The Spanish – English Glossary contains all the words in the text except: 1) very obvious or identical cognates; 2) forms of conjugated verbs; 3) most diminutives and augmentatives; 4) absolute superlatives ending in forms of –ísimo; 5) adverbs ending in –mente.
Gender of nouns is indicated for all that are not masculine ending in o or feminine ending in a. (This also applies to the False Friends List.) Stem-changing verbs are listed as follows: pensar (ie); dormir (ue); and pedir (i).
The following abbreviations are used in this textbook:
adj. – adjective
C.A. – Central America
coll. – colloquial
def. art. – definite article
d.o – direct object
esp. – especially
f. – feminine
fam. – familiar (informal)
fig. – figurative
form – formal
gram – grammar term
ind. art. – indefinite article
inf. – infinitive
i.o. – indirect object
lang. – language
L.A. – Latin America
lit. – literary, literature
m. – masculine
neut. – neuter
n. – noun
pl. – plural
p.p. – past participle
poss. adj. – possessive adjective
prep. – preposition
prep. obj. pron. – prepositional object pronoun
pron. – pronoun
refl. pron. – reflexive pronoun
s. – singular
Sp. – Spain
sub. pron. – subject pronoun
u.c. – upper case
v. – verb
A
a – to, at
abarcar – to compromise, to span, to include
abierto (p.p) – open(ed)
abogado/-a – attorney, lawyer
abrazar – to hug, to embrace
abrigo – coat
abril – April
abrir – to open; abrirse paso – to make one’s way
abstenerse (de) – to abstain (from)
abuelo/-a – grandfather/grandmother
aburrir – to bore
acá – here
acabar – to finish, to end; acabar + de + inf. – to have just done something
acaso – perhaps; por si acaso – just in case
acciones – stock
aceite (m.) – oil
aceituna – olive
acera – sidewalk
acerca de – about
acercarse a – to approach
acero – steel
acertar (ie) – to be right
aconsejar – to advise
acontecimiento – event
acordar (ue) – to agree; acordarse de – to remember
acostarse (ue) – to go to bed
actual – present, current
actualidad (f.) – present time
acudir (a) – to attend, to be present, to go/to come (to the rescue)
acuerdo – agreement; estar de acuerdo – to be in agreement; ponerse de acuerdo – to reach an agreement
adelantarse (a) – to get ahead in (of), to surpass
adelgazar – to grow thin
ademán (m.) – gesture
además (de) – besides, in addition (to), furthermore
adentro – inside, within
adinerado – wealthy
adivinar – to guess
adorar – to worship, to adore, to idolize, to love
aduana (s.) – customs
advertir (ie) – to warn
aferrado – diehard, attached to, fixed to
afuera – outside
afueras (f. pl.) – outskirts, suburbs
agosto – August
agotado – exhausted, sold out
agotar – to exhaust, to deplete
agradar – to please
agradecer – to thank, to be thankful for
agregar – to add
agrio – sour
agua (but el agua) – water
águila (but el águila) – eagle
aguantar – to tolerate, to stand, to bear
ahí – there
ahora – now; ahora mismo – right now (Sp.); ahorita – right now (L.A.)
ahorrar – to save (money)
aislar – to isolate
ajedrez (m.) – chess
ajiaco – soup of chicken, potatoes and rice, especially of Colombia
ajo – garlic
al (contraction of a + el) – to the; al + inf. – upon/on doing something
ala (but el ala) – wing
alabar – to praise
alambre (de púa) (m.) – (barbed) wire
alcalde/-ese – mayor
alcanzar – to reach, to manage (to)
alcoba – bedroom
aldea – village
alegrarse (de) – to be happy (about), to make happy, to become happy
alegre – happy
alemán (m.) – German (lang.)
