Essential words
GCSE Spanish vocabulary: high-frequency words used in every topic: question words, connectives, time phrases, numbers and more.
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Word list
| Nouns | ||
|---|---|---|
| (un) montón(m) | (a) lot of, heap, pile | |
| abril(m) | April | |
| acción(f) | action, act | |
| actitud(f) | attitude | |
| actividad(f) | activity | |
| adulto(m) | adult | Higher |
| agosto(m) | August | |
| alegría(f) | joy, happiness | |
| ambiente(m) | atmosphere, environment | |
| año(m) | year | |
| aspecto(m) | aspect | |
| asunto(m) | matter, issue, affair | Higher |
| atención(f) | attention | Higher |
| aumento(m) | increase, rise | Higher |
| ayuda(f) | help | |
| beneficio(m) | benefit | Higher |
| calidad(f) | quality | Higher |
| cambio; en cambio(m) | change; on the other hand, whereas | |
| cantidad(f) | quantity, amount | Higher |
| caso(m) | case, occasion | Higher |
| causa(f) | cause | |
| centro(m) | centre, middle | |
| chica(f) | girl | |
| chico(m) | boy | |
| cifra(f) | figure, number, amount | |
| clase(f) | class, kind, type, classroom, lesson | |
| clave(f) | key, crucial (thing) | Higher |
| color(m) | colour | |
| comienzo(m) | start, beginning | Higher |
| conocimiento(m) | knowledge | Higher |
| consecuencia; como consecuencia(f) | consequence; in consequence, as a result | Higher |
| conversación(f) | conversation | |
| cosa(f) | thing | |
| creación(f) | creation | Higher |
| cuarto(m) | quarter (used in time expressions), room | |
| cuestión(f) | issue, matter, question | Higher |
| dato(m) | data, information, fact | Higher |
| decisión(f) | decision | |
| derecha(f) | right | |
| desarrollo(m) | development | Higher |
| deseo(m) | desire, wish | Higher |
| desventaja(f) | disadvantage | |
| detalle(m) | detail | |
| día(m) | day | |
| diciembre(m) | December | |
| diferencia(f) | difference | |
| dificultad(f) | difficulty, obstacle | Higher |
| dinero(m) | money | |
| distancia(f) | distance | Higher |
| domingo(m) | Sunday | |
| duda(f) | doubt | Higher |
| edad(f) | age | |
| efecto(m) | effect | |
| ejemplo(m) | example | |
| emoción(f) | emotion, excitement | Higher |
| enero(m) | January | |
| época(f) | time, age, period | Higher |
| esperanza(f) | hope | Higher |
| estado(m) | state, condition | Higher |
| estilo(m) | style | Higher |
| evento(m) | event | Higher |
| éxito(m) | success | |
| experiencia(f) | experience | |
| expresión(f) | expression | Higher |
| factor(m) | factor | Higher |
| falta(f) | lack, shortage, mistake | |
| favor; por favor; a favor(m) | favour; please, excuse me; in favour | |
| febrero(m) | February | |
| fecha(f) | date (in calendar), day | |
| felicidad(f) | happiness | |
| fin; por fin(m) | end; finally, at last | |
| final(m) | end, ending | |
| fondo(m) | bottom, back, end (of area), background | Higher |
| forma(f) | form, shape, way | Higher |
| foto(f) | photo, picture | |
| frecuencia(f) | frequency | Higher |
| futuro(m) | future | |
| ganas(fpl) | desire | |
| gente(f) | people | |
| grupo(m) | group | |
| hombre(m) | man | |
| hora(f) | hour, time (specific) | |
| idea(f) | idea | |
| imagen(f) | image, picture | |
| impacto(m) | impact | Higher |
| importancia(f) | importance | |
| impresión(f) | impression | Higher |
| independencia(f) | independence | Higher |
| influencia(f) | influence | Higher |
| información(f) | information | |
| iniciativa(f) | initiative | Higher |
| intención(f) | intention | |
| interés(m) | interest | |
| izquierda(f) | left | |
| joven(m/f) | teenager, young person | |
| jueves(m) | Thursday | |
| julio(m) | July | |
| junio(m) | June | |
| juventud(f) | youth | |
| lado(m) | side | |
| letra(f) | letter, lyrics | |
| libertad(f) | freedom | Higher |
| límite(m) | limit | Higher |
| línea(f) | line, course | Higher |
| lugar(m) | place, position | |
| lunes(m) | Monday | |
| mañana; por la mañana(f) | morning; in the morning | |
| manera(f) | way, manner | Higher |
| martes(m) | Tuesday | |
| marzo(m) | March | |
| mayo(m) | May | |
| mayoría(f) | majority | |
| medida(f) | measure | Higher |
| mentira(f) | lie | |
| mes(m) | month | |
| miedo(m) | fear | |
| miércoles(m) | Wednesday | |
| minuto(m) | minute | |
