75+ Basic Spanish Words and Phrases All Beginners Should Know

Learning Spanish starts with the basics, and building a strong foundation of simple, high-frequency words—that is, words you’ll hear and use every day—is the best way to begin. Whether you’re a teacher, homeschool parent, or just curious about picking up a new language, this guide offers essential vocabulary in Spanish that beginners can start using right away.

From common Spanish words to helpful phrases and greetings, we’ve got everything you need to get started. Let’s dive in!

Spanish Greetings and Essentials

Spanish greetings are a perfect entry point into the language. They’re used daily and offer learners a natural way to engage with native speakers.

Hola – Hello
Buenos días – Good morning
Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
Buenas noches – Good evening / Good night
¿Cómo estás? – How are you?
Bien, gracias – Fine, thank you
¿Y tú? – And you?
Adiós – Goodbye

Use these in a quick dialogue:

• Hola, ¿cómo estás?
• Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?

Numbers 1–10 in Spanish

Learning to count is one of the most practical and rewarding parts of early language learning.

uno – one
dos – two
tres – three
cuatro – four
cinco – five
seis – six
siete – seven
ocho – eight
nueve – nine
diez – ten

Tip: Play number games or count objects around the house or in the classroom to reinforce this vocabulary in Spanish.

Colors in Spanish

Here’s a vibrant set of common Spanish words you can spot all around you. For a full list of words, with pronunciations, check out our full-length guide!

rojo – red
azul – blue
amarillo – yellow
verde – green
negro – black
blanco – white
naranja – orange
rosa – pink
morado – purple
marrón – brown

Tip: Try labeling classroom supplies or home objects in these colors to help reinforce the vocabulary.

Days of the Week

Here’s your Spanish vocabulary list for the days of the week:

lunes – Monday
martes – Tuesday
miércoles – Wednesday
jueves – Thursday
viernes – Friday
sábado – Saturday
domingo – Sunday

Did you know? In many Spanish-speaking countries, the week begins with Monday (lunes), not Sunday.

Basic Spanish Verbs

These are some of the most common Spanish words, with their meanings, and are key to forming simple sentences.

ser – to be
tener – to have
comer – to eat
vivir – to live
hablar – to speak
ir – to go
hacer – to do/make
leer – to read
jugar – to play
querer – to want/love
necesitar – to need
gustar – to like

For example:

• Yo quiero comer. (I want to eat.)
• Ella tiene un libro. (She has a book.)

Everyday Spanish Nouns

These are the types of Spanish words for beginners that make everyday conversations possible.

People

mamá – mom
papá – dad
niño/niña – boy/girl
amigo/amiga – friend
maestro/maestra – teacher

Places

escuela – school
casa – house
parque – park
baño – bathroom
tienda – store

Objects

libro – book
lápiz – pencil
mochila – backpack
mesa – table
silla – chair

Tip: Try these words in simple sentences like: La niña tiene una mochila. (The girl has a backpack.)

Polite Words and Manners

Help students build confidence and kindness with these go-to Spanish phrases for polite, everyday interactions.

por favor – please
gracias – thank you
de nada – you’re welcome
lo siento – I’m sorry
permiso – excuse me
salud – bless you
con gusto – gladly
no hay problema – no problem

Tip: Use them to model respectful interactions: Gracias. > De nada.

Simple Spanish Phrases for Beginners

Here’s a short list of Spanish phrases you can use right away, whether you’re in the classroom, at home, or traveling.

¿Dónde está el baño? (Where is the bathroom?)
Me gusta… (I like…)
No entiendo. (I don’t understand.)
¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much does it cost?)
Tengo hambre. (I’m hungry.)
Estoy cansado/a. (I’m tired.)
¡Vamos! (Let’s go!)
¡Cuidado! (Watch out!)
¡Feliz cumpleaños! (Happy birthday!)

These are high-impact expressions to add to any Spanish vocabulary list for beginners.

Teaching Tips for Educators and Parents

Language sticks best when it’s meaningful and fun. Try exploring the following resources:

• Label household/classroom objects with our printable Spanish labels.
• Sing songs that include common Spanish words and phrases—our curated Spanish playlists are a great place to start
• Use flashcards or matching games to build vocabulary
• Encourage kids to say one new word at dinner or during daily routines

Let the Learning Begin!

Mastering basic Spanish words is the first step to learning a language, and one of the most rewarding. With just a few minutes each day, beginners can build confidence, spark curiosity, and set the stage for lifelong learning.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or teaching young learners, we hope this Spanish vocabulary list helps make your journey a little easier.