Key Vocabulary Review (AQA A-Level Spanish): Revision Notes
Key Vocabulary Review
This revision note covers essential vocabulary for discussing cyberspace in Spanish. The terms are organized thematically to help you understand and discuss the internet, technology, and smartphones in both Spanish and English contexts.
The different faces of the internet
Understanding internet-related vocabulary is fundamental for discussing how technology shapes Hispanic society. This section covers devices, activities, and features of the digital world.
Core internet and device terms
The following table contains the fundamental vocabulary you need to discuss internet technology and devices. These terms form the foundation for any conversation about the digital world in Spanish.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la conexión | connection |
| el ordenador | computer |
| el dispositivo | device |
| la red | net, network |
| la red social | social network |
| el sitio web | website |
| la página web | web page |
| el móvil inteligente | smartphone |
| portátil | portable |
| la banda ancha | broadband |
| la fibra óptica | fibre optic |
| inalámbrico | wireless |
| la nube | cloud |
| el sistema | system |
Example Sentences: Core Terms in Context
La banda ancha es esencial para trabajar desde casa. (Broadband is essential for working from home.)
Prefiero usar mi ordenador portátil porque es más cómodo. (I prefer to use my laptop because it's more comfortable.)
Todos mis archivos están guardados en la nube. (All my files are saved in the cloud.)
Internet activities and actions
This vocabulary set covers the verbs and actions you'll use when discussing what people do online. Many of these verbs are regular, but pay attention to any irregular conjugations noted.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| acceder | to access |
| comunicarse | to communicate |
| interactuar (interactúo) | to interact |
| mandar | to send |
| comprar | to buy |
| ahorrar | to save |
| subir | to upload |
| la subida | increase |
| usar | to use |
| malgastar | to waste |
| fomentar | to promote |
| intercambiar | exchange |
| proyectar | to project |
Pronunciation Tip: Remember that interactúo has an accent on the ú, showing where the stress falls in the first person singular present tense.
Example Sentences: Online Actions
Es fácil acceder a la información en línea. (It's easy to access information online.)
Siempre malgasto tiempo en las redes sociales. (I always waste time on social media.)
Necesito subir los documentos antes de las cinco. (I need to upload the documents before five o'clock.)
Features and characteristics
These adjectives and nouns help you describe the qualities and characteristics of digital technology. Use them to express opinions about different platforms and services.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| en línea | online |
| interactivo | interactive |
| eficaz | efficient |
| veloz | fast, rapid |
| económico | inexpensive, cheap |
| costoso | expensive, costly |
| dinámico | dynamic |
| específico | specific |
| el bombardeo | bombardment |
Example Sentences: Describing Technology
Las plataformas interactivas facilitan el aprendizaje. (Interactive platforms facilitate learning.)
Esta aplicación es muy eficaz y económica. (This app is very efficient and inexpensive.)
El bombardeo de información puede ser abrumador. (The bombardment of information can be overwhelming.)
User and profile vocabulary
Understanding user-related terminology is essential for discussing social media and online platforms. These terms will help you describe how people interact with technology.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el/la usuario/a | user |
| el perfil | profile |
| la aplicación | app |
| la suscripción | fee, subscription |
| la herramienta | tool |
| el estado | status |
| estar en contacto con (estoy) | to be in contact with |
| a través de | via, by means of |
Common Mistake: Don't forget that aplicación is feminine (la aplicación) even though it ends in -ción.
Example Sentences: Users and Profiles
Estoy en contacto con mis amigos a través de las redes sociales. (I'm in contact with my friends via social media.)
Muchos usuarios pagan una suscripción mensual. (Many users pay a monthly subscription.)
Technology's impact on our lives
This vocabulary helps you discuss whether technology has improved or worsened our lives, a key debate in modern Hispanic society. These terms are particularly useful for essays and oral discussions about technology's role.
Change and development
The following terms describe how technology drives change and innovation in society. They're essential for discussing the positive aspects of technological advancement.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| cambiar | to change |
| el avance | advance |
| desarrollar | to develop |
| dar lugar a (doy) | to give rise to |
| la globalización | globalisation |
| el estilo de vida | lifestyle |
| competitivo | competitive |
| conectar | to connect |
Example Sentences: Change and Progress
La tecnología ha cambiado nuestro estilo de vida completamente. (Technology has changed our lifestyle completely.)
Los avances tecnológicos dan lugar a nuevas oportunidades. (Technological advances give rise to new opportunities.)
La globalización conecta a personas de todo el mundo. (Globalisation connects people from all over the world.)
Access and storage
These terms relate to how we access and store information in the digital age. They're particularly relevant for discussions about education and home technology.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el acceso | access |
| almacenar | to store |
| el aparato | device, gadget |
| el aula (f) | classroom |
| la banda ancha | broadband |
| el hogar | household |
| la tarea | task, homework |
Common Mistake: Remember that el aula is feminine despite using "el" (because it starts with a stressed 'a'). You'd say "el aula está vacía" (the classroom is empty), using feminine adjectives.