| mitad(f) | half, middle | |
| momento; de momento(m) | moment; at the moment | |
| motivo(m) | reason, motive | Higher |
| mujer(f) | woman, wife | |
| noche; por la noche; esta noche(f) | night; at night; tonight | |
| noticia(f) | news | |
| noviembre(m) | November | |
| número(m) | number | |
| objeto(m) | object, thing | Higher |
| ocasión(f) | occasion, opportunity | Higher |
| octubre(m) | October | |
| opinión(f) | opinion, view | |
| oportunidad(f) | opportunity, chance | |
| orden(m) | order | Higher |
| organización(f) | organisation | |
| otoño(m) | autumn | |
| parte(f) | part | Higher |
| pasado(m) | past | |
| pena(f) | sadness, shame, pity, trouble | |
| permiso(m) | permission | Higher |
| persona(f) | person | |
| plan(m) | plan | |
| plástico(m) | plastic | |
| posibilidad(f) | possibility | Higher |
| pregunta(f) | question | |
| preocupación(f) | worry, concern | Higher |
| principio(m) | beginning, start | |
| problema(m) | problem | |
| punto(m) | point, full stop, dot | Higher |
| rato(m) | moment, while, time | |
| razón(f) | reason | |
| reacción(f) | reaction | Higher |
| realidad(f) | reality | Higher |
| reloj(m) | clock, watch | |
| responsabilidad(f) | responsibility | Higher |
| resto(m) | rest, remainder | |
| risa(f) | laugh | |
| sábado(m) | Saturday | |
| santo(m) | saint, saint's day | |
| segundo(m) | second | |
| semana(f) | week | |
| señor(m) | Mr., man, Sir, gentleman | |
| señora(f) | Mrs., lady | |
| sensación(f) | feeling, sensation | Higher |
| sentido(m) | sense, meaning | |
| septiembre(m) | September | |
| sitio (web)(m) | place, site (website) | |
| situación(f) | situation | |
| solución(f) | solution, answer | Higher |
| sonrisa(f) | smile | |
| sorpresa(f) | surprise | |
| suerte(f) | luck, fortune | |
| tarde; por la tarde(f) | afternoon, evening; in the afternoon, in the evening | |
| tema(m) | issue, subject, matter | |
| tiempo(m) | time (general), weather | |
| tipo(m) | type, kind | |
| trabajo(m) | work, job, effort | |
| uso(m) | use | |
| variedad(f) | variety | |
| ventaja(f) | advantage, benefit | |
| verdad(f) | truth | |
| vez; a veces(f) | time (specific occurrence); sometimes | |
| vida(f) | life | |
| viernes(m) | Friday | |
| Verbs | ||
| (aux) … cubierto | (has, have) covered | Higher |
| (aux) … dicho | (has, have) said, told | Higher |
| (aux) … hecho (pp) | (has, have) done, made | Higher |
| (aux) … puesto | (has, have) put | Higher |
| (aux) … visto | (has, have) seen | Higher |
| (aux) … vuelto | (has, have) returned | Higher |
| abrir; abrirse | to open, unwrap; to open up | |
| aceptar | to accept | |
| acercarse | to come closer | |
| acompañar | to go with, accompany | Higher |
| acordar; acordarse | to agree on, remind; to remember | |
| acostumbrarse | to get accustomed, get used | Higher |
| advertir | to warn | Higher |
| afectar; afectarse | to affect; to be moved | |
| agradecer | to be grateful for | Higher |
| aguantar | to put up with, stand | |
| alcanzar | to reach, catch up with | Higher |
| alegrar | to make happy, cheer up | Higher |
| añadir | to add | Higher |
| andar | to walk | |
| animar | to encourage, cheer up | Higher |
| aparecer | to turn up, appear | Higher |
| apreciar | to appreciate | Higher |
| arreglar; arreglarse | to repair, fix, tidy; to get ready | Higher |
| asegurar; asegurarse (de que) | to assure; to ensure (that), make sure (that) | Higher |
| atreverse | to dare | Higher |
| aumentar | to increase | |
| ayudar | to help | |
| bajar | to go down, get off, download, lower | |
| caer; caerse | to fall; to fall over | |
| cambiar; cambiarse | to change; to get changed | |
| causar | to cause | |
| cerrar | to close | |
| coger | to take, take hold of, catch | |
| comentar | to comment | Higher |
| comenzar | to start, begin | |
| comparar | to compare | |
| compartir | to share | |
| comprender | to understand | Higher |
| conocer | to know (person, place), meet (for the first time) | |
| conseguir | to get, obtain | Higher |
| considerar | to consider | Higher |
| consistir (en) | to consist (of) | Higher |
| contar | to tell, count | Higher |
| contestar | to answer, reply, respond | |
| continuar | to continue | |
| contribuir | to contribute | Higher |
