The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Learning Spanish FAST - Study in Spain (2024)

Spanish Language Grammar

Grammar of any language can be intimidating, especially when you are a beginner. However, rules are there to help you master the language in the most professional way possible. If you are a native or fluent English speaker, you will be happy to learn that Spanish grammar is much simpler and you can take advantage of the flexibility that it offers.

Here are some essential Spanish grammar facts you should know:

• The most important grammar rule to introduce yourself to, is the simple word order: Subject, Verb, Sentence. Example: Me llamo Mondly – My name is Mondly.
• All Spanish nouns have a gender, both feminine and masculine. They use definite articles in front of the noun to define gender. El and un for masculine nouns; la or una for feminine nouns. Example: el perro – the male dogs; la gata – the female cat.
• On the contrary to English grammar, adjectives in Spanish are used after the noun they modify. Example: La nina alta. – The tall girl.

Subject Pronouns

There are 12 subject pronouns in Spanish that are used instead of nouns and names to avoid repetition. Examples:

Tenses

There are a total of 18 tenses in Spanish, and we have listed them below together with their English equivalents.

Spanish Alphabet

To master the speaking aspect of the Spanish language you must learn how to pronounce the words. That is made possible by learning the basics first, such as the alphabet and how the letters sound. You must know that after learning the alphabet it will be easier for you to also improve your writing and spelling skills.

Officially, there are 27 letters in the Spanish alphabet and they include a,b,c,d e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, ñ, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z. There are also three unofficial letters: ch, ll, and rr. Below you will find a table with the alphabet letters and how they are pronounced.

Spanish Numbers

As with any other language, the introductory lessons include learning the numbers and how to count in Spanish. Learning how to count in Spanish is a crucial but very easy and quick task to learn. You want to start with the first 10 numbers to make your journey simple and take it step-by-step.

Here is how to count to 10 in Spanish:

*Uno changes to un when you put it in front of a noun: un perro (a dog).

You should know that it is better to learn how to count to 15 and remember them by heart, after which you can form the rest of the numbers to 20 by adding 10 (diez) + number. For example:

After 20, you can follow the tens pattern you learned at the beginning of your counting lesson and add to the following:

Listed below are numbers until 1000:

*After 100, the word cien changes to ciento. And after 200, we add an “s” to make it plural.

Spanish Phrases

If you wish to become fluent in no time in Spanish, and be able to understand the daily spoken language, learning the most-used phrases is the way to go. It is always advisable to start with some basic expressions so you can be able to communicate easily with Spanish speakers and navigate easily through Spain if you ever have the opportunity to.

Except for Spain, there are 20 other countries in the world where Spanish is the main spoken language. Whether you are traveling as a tourist, for work, or for different reasons, learning a few Spanish words and phrases can only benefit you.

Here are some basic phrases in Spanish to get you started:

• Hola – Hello

• Adiós – Goodbye

• Por favor – Please

• Gracias – Thank you

• Lo siento – Sorry

• Salud – Bless you (used after someone sneezes)

• Si – Yes

• No – No

• Quién? – Who?

• Qué? – What?

• Por qué? – Why?

• Dónde? – Where?

• Buenos días – Good morning
• Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
• Buenas noches – Good evening
• Hola, me llamo Juan – Hello, my name is John
• Me llamo… – My name is…
• Cómo te llamas? – What’s your name?
• Mucho gusto – Nice to meet you
• Cómo estás? – How are you?
• Estoy bien, gracias – I’m well thank you
• Disculpa. Dónde está el baño? – Excuse me. Where is the bathroom?
• Qué hora es? – What time is it?
• Cómo se dice ‘concert’ en español? – How do you say ‘concert’ in Spanish?
• Estoy perdido/a – I am lost
• Yo no comprendo – I do not understand
• Por favor, habla más despacio – Would you speak slower, please
• Te extraño – I miss you
• Te quiero – I love you

Spanish Conversation Starters

After learning the basic words and phrases needed for basic communication and comprehension, you can actually initiate a conversation as a form of “breaking the ice” with those who speak only in Spanish.

Here are some of our favorite conversation starters:

Hola! ¿Sabes a qué hora cierra este lugar? – Hello! Do you know what time this place closes?

Está desocupada esta silla? – Is this seat taken?

Sabe qué hora es? – Do you know what the time is?

Sabe dónde está el/la [place]? – Do you know where the [place] is?

De dónde eres? – Where are you from?

A qué te dedicas? – What do you do for a living?

Qué estudias? – What do you study/What’s your major? (if you’re a student/speaking to a student)

Qué te trae por aquí? – What brings you here?

A quién conoces aquí? – Who do you know here?

Vienes seguido por aquí? – Do you come here often?

Funny Spanish Words

In the process of learning a foreign language, regardless of the reason, there is always the curiosity to find out what are some of the funniest or funny-sounding words. You usually look for these words or phrases in the daily spoken language of native speakers that may sound funny in English or in both languages.

Below are some words and phrases that you may find odd or funny.

• “No saber ni papa de algo.”

Literal translation: Not knowing a potato about something.

Meaning: To not have a clue about something.

