Larning a new language may seem intimidating, it ultimately offers numerous benefits and can be a highly fulfilling experience.

One way to make the process more manageable is to focus on the most common words and phrases first.

This way you can build a strong foundation and gradually expand your vocabulary as you progress.

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On this page I’ve compiled a list of the 99 most common words in Spanish, organized into different categories to help you learn them more effectively.

As you continue to improve your Spanish skills, this list of common vocabulary and phrases will be a valuable resource.

The Basics: Greetings, Numbers, and Essential Verbs

The basics of any language include greetings, numbers, and essential verbs. These are the words and phrases that you’ll use most frequently as you communicate with others, and they are the building blocks upon which you’ll build your knowledge of the language.

I have not included yes and no in Spanish, I guess you know these words already.

Here you can find phrases to say “no” and here phrases to say “yes”.

Here are some common greetings, numbers, and essential verbs in Spanish:

Greetings

A couple of greetings and goodbyes:

• Hola (Hello)
• ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?)
• Mucho gusto (Nice to meet you)
• Adiós (Goodbye)

Here you can find a whole blog post for greetings and here one for good byes. With videos!

Numbers

Here are the numbers 1 to 10:

• Uno (One)
• Dos (Two)
• Tres (Three)
• Cuatro (Four)
• Cinco (Five)
• Seis (Six)
• Siete (Seven)
• Ocho (Eight)
• Nueve (Nine)
• Diez (Ten)

And here you can find a deeper blog post just about numbers! Videos included.

Essential Verbs

• Tener (To have)
• Hacer (To do/make)
• Estar (To be)
• Ir (To go)
• Venir (To come)
• Querir (To want)
• Poder (To be able to)
• Saber (To know)
• Decir (To say)
• Ver (To see)

Tener is probably one of the most important verbs here you can read more about this verb.

Describing People and Things: Adjectives and Nouns

One of the most important aspects of any language is the ability to describe people and things.

In Spanish, you can use adjectives to describe the qualities or characteristics of nouns, such as their appearance, personality or condition.

You can also use nouns to name people, animals, places, and things. If you want to read more about this read my blog post about describing people and things.
Here are some common adjectives and nouns in Spanish for describing people and things:

Adjectives

• Bueno (Good)
• Malo (Bad)
• Grande (Big)
• Pequeño (Small)
• Alto (Tall)
• Bajo (Short)
• Gordo (Fat)
• Delgado (Thin)
• Joven (Young)
• Viejo (Old)
• Caliente (Hot)
• Frío (Cold)
• Mojado (Wet)

Nouns

• Hombre (Man)
• Mujer (Woman)
• Niño (Child)
• Perro (Dog)
• Gato (Cat)
• Casa (House)
• Árbol (Tree)
• Silla (Chair)
• Mesa (Table)
• Computadora (Computer)
• Automóvil (Car)
• Avión (Plane)

At Home and in the Community: Words for Home, Family, and Community

When learning a new language, it’s useful to know words and phrases related to your home, family, and community. These are the people and places that make up your everyday life, and they are an integral part of your identity and sense of belonging. Here are some common words in Spanish for home, family, and community:

Home

• Hogar (Home)
• Casa (House)
• Apartamento (Apartment)
• Habitación (Room)
• Baño (Bathroom)
• Cocina (Kitchen)
• Sala (Living room)

Family

Always good to be ably to describe your family:

• Familia (Family)
• Padre (Father)
• Madre (Mother)
• Hijo (Son)
• Hija (Daughter)
• Hermano (Brother)
• Hermana (Sister)
• Abuelo (Grandfather)
• Abuela (Grandmother)
• Tío (Uncle)
• Tía (Aunt)

Here you can read more about this topic.

Community

• Comunidad (Community)
• Vecino (Neighbor)
• Amigo (Friend)
• Escuela (School)
• Trabajo (Work)
• Mercado (Market)
• Iglesia (Church)
• Parque (Park)
• Biblioteca (Library)
• Hospital (Hospital)

Eating and Drinking: Words for Food and Drink

Food and drink are essential for survival and enjoyment, and there are many words in Spanish to describe them. Whether you’re cooking at home, shopping in a grocery store or eating out at a restaurant, knowing these words will help you communicate your needs and preferences in Spanish.

Here are some common words in Spanish for food and drink:

Food

• Comida (Food)
• Desayuno (Breakfast)
• Almuerzo (Lunch)
• Cena (Dinner)
• Postre (Dessert)
• Pan (Bread)
• Arroz (Rice)
• Pollo (Chicken)
• Carne (Meat)
• Pescado (Fish)
• Vegetales (Vegetables)
• Frutas (Fruits)
• Leche (Milk)
• Queso (Cheese)
• Huevo (Egg)

Read more about food vocabulary here.
And if you wonder how to order food in a restaurant take a look at this blog post!

Drink

• Bebida (Drink)
• Agua (Water)
• Leche (Milk)
• Café (Coffee)
• Té (Tea)
• Jugo (Juice)
• Cerveza (Beer)
• Vino (Wine)

Travel and Transportation: Words for Travel and Getting Around

Traveling and getting around in a new place can be exciting and challenging, especially if you don’t speak the language. By learning some basic vocabulary related to travel and transportation, you can make your experience more enjoyable and stress-free.

Here are some common words in Spanish for travel and transportation:

Travel

• Viaje (Trip)
• Viajar (To travel)
• Hotel (Hotel)
• Avión (Plane)
• Tren (Train)
• Autobús (Bus)
• Coche (Car)

Here is a good blog post about hotels and how to book a room.

