Learn Spanish vocabulary

13 steps to learn Spanish quickly and successfully

1. Build your vocabulary and learn the most common words first

By learning the most common Spanish vocabulary first, you will quickly create a foundation on which you can build and form your first simple sentences. You will make much faster progress than if you focus on uncommon or specialised words. This will give you the confidence to move on and learn more complex grammar and vocabulary.

‍💡 TIP: Spanish basic vocabulary - the 1000 most important words in a PDF - download for free!

2. Learn vocabulary with example sentences

Learning Spanish vocabulary with example sentences gives you an understanding of how it is used in real-life situations. It also helps you remember the vocabulary better - your brain loves associations and links! By seeing the vocabulary in context, you'll connect it to other Spanish words and phrases more easily and memorise it better.

3. Say the vocabulary and example sentences out loud

Talking to yourself is weird? But it makes perfect sense when learning! When you say Spanish vocabulary and sentences out loud, you combine writing and reading with listening and speaking, which helps you to memorise the vocabulary and sentences better.

It also improves your confidence when speaking the language. By saying Spanish vocabulary and sentences out loud, you'll get used to the pronunciation and feel more confident speaking to other people in Spanish.

4. Learn with your senses

Using your senses to learn vocabulary stimulates the brain in different ways and makes learning easier. You will create associations with the new vocabulary and thus remember it better.

Ideas - how to learn vocabulary with your senses:

• Listen to the Spanish vocabulary and say it out loud yourself. You can also listen to podcasts or songs in Spanish to train your ear. Find the lyrics of the song so that you can read along while listening.
• Write down the vocabulary on flashcards or in a vocabulary notebook and add sketches to make visual connections. You can also use stickers and different colours.
• Try to associate the Spanish vocabulary with scents or tastes. For example, you could associate a specific food or drink with the vocabulary.

💡 Tip:  With our vocabulary app cabuu, you learn your Spanish vocabulary with matching animations and graphics that you have to trace with your finger. This engages different areas of the brain when learning, which enhances memorisation - and is fun.

5. Learn with your emotions

Associate the Spanish vocabulary with a feeling or emotion. For example, for the word ‘feliz’, think of an event that made you happy. When you hear or read the word later, you will remember the positive feeling and therefore the meaning of the word.

6. Learn with onomatopoeia

You can also learn Spanish vocabulary using onomatopoeia. Try whispering ‘tranquilo’ (quietly) or saying ‘enfadado’ (angry) in your angriest voice. After a few repetitions, you will associate the vocabulary with the sound of your voice and memorise the meaning more easily.

7. Make a gesture matching the vocabulary

Neuroscientific studies have proven it: If you make a gesture matching the vocabulary, you memorise it faster and for longer. For example, if you want to learn ‘puente’ (bridge), draw an arch in the air with your hands to visualise the word.

If you don't feel like using so much ‘sign language’ when learning vocabulary, you should try our vocabulary learning app cabuu, which is in fact based on the gesture learning method. Discover the scientific background to this learning method and read this blog post about learning with gestures.

8. Read texts and books in Spanish

If you have already built up a good basic vocabulary, you can try reading various Spanish texts and books suitable for your language level. There are books that have been specially designed for Spanish learners and provide vocabulary lists. You can also read books for children and young adults, which tend to be written in a relatively simple language. If you have an e-reader or tablet that you want to read on, install a Spanish translation extension so that you can quickly look up unknown vocabulary by tapping on the word.

You will benefit greatly if you start reading Spanish texts as soon as possible:

• Expand your vocabulary: When reading Spanish texts and books, you will come across many new words and expressions that will enrich your vocabulary.
• Improve your grammar: When reading Spanish texts and books, you will see how words are used in sentences and which structures are common in the language.
• Improve your fluency: You will learn how sentences are constructed, which will help you to speak more fluently and naturally.

9. Watch series and films in Spanish

Watching Spanish films or series is an entertaining and effective addition to learning vocabulary.

• You will be confronted with different pronunciations and dialects. By regularly consuming Spanish content, you will refine your listening comprehension and better understand the pronunciation and intonation.
• Watching original Spanish films and series will also give you an insight into the culture and life in Spanish-speaking countries.
• You will also automatically improve your use of grammar and the way you express yourself in everyday situations.

10. Revise briefly but regularly

Cramming for an exam the day before? You probably already know that this is not a good idea. Instead, try to establish a study routine. Revise your Spanish vocabulary at a certain time of the day. You'll get used to it over time and it will become easier and easier for you to follow this routine. Remind yourself by setting a daily reminder on your mobile phone.

