Learning a new language can be an exciting yet challenging journey. Spanish, with its rich history and widespread usage, is a popular choice for many language learners. If you’re just starting out, you’re likely aiming to achieve the A1 level, which is the beginner level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). At this stage, you will be focusing on basic phrases and vocabulary that will help you in everyday situations. This article will guide you through some essential Spanish words and phrases you need to know to reach the A1 level.

Basic Greetings and Farewells

One of the first things you’ll need to learn in any language is how to greet people and say goodbye. Here are some fundamental Spanish words and phrases for greetings and farewells:

– **Hola** – Hello
– **Buenos días** – Good morning
– **Buenas tardes** – Good afternoon
– **Buenas noches** – Good evening/night
– **Adiós** – Goodbye
– **Hasta luego** – See you later
– **Hasta mañana** – See you tomorrow
– **Nos vemos** – See you (informal)
– **¿Cómo estás?** – How are you? (informal)
– **¿Cómo está usted?** – How are you? (formal)

Introducing Yourself and Others

Introducing yourself and asking about others is crucial for making new friends and acquaintances. Here are some useful phrases for introductions:

– **Me llamo…** – My name is…
– **¿Cómo te llamas?** – What is your name? (informal)
– **¿Cómo se llama usted?** – What is your name? (formal)
– **Encantado/a** – Pleased to meet you
– **Mucho gusto** – Nice to meet you
– **Soy de…** – I am from…
– **¿De dónde eres?** – Where are you from? (informal)
– **¿De dónde es usted?** – Where are you from? (formal)
– **Este es… / Esta es…** – This is… (introducing a male/female)

Numbers and Counting

Being able to count and understand numbers is essential, whether you’re shopping, telling time, or making plans. Here are the numbers from 1 to 20 in Spanish:

1. **Uno**
2. **Dos**
3. **Tres**
4. **Cuatro**
5. **Cinco**
6. **Seis**
7. **Siete**
8. **Ocho**
9. **Nueve**
10. **Diez**
11. **Once**
12. **Doce**
13. **Trece**
14. **Catorce**
15. **Quince**
16. **Dieciséis**
17. **Diecisiete**
18. **Dieciocho**
19. **Diecinueve**
20. **Veinte**

For tens, it’s useful to know:

– **Treinta** – Thirty
– **Cuarenta** – Forty
– **Cincuenta** – Fifty
– **Sesenta** – Sixty
– **Setenta** – Seventy
– **Ochenta** – Eighty
– **Noventa** – Ninety
– **Cien** – One hundred

Days of the Week and Months

Knowing the days of the week and months of the year is essential for making plans and understanding dates. Here are the days and months in Spanish:

Days of the Week:
– **Lunes** – Monday
– **Martes** – Tuesday
– **Miércoles** – Wednesday
– **Jueves** – Thursday
– **Viernes** – Friday
– **Sábado** – Saturday
– **Domingo** – Sunday

Months of the Year:
– **Enero** – January
– **Febrero** – February
– **Marzo** – March
– **Abril** – April
– **Mayo** – May
– **Junio** – June
– **Julio** – July
– **Agosto** – August
– **Septiembre** – September
– **Octubre** – October
– **Noviembre** – November
– **Diciembre** – December

Basic Questions

Asking questions is fundamental to learning and interacting in any language. Here are some basic questions you should know:

– **¿Qué?** – What?
– **¿Quién?** – Who?
– **¿Dónde?** – Where?
– **¿Cuándo?** – When?
– **¿Por qué?** – Why?
– **¿Cómo?** – How?
– **¿Cuál?** – Which?
– **¿Cuánto/a?** – How much? (singular)
– **¿Cuántos/as?** – How many? (plural)

Common Verbs

Verbs are the action words in a sentence, and knowing the most common ones will help you build basic sentences. Here are some essential verbs for beginners:

– **Ser** – To be (permanent state)
– **Estar** – To be (temporary state)
– **Tener** – To have
– **Hacer** – To do/make
– **Ir** – To go
– **Venir** – To come
– **Decir** – To say/tell
– **Poder** – To be able to/can
– **Querer** – To want/love
– **Necesitar** – To need
– **Hablar** – To speak/talk
– **Comer** – To eat
– **Beber** – To drink
– **Leer** – To read
– **Escribir** – To write

Conjugations of “Ser” and “Estar”

Understanding how to conjugate the verbs “ser” and “estar” is vital, as they are used frequently. Here are their present tense conjugations:

**Ser**:
– Yo **soy** – I am
– Tú **eres** – You are (informal)
– Él/Ella/Usted **es** – He/She/You (formal) is/are
– Nosotros/as **somos** – We are
– Vosotros/as **sois** – You all are (informal)
– Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes **son** – They/You all are

**Estar**:
– Yo **estoy** – I am
– Tú **estás** – You are (informal)
– Él/Ella/Usted **está** – He/She/You (formal) is/are
– Nosotros/as **estamos** – We are
– Vosotros/as **estáis** – You all are (informal)
– Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes **están** – They/You all are

