A1 - Beginner Spanish
The A1 level is for students with no prior knowledge of Spanish.
Students typically complete this level when they can interact with others by asking and answering questions about yourself and where you live.
Based on the widely used Instituto Cervantes Spanish learning levels.
butaca
armchair
The Spanish word 'butaca' translates to 'armchair' in English. An 'armchair' is a comfortable chair with side supports for a person's arms. It is often found in living rooms and is usually intended for relaxing or casual seating. 'Butaca', therefore, represents a common piece of furniture in both cultures serving the same purpose of providing comfort for the person sitting.
café con leche
coffee with milk
The term 'café con leche' is a commonly used Spanish phrase translating to 'coffee with milk' in English. As the translation suggests, it refers to a popular beverage in many cultures, prepared with a blend of coffee and hot milk. Depending on personal preference or specific regional styles, the ratio of coffee to milk may differ, but generally, it includes equal parts of each. This beverage is typically enjoyed at breakfast or during the mid-afternoon coffee break known as 'merienda' in Spain and many Latin American countries.
café cortado
coffee cut
The term 'café cortado' in Spanish translates as 'coffee cut' in English. It is a popular beverage in Spain, usually served in a small glass. In essence, it's a shot of espresso with a small amount of milk to 'cut' the coffee, hence the term 'café cortado'. It provides a nice balance between the intense flavor of espresso and the creaminess of milk, offering a stronger coffee taste than a traditional latte but slightly milder than a straight espresso.
café solo
black coffee
The Spanish term 'café solo' directly translates to 'coffee alone' in English, but it is more commonly known as 'black coffee'. This is coffee in its most basic form, served without any additions such as milk, sugar, or cream. It is a popular choice among coffee enthusiasts who enjoy the pure, robust flavor of the coffee beans. In Spain, when you order a 'café solo', you will typically receive a small cup of strong, black coffee.
calle
street
In Spanish, 'calle' is used to refer to a public road in a city or town. The usage is similar to English, it can be used in various contexts such as giving directions, describing locations etc. It's important to note that, just like in English, 'calle' is feminine in Spanish, so it would be 'la calle'.
Example sentences with calle →cama
bed
A piece of furniture for sleep or rest, typically a framework with a mattress and coverings.
Example sentences with cama →camarero
waiter
The Spanish word 'camarero' translates into English as 'waiter'. It refers to a person, usually in a restaurant or cafe, who takes orders and serves food and drinks to customers. The term is used primarily in Spain and in other Spanish-speaking countries. This occupation often requires skills in customer service, multitasking, and familiarization with restaurant logistics.
cambiar dinero
change money
The Spanish phrase 'cambiar dinero' translates to 'change money' in English. This term is often used in situations regarding currency exchange, such as when one wants to convert one currency to another when travelling. It can also be used metaphorically in a variety of contexts to suggest a change in the type or value of money one has.
camisa
shirt
A garment for the upper body made of cotton or a similar fabric, with a collar, sleeves, and buttons down the front.
Example sentences with camisa →campin
camping
The Spanish word 'campin' translates to 'camping' in English. This is a recreational activity which involves spending a night or more in tents, caravans, or motorhomes, usually in the wilderness or designated camping areas. Activities associated with camping might include hiking, fishing, or simply enjoying nature and the outdoors.
Example sentences with campin →cantante
singer
'Cantante' refers to a person who sings, either as a job or as a hobby. It's a gender-neutral term.
Example sentences with cantante →cantar
sing
Cantar means to sing in Spanish. It can be used when a person or a group of people are singing, whether it's a song, hymn or tune.
Example sentences with cantar →capital
capital
The Spanish word 'capital' can have several English meanings based on its usage. It could refer to 'capital' as in a city that serves as the seat of government for a country or state, like 'Madrid' is the capital of Spain. It can also mean 'capital' in an economic context, referring to wealth in the form of money or property, used or accumulated in a business by a person, partnership, or corporation. Moreover, 'capital' might also refer to a capital letter in the context of writing or typography. Its exact English equivalent would therefore depend on its contextual usage in a sentence.
Example sentences with capital →carne
meat
The Spanish word 'carne' translates to 'meat' in English. It is a commonly used term in Spanish speaking countries to refer to the flesh of animals, particularly mammals, as food. It is used in various contexts, such as grocery shopping, cooking, and restaurant menus, similar to the term 'meat' in English. Examples of 'carne' include beef ('carne de res'), pork ('carne de cerdo'), and lamb ('carne de cordero').
carné de conducir
driver's license
The Spanish term 'carné de conducir' translates to 'driver's license' in English. It is a legal document endorsed by the government, providing the official permission for an individual to operate vehicles on public roads. Similar to its usage in English-speaking countries, the 'carné de conducir' is issued only after the individual clears specified tests designed to assess their driving knowledge and skills. The requirement and procedures to obtain this may vary from one country to another.
carné de identidad
identity card
The Spanish term 'carné de identidad' translates to 'identity card' in English. This term is commonly used in many Spanish-speaking countries as the official label for identification documents. These are issued by a government authority and contain information about the individual, such as the full name, date of birth, photograph, and a unique identification number. One may be required to produce their 'carné de identidad' in various situations, for instance, when opening a bank account, in interactions with law enforcement, or when seeking employment.
caro
expensive.
