AQA GCSE Spanish · Free vocabulary list
Customs, festivals and celebrations
Fiestas, traditions, food and how the Spanish-speaking world celebrates. Part of the AQA theme Popular culture. Each entry comes with a translation, a sentence showing how it is actually used, and a rough pronunciation. Switch to Foundation to hide the 24 Higher-only entries.
154
Higher practice entries
130
on Foundation
24
Higher only
A9 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| airesay: AH-ee-reh | air | Necesito respirar aire fresco.I need to breathe fresh air. |
| al aire libresay: al AY-re LEE-bre | outdoors, in the open air | Los fines de semana comemos al aire libre en el jardín.At weekends we eat outdoors in the garden. |
| la alegríasay: a-le-GREE-a | joy, happiness | La alegría de la fiesta se nota en la calle.The joy of the festival can be felt in the street. |
| animadosay: ah-nee-MAH-doh | lively; animated; cheerful | La fiesta del pueblo estaba muy animada anoche.The village party was very lively last night. |
| animalessay: ah-nee-MAH-les | animals | En el zoo hay muchos animales diferentes.There are many different animals in the zoo. |
| argentinosay: ar-hen-TEE-no | Argentinian | Mi amigo argentino juega muy bien al fútbol.My Argentinian friend plays football very well. |
| artesay: AHR-teh | art | Me encanta el arte moderno.I love modern art. |
| asistirHighersay: ah-sees-TEER | to attend (a class, event, etc.) | Voy a asistir a la reunión del instituto mañana.I am going to attend the school meeting tomorrow. |
| atraerHighersay: a-tra-ER | to attract | El festival de música atrae a miles de jóvenes cada verano.The music festival attracts thousands of young people every summer. |
B5 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| bailarsay: bah-ee-LAHR | to dance | Me encanta bailar salsa.I love to dance salsa. |
| bailesay: bahy-leh | dance | El baile es mi forma favorita de expresarme.Dance is my favorite way to express myself. |
| bandaHighersay: BAHN-dah | band, group | La banda toca muy bien la música.The band plays the music very well. |
| besarsay: be-SAR | to kiss | Mi abuela siempre me besa cuando llego a su casa.My grandmother always kisses me when I arrive at her house. |
| bodasay: BOH-dah | wedding | La boda es el sábado.The wedding is on Saturday. |
C26 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| cafésay: kah-FEH | coffee, café | Bebo un café cada mañana.I drink a coffee every morning. |
| callesay: KAHL-yeh | street | Mi casa está en la calle Principal.My house is on Main Street. |
| caminarHighersay: kah-mee-NAHR | to walk | Me gusta caminar por el parque.I like to walk in the park. |
| el caminoHighersay: ka-MEE-no | path, road, way | El camino al instituto pasa por un parque muy bonito.The way to school goes through a very pretty park. |
| canciónsay: kahn-see-OHN | song | Me gusta esa canción.I like that song. |
| cantarsay: kahn-TAHR | to sing | Me gusta cantar en la ducha.I like to sing in the shower. |
| la capitalsay: ka-pee-TAL | capital (city) | Madrid es la capital de España y tiene muchos museos.Madrid is the capital of Spain and has many museums. |
| el caramelosay: kah-rah-MEH-lo | sweet | Mi hermano pequeño come demasiados caramelos.My little brother eats too many sweets. |
| católicosay: ka-TO-lee-ko | Catholic | Mi abuela es católica y va a misa los domingos.My grandmother is Catholic and goes to mass on Sundays. |
| la celebraciónsay: lah seh-leh-brah-SYON | celebration | La celebración duró hasta las tres de la madrugada.The celebration went on until three in the morning. |
| celebrarsay: seh-leh-BRAR | to celebrate | En mi familia celebramos los cumpleaños con una comida especial.In my family we celebrate birthdays with a special meal. |
| chilenosay: chee-LE-no | Chilean | Tengo un amigo chileno que vive en Santiago.I have a Chilean friend who lives in Santiago. |