Transportation

• Transporte (Transportation)
• Andar (To walk)
• Bicicleta (Bicycle)
• Moto (Motorcycle)
• Taxi (Taxi)
• Metro (Subway)
• Avión (Plane)

Health and the Human Body: Words for Health and the Human Body

Taking care of your health is important, and it’s essential to be able to communicate your health needs and concerns in any language. By learning some basic vocabulary related to health and the human body, you can more effectively communicate with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in Spanish.

Here are some common words in Spanish for health and the human body:

Health

• Salud (Health)
• Médico (Doctor)
• Enfermero (Nurse)
• Hospital (Hospital)
• Clínica (Clinic)
• Farmacia (Pharmacy)
• Medicina (Medicine)

Human body

• Cuerpo (Body)
• Cabeza (Head)
• Ojos (Eyes)
• Nariz (Nose)
• Boca (Mouth)
• Orejas (Ears)
• Manos (Hands)
• Brazos (Arms)
• Pies (Feet)
• Piernas (Legs)

Time and the Calendar: Words for Time and the Calendar

Knowing how to talk about time and the calendar is useful in any language, whether you’re setting up appointments, making plans, or simply telling the time.

Here are some common words in Spanish for time and the calendar:

Time

• Tiempo (Time)
• Reloj (Clock)
• Hora (Hour)
• Minuto (Minute)
• Segundo (Second)
• Mañana (Morning)
• Tarde (Afternoon)
• Noche (Night)
• Ayer (Yesterday)
• Hoy (Today)
• Mañana (Tomorrow)

Can you already tell the time in Spanish?

Calendar

• Calendario (Calendar)
• Año (Year)
• Mes (Month)
• Semana (Week)
• Día (Day)
• Lunes (Monday)
• Martes (Tuesday)
• Miércoles (Wednesday)
• Jueves (Thursday)
• Viernes (Friday)
• Sábado (Saturday)
• Domingo (Sunday)

Want to have deeper knowledge about the days of the week? (video and blog post)
I also recommend to take a look at the months of a year.

The Natural World: Words for Nature and the Environment

The natural world is full of beauty and wonder, and knowing some basic vocabulary related to nature and the environment can help you appreciate and understand it more fully.

Here are some common words in Spanish for nature and the environment:

Nature

• Naturaleza (Nature)
• Tierra (Earth)
• Cielo (Sky)
• Sol (Sun)
• Luna (Moon)
• Estrella (Star)
• Agua (Water)
• Mar (Sea)
• Río (River)
• Montaña (Mountain)
• Bosque (Forest)
• Pradera (Meadow)
• Desierto (Desert)

Read more about Outdoor vocabulary.

Environment

• Ambiente (Environment)
• Aire (Air)
• Tierra (Earth)
• Agua (Water)
• Fuego (Fire)
• Naturaleza (Nature)
• Ecología (Ecology)
• Medio ambiente (Environment)
• Contaminación (Pollution)
• Reciclaje (Recycling)
• Energía (Energy)

Emotions and Feelings: Words for Emotions and Feelings

Emotions and feelings are an integral part of the human experience, and being able to express them in a new language can help you connect with others more deeply.

Here are some common words in Spanish for emotions and feelings:

Emotions

• Emoción (Emotion)
• Alegría (Happiness)
• Tristeza (Sadness)
• Enojo (Anger)
• Miedo (Fear)
• Sorpresa (Surprise)
• Asco (Disgust)
• Vergüenza (Shame)
• Felicidad (Happiness)
• Amor (Love)

Here you can learn how to describe your emotions.

Feelings

• Sentimiento (Feeling)
• Contento (Happy)
• Triste (Sad)
• Enojado (Angry)
• Asustado (Afraid)
• Sorprendido (Surprised)
• Desagradable (Displeased)
• Avergonzado (Ashamed)
• Agradable (Pleasant)
• Enamorado (In love)

I would like to refer here to my guide how to compliment someone in Spanish! (video included)

Work and Employment: Words for Work and Employment

Whether you’re looking for a job, starting a new one, or simply talking about your work, knowing some basic vocabulary related to work and employment can be useful in Spanish.

Here are some common words in Spanish for work and employment:

• Trabajo (Work)
• Empleo (Employment)
• Empleado (Employee)
• Empleador (Employer)
• Oficina (Office)
• Jefe (Boss)
• Colega (Colleague)
• Tarea (Task)
• Proyecto (Project)
• Negocio (Business)

Employment

• Empleo (Employment)
• Empleado (Employee)
• Empleador (Employer)
• Contrato (Contract)
• Salario (Salary)
• Jornada (Working hours)
• Vacaciones (Vacation)
• Días festivos (Holidays)
• Licencia (Leave)
• Desempleado (Unemployed)

Education and Learning: Words for Education and Learning

Education and learning are important for personal and professional growth, and knowing some basic vocabulary related to education and learning can be useful in Spanish.

Here are some common words in Spanish for education and learning:

Education

• Educación (Education)
• Escuela (School)
• Universidad (University)
• Profesor (Teacher)
• Alumno (Student)
• Clase (Class)
• Lección (Lesson)
• Examen (Exam)
• Tarea (Homework)
• Grado (Grade)

Learning

• Aprendizaje (Learning)
• Aprendiz (Learner)
• Enseñanza (Teaching)
• Estudiar (To study)
• Aprender (To learn)
• Conocimiento (Knowledge)
• Sabiduría (Wisdom)
• Inteligencia (Intelligence)
• Curiosidad (Curiosity)
• Creatividad (Creativity)

Learning the most common Spanish words is a great way to quickly expand your vocabulary and improve your ability to communicate in Spanish.

By focusing on the most frequently used words, you can make the most of your study time and start using your new language skills right away.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, there’s always more to learn, so keep practicing and expanding your vocabulary.

And don’t forget to have fun – learning a new language is an exciting and rewarding journey!

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