The Spanish word 'caro' translates to 'expensive' in English. It is an adjective used to describe something that costs a lot of money. Synonyms for 'caro' might include 'costoso' or 'preciado'. It can be used in various contexts, just like its English equivalent. For example, you could say 'El coche es muy caro' which translates to 'The car is very expensive'.
carta
letter
In Spanish, the word 'carta' is commonly used to refer to a written, typed, or printed communication, sent in an envelope by post or messenger. It can be a personal letter or an official letter. However, keep in mind that 'letter' can also be translated as 'letra', specifically when referring to a character representing one or more of the sounds used in speech.
Example sentences with carta →cartera
portfolio
The Spanish word 'cartera' translates to 'portfolio' in English. The term can be used in a variety of contexts. In business, a portfolio typically refers to a collection of financial assets such as stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents. It can also refer to a collection of investments held by an investment company, hedge fund, or financial institution. 'Cartera' can also mean 'wallet' in a more colloquial context, as in a physical container for carrying money and other personal items. The word 'cartera' might also infer to a bag that holds papers, money cards and other documents, often used by women.
casa
house
'Casa' in Spanish means house. This is a building for human habitation, especially one that consists of a ground floor and one or more upper storeys.
Example sentences with casa →casado
married
The Spanish word 'casado' translates to 'married' in English. It is used to describe the marital status of a person. For instance, if a man is married, he will be described as 'casado'. This word is used specifically in contexts where marital status is relevant.
cena
Dinner
The Spanish word 'cena' translates to 'dinner' in English. It is used to refer to the main meal that people often have in the evening. This term is used widely in all Spanish-speaking countries and could also imply a special event meal or a formal feast, similar to its usage in English.
cenar
have dinner
The Spanish word 'cenar' translates to 'have dinner' in English. It is a regular verb that is used to express the action of having the final meal of the day known as dinner. It is typically used in daily conversation and coincides with evening times of the day. This term forms part of many expressions and phrases in Spanish, giving context to evening activities or plans.
céntimo (de euro)
cent (of euro)
The word 'céntimo (de euro)' in Spanish pertains to the smallest unit of the euro currency, which is the official currency used by many countries in the European Union. This is synonymous with the term 'cent' in English. Just like a cent is to a dollar, a céntimo is to a euro. It represents one hundredth of a euro. The usage of this word is common in situations dealing with economics, banking, finance, currency exchange, and daily expenses in those countries that use euro as their official currency.
centro
center
The Spanish word 'centro' is used in similar contexts as the English term 'center'. It can refer both to the middle point of a physical object, such as 'el centro de la ciudad' (the city center), and to the focus of attention or activity, as in 'el centro de atención' (the center of attention). It is also used in certain specific phrases, like 'centro comercial' meaning 'shopping center'.
Example sentences with centro →centro comercial
Mall
The Spanish phrase 'centro comercial' translates to 'mall' in English. It refers to a large enclosed building complex that contains a variety of stores and often restaurants, offering a wide range of consumer goods under one roof. Malls are designed to serve as a one-stop destination for individuals seeking to make multiple purchases, and often include entertainment facilities as well.
cerveza
beer
The Spanish word 'cerveza' refers to a popular alcoholic beverage known widely in English as 'beer'. This beverage is traditionally made from barley or other grains, yeast, hops, and water. It comes in various types and flavors depending upon the brewing process and the region it's brewed in. Consumption of 'cerveza' is widely incorporated into many aspects of culture in Spanish speaking countries, from social gatherings to special occasions or celebrations.
chico
Boy
The word 'chico' is a Spanish term that translates into the English language as 'boy'. It is utilized broadly in Spanish-speaking nations to address a male child or a young male person. In a broader sense, 'chico' is sometimes casually used to refer to a man regardless of age. Spanish language contains gender-specific terms, and 'chico' particularly addresses the male gender. The feminine counterpart for 'chico' in Spanish is 'chica', meaning 'girl' in English.
ciudad
city
'Ciudad' refers to a large place where people live and work, usually featuring tall buildings and busy streets.
Example sentences with ciudad →clase
class
In Spanish, 'clase' is used in similar ways as 'class' in English. It can refer to a group of students or meeting where students are taught, a course of instruction (as in, 'clase de inglés' for 'English class'), a social rank or group, or a group of people, things, or ideas that are similar or in the same category. This word is a very common term in academic and social contexts.
Example sentences with clase →