Vocab list 1 (Edexcel GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
GCSE Spanish - General vocabulary (Vocab list 1)
This vocabulary list contains essential Spanish words that appear frequently in GCSE Spanish exams. The words are organised with their English translations and important grammatical information to help you learn them effectively.
Understanding the grammar markers
Understanding grammatical gender and verb forms is fundamental to Spanish success. Every Spanish noun has a gender, and this affects the articles and adjectives used with them.
Critical Grammar Markers:
- (f) = feminine noun (use with la or una)
- (m) = masculine noun (use with el or un)
- (to) = infinitive verb in English translation
These markers are essential for proper Spanish construction - always learn nouns with their gender!
Core vocabulary: Actions and activities
These action verbs form the backbone of Spanish communication. They appear in virtually every conversation and written text you'll encounter.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| aceptar | (to) accept |
| afectar | (to) affect |
| ayudar | (to) help |
| buscar | (to) look for |
| cambiar | (to) change/exchange |
| causar | (to) cause |
| cerrar | (to) close/shut |
| coger | (to) take/catch |
| comenzar | (to) start/begin |
| compartir | (to) share |
Worked Example: Using Action Verbs
Step 1: Choose appropriate verbs for context
- Voy a buscar mis llaves en el bolsillo. (I'm going to look for my keys in my pocket.)
Step 2: Notice how verbs change form in sentences
- Necesito cambiar mi estilo de vida. (I need to change my lifestyle.)
Essential nouns: People, places and things
These high-frequency nouns cover fundamental concepts you'll need across all GCSE Spanish topics. Notice that all these examples are feminine nouns - they use la or una.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| acción (f) | action |
| actividad (f) | activity |
| ayuda (f) | help |
| calidad (f) | quality |
| cantidad (f) | quantity/amount |
| comunidad (f) | community |
| decisión (f) | decision |
| diferencia (f) | difference |
| experiencia (f) | experience |
| familia (f) | family |
Notice how many of these words end in -ción or -dad - these endings are typically feminine in Spanish, making gender easier to remember.
Worked Example: Using Feminine Nouns
Step 1: Use correct feminine articles
- La calidad de esta comunicación es excelente. (The quality of this communication is excellent.)
Step 2: Maintain gender agreement throughout
- Tenemos una gran experiencia en este espacio. (We have great experience in this area.)
Describing words: Essential adjectives
These versatile adjectives allow you to add detail and description to your Spanish. Remember that adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they describe.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| abierto/a | open(ed) |
| bello/a | beautiful |
| bueno/a | good |
| completo/a | complete/full |
| contento/a | happy/content |
| diferente | different |
| fácil | easy |
| falso/a | false |
| general | general |
| gran | big/great |
The /a ending shows that these adjectives change form depending on whether they're describing masculine or feminine nouns. Words like diferente, fácil, and general have the same form for both genders.
Worked Example: Adjective Agreement
Step 1: Match adjective to noun gender
- Este ejemplo es muy fácil de entender. (This example is very easy to understand.)
Step 2: Notice how adjectives adapt to context
- Estoy contento/a con mi futuro. (I'm happy with my future.)
Time, place and direction
This section combines essential nouns with some critical location and time concepts. These words help you express when and where things happen.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| derecha (f) | right hand |
| espacio (m) | space |
| este (m) | East |
| evento (m) | event |
| fecha (f) | date |
| final (f) | final |
| futuro (m) | future |
| deber | (to) have to |
| dormir | (to) sleep |
| esperar | (to) hope/wait/expect |
Worked Example: Time and Place Expressions
Step 1: Combine time and place concepts
- El evento será en el futuro. (The event will be in the future.)
Step 2: Ask questions about time
- ¿Cuál es la fecha final? (What is the final date?)
Communication and understanding
These words are absolutely essential for expressing thoughts, feelings, and understanding. They form the core of intellectual and emotional communication in Spanish.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| comprender | (to) understand |
| comunicación (f) | communication |
| conocer | (to) know/meet |
| creer | (to) think/believe |
| describir | (to) describe |
| escribir | (to) write |
| escuchar | (to) listen |
| encontrar | (to) find |
| entrar | (to) enter/go in |
| error (m) | mistake/error |
Key Communication Verbs:
Pay special attention to conocer vs sabre (both mean "to know" but are used differently) and esperar which can mean hope, wait, or expect depending on context.
Worked Example: Communication in Action
Step 1: Express lack of understanding
- No puedo comprender este error. (I can't understand this mistake.)
Step 2: Describe future actions
- Voy a escribir sobre mi experiencia. (I'm going to write about my experience.)
Practice exercise: Translation
Testing your understanding through translation helps reinforce both vocabulary recognition and sentence construction skills.
Translation Practice Exercise
Translate these sentences into English:
- La comunicación es esencial para la comunidad.
- Voy a buscar ayuda en el futuro.
Translate these sentences into Spanish: 3. I need to change this decision. 4. The experience was extraordinary.
Answers:
- Communication is essential for the community.
- I'm going to look for help in the future.
- Necesito cambiar esta decisión.
- La experiencia fue extraordinaria.
Exam Strategy: When translating, always consider gender agreement, verb conjugation, and word order. These are common areas where students lose marks in GCSE Spanish exams.
Key Points to Remember:
- Gender matters - always learn nouns with their gender (el/la)
- Verb forms change - these are infinitives, but they conjugate in sentences
- Cognates help - many words are similar to English (comunicación = communication)
- Context is key - learn words in sentences, not just in isolation
- Regular practice - test yourself frequently using the translation method suggested