| cocinasay: koh-THEE-nah | kitchen; cooking | Mi madre está cocinando en la cocina.My mother is cooking in the kitchen. |
| la colaHighersay: KO-la | queue; tail | Había una cola enorme para entrar en el museo del Prado.There was a huge queue to get into the Prado museum. |
| colombianosay: ko-lom-BYA-no | Colombian | Mi vecino colombiano prepara un café delicioso.My Colombian neighbour makes delicious coffee. |
| comersay: koh-MEHR | to eat | Me gusta comer pizza.I like to eat pizza. |
| comidasay: koh-MEE-dah | food, meal | La comida está deliciosa.The food is delicious. |
| compartirsay: kom-par-TEER | to share | En las fiestas compartimos comida y buenos momentos.At festivals we share food and good times. |
| el conciertosay: el kon-THYER-to | concert, gig | El sábado vamos a un concierto al aire libre.On Saturday we are going to an open-air concert. |
| la corridasay: ko-RREE-da | bullfight | Nunca he visto una corrida de toros en directo.I have never seen a bullfight live. |
| la costumbresay: lah kos-TOOM-breh | custom, habit | Es una costumbre española comer doce uvas a medianoche.It is a Spanish custom to eat twelve grapes at midnight. |
| cristianosay: krees-TYA-no | Christian | Mi familia es cristiana y celebramos la Navidad juntos.My family is Christian and we celebrate Christmas together. |
| cubanosay: koo-BA-no | Cuban | Me encanta la música cubana, sobre todo el son.I love Cuban music, especially son. |
| la culturasay: kool-TOO-ra | culture | Me interesa mucho la cultura española y sus fiestas.I am very interested in Spanish culture and its festivals. |
| culturalsay: kool-too-RAL | cultural | El intercambio fue una experiencia cultural muy enriquecedora.The exchange was a very enriching cultural experience. |
| cumpleañossay: koom-pleh-AH-nyohs | birthday | Mañana es mi cumpleaños.Tomorrow is my birthday. |
D5 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| dar un paseosay: dar oon pah-SEH-oh | to go for a walk | Los domingos doy un paseo por el parque con mi perro.On Sundays I go for a walk in the park with my dog. |
| descubrirsay: des-koo-BREER | to discover, to find out | Me encanta viajar para descubrir nuevas culturas y costumbres.I love travelling in order to discover new cultures and customs. |
| el desfilesay: el dess-FEE-leh | parade, procession | El desfile de carnaval pasó por delante de mi casa.The carnival parade went past my house. |
| el disfrazsay: el diss-FRATH | fancy dress costume | Mi disfraz de pirata ganó el concurso del colegio.My pirate costume won the school competition. |
| divertidosay: dee-ver-TEE-doh | fun, amusing | Fue un día muy divertido.It was a very fun day. |
E5 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| el/la artistasay: ar-TEES-ta | artist, performer | Mi hermana es artista y pinta cuadros muy modernos.My sister is an artist and paints very modern pictures. |
| enhorabuenasay: en-oh-rah-BWEH-nah | congratulations | ¡Enhorabuena por tus notas, has trabajado muchísimo!Congratulations on your grades, you have worked really hard! |
| españolsay: es-pa-NYOL | Spanish | El español es mi asignatura favorita del instituto.Spanish is my favourite subject at school. |
| especialsay: ehs-peh-see-AHL | special | Hoy es un día especial.Today is a special day. |
| el eventoHighersay: e-BEN-to | event | El instituto organiza un evento deportivo cada mes de junio.The school organises a sports event every June. |
F6 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| las Fallassay: las FA-yas | the Fallas (Valencian festival with giant figures) | Las Fallas de Valencia son una fiesta con fuego y música.The Fallas in Valencia are a festival with fire and music. |
| fiestasay: fee-EHS-tah | party, celebration | La fiesta fue muy divertida.The party was very fun. |
| el flamencosay: flah-MEN-koh | flamenco (music/dance) | En Sevilla vimos un espectáculo de flamenco increíble.In Seville we saw an incredible flamenco show. |