Common Nouns

Nouns are the building blocks of sentences, representing people, places, things, or ideas. Here are some common nouns that you’ll encounter frequently:

– **Casa** – House
– **Escuela** – School
– **Trabajo** – Work
– **Amigo/a** – Friend (male/female)
– **Familia** – Family
– **Coche** – Car
– **Libro** – Book
– **Mesa** – Table
– **Silla** – Chair
– **Teléfono** – Telephone
– **Ordenador/Computadora** – Computer
– **Perro** – Dog
– **Gato** – Cat

Basic Adjectives

Adjectives are words that describe nouns, and knowing some basic adjectives will help you add detail to your sentences. Here are some you should know:

– **Bueno/a** – Good
– **Malo/a** – Bad
– **Grande** – Big
– **Pequeño/a** – Small
– **Bonito/a** – Pretty
– **Feo/a** – Ugly
– **Nuevo/a** – New
– **Viejo/a** – Old
– **Alto/a** – Tall
– **Bajo/a** – Short (height)
– **Corto/a** – Short (length)
– **Largo/a** – Long
– **Fácil** – Easy
– **Difícil** – Difficult

Everyday Phrases

Being able to use common phrases in everyday situations will make your Spanish more natural and fluent. Here are some phrases you’ll find useful:

– **Por favor** – Please
– **Gracias** – Thank you
– **De nada** – You’re welcome
– **Lo siento** – I’m sorry
– **Perdón** – Excuse me/Sorry
– **Sí** – Yes
– **No** – No
– **Tal vez** – Maybe
– **No sé** – I don’t know
– **Tengo hambre** – I’m hungry
– **Tengo sed** – I’m thirsty
– **Tengo frío** – I’m cold
– **Tengo calor** – I’m hot

Basic Directions

Understanding and giving directions is a practical skill when navigating a new environment. Here are some basic directional words and phrases:

– **Izquierda** – Left
– **Derecha** – Right
– **Recto** – Straight
– **Cerca** – Near
– **Lejos** – Far
– **Aquí** – Here
– **Allí** – There
– **¿Dónde está…?** – Where is…?
– **¿Cómo llego a…?** – How do I get to…?

Shopping and Money

If you’re shopping or dealing with money, these words and phrases will come in handy:

– **¿Cuánto cuesta?** – How much does it cost?
– **Precio** – Price
– **Dinero** – Money
– **Barato/a** – Cheap
– **Caro/a** – Expensive
– **La cuenta, por favor** – The bill, please
– **¿Aceptan tarjetas?** – Do you accept cards?
– **Efectivo** – Cash

Food and Drink

When dining out or grocery shopping, you’ll need to know some basic food and drink vocabulary:

– **Pan** – Bread
– **Agua** – Water
– **Café** – Coffee
– **Té** – Tea
– **Leche** – Milk
– **Fruta** – Fruit
– **Verduras** – Vegetables
– **Carne** – Meat
– **Pescado** – Fish
– **Pollo** – Chicken
– **Arroz** – Rice
– **Pasta** – Pasta

Time

Understanding and telling time is essential for managing your daily schedule. Here are some key phrases:

– **¿Qué hora es?** – What time is it?
– **Es la una** – It’s one o’clock
– **Son las dos/tres/cuatro…** – It’s two/three/four o’clock…
– **Media** – Half past
– **Cuarto** – Quarter past/to
– **En punto** – On the dot

Weather

Talking about the weather is a common conversation starter. Here are some useful phrases:

– **Hace calor** – It’s hot
– **Hace frío** – It’s cold
– **Hace sol** – It’s sunny
– **Hace viento** – It’s windy
– **Está nublado** – It’s cloudy
– **Está lloviendo** – It’s raining
– **Está nevando** – It’s snowing

Health

Knowing some basic health-related vocabulary can be very useful, especially in emergencies:

– **Doctor/a** – Doctor (male/female)
– **Enfermero/a** – Nurse (male/female)
– **Hospital** – Hospital
– **Farmacia** – Pharmacy
– **Medicina** – Medicine
– **Dolor** – Pain
– **Enfermedad** – Illness
– **¿Dónde está el hospital?** – Where is the hospital?

Transportation

Getting around a new city or country requires some basic transportation vocabulary:

– **Autobús** – Bus
– **Tren** – Train
– **Taxi** – Taxi
– **Aeropuerto** – Airport
– **Estación** – Station
– **Parada** – Stop
– **Boleto/Billete** – Ticket
– **Conductor/a** – Driver (male/female)
– **¿Dónde está la parada de autobús?** – Where is the bus stop?

Conclusion

Reaching the A1 level in Spanish involves mastering a wide range of basic vocabulary and phrases that will help you navigate everyday situations. From greetings and numbers to common verbs and adjectives, having a solid foundation will make your language learning journey smoother and more enjoyable. Practice these words regularly, and don’t be afraid to use them in real-life conversations. With time and effort, you’ll find yourself becoming more comfortable and confident in your Spanish-speaking abilities. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)