños = the children (masculine plural). En = in.
dormir
to sleep
Necesito dormir ocho horas.
I need to sleep eight hours.
Necesito + infinitive = I need to. Dormir is an -ir verb with o→ue stem change in conjugated forms.
aprender
to learn
Quiero aprender a cocinar.
I want to learn to cook.
Quiero + infinitive = I want to. Aprender a + infinitive = to learn to do something (a is required).
el
the (masculine singular)
El perro está en el jardín.
The dog is in the garden.
El is the masculine singular definite article. Está (estar) shows location. En el = in the.
la
the (feminine singular)
La casa es muy bonita.
The house is very pretty.
La is the feminine singular definite article matching casa. Es (ser) for permanent quality. Bonita = fem.
los
the (masculine plural)
Los estudiantes están en clase.
The students are in class.
Los is the masculine plural article. Están is the ellos form of estar (location). En clase = in class.
las
the (feminine plural)
Las flores son de mi jardín.
The flowers are from my garden.
Las is the feminine plural article matching flores. Son (ser) for origin. De = from.
un
a / an (masculine)
Quiero un café con leche.
I want a coffee with milk.
Un is the masculine indefinite article. Con = with. Leche is feminine but no article needed after con here.
una
a / an (feminine)
Necesito una mesa más grande.
I need a bigger table.
Una is the feminine indefinite article matching mesa. Más grande = bigger (comparative with más).
en
in / on / at
Vivo en Barcelona.
I live in Barcelona.
En means 'in' for locations. No article before city names. Vivo is yo form of vivir.
de
of / from
Soy de México.
I am from Mexico.
De = from (origin). Soy is yo form of ser, used for origin. No article before country names usually.
a
to / at
Voy a la escuela.
I go to school.
A = to (direction). A + el contracts to al, but a + la stays separate. Voy is yo form of ir.
con
with
Voy con mis amigos.
I'm going with my friends.
Con = with. Mis = my (plural possessive). Amigos is masculine plural.
por
for / by / through
Camino por la playa.
I walk along the beach.
Por = through/along (movement through a space). Camino is yo form of caminar. La playa = the beach.
para
for / in order to
Esto es para ti.
This is for you.
Para = for (purpose/recipient). Ti is the prepositional form of tú (used after prepositions).
sin
without
Café sin azúcar, por favor.
Coffee without sugar, please.
Sin = without. No verb in this request-style sentence. Azúcar can be masculine or feminine.
entre
between / among
La tienda está entre el banco y la farmacia.
The store is between the bank and the pharmacy.
Entre = between. Está (estar) for location. El banco (masc.) y la farmacia (fem.) show gender articles.
sobre
on / about / over
El libro está sobre la mesa.
The book is on the table.
Sobre = on top of. Está (estar) for location of objects. El libro (masc.) and la mesa (fem.).
hasta
until / up to
Trabajo hasta las seis.
I work until six.
Hasta = until. Las seis = six o'clock (feminine article for implied horas). Trabajo = yo form.
desde
from / since
Estudio español desde enero.
I've been studying Spanish since January.
Desde = since. Spanish uses present tense for ongoing actions (English uses present perfect).
y
and
Tengo un perro y un gato.
I have a dog and a cat.
Y = and. Un is the masculine indefinite article for both perro and gato.
o
or
¿Quieres té o café?
Do you want tea or coffee?
O = or. Quieres is tú form of querer (e→ie). No articles needed for uncountable nouns in this context.
pero
but
Es difícil, pero interesante.
It's difficult, but interesting.
Pero = but (contrasts without excluding). Es (ser) for describing qualities.
porque
because
Estudio porque quiero aprender.
I study because I want to learn.
Porque (one word, no accent) = because. Compare: por qué (why). Quiero aprender = I want to learn.
también
also / too
Yo también quiero ir.
I also want to go.
También = also/too, placed before the verb. Quiero ir = I want to go (querer + infinitive).
ni
neither / nor
No tengo ni hambre ni sed.
I have neither hunger nor thirst.
Ni...ni = neither...nor. Requires no before the verb (double negative). Hambre and sed are feminine nouns.
si
if
Si llueve, no vamos al parque.