| la florsay: flor | flower | En primavera hay muchas flores de colores en el parque.In spring there are lots of colourful flowers in the park. |
| fuegosay: foo-EH-goh | fire | Hay un fuego en la chimenea.There is a fire in the fireplace. |
| los fuegos artificialessay: loss FWEH-goss ar-tee-fee-SYAH-less | fireworks | Al final de la fiesta hubo unos fuegos artificiales espectaculares.At the end of the festival there were spectacular fireworks. |
G1 entry
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| la guitarrasay: la gee-TA-rra | guitar | Toco la guitarra en un grupo con mis amigos.I play the guitar in a band with my friends. |
H4 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| el habitantesay: a-bee-TAN-te | inhabitant, resident | Mi pueblo tiene solo dos mil habitantes y una escuela.My village has only two thousand inhabitants and one school. |
| el hispanohablanteHighersay: ees-pa-no-a-BLAN-te | Spanish speaker | Hay más de quinientos millones de hispanohablantes en el mundo.There are more than five hundred million Spanish speakers in the world. |
| historiasay: ees-TOH-ree-ah | history; story | Me encanta la historia de ese país.I love the history of that country. |
| históricosay: ees-TOH-ree-koh | historic, historical | Visitamos el centro histórico de Toledo con nuestro profesor.We visited the historic centre of Toledo with our teacher. |
I5 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| iglesiasay: ee-GLEH-see-ah | church | Vamos a la iglesia el domingo.We go to church on Sunday. |
| ingléssay: in-GLÉS | English | Estoy aprendiendo inglés.I'm learning English. |
| el interéssay: een-te-RES | interest | Tengo mucho interés en la historia y la cultura española.I have a lot of interest in Spanish history and culture. |
| internacionalHighersay: een-ter-na-thyo-NAL | international | Mi instituto organiza un intercambio internacional con un colegio francés.My school organises an international exchange with a French school. |
| invitarsay: een-bee-TAR | to invite | Voy a invitar a treinta amigos a mi fiesta.I'm going to invite thirty friends to my party. |
J3 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| judíosay: hoo-DEE-o | Jewish | Mi compañero judío no come carne de cerdo.My Jewish classmate doesn't eat pork. |
| juegosay: HWEH-go | game, play | ¿Quieres jugar un juego conmigo?Do you want to play a game with me? |
| el jugueteHighersay: hoo-GEH-teh | toy | Regalamos juguetes usados a una asociación del barrio.We gave used toys to an association in the neighbourhood. |
L7 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| latinoHighersay: la-TEE-no | Latin, Latino | Me encanta la música latina, sobre todo el reguetón.I love Latin music, especially reggaeton. |
| la lenguasay: LEN-gwa | language; tongue | El español es la lengua materna de mi vecina argentina.Spanish is my Argentinian neighbour's mother tongue. |
| la literaturaHighersay: lee-te-ra-TOO-ra | literature | Mi asignatura favorita es la literatura española del siglo veinte.My favourite subject is twentieth-century Spanish literature. |
| locoHighersay: LOH-ko | crazy, insane | ¡Estás loco si crees eso!You're crazy if you believe that! |
| locosHighersay: LOH-kohs | crazy, mad | Esos chicos están locos.Those guys are crazy. |
| lucessay: LOO-ses | lights | Apaga las luces antes de dormir.Turn off the lights before sleeping. |
| luzsay: loos | light | La luz es muy fuerte.The light is very bright. |
M11 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| marsay: mar | sea; ocean | Vamos a la playa en el mar.We're going to the beach by the sea. |
| matarHighersay: mah-TAHR | to kill | No debes matar animales.You shouldn't kill animals. |
| matrimoniosay: mah-tree-MOH-nee-oh | marriage | El matrimonio de María y Juan fue muy bonito.Maria and Juan's marriage was very beautiful. |
