Learning spanish basics: Speak with confidence from day one

Learning Spanish is one of the smartest investments you can make in yourself. With more than 500 million speakers worldwide and official status in 21 countries, mastering the basics gives you access to a truly global community.

Whether your goal is to explore Spain, boost your career or connect with new cultures, mastering the Spanish basics will give you confidence from day one.

At Españolé, we know what beginners need to succeed: practical tools, cultural immersion and the right support. This guide brings you essential vocabulary, real-life examples and practical tips so you can start using Spanish immediately.

Basic Spanish vocabulary for real-life situations

Just knowing a handful of expressions can make travel or social encounters much smoother, especially in countries like Spain, Mexico, or Argentina, where even a simple gracias (thank you) can open doors.

Here are some starter expressions our beginner students begin practicing from their very first week:

Greetings and goodbyes

Hi, how are you?	*Hola, ¿qué tal?*
Goodbye	*Adiós*
Good morning	*Buenos días*
Good night	*Buenas noches*

Polite words (always useful in Spain)

Please	*Por favor*
Thank you	*Gracias*
You’re welcome	*De nada*
Sorry / Excuse me	*Perdón*

Basic questions

What?	*¿Qué?*
Who?	*¿Quién?*
Where?	*¿Dónde?*
When?	*¿Cuándo?*
Why?	*¿Por qué?*

Common responses

Yes	Sí
No	No
I don’t know	*No lo sé*

Teacher’s tip. Practice these with role-plays. For example, imagine ordering breakfast in Valencia:
— Buenos días, un café con leche y una tostada, por favor.
— Claro, aquí tiene. ¿Algo más?
— No, gracias.

This makes vocabulary part of a real situation, not just a list to memorize.

How to learn and remember new Spanish words

Learning words is easier when you use memory-friendly techniques:

Visual associations: associate words with mental images or draw small sketches to help you remember them.
Flashcards and spaced repetition apps: use flashcards or apps that repeat the words at regular intervals until you learn them.
Contextual learning: use the words in short sentences so they make more sense in your mind. Tengo dos amigos (I have two friends).

Consistency beats intensity. The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) estimates it takes 600–750 hours for English speakers to reach professional fluency in Spanish, but just 10–15 minutes daily practice can help you move steadily through the beginner stages.

Simple Spanish phrases for beginners

Once you have some vocabulary, start forming short phrases. Here are examples you’ll actually need:

Greetings and introductions:

Me llamo (your name). ¿Y tú? (My name is (your name). And you?)
I’m from England. (Soy de Inglaterra)

Useful questions:

¿Hablas inglés? (Do you speak English?)
¿De dónde eres? (Where are you from?)
¿Puedes ayudarme? (Can you help me?)

Common responses:

Estoy bien, gracias. (I’m fine, thank you)
No entiendo. (I don’t understand)

Basic Spanish grammar made simple

In our intensive Spanish course in Spain, the first thing you learn is that if you want to have a beginner conversation in Spanish.

Grammar might sound intimidating, but you only need a few rules at the beginning:

Sentence structure: Subject + Verb + Object → Yo como una manzana (“I eat an apple”).
Adjectives after nouns: Casa grande (“big house”).
Verb conjugation: Yo hablo (I speak), tú hablas (you speak).

Other essentials:

Gender of nouns: El libro (book, masculine), la mesa (table, feminine).
Plural forms: Casa (house) → casas (houses).
Start with present tense: Yo estudio español (“I study Spanish”).

Teacher’s tip. Don’t worry about being perfect. Even with simple grammar, Spaniards will appreciate your effort.

Key aspects of Spanish grammar for beginners

Some key aspects of basic Spanish grammar that you should keep in mind are:

Gender of nouns: in Spanish, nouns have either a masculine or feminine gender. For example, el libro (the book) is masculine, while la mesa (the table) is feminine.
Number: just like in English, nouns change depending on whether they are singular or plural. For example, gato (cat) becomes gatos (cats).

Verb tenses: this can be somewhat complex, we won’t lie (but you’ll be able to learn it!). It’s helpful to focus on the present tense, such as Yo hablo (I speak), to build a solid foundation.

Common mistakes beginners make (and how to avoid them)

Skipping pronunciation → Practice the difference between r and rr.
Translating literally from English → Instead of “Estoy caliente” (which is not what you think!), say “Tengo calor” for “I’m hot.”
Avoiding grammar entirely → You don’t need all the tenses, but a little grammar helps you build sentences faster.