Example Sentences: Access and Storage
Podemos almacenar miles de fotos en nuestros aparatos. (We can store thousands of photos on our devices.)
El acceso a Internet en el aula es fundamental. (Internet access in the classroom is fundamental.)
Smartphones - intelligent or not?
This section provides vocabulary for discussing the role of smartphones in modern life, including their benefits and potential problems. This is a popular debate topic in Spanish exams.
Phone terminology
Understanding the different ways to refer to mobile devices is important, especially since terminology varies between Spain and Latin America.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el móvil | mobile phone |
| el teléfono inteligente | smartphone |
| el celular | cell (mobile) phone |
| el aparato | device |
| la pantalla | screen |
| el código de barra | barcode |
| el mensaje de texto | text message |
| telefonear | to telephone |
| la video llamada | video call |
Regional Note: In Spain, el móvil is most common, while in Latin America, el celular is preferred.
Example Sentences: Phone Terminology
Paso demasiado tiempo mirando la pantalla de mi móvil. (I spend too much time looking at my mobile phone screen.)
Prefiero hacer una video llamada en lugar de enviar mensajes de texto. (I prefer to make a video call instead of sending text messages.)
Usage and actions
These verbs describe the actions people take on their smartphones. They're essential for discussing daily digital habits and routines.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| chatear | to chat |
| enviar (envío) | to send |
| postear una foto | to post a photo |
| instalar | to install |
| funcionar | to work, function |
| agilizar | to speed up |
| elaborar | to produce |
| expandirse | to expand, spread |
| en directo | live |
| al alcance | within reach |
Verb Note: Enviar has a spelling change in the first person: yo envío (I send).
Example Sentences: Smartphone Actions
Envío mensajes a mis amigos todos los días. (I send messages to my friends every day.)
Es fácil postear una foto en las redes sociales. (It's easy to post a photo on social media.)
Todo está al alcance con un teléfono inteligente. (Everything is within reach with a smartphone.)
Effects and consequences
This vocabulary is crucial for discussing the positive and negative impacts of smartphone usage. These terms are particularly useful for argumentative essays and debates.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| estar enganchado (estoy) | to be addicted |
| estar fuera de onda (estoy) | to be out of touch |
| compulsivo | compulsive |
| perjudicial | harmful |
| locuaz | talkative |
| dar consejos (doy) | to give advice |
| la habilidad | skill |
| el cerebro | brain |
| la multitud | multitude |
| la onda | wave |
| el palo | stick |
| la sobreexposición | overexposure |
| volverse loco (vuelvo) | to go crazy |
| el/la experto/a | expert |
| el/la poseedor/ora | owner |
Example Sentences: Effects and Consequences
Estoy enganchado a mi teléfono y no puedo dejarlo. (I'm addicted to my phone and I can't put it down.)
El uso compulsivo de las redes sociales es perjudicial para la salud mental. (Compulsive use of social media is harmful to mental health.)
Me vuelvo loco cuando estoy fuera de onda con las últimas tecnologías. (I go crazy when I'm out of touch with the latest technologies.)
La sobreexposición a las pantallas afecta nuestro cerebro. (Overexposure to screens affects our brain.)
Common mistakes & tips
Critical Points to Avoid Errors:
Gender confusion: Remember that la red (network) is feminine, not masculine. Say "la red social es popular" (the social network is popular).
Verb conjugations: Pay attention to irregular first-person forms:
- estar enganchado: estoy enganchado (I am addicted)
- dar lugar a: doy lugar a (I give rise to)
- enviar: envío (I send)
- volverse loco: me vuelvo loco (I go crazy)
Regional differences: Be aware that technology vocabulary can vary between Spain and Latin America:
- Spain: el móvil, el ordenador
- Latin America: el celular, la computadora
False friends: "Estar en contacto" means "to be in contact/touch," not "to be in contact" in the physical sense.
El/la with feminine nouns: Some feminine nouns use "el" when they start with a stressed 'a' or 'ha': el aula (f), el agua (f). The adjectives still remain feminine: el aula moderna.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Core internet terms: Learn the gender of key nouns (la conexión, el ordenador, la red) to ensure grammatical accuracy.
- Verb forms matter: Many technology verbs have irregular first-person forms (estoy, doy, envío, vuelvo) - practice these frequently.
- Regional vocabulary: Be prepared to recognize both Spanish (móvil, ordenador) and Latin American (celular, computadora) terms for the same concepts.
- Technology debate vocabulary: Master terms like estar enganchado, perjudicial, and dar lugar a to discuss both positive and negative effects of technology.
- Context is key: Many words have multiple meanings (la onda = wave/vibe, el palo = stick/bore), so pay attention to context when reading or listening.