| el mercadosay: el mer-KA-doh | market | Compramos fruta local en el mercado los sábados.We buy local fruit at the market on Saturdays. |
| mexicanosay: me-hee-KA-no | Mexican | La comida mexicana es picante y muy sabrosa.Mexican food is spicy and very tasty. |
| la mezquitasay: meth-KEE-ta | mosque | La mezquita de Córdoba es un monumento impresionante y muy antiguo.The mosque in Córdoba is an impressive and very old monument. |
| muerteHighersay: moo-EHR-teh | death | Habló sobre la muerte sin miedo.He spoke about death without fear. |
| mundosay: MOON-doh | world | He viajado por todo el mundo.I have traveled around the whole world. |
| músicasay: MOO-see-kah | music | Me encanta escuchar música.I love listening to music. |
| musicalsay: moo-see-KAL | musical | Toco el piano en el grupo musical del instituto.I play the piano in the school music group. |
| musulmánsay: moo-sool-MAN | Muslim | Mi amigo musulmán ayuna durante el mes de Ramadán.My Muslim friend fasts during the month of Ramadan. |
N6 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| nacionalHighersay: na-thyo-NAL | national | La paella es un plato nacional muy conocido en España.Paella is a very well-known national dish in Spain. |
| navidadsay: nah-vee-DAHD | Christmas | La Navidad es mi fiesta favorita.Christmas is my favorite holiday. |
| la Nochebuenasay: no-che-BWE-na | Christmas Eve | En Nochebuena cenamos todos juntos en casa de mis abuelos.On Christmas Eve we all have dinner together at my grandparents' house. |
| la Nocheviejasay: no-che-BYEH-kha | New Year's Eve | En Nochevieja comemos doce uvas a las doce en punto.On New Year's Eve we eat twelve grapes at twelve o'clock exactly. |
| nombresay: NOHM-breh | name | ¿Cuál es tu nombre?What is your name? |
| nombressay: NOM-bres | names | ¿Cuáles son los nombres de tus hermanos?What are the names of your brothers? |
P21 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| la paellasay: lah pah-EH-yah | paella (rice dish) | Mi abuela cocina una paella enorme para toda la familia.My grandmother cooks a huge paella for the whole family. |
| paíssay: pah-EES | country | España es un país hermoso.Spain is a beautiful country. |
| participarsay: par-tee-thee-PAR | to take part, to participate | Quiero participar en el concurso de talentos del instituto.I want to take part in the school talent competition. |
| pasasay: PAH-sah | happens, passes | ¿Qué pasa?What's happening? |
| pasandosay: pah-SAHN-do | passing, spending (time) | Estoy pasando un buen tiempo aquí.I'm having a good time here. |
| pasarsay: pah-SAHR | to pass, to happen | ¿Qué pasó ayer?What happened yesterday? |
| pasarlo bien / malsay: pa-SAR-lo bee-EN / mal | to have a good / bad time | En la fiesta de cumpleaños lo pasamos muy bien.We had a really good time at the birthday party. |
| pasosay: PAH-soh | step, pass | Doy un paso hacia la puerta.I take a step toward the door. |
| películasay: peh-LEE-koo-lah | movie | Me encanta ver películas los viernes por la noche.I love watching movies on Friday nights. |
| películassay: peh-LEE-koo-lahs | movies, films | Me encantan las películas de acción.I love action movies. |
| peligrosay: peh-LEE-groh | danger | Hay peligro en la carretera cuando llueve.There is danger on the road when it rains. |
| peligrososay: peh-lee-GROH-soh | dangerous | Esta carretera es muy peligrosa.This road is very dangerous. |
| pintarsay: peen-TAR | to paint | Me gusta pintar paisajes con acuarelas los fines de semana.I like painting landscapes with watercolours at the weekend. |
| pintarsesay: peen-TAR-seh | to put on make-up, to do one's make-up | Mi hermana se pinta los labios antes de salir de casa.My sister puts on lipstick before leaving the house. |
| el platosay: PLAH-toh | plate; dish (food) | Mi plato favorito es la paella con marisco.My favourite dish is paella with seafood. |