• “Tirar/Botar la casa por la ventana.”

Literal translation: To throw the house out of the window.

Meaning: To spare no expense when you are organizing a big party or celebration.

• “Ponerse las pilas.”

Literal translation: To put in the batteries.

Meaning: Someone tells you to “wake up” when you appear not focused.

• “Ser pan comido.”

Literal translation: To be eaten bread.

Meaning: When something is easy to do. “A piece of cake”.

• “Tomar el pelo.”

Literal translation: To take someone else’s hair.

Meaning: Used when you are teasing somebody. “Pulling your leg.”

• “Que pedo!.”

Literal translation: What fart!

Meaning: Depending on the tone it can either mean “what’s up?” in a nice way or “what’s your problem?” when something doesn’t feel right.

• “Creerse la última Coca-Cola del desierto.”

Literal translation: To think of oneself as the last coca-cola in the desert.

Meaning: To describe someone who is full of themselves. Believe they are more important than they actually are. “Stuck-up”.

Spanish Idioms

The better you become at the Spanish language, you start to familiarize yourself with the native speakers. All foreign languages have their own expressions and traditional sayings which are impossible to understand if you do not integrate yourself with the culture. As such, idioms are the most convenient method to fully incorporate Spanish into your everyday life.

Although all languages have their idioms, in Spanish they may differ according to the region. However, we have listed below some of the most often used idioms in Spanish, to help you feel like a true native speaker.

Spanish Slang

Every country and culture has its own slang/everyday expressions that get updated often. If you are on a work trip in Spain, visiting or going on a study abroad program, you want to learn how to speak like the locals.

We are here to help you with some of the most common Spanish slang so you can be prepared beforehand.

Spanish Jokes

When you like a joke you definitely want to hear it again and again. The action of repeating will definitely help you memorize and learn it. Even when you listen to a joke you try to memorize it with the intention of telling it to someone else and making him/her laugh.

In Spanish, there are several varieties of jokes. Some are based on a word’s dual meaning. Other jokes make use of how sounds mix or how the meaning of a term changes when its gender is altered. There are other jokes that focus on individual characters or structures. A nice example of a character is Pepito jokes. Jokes with three sections, Primer Acto – Segundo Acto – Tercer Acto, have a similar pattern to knock-knock jokes in English.

Here are some examples of Spanish jokes and their English translation:

1. The Lazy fish: Qué hace el pez perezoso? ¡Nada!

Translation: What does a lazy fish do? Nothing! Or he swims!

Explanation: “Nada” in Spanish can be used for both “nothing” and for third-person “to swim”.

2. The Dancing Bee: Qué hace una abeja en el gimnasio? Zumba!

Translation: What does a bee do at the gym? Zumba!

Explanation: Zumba is the sound that the bee makes.

3. A beach saying hello: ¿Qué dice el mar a la playa? ¡Ola!

Translation: What did a beach say to the ocean? Hi!

Explanation: “Ola” in Spanish means wave and “Hola” means hello. Beach says hi to waves.

• The talking roof: Qué le dijo un techo a otro techo? Techo de menos.

Translation: What did one roof say to the other roof? I miss you.

Explanation: “Techo” means roof, and sounds similar to “te echo menos” which means “I miss you”.

Spanish Food

Spanish people are known for their passion for food and you will leave the country with more than one favorite dish and restaurant. Whether you are visiting Spanish-speaking countries for fun or you just want to know more about the Spanish culture, knowing their typical food names is also a fun and educational way to learn the language.

Here are a few of the most known Spanish foods:

• Gazpacho. Is a kind of soup with red ripped tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, bread, peppers, and cucumber which are served in a bowl or glasses. It is most common in southern Spain.

• Paella. Famous in the Valencia region for being one of the most traditional dishes. Ingredients used include chicken or rabbit, saffron, runner and/or butter beans.

• Fideuà. Not many tourists are aware of this dish. It resembles Spanish pasta however it includes mostly seafood and it is most popular in Catalonia and Valencia.

• Tortilla. The famous Spanish omelet is also included in the traditional foods of Spain. It usually consists of chorizo, peppers, and onions, however, you can add other ingredients as you prefer. To make this dish the original way, you must flip the pan and shout “Ole!” to feel like a true Spaniard.

• Croquetas. Served on small plates, this dish is made of bechamel sauce with breadcrumbs and is usually served with a cold beer in bars.

• Migas. It mostly consists of dry breadcrumbs, fried according to preference and served with bacon.

• Leche frita. A famous Spanish dessert made from frying milk together with egg yolks and flour. After letting it chill for a couple of hours, they usually dip it in breadcrumbs to finally fry it again.

Color Names in Spanish

Last but not least, to make your Spanish learning journey even more enjoyable you must add a little “color” to your vocabulary, literally. Understanding the colors in Spanish improves your basic vocabulary skills and helps you in your daily conversations.

We have provided a list of the most common colors and their English equivalent.

• Blue – Azul

• Red – Rojo

• Pink – Rosado

• Orange – Anaranjado

• Green – Verde

• Purple – Morado

• Yellow – Amarillo

• Brown – Marrón
• Black – Negro