| controlar | to control | Higher |
| convertirse | to become, transform | Higher |
| crear | to create | |
| crecer | to grow, increase | Higher |
| creer | to believe, think | |
| criticar | to criticise | |
| cubrir | to cover | Higher |
| dar | to give | |
| deber | to have to, must | |
| decidir | to decide | |
| decir | to say, tell | |
| dedicar | to devote, dedicate | Higher |
| dejar; dejar de (+ infinitive) | to let, leave; to stop (+ing) | |
| depender | to depend | |
| desaparecer | to disappear | Higher |
| desarrollar | to develop | Higher |
| describir | to describe | |
| descubrir | to discover | |
| despedir: despedirse (de) | to sack, dismiss; to say goodbye (to) | Higher |
| despertar; despertarse | to wake (someone) (up); to wake (up) | |
| destacar | to emphasise, stand out, highlight | Higher |
| di | (I) gave | |
| dieron | (they) gave | |
| dije | (I) said, told | |
| dimos | (we) gave | |
| dio | (she, he, it, one) gave | |
| diré | (I) will say, will tell | Higher |
| diría | (I) would say, would tell | Higher |
| dirigir | to direct, manage | Higher |
| disfrutar | to enjoy | |
| diste | (you (sing informal)) gave | |
| disteis | (you (pl informal)) gave | |
| doy | (I) give | |
| durar | to last | |
| echar; echarse | to throw, cast; to lie down | Higher |
| elegir | to choose, elect | Higher |
| empezar | to begin, start | |
| empujar | to push | |
| encantar | to love, delight, be delightful to | |
| encontrar | to find | |
| entender; entenderse | to understand; to get on | |
| entrar | to enter, go in | |
| equivocarse | to be wrong, make a mistake | Higher |
| era | (I, she, he, it, one) was (trait) | |
| eras | (you (sing informal)) were (trait) | |
| eres | (you (sing informal)) are (trait) | |
| es | (she, he, it, one) is (trait) | |
| escapar; escaparse | to escape; to run away | Higher |
| escoger | to choose | |
| esconder | to hide | Higher |
| escuchar | to listen (to) | |
| esperar | to wait (for), hope (for), expect | |
| está | (she, he, it, one) is (state, location) | |
| estaba | (I, she, he, it, one) was (state, location) | |
| estabas | (you (sing informal)) were (state, location) | |
| están | (they) are (state, location) | |
| estar | to be (state, location) | |
| estás | (you (sing informal)) are (state, location) | |
| estoy | (I) am (state, location) | |
| estuve | (I) was (state, location) | |
| evitar | to avoid, prevent | |
| exigir | to demand | Higher |
| existir | to exist | Higher |
| explicar | to explain | |
| falta (+ infinitive) | it’s/is still to be (+ pp) | Higher |
| formar | to form, set up | Higher |
| fue | (she, he, it, one) went | |
| fueron | (they) went | |
| fui | (I) went | |
| fuimos | (we) went | |
| fuiste | (you (sing informal)) went | |
| fuisteis | (you (pl informal)) went | |
| guardar | to keep, save | |
| gustar | to please, be pleasing (to) | |
| ha (+pp) | (she, he, it, one) has (+pp) | |
| habéis (+pp) | (you (pl informal)) have (+pp) | |
| haber | to have (done something) (aux) | |
| había | there was | |
| hablar | to speak, talk | |
| habrá | there will be | |
| habría | there would be | |
| hacer | to do, make | |
| haga | (I) do, make (subjunctive) | Higher |
| hagas | (you (sing informal)) do, make (subjunctive) | Higher |
| hago | (I) do, make | |
| han (+pp) | (they) have (+pp) | |
| haré | (I) will do, will make | |
| haría | (I) would do, would make | |
| has (+pp) | (you (sing informal)) have (+pp) | |
| hay | there is | |
| he (+pp) | (I) have (+pp) | |
| hemos (+pp) | (we) have (+pp) | |
| hice | (I) did, made | |
| hizo | (she, he, it, one) did, made | |
| iba | (I, she, he, it, one) used to go | |
| ibas | (you (sing informal)) used to go | |
| identificar | to identify | Higher |
| imaginar | to imagine | Higher |
| impedir | to prevent | Higher |
| importar | to matter, be important | |
| incluir | to include | Higher |
| indicar | to point (out), indicate | Higher |
| influir | to influence | Higher |
| insistir | to insist | Higher |
| intentar | to try, attempt (to) | |
| interesar | to interest | |
| introducir | to introduce, bring in | Higher |
| ir | to go | |
| llegar; llegar a (+ infinitive) | to arrive; to manage to (+ verb), succeed in (+ verb) | |
