Learn the Top 100 High-Frequency Spanish Words and How to Use Them

Do you want to learn Spanish and don’t know where to start? Learn the Top 100 High-Frequency Words first and you are off to the best start! Once you know these words, then other words will begin to fall into place, like pieces of a puzzle. And you will be on your way to greater fluency because you already know 100 of the most used words!

What Are High-Frequency Words?

High-Frequency Words are the most frequently used words in the Spanish language. By learning these words, your speaking and comprehension skills increase dramatically!

Where Do I Start?

You are now ready to begin the challenge, but what is the next step? You asked the right question!  Follow these tips on the best way to learn the 100 High-Frequency Words.  

Step 1

Identify the top 100 High-Frequency Words in Spanish (we have done that for you below!)

Step 2

Memorize the words, including their pronunciation, spelling, and definition

• Begin with learning 3-10 words per sitting (3 words for younger children, 10 words for adolescents and adults with longer attention spans).
• Create notecards for each word: write the Spanish word on one side and the English translation on the other.
• Say the word, spell out the letters, and read it again out loud. The goal is to identify the word quickly, but also to pronounce it correctly.  

Step 3

Review, review, review. 

Don’t forget to revisit the words you have already learned every time you study.  One suggestion is to go through the words in the same sequence every time you study; this further reinforces the word and develops pattern recognition.

Building a Strong Foundation Takes Time

Your goal is to memorize these words, but it is not a race. Don’t focus on having to know all 100 in one sitting! You are building a foundation made of rock, not sand, and this takes time.  Mastering 20 words is better than “sort of” knowing 50.

Top 100 High-Frequency Words

Here is a comprehensive list with its English translation and a pronunciation guide for real-world use.  Once you have mastered individual Spanish vocabulary, then you can begin to work on understanding sentences.

English words are gender-neutral, yet Spanish words are gendered. This means that each word has its own article. For example la (feminine) or el (masculine) are associated with each word and used to help define the word. Putting the correct gendered article on the word is extremely important, and denying this can get you in a semantic pickle.  As noted in our article on Gendered Nouns, using the wrong article could have you telling your friend that you have an infectious disease (el cólera) instead of explaining that you feel angry (la cólera). And, believe me, nobody wants that! 

You’re Ready! 

Now you’re ready to begin memorizing the top 100 High-Frequency words in Spanish!

Remember to begin by learning a few words at a time. Focus on learning the definition, spelling and pronunciation first. Then, when you’re ready, move on to using them in a sentence. This will advance your understanding of Spanish greatly and move you to that next level of fluency. 

See Progress Today

Want to check and ensure your pronunciation is correct? Talk to one of our native Spanish-speaking teachers in Antigua, Guatemala today!

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Tara Faires

Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy

I am a blog-writing, soccer-momming, grant-writing, carpooling mom with two young kiddos. When not driving my kids around, you will find me hiking, doing yoga or traveling. I’ve journeyed through 23 countries so far - just getting started!

I began studying Spanish at age 11 and have been interested in language and culture ever since! While at university, I studied abroad in Spain and Costa Rica and got a B.A. in Environmental Economics with a minor in Spanish. After spending over a decade in corporate America, I now enjoy the simpler things in life. ¡Pura Vida!

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