If you’re just beginning to learn basic Spanish words or if you’re dusting off those years of study in the distant past, you’re probably looking for the most useful and common Spanish vocabulary words. Especially if your time is limited by a busy schedule or an upcoming trip, you want to learn the words that will have the biggest impact on your ability to comprehend and speak Spanish.
We’ve put together over 300 easy Spanish words that will be sure to impress native speakers and make you proud of your progress as a beginner!
Table of Contents
Spanish words for people
Spanish words for people are helpful for identifying humans. If you learn only one, learn una persona (a person). It’s useful for males or females of any age. It’s a Spanish cognate, a word that looks like an English word and means the same thing, so it will be easy to remember! For more than one person, you can use the plural las personas, or the singular word la gente (people).
| Spanish | English |
| un abuelo/una abuela | a grandfather/a grandmother |
| un amigo/una amiga | a friend |
| una chica | a girl |
| un chico | a boy |
| la gente | people |
| un hermano/una hermana | a brother/a sister |
| un hijo/una hija | a son/a daughter |
| un hombre | a man |
| un invitado/una invitada | a guest |
| una madre/Mamá | a mother/mom |
| una mujer | a woman |
| un niño/una niña | a child |
| un padre/Papá | a father/dad |
| una persona | a person |
| un primo/una prima | a cousin |
| un tío/una tía | an uncle/an aunt |
| un vecino/una vecina | a neighbor |
>>Use Spanish subject pronouns to refer to people.
Spanish words for greetings and polite conversation
Showing your manners will go a long way when you begin conversing in Spanish. You don’t need to be perfect when you’re trying out new words in Spanish. Native Spanish speakers will appreciate your attempt to use their language, especially if you’re making an effort to be polite. Know how to say hello in Spanish and a few easy phrases, and you’re on your way to making polite small talk.
| Spanish | English |
| adiós | Goodbye |
| buenas noches | Good evening |
| buenas tardes | Good afternoon |
| buenos días | Hello/Good morning (use until lunch) |
| con permiso | excuse me (to get through a space) |
| de nada | you’re welcome |
| disculpe/disculpa | excuse me |
| gracias | thank you |
| lo siento | I’m sorry |
| mucho gusto. | Nice to meet you. |
| perdón/perdone/perdona | excuse me/I’m sorry |
| por favor | please |
| Señor | sir |
| Señora | ma’am |
| Señorita | miss |
Question words in Spanish
If it’s a simple sí (yes) or no (no) you’re looking for, make your statement into a question with the inflection of your voice or use of the double question marks in written Spanish. Master these interrogatives and question words in Spanish and you’ll be on your way to getting information, making plans, asking for help, and navigating travel on your own.
| Spanish | English |
| ¿A qué hora? | At what time? |
| ¿Cómo? | How? |
| ¿Con quién? | With whom? |
| ¿Cuándo? | When? |
| ¿Cuánto/cuánta? | How much? |
| ¿Cuántos/cuántas? | How many? |
| ¿Cuánto cuesta? | How much does it cost? |
| ¿Hay…? | Is there…?/Are there…? |
| ¿Dónde? | Where? |
| ¿Por qué? | Why? |
| Porque | Because |
| ¿Qué? | What? |
| ¿Quién? | Who? |
>> What’s up with the upside-down question mark in Spanish?
Time and numbers in Spanish
Once you’ve mastered counting in Spanish, there are a few key phrases to master when it comes to la hora (time) and los números (numbers) so that you’ll be puntual (punctual).
Telling time
The basics of telling time in Spanish are pretty simple. You can use son las to tell what time it is and a las to say “at a certain time.” Times that begin with one o’clock are the exception, as they use the singular verb forms es la (It’s) and a la (at) instead.
