Basic vocabulary (AQA GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
Basic vocabulary
Learning essential Spanish vocabulary is the foundation of successful communication. This revision note covers the most important words and phrases you'll need for your GCSE Spanish exam, organised into clear categories to help you build your vocabulary systematically.
This systematic approach to vocabulary building will help you develop confidence in Spanish communication by focusing on the most frequently used words and expressions in everyday situations.
Numbers
Understanding Spanish numbers is crucial for everyday communication, from telling time to discussing quantities and ages. Mastering the number system will enable you to handle practical situations like shopping, making appointments, and expressing dates.
Basic numbers (0-20)
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| cero | zero | once | eleven |
| uno | one | doce | twelve |
| dos | two | trece | thirteen |
| tres | three | catorce | fourteen |
| cuatro | four | quince | fifteen |
| cinco | five | dieciséis | sixteen |
| seis | six | diecisiete | seventeen |
| siete | seven | dieciocho | eighteen |
| ocho | eight | diecinueve | nineteen |
| nueve | nine | veinte | twenty |
| diez | ten |
Larger numbers
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| treinta | thirty | sesenta | sixty |
| cuarenta | forty | setenta | seventy |
| cincuenta | fifty | ochenta | eighty |
| noventa | ninety | cien/ciento | one hundred |
| mil | thousand | millón | million |
| quinientos | five hundred |
Number Formation Example: Creating 23
Method 1: veinti + tres = veintitrés Method 2: veinte y tres (twenty and three)
For numbers 21-29, the single-word form is more commonly used:
- 21 = veintiuno (not veinte y uno)
- 25 = veinticinco (not veinte y cinco)
Numbers from 16-29 can be written as one word (dieciséis) or three words (diez y seis). For 21-29, use "veinti-" + the unit (veintiuno, veintidós, etc.).
Question words
These interrogative words are essential for asking questions and understanding information. They form the backbone of Spanish conversation and are frequently tested in GCSE examinations.
| Spanish | English | Example usage |
|---|---|---|
| ¿quién(es)? | who? | ¿Quién es tu profesor? (Who is your teacher?) |
| ¿cuál(es)? | which? | ¿Cuál prefieres? (Which do you prefer?) |
| ¿por qué? | why? | ¿Por qué estudias español? (Why do you study Spanish?) |
| ¿cuándo? | when? | ¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños? (When is your birthday?) |
| ¿cómo? | how? | ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?) |
| ¿dónde? | where? | ¿Dónde vives? (Where do you live?) |
| ¿cuánto(s)? | how much/many? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much does it cost?) |
Pronunciation tip: All question words carry accent marks and are pronounced with emphasis on the accented syllable. This distinguishes them from their non-interrogative counterparts (e.g., "que" vs "¿qué?").
Essential short phrases
These common expressions will help you navigate everyday conversations with confidence. Learning these phrases will make your Spanish sound more natural and help you respond appropriately in different social situations.
Greetings and polite expressions
| Spanish | English | Usage context |
|---|---|---|
| hola | hello, hi | Informal greeting |
| lo bueno | the good thing | Expressing positive aspects |
| gracias | thanks, thank you | Showing gratitude |
| vale | ok | Informal agreement (mainly used in Spain) |
| ¡Vamos! | Come on! Let's go! | Encouragement or suggestion |
| ¡Perdón! | Sorry! | Apologising |
| por favour | please, excuse me | Making polite requests |
| adiós | goodbye | Formal farewell |
| ¡Enhorabuena! | Congratulations! | Celebrating achievements |
| buenos días | good morning | Morning greeting |
Regional variations exist for many expressions. For example, "vale" is commonly used in Spain, while Latin American countries might prefer "está bien" or "de acuerdo".
