Identity and relationships
un amigo / una amigaa friend
llevarse bien conto get on with
la confianzatrust / confidence
A phrase to adapt: Me llevo bien con mi hermano.
GCSE · Spanish · vocabulary
For Years 9–11 · Learn, try, checkGCSE Spanish Vocabulary: Learn Words in Sentences
Start with useful words and adaptable phrases across nine broad revision areas.
Learn a word with a sentence attached
Learn nouns with their article and verbs with a phrase you could actually use. Cover the English, retrieve the meaning, then cover the Spanish and try to produce it. Finish by changing one detail in the phrase.
These are starter words, not a complete vocabulary list. Exact specification vocabulary varies by board and tier. The categories below are student-friendly revision groups, not identical official themes across AQA, Pearson and Cambridge.
- Retrieve a small set from memory rather than rereading a long list.
- Mix old and new words so familiar items stay available.
- Learn a useful opposite or related expression: expensive / cheap, arrive / leave.
- For listening, use an authentic recording or teacher model to connect each word with its sound.
Nine useful revision areas
School
una asignaturaa subject
los debereshomework
aprenderto learn
A phrase to adapt: Mi asignatura favorita es la historia.
Free time
jugarto play
una aficióna hobby
descansarto rest
A phrase to adapt: Juego al fútbol los sábados.
Food and health
una comidaa meal
tener hambreto be hungry
la saludhealth
A phrase to adapt: Como fruta todos los días.
Travel and holidays
un billetea ticket
el viajethe trip / journey
reservarto book
A phrase to adapt: Vamos a viajar en tren.
Home and local area
un barrioa neighbourhood
cerca denear
una bibliotecaa library
A phrase to adapt: Hay un parque cerca de mi casa.
Environment
la basurarubbish
reutilizarto reuse
ahorrarto save
A phrase to adapt: Reutilizo las bolsas.
Technology and media
una pantallaa screen
una red sociala social network
compartirto share
A phrase to adapt: Leo las noticias en línea.
Work and future plans
un trabajoa job / work
las prácticaswork experience / an internship
en el futuroin the future
A phrase to adapt: En el futuro, me gustaría trabajar en otro país.
Retrieve, then use
Original practice · not an exam paper
A school-day vocabulary check
- Give the Spanish for “a subject” and “homework”.
- Complete: Me ___ bien con mi hermano.
- Write one sentence about your school, with a reason.
Reveal answers and explanations
una asignatura ; los deberes ; llevo
A possible sentence: Me gusta mi colegio porque los profesores son amables. Other relevant, accurate sentences work too.
Watch the little differences
Las prácticas can mean work experience, not just any practice session. Los deberes is plural even when English “homework” is not. Use jugar al fútbol, but tocar la guitarra.
Use vocabulary to understand reading passages as well as to write or speak. When you meet an unfamiliar word, record the sentence around it so you remember its meaning in context. Do not label a list “Higher” or “Cambridge” unless it has actually been checked against that specification.
Check the assessment for your board
Confirm your board and tier with your teacher. These are original learning resources, not official papers or a grade prediction.
AQA
AQA has defined vocabulary lists and three broad themes: People and lifestyle; Popular culture; Communication and the world around us. Our revision categories below are practical groupings, not a replacement for that specification.
Official AQA Spanish specification (PDF)Pearson Edexcel GCSE
Pearson Edexcel GCSE organises vocabulary around six thematic contexts, including My personal world and My neighbourhood. Use its current vocabulary list for your tier; our nine revision categories are not the board’s official theme structure.
Pearson Edexcel GCSE Spanish speaking guide
Official Pearson Edexcel GCSE Spanish specification (PDF)GCSE guidance uses the specifications first taught in September 2024, first examined in 2026. Older GCSE task formats are not interchangeable with these.
Carry the skill into your next answer
Move between understanding language and using it. Pick a related resource rather than starting another long checklist.
Ready to say it aloud?
The website supports broad revision. The ScoreMySpeech app stays specialist: French and Spanish speaking practice with feedback, not full reading, listening or writing assessment.