alemán/-ana – German
Alemania – Germany
alfabetismo – literacy
alfombra – rug
algo – something, anything
algodón (m.) – cotton
alguien – someone, anyone
alguno – some, any; alguna vez – sometime, ever
allá – there (distant), (way) over there
allí – there
almacén (m.) – department store, warehouse
almohada – pillow
almorzar (ue) – to eat lunch
almuerzo – lunch
alojamiento – lodging
alojarse – to lodge, to stay, to house
alquilar – to rent
alquiler (m.) – rent
alrededor de – around
altibajos (m. pl.) – ups and downs
alto – tall
alumno/-a – student
ama de casa (but el ama de casa) – homemaker
amanecer – to get light, to wake up early, to wake up (in a place)
amansar – to tame
amar – to love
amargo – bitter
amargor (m.) – bitterness
amargura – bitterness
amarillo – yellow
ambiente (m.) – atmosphere; medio ambiente – atmosphere
ambos- both
amenaza – threat
amenazar (con) – to threaten (with, to)
ameno – pleasant
a menos que – unless
amigo/-a – friend
amistad (f.) – friendship, friend
amistoso – friendly
amor (m.) – love
amueblar – to furnish
anaranjado – orange (color)
ancho – wide
anchura – width
anciano/-a (n.) – old person; (adj.) old, ancient
andar – to walk, to go; andar en bicicleta – to ride a bicycle
andino – Andean
anfitrión/-ona – host, hostess
angosto – narrow
anillo – ring
animarse (a) – to encourage (to)
aniquilar – to annihilate
anoche – last night
anochecer – to get dark, to stay up late, to go to bed (in a place)
anotar – to note down, to jot down
Antártida – Antarctica
ante – before, in the face of; ante todo – above all
anteayer – the day before yesterday
antemano – beforehand
anteojos (m. pl.) – eyeglasses
antepasado/-a – ancestor
antes – before, sooner; antes (de) que (conj.) – before; cuanto antes – as soon as possible
anticipación: con anticipación – beforehand, ahead of time
antigüedad (f.) – Lesser Antilles
antipático – unpleasant
añadir – to add
año – year; años treinta, cuarenta, etc. – the thirties, forties, etc.; tener…años – to be…years old
añorar – to miss
apagar – to turn off (appliance, lights)
aparecer – to appear, to show up
apegado (a) – attached (to)
apellido – surname, last name
apenas – barely, scarcely
aplazar – to postpone
apodo – nickname
apoyar – to support
apoyo – support
apreciar – to esteem, to hold in esteem, to appreciate
aprender – to learn
aprendizaje (m.) – learning, apprenticeship
apresurarse – to hurry (up)
apretar (ie) – to squeeze, to press
aprobar (ue) – to pass (an exam), to approve
apuntar – to write down, to note down, to aim, to point, to point to, to point out, to point at
apuntes (m. pl.) – notes
aquel/-la (adj) – that (distant); (pron) – that one (distant)
aquí – here
araña – spider
árbol (m.) – tree
arbusto – bush
arcada – arch, archway
arder – to burn
ardiente – passionate, burning
arena – sand
arma (f. but el arma) – weapon
armario – closet
arrastrar – to drag
arrebatar – to carry away; to snatch, to seize
arreglar – to arrange, to repair, to fix
arrepentirse – to repent
arriesgar(se) – to risk
arroz (m.) – rice
asar – to roast; bien asado – well done (meat)
ascenso – promotion, ascent
ascensor (m.) – elevator
asco: dar asco a – to be repulsive to
asegurar – to assure
asemejarse – to resemble
asesinar – to murder, to assassinate
asesinato – murder, assassination
asesino/-a – murderer
así (que) – so, thus,; así que – so, therefore, consequently
asiático – Asian
asiento – seat
asimismo – likewise
asistir (a) – to attend
asombrar – to astonish
asombro – astonishment
astro – star
asunto – matter, issue, question
asustar(se) – to scare, to frighten, to be scared/frightened
atardecer – to become late, to draw toward evening
atender (ie) – to pay attention to, to take care of, to look after
Atenas – Athens
aterrizar – to land (airplane)
atracar – to hold up; to dock
atraco – hold-up, mugging
atraer – to attract
atrás – backward, back
atrasarse – to be late, to be behind schedule
atreverse (a) – to dare (to)
atrevido – bold, daring
aumentar – to increase, to augment
aumento – to increase, to augment
aumento – increase, raise
aun – even
aún – still, yet
aunque – although
austríaco – Austrian
autobús (m.) – bus
autopista – highway
auxilio – help, aid, assistance, relief; primeros auxilios – first aid
avanzar – to advance
ave (f.) (but el ave) – bird
averiguar – to find out
avión (m.) – airplane
avisar – to notify, to inform, to let know
ayer – yesterday
ayuda – help
ayudante (m., f.) – helper
ayudar – to help
azúcar (m.) – sugar
azucarero (adj.) – sugar, pertaining to sugar
azul – blue
azuzar – to rouse, to stir up, to incite
B
bahía – bay