If it rains, we don't go to the park.
Si (no accent) = if. Llueve is él/ella form of llover (impersonal). Al = a + el (contraction).
que
that / which
Creo que es verdad.
I think that it's true.
Que (no accent) = that (conjunction linking clauses). Es (ser) for stating facts. Verdad = truth.
cuando
when
Cuando llego a casa, descanso.
When I get home, I rest.
Cuando (no accent) = when (conjunction). Llego is yo form of llegar. Descanso = yo form of descansar.
el lunes
Monday
El lunes tengo una reunión.
On Monday I have a meeting.
El + day means 'on' that day. Days are masculine and lowercase in Spanish. Tengo = yo form of tener.
el martes
Tuesday
Los martes voy al gimnasio.
On Tuesdays I go to the gym.
Los + day = on (day)s (habitual). Martes is the same in singular/plural. Al = a + el.
el miércoles
Wednesday
El miércoles es mi día libre.
Wednesday is my day off.
Es (ser) for defining/identifying. Mi día libre = my free day. Libre is invariable for gender.
el jueves
Thursday
Tenemos clase el jueves.
We have class on Thursday.
Tenemos is nosotros form of tener. El jueves = on Thursday (article indicates 'on').
el viernes
Friday
El viernes vamos al cine.
On Friday we go to the cinema.
Vamos is nosotros form of ir. Al cine = a + el cine (to the cinema). Contraction required.
el sábado
Saturday
El sábado vamos de compras.
On Saturday we go shopping.
Ir de compras = to go shopping (fixed expression). Vamos is nosotros form of ir.
el domingo
Sunday
El domingo descansamos en casa.
On Sunday we rest at home.
Descansamos is nosotros form of descansar (-ar verb). En casa = at home (no article).
enero
January
En enero hace mucho frío.
In January it's very cold.
Hace frío = it's cold (hacer + weather noun). Mucho modifies frío (masculine). Months are lowercase.
febrero
February
Febrero es el mes más corto.
February is the shortest month.
Es (ser) for permanent facts. El mes más corto = the shortest month (superlative with más).
marzo
March
La primavera empieza en marzo.
Spring begins in March.
Empieza is ella form of empezar (e→ie stem change). La primavera is feminine.
abril
April
En abril llueve mucho.
In April it rains a lot.
Llueve is the impersonal form of llover (o→ue). Mucho = a lot (adverb, invariable here).
mayo
May
Mi cumpleaños es en mayo.
My birthday is in May.
Es (ser) for dates/events. En mayo = in May (no article before months).
junio
June
Las vacaciones empiezan en junio.
Vacation starts in June.
Las vacaciones is always plural in Spanish. Empiezan is ellas form of empezar (e→ie).
julio
July
En julio hace mucho calor.
In July it's very hot.
Hace calor = it's hot (hacer + weather). Mucho modifies calor (masculine noun).
agosto
August
Vamos a la playa en agosto.
We go to the beach in August.
Vamos is nosotros form of ir. A la playa = to the beach (a + la, no contraction with la).
septiembre
September
Las clases empiezan en septiembre.
Classes start in September.
Las clases (feminine plural). Empiezan is ellas form of empezar (e→ie stem change).
octubre
October
Octubre es un mes bonito.
October is a beautiful month.
Es (ser) for describing traits. Un mes bonito: bonito agrees with mes (masculine).
noviembre
November
En noviembre los días son cortos.
In November the days are short.
Los días (masculine plural). Son (ser) for general characteristics. Cortos agrees with días.
diciembre
December
En diciembre celebramos la Navidad.
In December we celebrate Christmas.
Celebramos is nosotros form of celebrar (-ar verb). La Navidad = Christmas (feminine, with article).
grande
big / large
Madrid es una ciudad grande.
Madrid is a big city.
Grande comes after the noun and is invariable for gender. Una matches feminine ciudad.
pequeño
small / little
Vivo en un pueblo pequeño.
I live in a small town.
Pequeño agrees with pueblo (masculine). Adjectives follow the noun in standard position.
nuevo
new
Tengo un teléfono nuevo.
I have a new phone.