Useful conversational phrases
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| hay que | you must, it is necessary |
| tener que | to have to, must |
| hace (+noun) | it is (+weather) |
| se puede | you can (general) |
| se necesita | you need (to) |
| ¿Qué tal? | How are you? (informal) |
| ¿Cómo es? | What is it like? |
| lo siento | I'm sorry |
| de acuerdo | ok, in agreement |
| sin embargo | however |
| por eso | so, therefore |
| fin de semana | weekend |
| tan... como | as... as |
| ¡Ojalá! | I hope so! I wish! |
| ya no | no longer, no more |
Negative expressions
Understanding how to express negation is vital for accurate communication in Spanish. The Spanish negative system works differently from English and requires careful attention to avoid common mistakes.
| Spanish | English | Usage notes |
|---|---|---|
| ninguno | no, not... any (masculine) | Used before masculine nouns |
| ningún | no, not... any (masculine) | Shortened form before masculine singular nouns |
| nadie, (no) nadie | nobody, no one, anyone | Can be used alone or with 'no' |
| ninguno, (no) ninguno | no-one, none, anyone | Used after negative verb |
| nada, (no) nada | nothing, anything | Used after negative verb |
| sino | but (rather), except | Used for contrast after negative statements |
Double Negatives Are Correct!
In Spanish, double negatives are grammatically correct, unlike in English. You can say "No tengo nada" (I don't have nothing/anything). This is a key difference from English grammar rules.
Examples:
- "No veo a nadie" = I don't see anyone
- "No quiero nada" = I don't want anything
Prepositions
Prepositions show relationships between words and are essential for expressing location, direction, and time. These small words can dramatically change the meaning of a sentence, so precise usage is crucial.
Location and direction
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| a | to, at |
| en | in, on |
| entre | between, among |
| de | of, from |
| del | of the (masculine singular) |
| al | to the (masculine singular) |
| con | with |
| por | around, because of, by, for |
| para | for, in order to |
| sin | without |
| hacia | towards |
| hasta | up to, as far as, until |
| sobre | on top of, over, about |
| desde | from, since |
| durante | during |
| contra; en contra | against; in opposition, against |
| según | according to |
| debajo | underneath, below |
Para vs Por - A Critical Distinction
'Para' and 'por' both translate as 'for' but have different uses:
- Para indicates purpose or destination: "Estudio para el examen" (I study for the exam)
- Por indicates reason or means: "Estudio por la noche" (I study at night/because of the night)
This distinction is frequently tested in GCSE Spanish!
Conjunctions
These words help you connect ideas and create more complex sentences, demonstrating sophisticated language use that examiners look for in higher-grade responses.
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| si | if, whether | Si llueve, no salgo (If it rains, I won't go out) |
| que | that | Creo que es verdad (I think that it's true) |
| y | and | Tengo un hermano y una hermana |
| como | like, as | Es alto como su padre |
| o | or | ¿Prefieres té o café? |
| pero | but | Me gusta, pero es caro |
| porque | because | Estudio porque quiero aprobar |
| mientras | while, whilst | Escucho música mientras estudio |
| aunque | although | Aunque llueva, voy a salir |
| para que | so that, in order that | Hablo despacio para que entiendas |
Complex Sentence Construction
Simple: "Estudio español." (I study Spanish.)
Complex: "Estudio español aunque es difícil porque quiero viajar a México para que pueda comunicarme mejor." (I study Spanish although it's difficult because I want to travel to Mexico so that I can communicate better.)
Translation practice
Test your understanding with these translation exercises to reinforce your learning and prepare for exam scenarios.
Translation Practice Exercises
Spanish to English:
- ¿Cuántos hermanos tienes?
- No tengo nada en mi mochila.
English to Spanish: 3. I need fifteen euros for the cinema. 4. Although it's cold, we're going to the beach.
Answers:
- How many brothers/siblings do you have?
- I don't have anything in my backpack.
- Necesito quince euros para el cine.
- Aunque hace frío, vamos a la playa.
Key Points to Remember:
- Numbers follow patterns - learn the basics (1-20) and building blocks (30, 40, 50, etc.) to create any number you need
- All Spanish question words have accent marks and start with an upside-down question mark (¿)
- Practice common phrases daily - they'll make your Spanish sound more natural and fluent
- Double negatives are correct in Spanish, unlike in English
- Prepositions like 'por' and 'para' have specific uses that don't always match their English translations directly
- Master conjunctions to create sophisticated, complex sentences that demonstrate advanced language skills