Español · Spanish
Learn Spanish vocabulary
Spelling is largely consistent with pronunciation; spoken across a huge area.
Spanish spelling follows pronunciation closely, so you can usually tell how a word is read just by looking at it. That makes vocabulary study easier than in many languages.
The language is spoken in Spain and across Latin America, with regional differences in vocabulary and usage. Nouns are masculine or feminine, and learning each noun with its article makes that painless.
What to know
- Every noun is masculine or feminine; learn it with its article.
- Many Latin-based words resemble their English and French counterparts.
- Regional vocabulary differences exist.
Study tips
- Study nouns together with el/la.
- Watch out for false friends: words that look alike but differ in meaning.
- Start with Learn Spanish: where to start, and a first-500-words approach.
Where is it spoken?
Spanish is official in Spain, Mexico and most of Latin America; it is also used in Equatorial Guinea and has a very large speaker community in the United States.
Pronunciation and spelling notes
The five vowels are always clear, "h" is silent, "j" is a throaty "h", "ñ" gives a "ny" sound and "rr" is trilled. Stress is simple: words ending in a vowel, "n" or "s" stress the second-to-last syllable; exceptions carry an accent mark (á, é).
Which languages help?
It shares Latin roots with Portuguese, Italian and French; if you know one of them you will find many familiar words.
A roadmap for your first week
In your first week, start with greetings, numbers, food and drink and a few core verbs (ser, estar, tener, querer). Spanish spelling is consistent, so saying words aloud sticks quickly. Learn nouns with el/la from day one; fixing gender later is harder.
Common mistakes
- Learning nouns without their article: the el libro / la casa distinction is tiresome to add later.
- False friends: "éxito" means success, not exit; "librería" is a bookshop, not a library (that is "biblioteca").
- Looking for one word for "to be": ser and estar are used in different situations, so learn them as separate words.
A small sample word list
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| hola | hello |
| gracias | thank you |
| por favor | please |
| el agua | water |
| la casa | house |
| el amigo | friend |
| sí | yes |
| no | no |
| bueno | good |
| hoy | today |
This list is our own; it is not an official list and only gives a feel for the first steps in this language.
Resources for this language
- Spanish everyday life words: 30 words with example sentences
- Spanish food and drink words: 30 words with example sentences
- Spanish travel words: 30 words with example sentences
- Learn Spanish: where to start, and a first-500-words approach
Studying Spanish in Frigya
When you add Spanish in Frigya, you choose a separate level (A1–C2) and daily word goal for it. In Discover you meet new words and in Learn you reinforce them with spaced repetition; you can listen to words and example sentences. You can start without an account.
Frequently asked questions
Should I learn Spain Spanish or Latin American Spanish?
Does knowing English help with Spanish vocabulary?
In Frigya you choose a separate level (A1–C2) and daily word goal for this language. For details see the levels guide.
Learn this language in Frigya
Try it without an account. If you like it, link your progress to one.
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