Get to know our article about… Most common Spanish mistakes

Practical methods to speed up your Spanish

Learning a language takes consistency, but there are proven techniques that can speed up your progress and make studying more enjoyable.

1. Watch Spanish shows with subtitles

Instead of passively watching, turn it into an active exercise:

First round: watch with English subtitles to understand the context.
Second round: switch to Spanish subtitles to connect sounds with written words.
Third round (optional): no subtitles. Focus on listening.

Teacher’s tip. Start with series that use everyday language (La Casa de Papel, Élite, or even Spanish-dubbed cartoons). Write down new expressions per episode and try to use them.

2. Keep a diary about your daily activities

Writing one sentence a day about your life creates powerful repetition. Begin simple:

Hoy estudio español. (Today I study Spanish)
Mañana trabajo en casa. (Tomorrow I work at home)
Me gusta el café. (I like coffee)

This turns passive vocabulary into active memory.

3. Group vocabulary by themes

Learning words in context is much more effective than memorizing random lists. Organize your vocabulary into useful themes like:

Food & drinks (agua, pan, vino, paella)
Travel & transport (tren, autobús, billete, aeropuerto)
Daily life (trabajo, casa, familia, móvil)

Create “theme days”: One day, practice only with restaurant vocabulary. After, plan a pretend trip in Spanish (buying tickets, asking for directions).

4. Practice with native speakers

One of the biggest advantages of studying Spanish in Spain is that you don’t just learn in the classroom, you live the language every day.

At Españolé, our students practice Spanish with native speakers from the very beginning.

Conversation exchanges: these events give you the chance to practice Spanish naturally while making friends.
Cultural activities: from cooking classes to guided tours of Valencia, every activity is designed to help you practice real Spanish in context.

Discover the most popular foods in Spain you should try!

Host families: living with a Spanish family gives you daily exposure to authentic expressions and cultural habits.

Even 5–10 minutes a day speaking with a native makes a big difference. Ordering at a café, asking for directions, or chatting with your host family reinforces what you learn in class.

Thanks to Españolé, I can now introduce myself and hold simple conversations in Spanish. The lessons are clear and very practical! — Martina from Germany

Common questions about learning Spanish basics

What are the first words I should learn in Spanish?

Start with everyday essentials such as hola (hello), gracias (thank you), por favor (please), and ¿qué? (what?). These simple words will help you greet, show politeness, and ask basic questions from day one.

How long does it take to learn basic Spanish words?

Most learners can handle Spanish fundamentals in a few months. According to the CEFR, reaching level A1 usually takes 100–150 hours of study. Enrolling in a basic or super intensive Spanish course in Spain will speed up your progress.

Is it necessary to learn grammar from the beginning?

You don’t need to master grammar right away. However, having a basic grasp of Spanish grammar will help you create simple sentences and understand how the language works.

How can I practice Spanish outside of class?

Immerse yourself in Spanish through daily activities: watch movies and series, listen to podcasts, read books, and most importantly: talk with native speakers. Social media, language exchange platforms, and Spanish-speaking friends are excellent tools to practice naturally.

What basic false friends should I watch out for in Spanish?

Some Spanish words look like English words but have completely different meanings, which can confuse beginners. These are called false friends. Examples include:

Embarazada → means pregnant, not “embarrassed.”
Ropa → means clothes, not “rope.”
Sensible → means sensitive, not “sensible.”
Asistir → means to attend, not “to assist.”
Éxito → means success, not “exit.”

What should I do once I’ve mastered the Spanish basics?

After you feel confident with greetings, simple questions, and everyday expressions, it’s time to challenge yourself with more advanced aspects of the language. A great next step is improving your Spanish pronunciation, especially with tricky words that even intermediate learners struggle with.

What certification do I need to prove my basic Spanish level?

If you want an official recognition of your beginner Spanish skills, the DELE A1 certificate is the standard choice. It certifies that you can handle basic communication and everyday situations. You can link to our article on the DELE exam for detailed preparation tips and resources.

Ready to go beyond the basics?

Learning your first Spanish words and phrases is exciting, but the real transformation happens when you use them in daily life.

At Españolé, our beginner-friendly courses help you move quickly from simple greetings to real conversations. With native teachers, small groups, and a vibrant student community, you’ll practice Spanish naturally from day one.

Build confidence, connect with people, and enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle while learning. Your Spanish journey starts here — get in touch with us!