Identity and relationships
un amigo / una amigaa friend
llevarse bien conto get on with
la confianzatrust / confidence
A phrase to adapt: Mis amigos me ayudan cuando tengo un problema.
IGCSE · Spanish · vocabulary
For Years 9–11 · Learn, try, checkIGCSE Spanish Vocabulary: A Practical Starter Collection
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 exam year. 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: Aprendo mejor cuando hago preguntas.
Free time
jugarto play
una aficióna hobby
descansarto rest
A phrase to adapt: Esta afición me permite conocer a otras personas.
Food and health
una comidaa meal
tener hambreto be hungry
la saludhealth
A phrase to adapt: Para cuidar mi salud, intento dormir bien.
Travel and holidays
un billetea ticket
el viajethe trip / journey
reservarto book
A phrase to adapt: Reservé una habitación cerca de la estación.
Home and local area
un barrioa neighbourhood
cerca denear
una bibliotecaa library
A phrase to adapt: En mi barrio hacen falta más zonas verdes.
Environment
la basurarubbish
reutilizarto reuse
ahorrarto save
A phrase to adapt: Ahorramos agua al ducharnos en vez de bañarnos.
Technology and media
una pantallaa screen
una red sociala social network
compartirto share
A phrase to adapt: Hay que pensar antes de compartir una foto.
Work and future plans
un trabajoa job / work
las prácticaswork experience / an internship
en el futuroin the future
A phrase to adapt: Las prácticas me ayudaron a elegir una profesión.
Retrieve, then use
Original practice · not an exam paper
A town-and-travel vocabulary check
- Give the Spanish for “a ticket” and “a library”.
- Complete: Hay que pensar antes de ___ una foto.
- Write one sentence describing a useful feature of your area.
Reveal answers and explanations
un billete ; una biblioteca ; compartir
A possible sentence: La biblioteca es útil porque se puede estudiar allí. 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 with your teacher. These are original learning resources, not official papers or a grade prediction.
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE uses five topic areas: Home and abroad; Education and employment; Personal life and relationships; The world around us; Social activities, fitness and health. Map our categories to your school’s course.
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Spanish speaking guide
Official Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Spanish specification (PDF)Cambridge IGCSE
Cambridge IGCSE provides topic areas and a vocabulary list for the applicable syllabus. These broad revision groups help organise practice but are not official board headings. Use the 2025–2027 syllabus only for exams in those years.
Cambridge IGCSE Spanish speaking guide
Official Cambridge IGCSE Spanish 2025–2027 syllabus (PDF)Cambridge exam year matters: 2025–2027 and 2028–2030 are different syllabuses. The PDF above is for 2025–2027; for a later exam, choose your year on the official Cambridge Spanish qualification page. Pearson guidance here concerns the linear 2017 International GCSE specifications (4FR1 / 4SP1); check the precise qualification your school enters.
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.