Nuevo agrees with teléfono (masculine). Un is the masculine indefinite article.
viejo
old
Este edificio es muy viejo.
This building is very old.
Este is masculine demonstrative. Es (ser) for permanent traits. Muy = very.
bueno
good
Es un buen restaurante.
It's a good restaurant.
Bueno shortens to buen before a masculine singular noun. Restaurante is masculine.
malo
bad
El tiempo está malo hoy.
The weather is bad today.
Está (estar) for a temporary state (today's weather). Malo agrees with el tiempo (masculine).
bonito
pretty / beautiful
Tu jardín es muy bonito.
Your garden is very pretty.
Tu = your (informal). Bonito agrees with jardín (masculine). Es (ser) for inherent quality.
feo
ugly
Ese cuadro es bastante feo.
That painting is quite ugly.
Ese = that (masc. demonstrative). Es (ser) for description. Bastante = quite (adverb here).
alto
tall / high
Mi hermano es muy alto.
My brother is very tall.
Es (ser) for a permanent physical trait. Alto agrees with hermano (masculine). Muy = very.
bajo
short / low
La mesa es muy baja.
The table is very low.
Baja is the feminine form of bajo, agreeing with la mesa. Es (ser) for inherent quality.
largo
long
La calle es muy larga.
The street is very long.
Larga is feminine to agree with la calle. Es (ser) for description. Muy = very.
corto
short (length)
Las vacaciones fueron muy cortas.
The vacation was very short.
Fueron is the preterite of ser (they were). Cortas is feminine plural matching las vacaciones.
fácil
easy
Este ejercicio es fácil.
This exercise is easy.
Fácil is invariable for gender. Este matches masculine ejercicio. Es (ser) for qualities.
difícil
difficult
El examen fue difícil.
The exam was difficult.
Fue is preterite of ser (it was). Difícil is invariable for gender. El examen is masculine.
importante
important
Es una decisión importante.
It's an important decision.
Importante is invariable for gender. Una matches feminine decisión. Es (ser) for describing.
diferente
different
Cada persona es diferente.
Each person is different.
Cada = each (invariable). Diferente is invariable for gender. Es (ser) for inherent quality.
mismo
same
Tenemos el mismo profesor.
We have the same teacher.
Mismo goes before the noun (el mismo = the same). Agrees with profesor (masculine). Tenemos = nosotros.
otro
other / another
¿Hay otro color?
Is there another color?
Otro = another (masculine). Never use un otro; just otro. Hay = there is (impersonal haber).
mucho
a lot / much
Tengo mucho trabajo.
I have a lot of work.
Mucho agrees with trabajo (masculine singular). As an adjective it changes: mucho/mucha/muchos/muchas.
poco
a little / few
Hablo un poco de español.
I speak a little Spanish.
Un poco de = a little of (fixed expression). Hablo is yo form of hablar. De = of.
todo
all / every
Todo el mundo está aquí.
Everyone is here.
Todo el mundo = everyone (lit. 'all the world'). Está (estar) for location. Aquí = here.
primero
first
Es la primera vez que vengo.
It's the first time I come.
Primera is feminine matching vez. Primero shortens to primer before masc. nouns. Que = that (relative).
último
last
Este es el último día.
This is the last day.
Último agrees with día (masculine). Este = this. El último = the last (definite article needed).
solo
alone / only
Vivo solo en este piso.
I live alone in this apartment.
Solo means 'alone' as adjective (agrees with subject). Este piso = this apartment (masculine).
junto
together
Trabajamos juntos en la oficina.
We work together in the office.
Juntos is masculine plural agreeing with the implied nosotros. En la oficina = in the office.
listo
ready / clever
¿Estás listo para salir?
Are you ready to go out?
Estás listo (estar) = ready. Ser listo = clever (different meaning). Para + infinitive = in order to.
libre
free
¿Estás libre el sábado?
Are you free on Saturday?
Estás (estar) for temporary availability. Libre is invariable for gender. El sábado = on Saturday.
favorito
favorite
Mi comida favorita es la paella.
My favorite food is paella.
Favorita is feminine to agree with comida. Es (ser) for identity. La paella uses the article.
sí
yes
Sí, estoy de acuerdo.