bailar – to dance
bailarín/-ina – dancer
baile (m.) – dance
bajar (de) – to get off (of), to get down (from); to lower, to drop
bajo (adj.) – short; (prep.) under, below
bala – bullet
balde: en balde – in vain
balneario – beach resort
bancarrota – bankruptcy
banco – bank; bench
bandeja – tray
banquero/-a – banker
bañar(se) – to bathe
baño – bath, bathroom
barato – cheap, inexpensive
barba – beard
barco – ship, boat
barrer – to sweep
barrio – neighborhood, suburb
barroco – baroque; (fig.) – elaborate, ornate
bastante – quite, enough, rather, sufficient
bastar – to be enough, to be sufficient, to suffice
bastón (m.) – cane
batalla – battle
baúl (m.) – trunk
bautizar – to baptize
bautizo – baptism
beber – to drink
bebida – beverage, drink
beca – scholarship
beisbolista (m., f.) – baseball player
belleza – beauty
bello – beautiful
bendecir – to bless
besar – to kiss
beso – kiss
biblioteca – library
bibliotecario/-a – librarian
bien (adv.) – well; si bien (conj.) – although; no bien – as soon as
bienes (pl.) – possessions, goods, property
bienestar (m.) – well-being
bigote (m.) – mustache
billete (m.) – ticket; bill (currency)
biólogo/-a – biologist
blanco – white
blancor (m.) – whiteness
blancura – whiteness
blancuzco – whitish
boca – mouth
boda – wedding
boleto – ticket
bolígrafo – pen
bolsa – bag, sack; (u.c.) – stock market
bolsillo – pocket
bolso – purse, handbag
bomba – pump, bomb
bombero/-a – firefighter
bombilla – light bulb
bondad (f.) – goodness, kindness
bonito – pretty
boricua – Puerto Rican
borracho – drunk
bosque (m.) – woods, forest
bostezar – to yawn
botánica – botany
botella – bottle
bragas (f. pl.) – breeches; panties
bragueta – fly (of pants)
brasileño – Brazilian
brazo – arm
breve – short, brief
brindar – to toast, to offer
broma – joke
broncearse – to tan oneself
brujo/-a – witch
buenaventura – good fortune, good luck
bueno – good
burlarse (de) – to make fun (of)
buscar – to search for, to look for
búsqueda – search
C
caballo – horse
cabello – hair
caber – to fit, to be contained in
cabeza – head
cabo – cape
cabra – goat
cachorro/-a – puppy
cada – each, every
cadena – chain
cadera – hip
caducar – to grow old, to become senile, to lapse, to become void
caduco – old, senile, lapsed, expired
caer(se) – to fall (down); caerle bien/mal a uno – to have a good/bad impression of someone
café (m.) coffee; café; color de café (adj.) – brown
caída – fall
caja – box; cash registrar; caja registrado – cash register
cajero/-a – cashier
cajón (m.) – drawer
calabaza – squash, pumpkin
calcetines (pl.) – socks
calefacción (f.) – heat, heating
calentar (ie) – to heat (up), to warm (up)
caliente – warm, hot
calificación – grade; qualification
callado – quiet, silent
callarse – to be quiet, to shut up
calle (f.) – street
callejuela – alley
calor (m.) – heat; hace calor – it’s warm/hot; tener calor – to be (feel) warm
caluroso – hot, warm
cama – bed; guarder cama – to stay in bed
camarero/-a – waiter, waitress
cambiar – to change; cambiar de idea – to change one’s mind
cambio – change, rate of exchange; en cambio – on the other hand
caminar – to walk
camino – road, way
camión – truck
camisa – shirt
camiseta – T shirt
campaña – campaign
campesino/-a – farm worker, peasant
campestre (adj.) – country, rural
campo – country, countryside
canadiense – Canadian
canal – channel; canal
canción (f.) – song
cansado – tired
cansancio – tiredness
cansarse – to get tired
cantante (m., f.) – singer
cantar – to sing
caña – cane, reed
capa – layer
capaz – capable
capítulo – chapter
cara – face
cárcel (f.) – jail
carecer – to lack
carente – lacking
carga – load
cargamento – load
cargar – to charge (to an account), to load
cargo – charge, position; estar a cargo – to be in charge
caribeño – Caribbean
carie (f.) – cavity
cariño – affection
carne (f.) – meat, flesh
carnicería – butcher shop
carnicero/-a – butcher
carnet de conducir (m.) – driver’s license
caro – expensive, dear
carrera – race, career
carretera – highway
carta – letter; playing card; chart
cartera – wallet
cartero/-a – letter carrier
casa – house; casa particular – private house
casado – married; recién casado – newlywed
casarse (con) – to get married (to), to marry
casco – helmet
casi – almost
caso: hacer caso – to take notice of, to pay attention to, to heed
casquete (m.) – yarmulke, skull cap, cap
castaño (adj.) – chestnut, brown, hazel
castellano – Castilian, Spanish (lang.);(adj.) of or pertaining to the province of Castilla
castigar – to punish
castigo – punishment
catalán (m.) – Catalan (lang.); (adj.) – pertaining to Catalonia (región of Sp.)
