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.
llevar bigote
have a moustache
In Spanish, 'llevar bigote' is an expression which translates to 'have a moustache' in English. The literal meaning of 'llevar' is to carry or to wear, and ‘bigote’ means moustache. So, in context, it refers to a person carrying or wearing a moustache. This is typically said about men, referring to their facial hair above the upper lip. Depending on the context, it can be used to describe someone's appearance, or it might be a part of a wider conversation about personal grooming or styles.
llevar gafas
wearing glasses
The Spanish phrase 'llevar gafas' translates to 'wearing glasses' in English. This phrase is generally used to describe someone who is wearing eyeglasses - either for vision correction or as a fashion accessory. 'Llevar' literally translates to 'to carry' or 'to wear', and 'gafas' means 'glasses'. The phrase can be used in sentences such as 'Ella siempre lleva gafas' which means 'She always wears glasses'.
lugar
place
The Spanish word 'lugar' is used to describe a place or location. It can be used in various sentences and contexts for example, '¿Dónde está el lugar?' translates to 'Where is the place?'. It is also used in phrases like 'en primer lugar' which means 'in the first place'. As with English, 'lugar' can refer to a physical location or a conceptual one.
Example sentences with lugar →lugar de nacimiento
place of birth
'Lugar de nacimiento' is a Spanish phrase that translates directly to 'place of birth' in English. It is often used in official forms and documents to indicate the specific city or town where a person was born. This phrase is composed of two words: 'lugar' meaning 'place', and 'nacimiento' meaning 'birth'. So, 'lugar de nacimiento' is a straightforward translation to 'place of birth'.
madre
mother
The Spanish word for 'mother' is 'madre'. It is generally used to refer to one's female parent. Similar to its usage in English, 'madre' can also be used in a broader sense to refer to a woman who has given birth or who has responsibility for the care of children. It is commonly used in various phrases and idioms.
Example sentences with madre →mal comunicado
misrepresented
The Spanish term 'mal comunicado' can be translated into English as 'misrepresented'. It is used to denote an incorrect, misleading, or distorted representation of someone or something. It could refer to the wrong portrayal of a person's character, the incorrect depiction of a situation, or the unfaithful representation of a concept or idea. In essence, 'mal comunicado' carries a negative connotation implying that the information conveyed does not accurately reflect the subject it is supposed to represent.
maleta
suitcase
The term 'maleta' means 'suitcase' in English. People use it when they need a storage medium to carry their clothes and other belongings while traveling.
Example sentences with maleta →manantial
spring
The Spanish word 'manantial' translates to 'spring' in English. This can refer to the season following winter, known for the blossom of flowers and mild weather. However, in its primary definition, 'manantial' is used to refer to a place where water or other liquid collects or issues naturally out of the ground; essentially a source or origin of a stream or river. The term is not used to refer to the elastic device that can change shape under pressure and then come back to its original shape when the pressure is removed, which is another meaning of 'spring' in English.
Example sentences with manantial →mapa
map
The Spanish word 'mapa' translates to 'map' in English. It is a noun that refers to a representation, usually on a flat surface, of the whole or a part of an area. It can show geographical features, roads, cities, etc. It is often used for navigation or for referencing particular places or regions. So, when you say 'mapa' in Spanish, you are referring to a similar concept of a visual depiction of an area.
mar
sea
The Spanish word 'mar' translates to 'sea' in English. It is a common term used to indicate the large body of salt water that covers most of the Earth's surface. 'Mar' is a noun and it can be used in various contexts including geographical discussions, travel descriptions, literature, and more. It's a singular masculine noun in Spanish, so you'd use 'el' (the) with it; 'el mar' means 'the sea'. Remember, the pronunciation is important in Spanish language, 'mar' is pronounced as 'mar' in Spanish.
Example sentences with mar →marroquí
Morocco
The Spanish word 'marroquí' is an adjective and refers to something or someone originating from or associated with Morocco, a country in North Africa. The term is not directly translated as 'Morocco' in English, rather it might be translated as 'Moroccan'. For example, if you are describing a man from Morocco, you would say 'un hombre marroquí' in Spanish, which translates to 'a Moroccan man' in English.
merienda
snack
The Spanish word 'merienda' refers to a light meal that people often have in the afternoon, similar to what is commonly known as a 'snack' in English. It could comprise a variety of food items, from sandwiches to fruits, pastries, or beverages. The concept of 'merienda' extends beyond just the food, it's also seen as a social opportunity to spend time with friends or family.
metro
metro
The Spanish word 'metro' translates directly into English as 'metro'. It is commonly used in reference to a system of public transportation that operates in a major city, particularly underground, such as subways or rapid transit systems. This word is very common in urban areas where there is a heavy reliance on public transportation.
