Spanish Words Every English Speaker Should Know
Learn essential Spanish vocabulary and discover how Spanish has influenced the English language.
Why Learn Spanish?
Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world by native speakers, with over 460 million people speaking it globally. It's the official language of 21 countries and widely used in the United States.
Learning basic Spanish words can enhance travel experiences, improve cultural understanding, and open doors to new opportunities.
Essential Spanish Words & Phrases
Hola
Hello
The most common greeting in Spanish.
Example: ¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás?
Gracias
Thank you
Express gratitude in any situation.
Example: Gracias por tu ayuda.
Por favor
Please
Used to make polite requests.
Example: Un café, por favor.
Adiós
Goodbye
Formal way to say goodbye.
Example: Adiós, hasta mañana.
Sí / No
Yes / No
Basic affirmative and negative responses.
Example: Sí, me gusta. / No, gracias.
Buenos días
Good morning
Morning greeting until noon.
Example: Buenos días, ¿cómo amaneció?
Buenas tardes
Good afternoon/evening
Greeting from noon until evening.
Example: Buenas tardes, señor.
Buenas noches
Good night
Evening greeting or farewell.
Example: Buenas noches, que descanses.
Lo siento
I'm sorry
Apologize or express sympathy.
Example: Lo siento mucho.
De nada
You're welcome
Response to "gracias".
Example: —Gracias. —De nada.
Spanish Loan Words in English
Many Spanish words have been adopted into English, especially in the United States. Here are some common ones you might use without even realizing they're Spanish:
Patio
Outdoor area adjacent to a house
Siesta
Afternoon nap or rest
Fiesta
Party or celebration
Plaza
Public square or marketplace
Rodeo
Cowboy competition
Canyon
Deep gorge (from "cañón")
Mosquito
Small biting insect
Tornado
Violent rotating storm
Tips for Learning Spanish
- Practice pronunciation by listening to native speakers
- Start with common phrases used in everyday conversation
- Watch Spanish-language movies and TV shows with subtitles
- Use language learning apps for daily practice
- Try speaking with native Spanish speakers when possible
- Learn cognates - words that are similar in both languages
- Don't be afraid to make mistakes; they're part of learning!