Spanish Spanish

Vocab Builder for commonly used words in Spanish.

¡Adiós!
Goodbye

This is a common Spanish farewell, used when you don’t expect to see the person again for a while.

Example sentences with  ¡Adiós!
¡bienvenido!
welcome

You use this greeting when welcoming someone to a place or situation.

Example sentences with  ¡bienvenido!
¡Buenas noches!
Good night

This phrase is used in the evening and nighttimes and even at parting, unlike in English.

Example sentences with  ¡Buenas noches!
¡Buenas tardes!
Good afternoon

This phrase is used from noon until the evening. It is typical to greet someone with 'buenas tardes' until sundown.

Example sentences with  ¡Buenas tardes!
¡Buenos días!
Good morning

You use this greeting in the morning until around noon. It literally translates to 'good days' but is understood as 'good morning'.

Example sentences with  ¡Buenos días!
¡Hasta luego!
See you later

This phrase can be used when leaving or saying goodbye. You use it when you expect to see the person again soon.

Example sentences with  ¡Hasta luego!
¡Hola!
Hello

This is a versatile greeting that is used in most Spanish-speaking countries. It’s appropriate in nearly all situations.

Example sentences with  ¡Hola!
¡Mucho gusto!
Nice to meet you

This phrase translates to 'much pleasure.' It’s typically used when meeting someone for the first time.

Example sentences with  ¡Mucho gusto!
¿Cómo estás?
How are you?

This is a basic way to ask someone how they are. It’s appropriate for most situations, formal and informal.

Example sentences with  ¿Cómo estás?
¿Qué tal?
What's up?

This is informal and is used among close friends and family. It's similar to 'how’s it going' in English.

Example sentences with  ¿Qué tal?
(auto)biografía
(auto)biography

(Auto)biografía is a Spanish term which means (auto)biography in English. This refers to a detailed description of a person's life written by someone else (biography), or a detailed description of one's own life (autobiography). AutoBiografía can also include details like birth, education, work, relationships and death, usually including an analysis of the person's personality and significant events in their life.

Example sentences with  (auto)biografía
(compañía de) danza clásica
(partnership) classical dance

(compañía de) danza clásica is a Spanish term that is often translated as '(partnership) classical dance' in English. It is used to describe a group or company of dancers that perform classical dance forms, such as ballet. It can refer to both the collective group of dancers and the actual performances they produce. The inclusion of 'compañía de' emphasizes the organized or partnership nature of the group. This term is often used in contexts related to performing arts, culture, and entertainment.

Example sentences with  (compañía de) danza clásica
(compañía de) danza contemporánea
(company) contemporary dance

The term '(compañía de) danza contemporánea' in Spanish refers to a '(company) contemporary dance'. This usually specifies a body or group dedicated to performing, creating, and fostering contemporary dance, a genre of dance that emerged in the mid-20th century, incorporating elements from many styles of dance. The '(compañía de)' aspect implies organization, collaboration, and teamwork in this artistic endeavor.

Example sentences with  (compañía de) danza contemporánea
(des)enchufar un electrodoméstico
(un)plugging an appliance

(Des)enchufar un electrodoméstico is a Spanish phrase that refers to the act of (un)plugging an appliance in English. This could be any appliance that needs electricity to function, such as a refrigerator, a washing machine, a microwave, etc. The word 'enchufar' translates to 'plug in', and 'desenchufar' to 'unplug'. An 'electrodoméstico' is any household device that runs on electricity, which we refer to in English as an 'appliance'. Therefore, when someone uses this phrase, they could either be talking about connecting an appliance to a power source or removing it from one.

(des)instalar un programa
(un)install a program

(des)instalar un programa in Spanish translates to (un)install a program in English. The verb 'instalar' means to set up or install software to a system, whereas 'desinstalar' means to remove or uninstall software from a system. It is fundamental terminology for anyone working in technology or anyone who uses a computer regularly. This term is typically used in the computing or technical context.

Example sentences with  (des)instalar un programa
(el cielo) estar despejado
(the sky) to be clear

(el cielo) estar despejado is a phrase used in Spanish-speaking cultures to describe the condition of the sky. It refers to when there are no clouds obscuring the blue sky, allowing full visibility of the sky and the sun. In English, this phrase translates to '(the sky) to be clear'. The phrase can be used in daily conversations, weather reports, and poetic contexts to indicate the state of the weather, particularly the sky.

Example sentences with  (el cielo) estar despejado
(el cielo) estar nublado
(the sky) be cloudy

(el cielo) estar nublado is a Spanish phrase that translates to '(the sky) be cloudy' in English. It is typically used to describe weather conditions, particularly when the sky is covered in clouds, and visibility might be reduced. This phrase can also be used metaphorically to suggest a gloomy, pessimistic, or negative situation or mood.

Example sentences with  (el cielo) estar nublado
(el) centro
(the) centre

(El) centro is a Spanish word that refers to a specific position or point. In English, it is generally translated as 'the centre'. It could refer to a physical, geographical, or conceptual point that is equidistant from the boundaries or it could refer to a place where certain activities are concentrated. For example, when used in phrases such as 'el centro de la ciudad', it indicates the middle or the heart of the city, usually the busiest part. When referred to a circle, 'el centro' would mean the point that is equally distant from the boundary of the circle.