| la plazasay: la PLA-tha | square | Quedamos en la plaza mayor a las siete.We're meeting in the main square at seven. |
| la plaza de torossay: PLAH-thah deh TOH-ros | bullring | La plaza de toros de Ronda es muy antigua.The bullring in Ronda is very old. |
| publicarHighersay: poo-blee-KAR | to post, to publish | Publica una foto nueva todos los días.She posts a new photo every day. |
| públicosay: POO-blee-koh | public | Este es un lugar público.This is a public place. |
| el puertosay: el PWER-toh | port, harbour | Paseamos por el puerto y comimos pescado fresco.We strolled around the harbour and ate fresh fish. |
| puestosay: PWES-toh | position, job, placed | Conseguí un puesto en la empresa.I got a job at the company. |
Q2 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| quemarHighersay: ke-MAR | to burn | En las Fallas queman figuras gigantes la última noche.At the Fallas they burn giant figures on the last night. |
| quemarseHighersay: ke-MAR-se | to get burnt, to burn oneself | Si no te pones crema, te vas a quemar en la playa.If you don't put cream on, you're going to get burnt on the beach. |
R11 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| recibirsay: rre-thee-BEER | to receive, to get | En Navidad suelo recibir muchos regalos de mis primos.At Christmas I usually receive lots of presents from my cousins. |
| regalosay: reh-GAH-lo | gift, present | Te compré un regalo de cumpleaños.I bought you a birthday gift. |
| la regiónsay: rre-KHYON | region, area | Cada región de España tiene sus propias fiestas y comidas.Each region of Spain has its own festivals and food. |
| reinasay: REH-nah | queen | La reina visitó la ciudad.The queen visited the city. |
| la religiónsay: rre-lee-KHYON | religion | En mi familia la religión no es muy importante.In my family religion is not very important. |
| religiososay: reh-lee-HYO-so | religious | Es una fiesta religiosa muy importante en España.It is a very important religious festival in Spain. |
| reservarsay: reh-ser-BAR | to book, to reserve | Mis padres reservaron el hotel por internet.My parents booked the hotel online. |
| reysay: ray | king | El rey vive en un palacio.The king lives in a palace. |
| los Reyes Magossay: los RRE-yes MA-gos | the Three Kings / the Three Wise Men | Los Reyes Magos traen regalos a los niños el seis de enero.The Three Kings bring presents to children on the sixth of January. |
| riesgosay: ree-EHS-goh | risk, danger | No hay riesgo de lluvia hoy.There is no risk of rain today. |
| ropasay: ROH-pah | clothing, clothes | Necesito comprar ropa nueva.I need to buy new clothes. |
S9 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| los Sanferminessay: san-fer-MEE-nes | the San Fermín festival (bull running in Pamplona) | Los Sanfermines se celebran en julio en la ciudad de Pamplona.The San Fermín festival takes place in July in the city of Pamplona. |
| el santosay: SAN-to | saint; saint's day | Cada pueblo celebra las fiestas de su santo patrón.Every village celebrates the festival of its patron saint. |
| la Semana Santasay: la se-MA-na SAN-ta | Holy Week / Easter week | En Semana Santa mi familia viaja siempre a Sevilla.During Holy Week my family always travels to Seville. |
| el sigloHighersay: SEE-glo | century | Esta catedral se construyó en el siglo trece, aproximadamente.This cathedral was built in the thirteenth century, approximately. |
| la sinagogasay: see-na-GO-ga | synagogue | En Toledo hay una sinagoga medieval que se puede visitar.In Toledo there is a medieval synagogue that you can visit. |
| la sociedadsay: so-thee-eh-DAD | society | La tecnología ha cambiado mucho nuestra sociedad.Technology has changed our society a lot. |
| solsay: sohl | sun | El sol está muy caliente hoy.The sun is very hot today. |
| la sombraHighersay: SOM-brah | shade; shadow | En verano comemos en la sombra de los árboles.In summer we eat in the shade of the trees. |