Yes, I agree.
Sí (with accent) = yes. Estar de acuerdo = to agree (fixed expression with estar).
no
no / not
No, no puedo ir.
No, I can't go.
First no = answer; second no = negation before verb. Puedo is yo form of poder. Ir = infinitive.
bien
well / fine
Estoy bien, gracias.
I'm fine, thank you.
Estoy (estar) for how you feel. Bien is an adverb (not bueno). Gracias = thank you.
mal
badly / poorly
Me siento mal hoy.
I feel bad today.
Me siento is reflexive sentirse (yo form). Mal is an adverb. Hoy = today.
muy
very
Estoy muy contento.
I am very happy.
Muy = very (modifies adjectives/adverbs). Estoy (estar) for temporary emotion. Contento = happy (masc).
más
more
Quiero más tiempo.
I want more time.
Más = more (before noun for quantity). Quiero is yo form of querer. Tiempo is masculine.
menos
less
Necesito menos estrés.
I need less stress.
Menos = less (invariable). Necesito is yo form of necesitar. Estrés is masculine.
aquí
here
Ven aquí, por favor.
Come here, please.
Ven is the irregular tú imperative of venir. Aquí = here (location close to speaker).
allí
there
Mi casa está allí.
My house is there.
Está (estar) for location. Allí = there (a specific place away from speaker). Mi = my.
ahora
now
Tengo que irme ahora.
I have to leave now.
Tener que + infinitive = to have to. Irme = ir + me (reflexive: to leave). Ahora = now.
hoy
today
Hoy es un día especial.
Today is a special day.
Es (ser) for defining. Un día = a day (masculine). Especial is invariable for gender.
mañana
tomorrow / morning
Mañana vamos al parque.
Tomorrow we go to the park.
Mañana = tomorrow (adverb) or morning (noun). Vamos is nosotros form of ir. Al = a + el.
ayer
yesterday
Ayer fui al cine.
Yesterday I went to the cinema.
Fui is the irregular yo preterite of ir. Al cine = a + el cine. Ayer triggers past tense.
siempre
always
Siempre desayuno a las ocho.
I always have breakfast at eight.
Siempre = always (before verb). Desayuno is yo form of desayunar. A las ocho = at eight.
nunca
never
Nunca como carne.
I never eat meat.
Nunca = never (before verb, no extra 'no' needed). Como is yo form of comer.
a veces
sometimes
A veces voy en bicicleta.
Sometimes I ride a bicycle.
A veces = sometimes (two-word adverbial). Voy is yo form of ir. En bicicleta = by bicycle.
ya
already / now
Ya he terminado.
I've already finished.
He terminado is the present perfect (haber + past participle). Ya = already, placed before the verb.
todavía
still / yet
Todavía no he comido.
I still haven't eaten.
Todavía no = still not / not yet. He comido is present perfect of comer. Todavía goes before no.
después
after / later
Hablamos después de la clase.
We'll talk after class.
Después de = after (preposition). Hablamos can be present or future by context. De la = of the.
antes
before
Llega antes de las nueve.
Arrive before nine.
Antes de = before (preposition). Llega is tú imperative of llegar. De las nueve = before nine.
cerca
near / close
El supermercado está cerca.
The supermarket is nearby.
Está (estar) for location. Cerca = near (adverb). Can also be cerca de = near to.
lejos
far
Mi trabajo está lejos de casa.
My job is far from home.
Lejos de = far from. Está (estar) for location. De casa = from home (no article).
rápido
fast / quickly
Caminas muy rápido.
You walk very fast.
Caminas is tú form of caminar. Rápido functions as an adverb here. Muy = very.
despacio
slowly
Habla más despacio, por favor.
Speak more slowly, please.
Habla is the tú imperative of hablar. Más despacio = more slowly (comparative). Por favor = please.
hay
there is / there are
Hay muchas personas en la calle.
There are many people on the street.
Hay is impersonal haber (invariable for singular/plural). Muchas agrees with personas (fem. plural).
me llamo
my name is
Me llamo Carlos, ¿y tú?
My name is Carlos, and you?