Many organizations and regions use a 24-hour clock instead of a.m. and p.m. It begins at medianoche (midnight) with 0:00 and continues until mediodía (noon) at 12:00. Instead of starting over, it continues until 23:59 (one minute before midnight).
| Spanish | English |
| ¿A qué hora? | At what time? |
| A la una | At one o’clock |
| A las # | At # o’clock |
| A mediodía | At noon |
| A medianoche | At midnight |
| …y media | half past/:30 |
| …y cuarto | quarter past/:15 |
| …menos cuarto | quarter to/fifteen minutes before the hour |
| …en punto | on the dot/exactly |
| ¿Qué hora es? | What time is it? |
| Es la una | It’s one o’clock |
| Son las # | It’s # o’clock |
| de la mañana | in the morning |
| de la tarde | in the afternoon |
| de la noche | in the evening |
Numbers in Spanish
These Spanish words for numbers will help you with the date, time, prices, route numbers, and quantities of all kinds. Up until 29, double digit numbers are written as one word. After that, they use a three-word construction like treinta y ocho (38).
| Spanish | English |
| cero | zero |
| uno | one |
| dos | two |
| tres | three |
| cuatro | four |
| cinco | five |
| seis | six |
| siete | seven |
| ocho | eight |
| nueve | nine |
| diez | ten |
| once | eleven |
| doce | twelve |
| trece | thirteen |
| catorce | fourteen |
| quince | fifteen |
| dieciséis | sixteen |
| diecisiete | seventeen |
| dieciocho | eighteen |
| diecinueve | nineteen |
| veinte | twenty |
| veintiuno | twenty-one |
| veintidós | twenty-two |
| veintitrés | twenty-three |
| treinta | thirty |
| cuarenta | forty |
| cincuenta | fifty |
| sesenta | sixty |
| setenta | seventy |
| ochenta | eighty |
| noventa | ninety |
| cien | one hundred |
Places in the community
Use your Spanish words for places in the community during sightseeing, entertainment, or errands. This vocabulary for common buildings and landmarks can help you find your way around la ciudad (the city).
| Spanish | English |
| el aeropuerto | the airport |
| el apartamento/el piso | the apartment/flat |
| el banco | the bank |
| el bar | the bar/pub |
| la biblioteca | the library |
| la calle | the street |
| la casa | the house |
| el cine | the movie theater |
| la ciudad | the city |
| el colegio/la escuela | the school |
| el estadio | the stadium |
| la farmacia | the pharmacy |
| el hospital | the hospital |
| el hotel | the hotel |
| la librería | the bookstore |
| el mercado | the market |
| el museo | the museum |
| el parque | the park |
| el restaurante | the restaurant |
| el supermercado | the supermarket |
| el teatro | the theater |
| la tienda | the store/the shop |
| la universidad | the college/university |
Spanish words for household items
Your immediate environment is a great place to practice Spanish words. Take a trip around your casa (house) and name each room. Name or label everyday objects to really master the basic Spanish nouns for things in el hogar (the home).
Rooms of the house
The cuartos (rooms) of the house have specific names that often link to verbs in Spanish for the actions that take place there. Notice the connections to strengthen your vocabulary.
- cocinar (to cook) — la cocina (the kitchen)
- comer (to eat) — el comedor (the dining room)
- dormir (to sleep) — el dormitorio (the bedroom)
- bañarse (to bathe) — el baño (the bathroom)
- estar (to be) — la sala de estar (the living room)
| Spanish | English |
| el ático | the attic |
| el baño | the bathroom |
| la cocina | the kitchen |
| el comedor | the dining room |
| el dormitorio/el cuarto/la habitación | the bedroom |
| la escalera | the staircase |
| el garaje | the garage |
| el hogar | the home |
| el jardín | the yard/the garden |
| el salón/la sala (de estar) | the living room |
| el sótano | the basement |
Common household items
These Spanish nouns are essential for everyday living. The specifics can vary between regions, but the basic Spanish words we’ve included below are usually understood.