catarata – waterfall
catorce – fourteen
caucásico – Caucasian
Cayo Hueso – Key West
cazar – to hunt
cebiche (m.) (also ceviche, seviche) – marinated fish dish, especially of Peru
celos (pl.) – jealousy; tener celos – to be jealous
celoso – jealous
cena – dinner, supper, evening meal
cenar – to dine, to eat (have) dinner/supper/evening meal
ceniza – ash; miércoles de ceniza – Ash Wednesday
censura – censorship
centavo – cent
céntrico – central
centro – center, center of city, downtown, uptown; centro comercial – shopping mall
cepillar(se) – to brush
cerca – near, nearby; cerca de – close to; de cerca – close up, from a short distance
cercano – close, nearby
cerebro – brain
cero – zero
cerradura – lock
cerrar (ie) – to shut, to close; cerrar con llave – to lock
certero – certain, accurate
cerveza – beer
cesar – to stop, to cease
césped (m.) – lawn, grass
ceviche (m.) (also cebiche, seviche) – marinated fish dish, especially in Peru
chaqueta – jacket
charlar – to chat, to talk
chibcha – Chibcha (indigenous lang. of Columbia)
chico/-a – boy/girl; (adj.) small
Chipre – Cyprus
chisme (m.) – gossip
chiste (m.) – joke
chocar (con) – to collide (with), to crash, to shock
choque (m.) – collision, shock
choza – hut
ciegas: a ciegas – blindly
ciego – blind
cielo – sky, heaven
cien(to) – one hundred; por ciento – percent
ciencia – science; ciencia ficción – science fiction
científico/-a – scientist
cierto – (a) certain, true
cifra – number, figure, cipher
cinco – five
cincuenta – fifty
cine (m.) – movie theater
cineasta (m., f.) – movie director, film maker, film director
cinta – tape; ribbon
cinturón (m.) – belt
cirugía – surgery
cisne (m.) – swan
cita – appointment, date
ciudad (f.) – city
ciudadanía – citizenship
ciudadano/-a – citizen
ciudadela – fortress
claro – bright, clear; claro que sí – of course
clase (f.) – class, kind; clase media – middle class; sala de clase – classroom
clave (f.) – key (fig.)
clima (m.) – climate
coartada – alibi
cobarde (m., f.) – coward
cobrar – to cash (a check), to charge (for a service)
coche (m.) – car, coach
cocina – kitchen, cuisine, cooking
cocinar – to cook
cocinero/-a – cook
coger – to take hold of, to catch, to seize, to grasp, to pick, to gather (fruit, etc.)
cognado – cognate (gram.)