| llevar; llevar + time period + present participle | to take, carry; to have been + -ing + for + time | |
| luchar | to fight, struggle | Higher |
| mantener | to keep, maintain | |
| mejorar | to improve, make better | |
| mencionar | to mention | Higher |
| merecer | to deserve, be worthy of | Higher |
| meter | to put, place | Higher |
| mezclar | to mix | Higher |
| mirar | to look, watch | |
| molestar; molestarse | to bother, annoy, upset, disturb; to be offended | |
| mostrar | to show | |
| mover | to move | Higher |
| necesitar | to need | |
| negar; negarse a (+inf) | to deny, refuse; to refuse to | Higher |
| notar | to notice | Higher |
| obtener | to obtain, get | Higher |
| ocurrir | to happen, occur | Higher |
| odiar | to hate | |
| ofrecer | to offer, present | Higher |
| oír | to hear | |
| olvidar; olvidarse de | to forget | |
| ordenar | to tidy, organise | Higher |
| organizar | to organise | |
| parar | to stop (person, vehicle) | |
| parece | it seems | Higher |
| parecer; parecerse a | to seem; to look like | |
| pasar | to pass, spend (time), happen | |
| pedir | to ask for | |
| pensar | to think | |
| permitir; permitirse | to allow, permit; to afford | |
| poder | to be able to, can | |
| podré | (I) will be able to | |
| podría | (I) would be able to, could | |
| pondré; me pondré | (I) will put (on); (I) will get, become; (I) am going to get, become | |
| pondría; me pondría | (I) would put (on); (I) would get, become | |
| poner; ponerse | to put (on); to get, become (+ adjective) | |
| practicar | to practise | |
| preferir | to prefer | |
| preguntar | to ask (a question) | |
| preocupar; preocuparse por | to worry, be a worry; to worry about | |
| preparar | to prepare | |
| presentar | to introduce, present | |
| prestar | to lend, pay (attention) | Higher |
| producir | to produce, cause | |
| prohibir | to prohibit, forbid | |
| prometer; prometerse | to promise; to get engaged | Higher |
| proponer | to propose, suggest | Higher |
| pude | (I) could, was able to | |
| puse; me puse | (I) put (on); (I) got, became | |
| quedar; quedar(se) | to arrange to meet, remain, be left; to stay | |
| quejarse | to complain | Higher |
| querer | to want (to), love | |
| querré | (I) will want (to), will love | Higher |
| querría | (I) would want (to), would love | Higher |
| quise | (I) wanted (to), loved | |
| quisiera | (I) would like (to), would love (formal) | |
| quitar; quitarse | to remove, take away; to take off (clothes) | |
| rechazar | to reject | Higher |
| recibir | to receive | |
| recomendar | to recommend | |
| reconocer | to recognise, admit | Higher |
| recordar | to remember, recall, remind | |
| reducir | to reduce | |
| referir | to refer | Higher |
| reflejar | to reflect | Higher |
| regresar | to come back, go back, return | Higher |
| repetir | to repeat | |
| resolver | to solve, resolve | |
| responder | to reply, respond, answer | |
| resultar | to be, turn out (+ adjective) | Higher |
| reunir; reunirse | to gather, bring together; to get together | Higher |
| saber | to know (how to) | |
| sabré | (I) will know (how to) | Higher |
| sabría | (I) would know (how to) | Higher |
| sacar | to take out, get, obtain | |
| saldré | (I) will go out, will leave | Higher |
| saldría | (I) would go out, would leave | Higher |
| salir | to go out, leave | |
| sé | (I) know (how to) | |
| sea | (I) am (subjunctive, trait) | Higher |
| seas | (you (sing informal)) are (subjunctive, trait) | Higher |
| seguir; seguir + present participle | to follow; to continue to | |
| sentir; sentirse | to feel, sense; to feel (+ adj) | |
| ser | to be (trait) | |
| significar | to mean | Higher |
| sois | (you (pl informal)) are (trait) | |
| soler | to normally (+ verb), tend to (+ verb), usually (+ verb) | Higher |
| somos | (we) are (trait) | |
| son | (they) are (trait) | |
| sonreír | to smile | |
| sorprender | to surprise | Higher |
| soy | (I) am (trait) | |
| subir | to go up, upload | |
| sugerir | to suggest | Higher |
| supe | (I) knew | |
| tardar | to take (time) | |
| temer | to fear | Higher |
| tendré | (I) will have | |
| tendría | (I) would have | |
| tener | to have | |
| tenga | (I) have (subjunctive) | Higher |