| Spanish | English |
| la bañera/la tina | the bath/the tub |
| unas botas | boots |
| la cama | the bed |
| la ducha | the shower |
| la escalera | the staircase |
| el fregadero | the kitchen sink |
| el inodoro/el retrete | the toilet |
| la lámpara | the lamp |
| el lavabo | the sink |
| la lavadora | the washing machine |
| el lavaplatos | the dishwasher |
| la mesa | the table |
| la secadora | the dryer |
| la silla | the chair |
| el sillón | the armchair |
| el sofá | the sofa |
Words for clothing
Words in Spanish for la ropa (clothing) are as varied as fashion items themselves. What’s called a camiseta (tshirt) in one country could be a playera in another. Spanish speakers from around the world will often laugh at the variety in their own language. English speakers can relate when we consider “pants” vs “trousers” or “sweater” vs “jumper.” This list of standard words should serve as a basic Spanish word list from which to accessorize your vocabulary.
| Spanish | English |
| un abrigo | a coat |
| una blusa | a blouse |
| una bufanda | a scarf |
| unos calcetines | socks |
| una camisa | a button up/dress shirt |
| una camiseta | a t-shirt |
| una chaqueta | a jacket/outer layer |
| un cinturón | a belt |
| una corbata | a tie |
| una falda | a skirt |
| unos jeans/unos vaqueros | jeans |
| un pantalón/unos pantalones | pants/trousers |
| un pijama | pajamas |
| unos pantalones cortos/un short | shorts |
| unas sandalias | sandals |
| una sudadera | a sweatshirt |
| un suéter/un jersey | a sweater/jumper |
| un traje | a suit |
| un traje de baño/un bañador | a bathing suit |
| un vestido | a dress |
| unos zapatos | shoes |
Words for nature and animals
Learning a few words in Spanish for the outdoors can help you enjoy la naturaleza (nature) and talk about the living things there.
Nature
Spending time al aire libre (outdoors/in the fresh air) is not only good for your salud (health) and bienestar (well-being), but it’s also a great list of Spanish words for beginners.
| Spanish | English |
| un árbol | a tree |
| el bosque | a forest |
| el cielo | the sky |
| una estrella | a star |
| un lago | a lake |
| un mar | a sea |
| una montaña | a mountain |
| el río | the river |
| el sol | the sun |
| la tierra | the land |
Animals
The names of los animales (animals) form a fun list of Spanish words for beginners, just like when you were learning your first language! Learn the words for animals in Spanish to refer to creatures in the wild, on the farm, and in your home.
| Spanish | English |
| el caballo | the horse |
| el cerdo | the pig |
| el gato/la gata | the cat |
| la mascota | the pet |
| el oso | the bear |
| la oveja | the sheep |
| el pájaro | the bird |
| el pato | the duck |
| el perro/la perra | the dog |
| la rana | the frog |
| la serpiente | the snake |
| el toro | the bull |
| la vaca | the cow |
Common adjectives in Spanish
Adjectives are essential for describing your surroundings. Your speech will be more lively if you can integrate some of the most common Spanish adjectives. The adjectives in this list show up a menudo (often) on lists of beginner Spanish words. Adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they are describing, following Spanish grammar rules.
| Spanish | English |
| abierto/abierta | open |
| aburrido/aburrida | boring/bored |
| alto/alta | tall |
| bajo/baja | short (height) |
| barato/barata | inexpensive |
| bonito/bonita | cute |
| bueno/buena | good |
| caro/cara | expensive |
| cerrado/cerrada | closed |
| corto/corta | short (length) |
| dificil | difficult |
| fácil | easy |
| feliz | happy |
| feo/fea | ugly |
| fuerte | strong |
| grande | big |
| guapo/guapa | good-looking/attractive (person) |
| impresionante | amazing/impressive |
| largo/larga | long |
| lindo/linda | pretty |
| malo/mala | bad |
| nervioso/nerviosa | nervous |
| nuevo/nueva | new |
| pequeño/pequeña | small |
| tímido/tímida | shy |
| tranquilo/tranquila | calm |
| triste | sad |
Colors in Spanish
The colors of the arcoíris (rainbow) follow the same Spanish grammatical gender rules as other adjectives, so some spellings have a masculine and a feminine form, except for the ones that originated from flowers or other nouns, like crema (cream), rosa (pink from “rose”), naranja (orange) and lila (lilac). These are “invariable,” meaning they have only one form.