cola – line, glue, tail; hacer cola – to stand in line
colegio – high school; college (occasionally)
colina – hill
colgar (ue) – to hang
collar (m.) – necklace
colocar – to place, to put
colón – currency of Costa Rica and El Salvador
Colón, Cristóbal – Christopher Columbus
colono/-a – colonist
comedor (m.) – dining room
comenzar (ie) – to begin, to start
comer – eat
comercio – business, commerce
comestibles (m. pl.) – food
cometer – to commit
comida – food, meal, evening meal
comienzo – beginning
como – like, how, as, because; así como – as well as; como si – as if; tan pronto como – as soon as
¿cómo? – how? why?; ¡cómo no! – of course
cómodo – comfortable
comoquiera – however
comparecer – to appear
compartir – to share
competir – to compete
complejo – complex
comportarse bien/mal – to behave well/badly
compositor/-a – composer
compra – purchase; ir de compras – to go shopping
comprar- to buy
comprender – to understand
comprometer(se) – to compromise, to bind, to pledge (oneself)
compromiso – commitment, compromise
común – common, usual, ordinary
con – with
concebir – to conceive
concluir – to conclude
concordar (ue) – to agree
condición: a condición de que – provided that
conducir – to drive, to conduct, to guide, to lead
conducto – (water) pipe
conductor/-a – driver, conductor
conferencia – lecture, talk
confianza – confidence, trust
conferencia – lecture, talk
confiar (en) – to confide, to trust (in)
confidencia – secret; secret or confidential information
conformarse con – to conform to
conforme – conformist, similar, in agreement; conforme a – in accordance with
congelado – frozen, very cold
congelar – to freeze
conmigo – with me
conocer – to know, to be acquainted/familiar with
conocido/-a – acquaintance; (adj.) known, well-known
conocimiento – knowledge
conseguir – to get, to obtain, to manage (to)
consejero/-a – adviser, counselor
consejo – (piece of) advice
consigo – with him(self), with her(self), with you (yourself)
constipado – stuffed-up, suffering from a cold
construir – to build, construct
contador/-a – accountant
contar (ue) – to count, to tell
contener – to contain
contenido – content(s)
contestar – to answer, to contest
contigo – with you
contra – against
contradanza – Spanish contra dance
contraer – to contract
contrariado – upset
convencer – to convince
convener – to be advisable/suitable, to suit, to be appropriate
convivir – to coexist, to cohabit
copa – alcoholic drink
corazón (m.) – heart
corbata – tie (clothing)
cordillera – mountain range
córdoba (m.) – currency of Nicaragua
coreano (adj.) – Korean
coro – choir, chorus
corona – crown, wreath
corredor/-a de bolsa – stockbroker
corregir (i) – to correct
correo – mail; correo electrónico – e-mail; oficina de correos – post office
correr – to run
corrida de toros – bullfight
corriente – current, present; standard, common; running
cortar – to cut
corte (f.) – court
cortés – courteous
cortina – curtain
corto – short
cosa – thing
cosecha – harvest
cosechar – to harvest
coser – to sew
costa – cost, coast
costar (ue) – to cost
costarricense – Costa Rican
costero – coastal
costurero/-a – tailor, seamstress
costumbre (f.) – custom
cotidiano – daily
crear – to create
crecer – to grow (up)
creciente – growing, increasing
crecimiento – growth
creencia – belief
creer – to believe
criado/-a – servant, maid
criar(se) – to rear, to grow up, to be raised
criollo – Creole
cresol (m.) – melting pot
crítica – criticism, critique
cronista (m., f.) – chronicler
crudo – raw
cruzar – to cross
cuaderno – notebook
cuál/es – which; el cual, la cual, los cuales, las cuales – which; por lo cual – because of which
¿cuál/es? – which?, what?
cualquier(a) – any, (anyone)
cuando – when; de ve en cuando – from time to time
¿cuándo? – when?
Cuanto – en cuanto – as soon as; cuanto antes – as soon as possible; en cuanto a – regarding, as for
¿cuánto/-a? – how much?
¿cuántos/-as? – how many?
cuarenta – forty
cuarto – four
cuatrocientos – four hundred
cubierto (p.p) – covered
cubrir – to cover
cuchara – spoon
cucharada – spoonful
cuchillo – knife
cuello – neck
cuenca – river basin, basin, bowl
cuenta – check, bill, account; darse cuenta de – to realice, to become aware of; tener/tomar en cuenta – to keep in mind, to take into account
cuentista (m., f.) short story writer
cuento – story, short story
cuerda – rope, cord
cuerdo – sane
cuero – leather
cuerpo – body
cuestión (f.) – issue, question
cuidado – care; con cuidado – carefully
cuidar (a, de) – to care (for), to take care (of)
culpa – blame, fault
culto (adj.) – learned, erudite, cultivated
culto (n.) – worship service; cult
cumbre (f.) – summit, high point
cumpleaños (s.) – birthday
cumplir – to accomplish, to fulfill; cumplir años – to have a birthday
cuñado/-a – brother-/sister-in-law
cuota – fee, quota
cura (m.) – priest
cuyo – whose
D
danés (m.) – Danish (lang.)