| tengas | (you (sing informal)) have (subjunctive) | Higher |
| tengo | (I) have | |
| tenía | (I, she, he, it, one) had | |
| tenías | (you (sing informal)) had | |
| terminar | to finish, end | |
| tiene | (she, he, it, one) has | |
| tienen | (they) have | |
| tienes | (you (sing informal)) have | |
| tirar | to throw, pull | |
| tomar | to take, have, drink | |
| traer | to bring | |
| traigo | (I) bring | |
| traje | (I) brought | |
| tratar; tratar de | to treat, deal with; to try to | Higher |
| tuve | (I) had | |
| usar | to use | |
| utilizar | to use | Higher |
| va | (she, he, it, one) goes | |
| vais | (you (pl informal)) go | |
| vamos | (we) go | |
| van | (they) go | |
| vas | (you (sing informal)) go | |
| vaya | (I) go (subjunctive) | Higher |
| vayas | (you (sing informal)) go (subjunctive) | Higher |
| veía | (I, she, he, it, one) used to see, used to watch | |
| veías | (you (sing informal)) used to see, used to watch | |
| vendré | (I) will come | Higher |
| vendría | (I) would come | Higher |
| venga | (I) come (subjunctive) | Higher |
| vengas | (you (sing informal)) come (subjunctive) | Higher |
| venir | to come | |
| veo | (I) see | |
| ver | to see, watch | |
| vestir; vestirse | to dress; to get dressed | |
| vine | (I) came | |
| visitar | to visit | |
| vivir | to live | |
| volver; volver a | to go back, return; to do again | |
| voy | (I) go | |
| ¡Basta!, basta + infinitive | (that’s) enough!, you only have to + verb | Higher |
| ¡Di! | Say!, Tell! (sing informal) | |
| ¡Haz! | Do!, Make! (sing informal) | |
| ¡Pon! | Put (on)! (sing informal) | |
| ¡Sal! | Go out! Leave! (sing informal) | |
| ¡Sé…! | Be…! (sing informal) | |
| ¡Ten...! | Have...! (sing informal) | |
| ¡Ve! | Go! (sing informal) | |
| ¡Ven! | Come! (sing informal) | |
| Adjectives | ||
| abierto | open, unlocked | |
| aburrido | bored, boring | |
| actual | current | |
| agradable | pleasant, nice | |
| alegre | cheerful, happy, lively | |
| alto | tall, high, loud (volume) | |
| amarillo | yellow | |
| ambos, ambas | both | Higher |
| animado | lively | |
| anterior | previous, preceding | Higher |
| antiguo | former (pre-noun), old, ancient (pre and post-noun) | |
| asqueroso | disgusting, revolting | Higher |
| azul | blue | |
| bajo | short, low | |
| barato | cheap | |
| blanco | white | |
| bonito | pretty, nice, beautiful | |
| buen | good (m) (pre-noun) | |
| bueno | good | |
| capaz | capable, able | Higher |
| caro | expensive | |
| cerrado | closed | |
| cierto | certain, sure, true | |
| claro | clear, light | Higher |
| cómodo | comfortable | |
| complicado | difficult, complicated | Higher |
| común | common | |
| consciente | conscious, aware | Higher |
| contento | happy, content, pleased | |
| correcto | correct, suitable | |
| corto | short, brief | |
| debido (a) | owing (to), due (to) | |
| decepcionante | disappointing | Higher |
| diario | daily | Higher |
| diferente | different | |
| difícil | difficult, hard | |
| directo | direct, straight | |
| dispuesto | ready, willing, prepared | Higher |
| distinto | distinct, different | Higher |
| divertido | fun, enjoyable | |
| duro | hard, resilient | |
| económico | cheap, inexpensive, economic | Higher |
| efectivo | effective | Higher |
| el mayor, la mayor, los mayores, las mayores | the oldest (m, f, mpl, fpl) | Higher |
| el mejor, la mejor, los mejores, las mejores | the best (m, f, mpl, fpl) | Higher |
| el peor, la peor, los peores, las peores | the worst (m, f, mpl, fpl) | Higher |
| emocionado | excited | Higher |
| emocionante | exciting | |
| enojado | angry | |
| enorme | enormous, vast | Higher |
| entero | entire, whole | Higher |
| especial | special | |
| estupendo | great, brilliant | |
| evidente | evident, obvious | Higher |
| exacto | exact, true | |
| excelente | excellent | |
| extraño | strange | Higher |
| fácil | easy | |
| falso | false | |
| fatal | terrible, awful | Higher |
| favorito | favourite | |
| feliz | happy, glad, content | |
| físico | physical | |
| general | general | |
| genial | great | |
| gran | big, great (m, f) (pre-noun) | |
| grande | big, large (m, f) (post-noun) | |
| grave | serious, grave | |
| gris | grey | |
| guay | cool | |
| hermoso | beautiful, handsome | |