This is the most basic list of color words in Spanish, but it’s fun to expand on all of the different shades once you’ve mastered this list.
| Spanish | English |
| rojo/roja | red |
| anaranjado/anaranjada | orange |
| amarillo/amarilla | yellow |
| verde | green |
| azul | blue |
| morado/morada | purple |
| negro/negra | black |
| blanco/blanca | white |
| gris | gray |
| café | brown |
| rosado/rosada | pink |
Words for taking action
Verbs are the action of the sentence, like correr (to run). These are some of the most helpful and common Spanish verbs to express action, but the more action verbs in Spanish you’re able to use, the more dynamic your conversations will be.
| Spanish | English |
| bailar | to dance |
| beber | to drink |
| cambiar | to change |
| caminar | to walk |
| cantar | to sing |
| cocinar | to cook |
| comer | to eat |
| comprar | to buy |
| correr | to cook |
| dibujar | to draw |
| dormir | to sleep |
| encontrar | to find |
| escribir | to write |
| escuchar | to listen to |
| hablar | to speak/to talk |
| jugar | to play a sport or game |
| leer | to read |
| manejar | to drive |
| mirar | to look at/to watch |
| saltar | to jump |
| tocar | to play an instrument/to touch |
| tomar | to take/to drink |
| traer | to bring |
| volar | to fly |
Spanish occupations
These words for empleo (employment) often have two forms—masculine and feminine—so that you can use the correct one to refer to a specific person. Spain’s guide for inclusive language details ways to refer to these professions in a general way.
Spanish words that end in -ista do not have another form. The articles el and la tell you the gender, as in dentista (dentist) and electricista (electrician).
| Spanish | English |
| el abogado/la abogada | the lawyer |
| el/la agente/representante | the agent/representative |
| el arquitecto/la arquitecta | the architect |
| el/la artista | the artist |
| el bombero/la bombera | the firefighter |
| el carpintero/la carpintera | the carpenter |
| el cocinero/la cocinera/el chef | the cook/the chef |
| el conductor/la conductora | the driver |
| el contable/el contador/la contadora | the accountant |
| el/la dentista | the dentist |
| el/la deportista/atleta | the athlete |
| el doctor/la doctora | the doctor |
| el/la electricista | the electrician |
| el empleado/la empleada | the employee |
| el enfermero/la enfermera | the nurse |
| el ingeniero/la ingeniera | the engineer |
| el jefe/la jefa | the boss |
| el juez/la jueza | the judge |
| el maestro/la maestra | the teacher |
| el obrero/la obrera | the worker |
| el panadero/la panadera | the baker |
| el presidente/la presidenta | the president |
| el profesor/la profesora | the teacher/the professor |
Popular Spanish words for food
Words for la comida (food) and meals are crucial if you’re going to order food in Spanish, visit the mercado (market) or share a meal with Spanish-speakers. Learn a few of your favorites so you can eat well!