Me llamo is reflexive llamarse in yo form (lit. 'I call myself'). ¿Y tú? = and you?
por ejemplo
for example
Me gustan las frutas, por ejemplo las manzanas.
I like fruits, for example apples.
Me gustan uses plural because las frutas is the subject. Por ejemplo is a fixed adverbial phrase.
claro
of course / clear
Claro, puedes venir conmigo.
Of course, you can come with me.
Claro is an interjection meaning 'of course.' Puedes is tú form of poder. Conmigo = with me (special form).
vale
okay / all right
Vale, nos vemos a las cinco.
Okay, see you at five.
Vale is informal Spanish for 'okay' (from valer). Nos vemos = we see each other (reflexive farewell).
algo
something
¿Quieres algo de beber?
Do you want something to drink?
Algo = something (indefinite pronoun). De beber = to drink (de + infinitive for 'something to...').
nada
nothing
No quiero nada, gracias.
I don't want anything, thank you.
No...nada = double negative (standard in Spanish). Quiero is yo form of querer.
alguien
someone
Alguien llama a la puerta.
Someone is knocking at the door.
Alguien = someone (indefinite pronoun, singular verb). Llama is él/ella form. A la puerta = at the door.
nadie
nobody
No hay nadie en la oficina.
There is nobody in the office.
No hay nadie = double negative (there is nobody). Hay is impersonal haber. En la = in the.
cada
each / every
Cada día aprendo algo nuevo.
Every day I learn something new.
Cada is invariable (no gender/number change). Aprendo is yo form of aprender. Nuevo agrees with algo.
bastante
quite / enough
Tengo bastante tiempo.
I have enough time.
Bastante = enough/quite (invariable as adverb). Tengo is yo form of tener. Tiempo is masculine.
demasiado
too much
Hay demasiado ruido aquí.
There is too much noise here.
Demasiado agrees with ruido (masculine). As adjective it changes for gender/number. Hay = there is.
casi
almost
Son casi las tres.
It's almost three.
Son las tres tells time (plural ser). Casi = almost (adverb, invariable). Las = feminine for horas.
quizás
perhaps / maybe
Quizás llueva mañana.
Perhaps it will rain tomorrow.
Quizás triggers the subjunctive: llueva (subjunctive of llover). Mañana = tomorrow.
así
like this / so
No me hables así.
Don't talk to me like that.
No + me + hables: negative tú command (subjunctive). Así = like this/that (adverb of manner).
dieciséis
sixteen
Mi hermana tiene dieciséis años.
My sister is sixteen years old.
Tiene is ella form of tener. Tener + años = to be ... years old. Hermana is feminine.
diecisiete
seventeen
Hay diecisiete alumnos en la clase.
There are seventeen students in the class.
Hay is impersonal (there are). Alumnos is masculine plural. En la clase = in the class.
dieciocho
eighteen
A los dieciocho años puedes votar.
At eighteen you can vote.
A los + age = at the age of. Puedes is tú form of poder. Votar is infinitive.
diecinueve
nineteen
Tiene diecinueve años.
He is nineteen years old.
Subject pronoun omitted; tiene shows third person. Tener + años = age expression.
segundo
second
Vivo en el segundo piso.
I live on the second floor.
Segundo is an ordinal number (masculine, matching piso). En el = on the. Vivo = yo form of vivir.
tercero
third
Es la tercera vez que vengo.
It's the third time I come.
Tercera is feminine matching vez. Tercero shortens to tercer before masc. nouns. Que = relative pronoun.
sentir
to feel
Me siento muy bien hoy.
I feel very good today.
Me siento is reflexive sentirse in yo form (e→ie stem change). Bien is an adverb (not bueno).
empezar
to start / to begin
La película va a empezar.
The movie is about to start.
Va a + infinitive = near future (is going to). La película is feminine. Empezar is in infinitive form.
terminar
to finish / to end
¿A qué hora terminas de trabajar?
What time do you finish work?
Terminas is tú form of terminar. A qué hora = at what time. De + infinitive = from doing.
volver
to return / to come back
Vuelvo a casa a las seis.
I come back home at six.
Vuelvo is yo form of volver (o→ue stem change). A casa = home (no article). A las seis = at six.
ayudar
to help
¿Puedes ayudarme con esto?