daño – harm; hacer daño – to harm; hacerse daño – to hurt oneself
dar – to give; dar a – to face; darse con – to run into; dar un paseo – to take a walk/ride; dar a conocer – to become known; dar lo mismo a + (person) – to make no difference to (someone), to be all the same to (someone); dar fruto – to bear fruit; darse por vencido – to surrender, to give up; dar a luz – to give birth
datar – to date
de – of, from, about; de todo – everything
¿de quién/-es? – whose?
debajo de – underneath
deber (n., m.) – responsibility, obligation
deber (v.) – to owe; deber + inf. – should
debido a – due to
débil – weak
décimo – tenth
decimonónico (adj.) – nineteenth-century
decir – to say, to tell
decretar – to decree
dedo – finger
dedo del pie – toe
deducir – to deduce
dejar – to leave (behind), to abandon, to let, to permit; dejar + de + inf. – to stop doing something, to fail to do something
del (contraction of de + el) – of the, from the
delante – in front, ahead; delante de – in front of
delatar – to denounce, to inform on
deletreo – spelling
delgado – thin
delito – crime
demás: los/las demás – the others, the rest
demasiado (adv.) – too, too much; (adj.) too much, too many
demonio – demon, devil
demora – delay
demorar – to delay
demostrar (ue) – to demonstrate
denominación (f.) – designation, title
denominar – to name, to designate
dentro de – inside, within
denuncia – accusation, denunciation
departamento – department, apartment
deporte (m.) – sport
deportista (n., m., f.) – sportsman/-woman; (adj.) sports-minded
deprimente – depressing
deprimir – to depress
derecha – right; a la derecho (de) – to the right (of)
derechista – right-wing
derecho (n.) – right, law; (adj.) – right; todo derecho – straight ahead
derramar – to spill
derrocamiento – overthrow
derrocar – to overthrow, to oust, to topple
derrota – to defeat
desafortunadamente – unfortunately
desagradable – unpleasant, disagreeable
desagradar – to displease
desaparecer – to disappear, to make disappear, to hide
desaparición (f.) – disappearance
desarrollo – development
desayunar(se) – to eat (have) breakfast
desayuno – breakfast
descansar – to rest
descarga – unloading
descargar – to unload
descendencia – descendants, lineage
descomponer – to break down, to decompose
descompuesto (p.p) – broken down
desconocer – to not know, to be ignorant of
desconocido(p.p.) (adj.) – unknown; (n.) – unknown person, stranger
descortés – discourteous
describir – to describe
descrito (p.p.) – described
descubierto (p.p.) – discovered
descubrimiento – discovery, poner al descubierto – to discover
descubrir – to discover
desde – from, since, after; desde luego – immediately; of course
desdeñar – to disdain, to deprecate
desear – to desire, to wish, to want
desempacar – to unpack
desempeñar – to play (a role), to act, to perform
desempleo – unemployment
desenterrar (ie) – to exhume, to disinter
deseo – desire, wish
desesperación – desperation, anger
deshacer – to undo
desgracia – misfortune; por desgracia – unfortunately
desgraciado – unfortunate
desigualdad (f.) – inequality
desilusión (f.) – disillusionment
desinflado: llanta desinflada – flat tire
desistir – to give up, to desist
desmayarse – to faint
desmentir (ie) – to disprove, to prove false
desnudo – naked, nude
desobedecer – to disobey
desocupado – unoccupied
desordenado – disorganized, messy
despacio – slowly
despectivo – pejorative, derogatory
despedida – farewell, good-bye
despedir(se) (de) – to dismiss, to fire, (to say good-bye, to take leave of)
despertador (m.) – alarm clock
despertar(se) (ie) – to wake (oneself) up
despierto – awake, clever
despreciar – to scorn, to look down on, to disdain, to deprecate
desprecio – disdain
después – after, afterwards, later; después de – after
destacar – to stand out
destino – destiny, destination
destruir – to destroy
desventaja – disadvantage
desviar – to deviate, to divert, to turn away
