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Spanish A1 vocabulary: 500 most common words with examples

A1 is the first 500 words, the ones that make up most of everyday speech: pronouns, the key verbs ser, estar, tener and ir, and common connectors.

This level has 60 concepts in the skill map: 500 words in small groups and 9 lessons. Each one unlocks once you master what it builds on.

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Updated October 21, 2026

Grammar

• Articles and gender: el, la, un, una Every Spanish noun is masculine or feminine. Use el / un with masculine nouns and la / una with feminine…
• Question words: qué, quién, dónde, cuándo, cómo Question words carry an accent: qué (what), quién (who), dónde (where), cuándo (when), cómo (how), por qué…
• Querer and poder + infinitive: want to, can Quiero comer "I want to eat", puedo venir "I can come". The second verb stays in the infinitive.
• Ir a + infinitive: "going to" Voy a comer means "I am going to eat". It is the easiest way to talk about the future.
• Tener: to have (and to be hungry, cold, 20 years old) Tener means "to have": tengo dos hermanos. Spanish also uses it for age and many feelings: tengo hambre.
• Hay: "there is" and "there are" Hay means both "there is" and "there are" and never changes: hay un problema, hay muchos libros.
• Ser: who or what something is Use ser for identity, origin, profession, time and lasting traits: soy profesor, es de México, son las tres.
• Estar: where something is and how it is now Use estar for location and temporary states: estoy en casa, está cansado.
• Gustar: how to say "I like" Me gusta el café means "I like coffee", literally "coffee pleases me". Use gustan for plural things.

Word list