Can you help me with this?
Puedes is tú form of poder. Ayudarme = ayudar + me (pronoun attached to infinitive). Con esto = with this.
pasar
to pass / to happen
¿Qué pasa?
What's happening?
Pasa is él/ella form of pasar. ¿Qué pasa? is a fixed expression meaning 'what's happening?'
quedar
to remain / to meet up
¿Quedamos a las cinco?
Shall we meet at five?
Quedamos is nosotros form, used as an invitation. A las cinco = at five o'clock.
dejar
to leave / to let
Deja el libro en la mesa.
Leave the book on the table.
Deja is the tú imperative of dejar. El libro (masc.) en la mesa (location with estar implied).
seguir
to follow / to continue
Sigue todo recto.
Keep going straight.
Sigue is the tú imperative of seguir (e→i stem change). Todo recto = straight ahead.
contar
to count / to tell
Cuéntame qué pasó.
Tell me what happened.
Cuéntame = cuenta (tú imperative, o→ue) + me. Qué pasó = what happened (preterite of pasar).
preguntar
to ask
Quiero preguntar algo.
I want to ask something.
Quiero + infinitive = I want to. Preguntar is infinitive. Algo = something.
cambiar
to change
Quiero cambiar de tema.
I want to change the subject.
Cambiar de = to change (topic/subject). De tema = of topic. Quiero + infinitive = I want to.
cocinar
to cook
Mi madre cocina muy bien.
My mother cooks very well.
Cocina is ella form of cocinar (-ar verb). Muy bien = very well (adverb). Mi = my.
sentar
to sit
Siéntate aquí, por favor.
Sit here, please.
Siéntate = sienta (tú imperative, e→ie) + te (reflexive). Reflexive sentarse = to sit down.
probar
to try / to taste
¿Quieres probar la sopa?
Do you want to try the soup?
Quieres is tú form of querer. Probar is infinitive after querer. La sopa = the soup (feminine).
recordar
to remember
No recuerdo su nombre.
I don't remember his name.
Recuerdo is yo form of recordar (o→ue stem change). No negates the verb. Su = his/her.
This deck has 260 words in total — copy it to your library to study them all.
Grammar Guide (10)
Gender & Articles
Masculine and feminine nouns with their articles
El libro es nuevo. La mesa es grande.
Spanish nouns are masculine or feminine. Use el (singular) / los (plural) for masculine, la (singular) / las (plural) for feminine.
Most nouns ending in -o are masculine: el libro, el gato. Most ending in -a are feminine: la casa, la mesa.
Indefinite articles: un (masc.), una (fem.). Example: un perro, una silla.
Some exceptions exist: el día (masc.), la mano (fem.), el problema (masc.).
Adjectives must match the noun's gender: el gato negro, la gata negra.
Basic Sentence Structure
Subject + Verb + Object word order in Spanish
María come una manzana.
The standard word order is Subject + Verb + Object: Yo como pan (I eat bread).
Spanish allows flexible word order for emphasis. 'Como pan yo' is understood but places emphasis differently.
Subject pronouns (yo, tú, él) are often dropped because the verb ending shows who acts: Hablo español (I speak Spanish).
Adjectives usually follow the noun: un coche rojo (a red car), unlike English.
Time expressions can go at the start or end: Hoy trabajo mucho / Trabajo mucho hoy.
Negation
Making negative sentences with 'no'
No hablo francés.
Place 'no' directly before the verb to make a sentence negative: Hablo español → No hablo español.
With reflexive or object pronouns, 'no' goes before the pronoun: No me gusta (I don't like it).
Double negatives are correct in Spanish: No tengo nada (I don't have nothing = I have nothing).
Other negative words: nunca (never), nadie (nobody), nada (nothing), ni...ni (neither...nor).
To answer 'no' to a question, you may say 'no' twice: ¿Hablas chino? — No, no hablo chino.
Forming Questions
How to ask questions with inverted punctuation and question words
¿Dónde vives? ¿Tienes hermanos?
Questions use inverted punctuation: ¿...? at the start and end.
Yes/no questions can use the same words as statements with rising intonation: ¿Tú hablas español?