Example sentences with  (el) centro
(hermanos) gemelos
(brothers) twins

(Hermanos) gemelos in Spanish translates to (brothers) twins in English. This is often used to refer to a pair of brothers who are twins, meaning they were born at the same time from the same pregnancy. The word 'hermanos' specifically refers to 'brothers', and 'gemelos' to 'twins'. In a broader context outside of family, 'gemelos' can also be used to describe two things that are identical or very similar in appearance.

(hidro)masaje
(hydro)massage

(Hidro)masaje is a Spanish term that refers to a hydro massage. A hydro massage is a treatment procedure applied by water and air pressure, either simultaneously or alternatively, to relieve muscular tension and stimulate circulation. It is often performed in specialized facilities like spas and wellness centers. This treatment method is believed to alleviate muscle and joint pain, improve blood circulation, and encourage relaxation and general well-being. Hydro massages can include whirlpool baths, pressurized jets in swimming pools, or individual hydro massage machines.

Example sentences with  (hidro)masaje
(las) afueras
(the) outside

(Las) Afueras is a Spanish noun which generally refers to areas that are outside or on the periphery of a town or city. It's the plural form and is usually preceded by the definite article 'las'. The translation of '(las) afueras' into English is '(the) outskirts' or '(the) outside'. When used in context, it gives the idea of being located away from the center or main parts of a city.

Example sentences with  (las) afueras
(número de) matrícula
(number of) enrolment

(número de) matrícula is a Spanish term that relates to a system used in educational institutions. It references an unique identification number assigned to each student upon enrolment. This number becomes the personal identifier for the student throughout their academic journey at a particular school, college or university. The term can be translated to '(number of) enrolment' in English.

Example sentences with  (número de) matrícula
(ordenador) portátil
laptop

The Spanish phrase '(ordenador) portátil' translates to 'laptop' in English. This term generally refers to a portable computer that you can carry around with you. It has all the functionalities of a desktop computer but is compact and suitable for travel or mobile work. In some Spanish speaking regions like Spain, they use the word 'ordenador' for computer, and 'portátil' means portable. So, '(ordenador) portátil' is literally a 'portable computer' or what is known as a 'laptop' in English.

Example sentences with  (ordenador) portátil
(pantalones) vaqueros
jeans

The term '(pantalones) vaqueros' in Spanish refers to a specific type of clothing known as 'jeans' in English. Originating from the American West, these are typically pants made from denim or dungaree cloth, often blue in color, and are a staple in modern wardrobes around the world. The term 'vaquero' has its roots in the Spanish word for cowboy, giving a nod to the origins of this style of pants.

(pequeño) electrodoméstico
(small) appliance

(pequeño) electrodoméstico is a Spanish term that translates to (small) appliance in English. It represents a type of household device, usually electrical, that performs a specific function. These functions may include cooking, cleaning, or food preservation. Examples of (pequeño) electrodoméstico can include a microwave, blender, toaster, or refrigerator. This term is commonly used in both household and commercial settings.

(primer) ministro
(first) Minister

'(Primer) ministro' is a Spanish term that refers to the term '(First) Minister' in English. In political terms, it is most often used to denote the head of a cabinet, similar to Prime Minister or Premier. This public official is typically the leader of the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. The minister leads cabinet meetings and oversees the execution of government plans and strategies. The adjective 'primer', meaning 'first', indicates the prominence or superiority of the position within a governmental structure.

Example sentences with  (primer) ministro
(re)iniciar el ordenador
(re)start the computer

(Re)iniciar el ordenador, a Spanish phrase, translates to '(re)start the computer' in English. It is an action phrase and is often used in the context of troubleshooting or updating a computer system. 'Reiniciar' means to start something again, or to reboot, and 'el ordenador' is a term used for a computer or a personal computer system. The phrase combines these terms for a specific technical instruction.

Example sentences with  (re)iniciar el ordenador
(sección de) bebidas
(section) beverages

(Sección de) bebidas is a Spanish term that translates to '(section of) beverages' in English. This term is commonly seen in grocery stores, restaurants, or menus, where different types of drinks or liquid refreshments are grouped or categorized. In such contexts, this Spanish term refers to the area or section where various kinds of beverages like soft drinks, juices, alcoholic drinks, and more, are located or listed for selection.

(sección de) congelados
(section) frozen

(sección de) congelados in Spanish refers to the section in a store where frozen goods are kept. This could include various items like frozen vegetables, frozen meat, frozen meals, ice creams, and many more. As the name suggests, all products in this area are kept at a freezing temperature to maintain their freshness until they're ready for use. This term directly translates to '(section of) frozen' in English.

(sección de) cultura
(section) culture

(sección de) cultura, in English language, refers to the term (section) culture. It denotes a part or subdivision of a larger community or society that is characterized by a specific group's shared practices, values, beliefs, and behaviors. This concept encompasses various aspects such as art, music, literature, performing arts, and social customs etc. Essentially, it represents a particular facet or aspect of a community or society that reflects a group's patterns of behavior and intellectual development.

Made with JoyBird
True