Food
You’ll never be done learning vocabulary for food and popular dishes in Spanish. Start with the basic Spanish words for various ingredients, and expand to the traditional dishes for specific holidays, such as Day of the Dead foods to make your next celebration stand out.
| Spanish | English |
| el aguacate/la palta | the avocado |
| el arroz | the rice |
| la banana/el plátano | the banana |
| la carne | the meat |
| la cebolla | the onion |
| la ensalada | the salad |
| los frijoles | the beans |
| los huevos | the eggs |
| la leche | the milk |
| la lechuga | the lettuce |
| el maís | the corn |
| la manzana | the apple |
| el pan | bread |
| la papa/la patata | the potato |
| el pescado | the fish |
| la piña | the pineapple |
| el pollo | the chicken |
| el queso | the cheese |
| la sandía | the watermelon |
| el tomate/el jitomate | the tomato |
Table
This list of basic table settings will help you ask for what you need at a restaurant or at someone’s home. An easy way to ask would be, ¿Me trae…? (Will you bring me…?). Don’t forget to add por favor (please).
| Spanish | English |
| la cuenta | the check |
| la cuchara | the spoon |
| el cuchillo | the knife |
| el menú | the menu |
| la mesa | the table |
| el plato | the dish |
| la servilleta | the napkin |
| la taza | the mug |
| el tenedor | the fork |
| el vaso | the glass |
Beautiful Spanish words
If you need words to lighten your mood, learn a few unique and beautiful Spanish words.
| Spanish | English |
| la amabilidad | kindness |
| la belleza | beauty |
| la dulzura | sweetness |
| el florecimiento | flourishing |
| la gracia | grace/charm |
| la hermosura | beauty |
| la maravilla | the wonder/the beu |
| la paloma | dove |
| la paz | peace |
| la prosperidad | prosperity |
| la tranquilidad | tranquility |
Spanish words to express love
Spanish is indeed a “romance” language, meaning it derived from Latin, the language of the Romans. It is also a romantic language filled with words for love.
| Spanish | English |
| un abrazo/abrazar | a hug/to hug |
| la amistad | friendship |
| el amor | love |
| el amor a primera vista | love at first sight |
| besitos | “little kisses” (a good way to end a note/letter to someone you’re close to). |
| un beso/dar besos | a kiss/to kiss |
| el cariño | affection |
| el corazón | the heart |
| enamorarse | to fall in love |
| Te amo/Te quiero. | I love you. |
| Te extraño./Te echo de menos. | I miss you. |
| Eres el/la mejor. | You’re the best. |
| Eres un sol. | You’re a sunshine. |
| Eres un tesoro. | You’re a treasure. |
| Estoy enamorado/enamorada. | I’m in love. |
| Estoy loco/loca (de amor) por ti. | I’m crazy for you. |
| Mi vida | My life |
Longest Spanish words
You might even challenge yourself to pronounce super long and intimidating words, that is if you don’t suffer from hipopotomonstrosesquipedaliofobia, unofficially the longest word in Spanish, meaning “the fear of long words.”
If you’re confident with pronouncing the Spanish alphabet, try more challenging vocabulary by breaking words down syllable by syllable. Impress even native speakers by saying the official longest word in Spanish, electroencefalografistas (specialists in brain imaging).
Many of the longest words in Spanish are medical terms or are base words made longer with extra Spanish prefixes and suffixes.
| Spanish | English |
| anticonstitucionalmente | anti constitutionally |
| contrarrevolucionario/contrarrevolucionaria | counterrevolutionary |
| desafortunadamente | unfortunately |
| desproporcionadamente | disproportionately |
| electroencefalografistas | specialists in brain imagine |
| esternocleidomastoideo | a specific muscle in the neck |
| internacionalización | internationalization |
| otorrinolaringológico/otorrinolaringológica | ear, nose, and throat specialist |
Master more words in Spanish with Rosetta Stone
These 300+ basic Spanish words are a great start for beginner learners. Vocabulary lists are a helpful resource to reference when you’re studying or checking in on your progress. A variety of parts of speech in Spanish, such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives will help you communicate in all kinds of everyday situations.
Even people with excellent memorization skills will surely forget most of the words they’ve learned unless they use and see them in meaningful contexts. That’s why Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method will show you this vocabulary and so much more in connection with images, phrases, sentences, and stories, to ensure these words are yours to keep.
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