| horrible | horrible | |
| ideal | ideal | |
| igual | equal, same, alike | Higher |
| importante | important, influential | |
| imposible | impossible | |
| increíble | incredible, unbelievable | |
| interesante | interesting | |
| inútil | useless | Higher |
| junto | together | Higher |
| justo | fair, just | |
| largo | long | |
| lento | slow | |
| libre | free, vacant | |
| ligero | light (in weight) | |
| lleno | full | |
| mal | bad (m) (pre-noun) | |
| malo | bad | |
| maravilloso | wonderful, marvelous | Higher |
| marrón | brown | |
| más (…que); más de (+ num) | adj + -er (...than), more (…than); more than (+ num) | |
| máximo | maximum | Higher |
| mayor | larger, older, main | |
| medio | half, middle, average | |
| mejor | better, best | |
| menos (…que); menos de (+ num) | less (…than), fewer (…than); fewer than (+ num) | |
| mínimo | minimum | Higher |
| mío, mía, míos, mías | mine (m, f, mpl, fpl) | Higher |
| moderno | modern | |
| necesario | necessary, required | |
| negativo | negative | |
| negro | black | |
| nuestro, nuestra, nuestros, nuestras | ours (m, f, mpl, fpl) | Higher |
| nuevo | new, another (pre-noun), new, newly-made (post-noun) | |
| numeroso | numerous, large, big | Higher |
| ocupado | busy, taken, occupied | Higher |
| oscuro | dark, obscure | Higher |
| pasado | past, last | |
| peor | worse, worst | |
| pequeño | little, small, young | |
| perfecto | perfecto | |
| pesado | heavy, boring | Higher |
| popular | popular | |
| posible | possible | |
| positivo | positive | |
| práctico | practical, useful | |
| precioso | beautiful, precious | Higher |
| preferible | preferable | Higher |
| primer | first (m) (pre-noun) | |
| primero | first | |
| principal | main, principal | |
| privado | private | Higher |
| propio | own (pre-noun) | Higher |
| próximo | next | |
| público | public, audience | |
| raro | strange, rare | |
| real | royal, real | |
| reciente | recent | |
| rojo | red | |
| roto | broken, torn | |
| segundo | second (m) (pre- and post- noun) | |
| seguro | safe, sure, secure | |
| semejante | similar | |
| sencillo | simple, easy | |
| siguiente | following, next | |
| solo | only, single (pre-noun), lonely, alone (post-noun) | Higher |
| suave | soft, gentle, mild | Higher |
| suficiente | sufficient, enough | |
| suyo, suya, suyos, suyas | his, hers (m, f, mpl, fpl) | Higher |
| temprano | early | |
| tercer | third (m) (pre-noun) | |
| tercero | third | |
| típico | typical | |
| total | total, entire | Higher |
| tradicional | traditional | |
| tranquilo | calm, tranquil, relaxed | |
| triste | sad, unhappy, upset | |
| tuyo, tuya, tuyos, tuyas | yours (sing informal) (m, f, mpl, fpl) | Higher |
| último | last, final | |
| único | only (m) (pre-noun), unique (post-noun) | |
| útil | useful | |
| vacío | empty, vacant | |
| varios | several, various | |
| verdadero | true, real | Higher |
| verde | green | |
| viejo | old, longstanding (pre-noun), old, elderly (post-noun) | |
| vivo; en vivo | alive, bright; live (eg performance, broadcast) | Higher |
| vuestro, vuestra, vuestros, vuestras | yours (pl informal) (m, f, mpl, fpl) | Higher |
| Other useful words | ||
| (a) mí | to me (emph) | Higher |
| (a) ti | to you (sing informal) (emph) | Higher |
| (no) ni…(ni)… | nor, or (after negative verb) neither...nor… | Higher |
| (no) tampoco | neither, either (after negative verb) | Higher |
| a | to, at | |
| abajo | down, below, downstairs | Higher |
| acabar de + infinitive | to have just + pp | Higher |
| actualmente | now, at present, currently | Higher |
| además | also, as well, besides | |
| adiós | goodbye | |
| afortunadamente | fortunately | Higher |
| ahora | now, these days | |
| al | to the (m, sing) | |
| algo | something | |
| alguien | someone | |
| algún | a/an, any (m, before a noun) | |
| alguno | a/an, any | |
| alguno | one, some (of them) (for plural noun) | |
| allí | there, over there | |
| anoche | last night | |
| antes; antes de (+ infinitive) | before, beforehand; before (+ -ing) | |
| aparte (de) | besides, apart (from) | |
| apenas | hardly, barely | Higher |
| aquel, aquella | that | Higher |
| aquello | that (thing) | Higher |
| aquellos, aquellas | those | Higher |
| aquí | here | |