You can also invert subject and verb: ¿Hablas tú español?
Question words always carry an accent: qué (what), quién (who), dónde (where), cuándo (when), cómo (how), por qué (why), cuánto (how much), cuál (which).
Examples: ¿Qué quieres? (What do you want?), ¿Cuántos años tienes? (How old are you?).
Present Tense (Regular)
Conjugation patterns for regular -ar, -er, -ir verbs
Yo hablo, tú comes, él vive.
-AR verbs (hablar): hablo, hablas, habla, hablamos, habláis, hablan.
-ER verbs (comer): como, comes, come, comemos, coméis, comen.
-IR verbs (vivir): vivo, vives, vive, vivimos, vivís, viven.
Remove the infinitive ending (-ar/-er/-ir) and add the personal endings shown above.
Examples: Yo trabajo en Madrid. Tú lees un libro. Ella escribe una carta.
Ser vs Estar
Two verbs for 'to be' and when to use each one
Soy estudiante. Estoy cansado.
SER is for identity, origin, profession, and permanent traits: Soy español. Ella es profesora. El libro es interesante.
ESTAR is for location, temporary states, and emotions: Estoy en casa. Estoy contento. La sopa está caliente.
Ser conjugation: soy, eres, es, somos, sois, son.
Estar conjugation: estoy, estás, está, estamos, estáis, están.
Some adjectives change meaning: Es listo (He is clever) vs. Está listo (He is ready).
Numbers & Counting
Cardinal numbers with gender agreement rules
Hay veintiún libros y doscientas sillas.
Numbers 1-15 are unique words: uno, dos, tres... quince. 16-19 are fused: dieciséis, diecisiete, dieciocho, diecinueve.
Numbers 21-29 are also fused: veintiuno, veintidós... veintinueve. From 31 onward use y: treinta y uno, cuarenta y dos.
Uno/veintiuno agree in gender and shorten before masculine nouns: veintiún libros, veintiuna mesas.
Hundreds agree in gender from 200 onward: doscientos hombres, doscientas mujeres, trescientos, quinientos.
Mil (1000) never changes: dos mil personas. Cien is used alone; ciento for 101-199: ciento tres.
Possessives
Short and long possessive forms showing ownership
Mi libro está aquí. El libro mío está aquí.
Short forms go before the noun: mi(s), tu(s), su(s), nuestro/a(s), vuestro/a(s), su(s).
Mi, tu, su do not change for gender, only for number: mi libro, mis libros, mi casa, mis casas.
Nuestro and vuestro agree in gender and number: nuestro coche, nuestra casa, nuestros amigos.
Long forms go after the noun and need an article: el libro mío, la casa tuya, los amigos suyos.
Long forms: mío/a(s), tuyo/a(s), suyo/a(s), nuestro/a(s), vuestro/a(s), suyo/a(s). Used for emphasis: ¡Es mío!
Demonstratives
Pointing words for this, that, and that over there
Este libro es mío, ese es tuyo y aquel es de María.
Three levels of distance: este (here/near me), ese (there/near you), aquel (over there/far from both).
Each has four forms for gender/number: este, esta, estos, estas / ese, esa, esos, esas / aquel, aquella, aquellos, aquellas.
Used as adjectives before nouns: este libro, esa mesa, aquellos árboles.
Used as pronouns without a noun: Este es grande. ¿Quieres esa?
Neutral forms (for ideas or unknown things): esto, eso, aquello. ¿Qué es esto? Eso no es verdad.
Hay (There is / There are)
Impersonal form of haber for expressing existence
Hay un banco cerca. Hay muchas tiendas en esta calle.
Hay is the impersonal form of haber. It is invariable — the same form for singular and plural: Hay un gato. Hay tres gatos.
Hay is followed by indefinite articles, numbers, or quantity words: Hay un problema. Hay dos sillas. Hay mucha gente.
Do NOT use hay with definite articles (el, la, los, las). Say: El banco está aquí (not Hay el banco).
Hay vs está/están: Hay = existence (there is/are). Está/están = location of something already known.
Compare: Hay una farmacia en la calle (existence) vs. La farmacia está en la calle (location).