| sorprenderHighersay: sor-pren-DER | to surprise | Me sorprende el ambiente que hay durante las fiestas locales.The atmosphere during the local festivals surprises me. |
T9 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| las tapassay: TAH-pas | tapas (small dishes) | Los sábados salimos a tomar tapas por el centro.On Saturdays we go out for tapas in the town centre. |
| el teatrosay: te-A-tro | theatre | El viernes fuimos al teatro a ver una obra española.On Friday we went to the theatre to see a Spanish play. |
| el templosay: TEM-plo | temple | Visitamos un templo romano muy bien conservado cerca de Mérida.We visited a very well preserved Roman temple near Mérida. |
| tirarsay: tee-RAR | to throw away, to throw | No tires las latas a la calle, por favor.Don't throw the cans onto the street, please. |
| el tomatesay: to-MAH-teh | tomato | Me gusta la ensalada de tomate y lechuga.I like tomato and lettuce salad. |
| la Tomatinasay: to-ma-TEE-na | the Tomatina (tomato-throwing festival) | La Tomatina se celebra en agosto en un pueblo de Valencia.The Tomatina is held in August in a village in Valencia. |
| el torosay: TO-ro | bull | En muchos pueblos hay fiestas con toros por la calle.In many villages there are festivals with bulls in the street. |
| la tradiciónsay: lah trah-dee-SYON | tradition | Esta tradición existe desde hace muchos años en mi pueblo.This tradition has existed for many years in my village. |
| trajesay: TRAH-heh | suit, brought | Llevo un traje azul.I'm wearing a blue suit. |
U1 entry
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| la uvasay: lah OO-bah | grape | En España se comen doce uvas a medianoche.In Spain people eat twelve grapes at midnight. |
V8 entries
| Spanish | English | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| vestidosay: vehs-TEE-doh | dress; dressed | María lleva un vestido azul muy bonito.Maria is wearing a very pretty blue dress. |
| vestirsay: bes-TEER | to dress (someone), to wear | Mi madre viste a mi hermano pequeño antes del desayuno.My mother dresses my little brother before breakfast. |
| vestirsesay: bes-TEER-se | to get dressed | Me visto rápidamente porque el autobús pasa a las ocho.I get dressed quickly because the bus comes at eight. |
| viajarsay: bee-ah-HAR | to travel | Me encanta viajar en tren por toda España.I love travelling by train all over Spain. |
| viajesay: vee-AH-heh | trip, journey | Hago un viaje a México el mes que viene.I'm taking a trip to Mexico next month. |
| vinosay: VEE-noh | wine, came | Bebemos vino en la cena.We drink wine at dinner. |
| visitaHighersay: vee-SEE-tah | visit | Hicimos una visita a mis abuelos.We visited my grandparents. |
| vistasay: VEES-tah | view, sight | La vista desde la montaña es hermosa.The view from the mountain is beautiful. |
No words match that search.
Keep going.
Other topics in Popular culture, and guides to revising them.
Free-time activities
Sport, music, film, reading and what you do at the weekend. 283 practice entries.
Celebrity culture
Fame, role models, social media and the price of being famous. 175 practice entries.
How to revise GCSE Spanish vocabulary
Six habits that turn a word list into words you can produce in the exam, plus how to plan backwards from your paper date.
Foundation or Higher?
Grades, paper lengths and vocabulary for each tier side by side, and how to revise before your tier is decided.
The AQA GCSE Spanish exam, paper by paper
Listening with dictation, speaking with read-aloud and photo card, reading with translation, and the writing tasks, with a revision tip for each.
Reading a list isn’t revising.
Sapling schedules these 154 practice entries around your exam date, so each one comes back just before you’d forget it — with typing, listening, dictation and speaking practice.
Download on theApp Store