| arriba | upstairs, above | Higher |
| así | like this, like that | |
| aun | even, still | |
| aunque | although, even though | |
| ayer | yesterday | |
| bastante | quite (+ adjective), quite a lot, enough | |
| bien | well | |
| buenos días | good morning | |
| cada | each, every | |
| casi | almost, nearly | |
| catorce | fourteen | |
| cerca | close, near, nearby | |
| cero | zero | |
| ciento | one hundred (and …) | |
| cinco | five | |
| cincuenta | fifty | |
| claro | of course, clearly | |
| como | like, as | |
| completamente | completely | |
| con | with | |
| conmigo | with me | |
| contigo | with you (sing informal) | Higher |
| contra; en contra | against, opposite; in opposition, against | |
| cuando | when | |
| cuarenta | forty | |
| cuatro | four | |
| de | of, from | |
| de acuerdo | ok, in agreement | |
| debajo | underneath, below | |
| del | of the (m, sing) | |
| delante | in front, ahead | |
| demasiado(s) | too much (many) + noun, too much, too + adjective | |
| dentro | inside, within | Higher |
| desafortunadamente | unfortunately | Higher |
| desde | from, since | |
| desde hace + present tense | to have been + -ing + for + time | Higher |
| despacio | slow | Higher |
| después; después de (+ infinitive) | after, afterwards; after (+ -ing) | |
| detrás | behind | |
| diecinueve | nineteen | |
| dieciocho | eighteen | |
| dieciséis | sixteen | |
| diecisiete | seventeen | |
| diez | ten | |
| doce | twelve | |
| donde | where | |
| dos | two | |
| durante | during | |
| el | the | |
| el cual, la cual, los cuales, las cuales | that, which, who (m, f, mpl, fpl) (subj) | Higher |
| el mío, la mía, los míos, las mías | mine (m, f, mpl, fpl) | Higher |
| el nuestro, la nuestra, los nuestros, las nuestras | ours (m, f, mpl, fpl) | Higher |
| el que, la que, los que, las que | that, which, who (m, f, mpl, fpl) (subj) | Higher |
| el suyo, la suya, los suyos, las suyas | his, hers, its, yours (formal possessor), their (m, f, mpl, fpl) | Higher |
| el tuyo, la tuya, los tuyos, las tuyas | yours (sing informal possessor) (m, f, mpl, fpl) | Higher |
| el vuestro, la vuestra, los vuestros, las vuestras | yours (pl informal possessor) (m, f, mpl, fpl) | Higher |
| él | (a) él | he (subj) | |
| ella | (a) ella | she (subj) | |
| ellas | (a) ellas | they (f) (subj) | |
| ellos |(a) ellos | they (m, mixed gender) (subj) | |
| en | in, on | |
| encima | on top | |
| enseguida | straight away | Higher |
| entonces | then, so | |
| entre | between, among | |
| esa | that | |
| ese | that | |
| eso | that | |
| esos, esas | those (m) | |
| esta | this | |
| este | this | |
| esto | this | |
| estos, estas | these (m) | |
| fin de semana | weekend | |
| finalmente | finally, at last | |
| fuera | outside, out | Higher |
| gracias | thanks, thank you | |
| hace (+noun) | it is (+ weather noun or adjective) | |
| hace falta + (infinitive) | it's necessary (+ verb) | Higher |
| hacia | toward, towards | Higher |
| hasta | up to, as far as, until | |
| hay que | you must (general), one must | |
| hola | hello, hi | |
| hoy | today, nowadays | |
| incluso | even, including | Higher |
| jamás | never | Higher |
| la | the | |
| la | her, it (f) (obj) | |
| las | the | |
| las | them (f) (obj) | |
| le | him (m) (obj) | |
| lejos | far (away) | |
| les | to them (m, f) (indirect obj) | |
| lo | him, it (m) (obj) | |
| lo | the | Higher |
| lo bueno | the good thing | |
| lo que | what, that which (subj) | Higher |
| lo siento | I'm sorry | |
| los | the | |
| los | them (m) (obj) | |
| los demás, las demás | the others | Higher |
| luego | then, later | |
| mal | badly | |
| mañana | tomorrow | |
| más (…que) | adv + -er (…than), more (…than) | |
| me | me (obj) | |
| me/te/le gustaría | (I, you, she, he, it, you (sing formal)) would like (informal) | |
| mejor | better, best | |
| menos (…que) | less (...than) | |
| mi | my | |
| mientras | while, whilst | |
| mil | thousand | |
| millón | million | |
| mismo | same | |
| mucho(s) | much, a lot (many) | |
| muy | very, really | |
| nada, (no) nada | nothing, anything (after negative verb) | |
| nadie, (no) nadie | nobody, no one, anybody (after negative verb), anyone (after negative verb) | |
| ningún | no, not…any (m, before a noun) | |