Example sentences with metro →mexicano
mexican
The word 'mexicano' is an adjective in the Spanish language, relating to Mexico, its people, culture or language. In English, it translates to 'Mexican'. For example, it can be used to describe a person who is from Mexico (un hombre mexicano), Mexican food (comida mexicana), or the Mexican culture (la cultura mexicana).
montaña
mountain
'Montaña' refers to a landform that rises above the surrounding areas. It is higher and steeper than a hill, and often has a peak.
Example sentences with montaña →móvil
mobile
The Spanish word 'móvil' translates to 'mobile' in English. It can refer to different contexts such as mobile phone, or indicating that something is capable of being moved. For instance, when used in the context of telecommunications, un 'teléfono móvil' means a mobile phone. In a broader context however, it generally signifies something that is not fixed and can move or be moved. The word is commonly used in both human and scientific connotations as desired.
mujer
woman
The Spanish word for woman is 'mujer'. It is a noun used to refer to an adult human female. It can be used in different contexts just like its English counterpart, for example to denote gender, to refer to a specific female, in expressions etc. Like all Spanish nouns, 'mujer' has a grammatical gender and it is feminine.
Example sentences with mujer →museo
museum
A 'Museo' is a building or institution where objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are stored and exhibited.
Example sentences with museo →música
music
Vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.
Example sentences with música →musulmán
Muslim
The word 'musulmán' in Spanish corresponds to 'Muslim' in English. A 'musulmán' is a follower of the religion of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic faith. It's important to remember the correct pronunciation, 'moo-soo-l-mahn'. These individuals believe in the teachings of the prophet Muhammad as the last prophet of God, value the Quran as their holy text, and observe practices such as prayer, fasting, charity and pilgrimage.
Example sentences with musulmán →nadar
to swim
'Nadar' refers to the act of moving through water by moving the body.
Example sentences with nadar →nariz
nose
The Spanish word 'nariz' translates to 'nose' in English. It's one of the fundamental body parts vocabulary in Spanish. The word 'nariz' is used in the same way we use 'nose' in English, for example, to identify the body part in the middle of the face that we use to smell and breathe.
nevar
to snow
The Spanish word 'nevar' translates to 'to snow' in English. This is a verb that depicts the natural process in which the atmospheric water vapour freezes into ice crystals and falls to the ground. 'Nevar' is most commonly used to describe the weather and is used in various contexts, just like in English, to symbolize the falling of snow.
Example sentences with nevar →nieto
grandson
The word 'nieto' is a noun in Spanish, often used in familial contexts. It translates to 'grandson' in English. 'Nieto' refers to a child's male offspring, especially the son of one’s son or daughter. It is widely applicable in different scenarios in Spanish speaking cultures and families.
nombre
Name
The Spanish word 'nombre' translates to 'name' in English. It is used in the same way as in English to refer to the identification title given to a person, place, or thing. For example, in the sentence '¿Cuál es tu nombre?', the English translation would be 'What is your name?'. Thus 'nombre' is a common term in Spanish that you'll frequently use when referring to people or items by their given names.
novio
boyfriend
The Spanish word 'novio' translates to 'boyfriend' in English. It is used in a romantic context to refer to a person's male partner. In a broader and more traditional context, 'novio' can also refer to 'fiancé', a man that a person is engaged to be married to.
nuevo
new
The Spanish word 'nuevo' translates to 'new' in English. It can be used in various contexts such as describing something that has been recently discovered, made, or acquired. It can refer to newly introduced ideas or concepts. When referring to things that have existed but have been changed or improved, the English equivalent would be 'newly renovated' or 'upgraded'. 'Nuevo' is also used to indicate freshness or recency, for instance in describing news (noticias nuevas) or new clothes (ropa nueva).
número de teléfono
phone number
The Spanish term 'número de teléfono' translates to 'phone number' in English. It's a sequence of digits or symbols that is used to call or send a message to a specific telephone line. Each number is unique to its line, allowing you to reach exactly who you wish to communicate with. The number often includes a country code, an area code, and a personal line number.