11. Create a comfortable learning environment

A comfortable learning environment will make it easier for you to learn and memorise vocabulary.

• Find a place where you can study in peace without being distracted.
• Make sure you are sitting comfortably and at a pleasant temperature. If you feel uncomfortable, this will have a negative impact on your learning success.
• Avoid distractions such as TV, loud music or social media.
• Make sure your workspace is neat and tidy.
• Try to choose a place with natural light if possible. Natural light will help improve your mood and make you more focussed.
• Combine learning with enjoyable activities to make it more attractive. For example, you could drink a cup of tea or listen to pleasant music while studying.

12. Take regular breaks when learning vocabulary

Regular breaks are very important to make learning more effective. This is because if you study continuously for a long period of time, you will become tired and unfocussed. A short break of 5-10 minutes after 25-30 minutes of studying will help you to recharge your batteries. During the break, you can hydrate, move your body or simply relax. Longer breaks are also essential to give your brain the time it needs to process and memorise what you have learned. A break of 10 - 15 minutes after 60 - 90 minutes of learning helps you to relax your brain.

⛔️ Note: You should not get distracted by other things during the breaks that could derail you from your goal.

13. Learn the Spanish accents

There is only one type of accent in Spanish: it goes from the bottom left to the top right and indicates that the stress is on this syllable.

Examples:

el día - the day

el árbol - the tree

fácil - easy

la página - the page

In Spanish, there are clear rules concerning the stress of words:

• Words ending in a consonant (except ‘n’ or ‘s’) are stressed on the last syllable. Examples: aceptar (to accept), trabajar (to work), la ciudad (the city)

• Words that end with a vowel, an ‘n’ or ‘s’ are stressed on the penultimate syllable. Examples: la cama (the bed), la cabeza (the head), la persona (the person), agradable (pleasant)
• If the word stress differs from the previous rules, the word has an accent: la música (the music), la librería (the bookshop), difícil (difficult)

How do I remember the Spanish accents?

One way is to underline or highlight the stressed vowel of the word when you read or write it. Always say the vocabulary out loud when learning to memorise the pronunciation better. Alternatively, the best way to learn is with a learning app that reads the vocabulary out loud.

What is the best way to learn Spanish vocabulary?

• Try out different learning methods and apps, such as our cabuu app.
• Revise regularly: Regular revision is an important part of the learning process. Try to revise the vocabulary regularly to keep it in your memory.
• Associate vocabulary with pictures: Try to associate vocabulary with images or situations. This helps you to memorise the vocabulary better as you associate it with a visual context.
• Learn in small chunks: Try not to learn too much vocabulary at once. Instead, learn in small chunks and revise regularly. This way you can ensure that you really retain the Spanish vocabulary.
• Use different methods: Use different methods to learn Spanish vocabulary, such as writing words and sentences, reading texts, listening to audio books or using learning apps. The variety helps you to maintain your motivation to learn.
• Learn in context: Learn vocabulary in context, e.g. in sentences or dialogues. This helps you to understand and use the vocabulary better.
• Talk to native speakers: Talk to or chat with native Spanish speakers to improve your vocabulary skills. This allows you to put what you have learnt into practice and improve your language skills.

How difficult is it to learn Spanish?

‍The difficulty depends on various factors, such as your mother tongue, your experience with other languages and the learning method.

Overall, Spanish is considered by many people to be a relatively easy language to learn as it has a clear grammar and pronunciation. Many of the words also come from Latin, as is the case in other European languages.

If you already know languages that are similar to Spanish, such as Italian, Portuguese or French, learning Spanish is relatively easy.

For native speakers of non-Romance languages, such as German, English or Russian, learning Spanish offers more challenges, as the grammar and pronunciation differ more.

Every learner has their own speed and method of learning a language. Some can learn Spanish relatively quickly, while for others it takes more time and effort. With the right attitude, discipline and learning method, anyone can learn Spanish and improve their language skills.

How long does it take to become fluent in Spanish?

‍The time it takes to become fluent in Spanish depends on various factors:

• the learning method,
• the individual learning ability,
• the level of language knowledge,
• the time spent learning,
• the regular use of the language.

It takes approximately 600 to 750 hours of intensive language practice to become fluent in Spanish. This translates to approximately one year of daily language practice of two hours per day or two years of language practice of one hour per day.

‍To speed up your language learning, you should use different learning methods:

• language courses and learning apps,
• conversing with native speakers,
• listening to Spanish radio programmes or podcasts,
• reading Spanish books.

Regular and continuous language practice is the key to achieving fluency in Spanish.