| ninguno | no, not…any | |
| ninguno, (no) ninguno | no-one, none, (a single ) one (after negative verb), anyone (after negative verb) | |
| no | no, not | |
| normalmente | normally | |
| nos | us (obj) | Higher |
| nosotras | (a) nosotras | we (f) (subj) | |
| nosotros | (a) nosotros | we (m, mixed gender) (subj) | |
| novecientos | nine hundred (and) | |
| noventa | ninety | |
| nuestro | our | |
| nueve | nine | |
| nunca, (no) nunca | never | |
| o | or | |
| ochenta | eighty | |
| ocho | eight | |
| once | eleven | |
| os | you (pl informal) (obj) | Higher |
| otro | other, another | |
| para que | so that, in order that | Higher |
| para, para (+ infinitive) | for, in order to (+ verb) | |
| peor | worse, worst | |
| pero | but | |
| poco(s) | little, not much (few, not many) | |
| por | around, because of, by (introduce passive agent) | |
| por eso | so, therefore | |
| porque | because | |
| probablemente | probably | |
| pronto | soon, early, quick | Higher |
| que | who, that, which (subj) (obj) | |
| que | that | |
| quince | fifteen | |
| quinientos | five hundred (and) | |
| quizás | perhaps, maybe | |
| rápidamente | quickly | |
| rápido | quick, fast | |
| se | himself, herself, itself, oneself, yourself (formal) (reflex) | |
| se necesita | you need (to) (general), one needs (to) | |
| se puede | you can (general), one can | |
| según | according to | |
| seis | six | |
| sesenta | sixty | |
| setecientos | seven hundred (and) | |
| setenta | seventy | |
| si | if, whether | |
| sí | yes | |
| siempre | always, forever | |
| siete | seven | |
| sin embargo | however | |
| sin, sin (+ infinitive) | without, without (+ -ing) | |
| sino | but (rather), except | Higher |
| sobre | on top of, over, about | |
| solo | only, just | |
| su | his, her, its, one's, your (formal), their | |
| también | also, too, as well | |
| tan | so (+ adjective) | |
| tanto(s) | so much (many) + noun, so much | |
| tan…como | as…as | |
| tarde | late | |
| te | you (sing informal) (obj) | |
| tener que | to have to, must | |
| todavía | still, yet | Higher |
| todo | all, the whole | |
| todo | everything, all of it | |
| trece | thirteen | |
| treinta | thirty | |
| tres | three | |
| tu | your (sing informal) | |
| tú | you (sing informal) (subj) | |
| un | a/an | |
| una | a/an | |
| unas | some | |
| uno | one | |
| unos | some | |
| usted | (a) usted | you (sing formal) (subj) | |
| ustedes | (a) ustedes | you (pl formal) (subj) | |
| vale | ok | |
| vale la pena, vale la pena + infinitive | it's worth it, it’s worth -ing | Higher |
| veinte, veinti- | twenty | |
| vosotras | (a) vosotras | you (f) (pl informal) (subj) | |
| vosotros | (a) vosotros | you (m, mixed gender) (pl informal) (subj) | |
| vuestro | your (pl informal) | |
| y | and | |
| ya | already | |
| ya no | no longer, no more | Higher |
| yo | I (subj) | |
| ¡Enhorabuena! | Congratulations! | |
| ¡Ojalá! | I hope so! | Higher |
| ¡Perdón! | Sorry! | |
| ¡Vamos! | Come on! Let's go! | |
| ¿Cómo es? | What is it like? | |
| ¿cómo? | how? | |
| ¿cuál(es)? | which? (m, f)(pl) | |
| ¿cuándo? | when? | |
| ¿cuánto(s)?, ¿cuánta(s)? | how much, how many? (m), how much, how many? | |
| ¿dónde? | where? | |
| ¿Por qué? | Why? | |
| ¿Qué tal? | How are you? (informal), How is … (someone/something)? | |
| ¿qué? | what? | |
| ¿quién(es)? | who? (m, f)(pl) | |
Tap a verb to see it in every GCSE tense, with a 60-second drill.
Quick questions
How many words do I need for essential words in GCSE Spanish?
The AQA GCSE Spanish (8692) list has 890 words for essential words: 641 for Foundation, plus 249 more for Higher.
What is the best way to learn GCSE Spanish vocabulary for essential words?
Little and often works best: learn 10 words a day with the flashcards, test yourself with the quiz, then use the spelling test to make sure you can write them accurately, accents included.
Other GCSE Spanish topics
- Identity and relationships
- Healthy living and lifestyle
- Education and work
- Free-time activities
- Customs, festivals and celebrations
- Celebrity culture
- Travel and tourism
- Media and technology
- Environment and where people live
Keep going
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