detener (like tener) – to stop, to arrest, to detain
detrás de – behind
devolución (f.) – return
devolver (ue) – to return (something)
día (m.) day; día feriado – holiday; todos los días – every day; hoy (en) día – nowadays
diario – newspaper, diary; (adj.) daily
dibujar – to draw, to outline, to sketch, to portray
dibujo – drawing, sketch, outline
dicha – luck, happiness, good fortune
dicho – saying, proverb; (p.p., adj.) – said, above-mentioned
dichoso – lucky, fortunate
diciembre – December
dictadura – dictatorship
diecinueve – nineteen
dieciocho – eighteen
dieciséis – sixteen
diecisiete – seventeen
diente (m.) – tooth
diez – ten
diezmar – to decimate, to tithe
diferencia: a diferencia de – unlike
difícil – difficult, hard; es difícil que – it’s unlikely that
dificultad – difficulty
difunto/-a (n.) – deceased, dead person; (adj.) dead
dignarse – to deign
dignidad (f.) – dignity
Dinamarca – Denmark
dinastía – dynasty
dinero – money
dios/-a – god/goddess; por Dios – for heaven’s sake
dirección (f.) – address, direction
dirigir – to drive, to direct
disco – record, disk; disco duro – hard drive
disculpa – excuse, apology
disculpar(se) – to pardon, to excuse (oneself)
discusión (f.) – argument, discussion
discutible – debatable, questionable
discutir – to argue, to discuss
diseñador/-a – designer
diseñar – to design
diseño – design
disfraz (m.) – costume, disguise
disfrutar (de) – to enjoy
disgustar – to be displeasing, to dislike
disminuir – to diminish, to lower
disparar – to shoot, to fire
disponible – available
dispuesto – disposed, ready, inclined
distinguir – to distinguish
distinto – different
distraer – to distract
distraído – absent minded, distracted
distribuir – to distribute
divertido – amusing, funny
divertir (ie) – to amuse; divertirse – to have a good time
doblado – dubbed
doce – twelve
docena – dozen
doctorado – doctorate
doler (ue) – to hurt, to ache
dolor (m.) – pain, ache
domingo – Sunday
don – titles of respect used with man’s first name
donde – where
¿dónde? – where; ¿adónde? – to where, where… to?; ¿de dónde? – from where?
dondequiera – wherever
doña – title of respect used with woman’s first name
dorado – golden, gilded
dormir (ue) – to sleep; dormirse – to fall asleep
dormitorio – bedroom
dos – two; dos veces – twice
doscientos – two hundred
dramaturgo/-a – playwright
dotar – to endow
duda – doubt
dudar – to doubt; no hay duda – there’s no doubt; sin duda – without a doubt
dudoso – doubtful
dueño/-a – owner, proprietor, landlord/landlady
dulce (n.,m.) – candy, sweet; (adj.) sweet
dulzura – sweetness
duradero – long-lasting, enduring
durante – during
duro – hard
E
e – and
echar – to throw (out), to expel; echarse + a + inf. – to begin (to do something); echar una carta – to mail a letter; echar de menos – to miss; echar a perder – to ruin
edad (f.) – age
edificio – building
editorial (f.) – publishing house
educado: bien educado – well-mannered; mal educado – ill-mannered
educar – to teach, to educate; to bring up, to rear
educativo – educational
efectivo – cash; en efectivo – in cash
efecto: en efecto – actually, really, in fact, indeed
eficacia – effectiveness, efficacy
eficaz – effective, efficacious
Egipto – Egypt
ejemplar (m.) – sample, copy
ejemplificar – to exemplify
ejercer – to exercise (influence); to practice (profession)
ejercicio – exercise
ejército – army
el (def. art.) – the
él (sub. pron.) – he, it
elegir (i) – to elect
elevar – to raise, to increase, to elevate
ella (sub. pron.) – she, it
ello (sub. pron., prep. obj. pron.) – it, that
ellos/-as (sub. pron.) – they; (prep. obj. pron.) them
elogiar – to praise
embalsamar – to embalm
embarazada – pregnant
embarazo – pregnancy
embargo: sin embargo – however, nevertheless
emblanquecer(se) – to whiten, (to become white)
emisora – broadcasting station
emocionante – exciting
empacar – to pack
emparejar – to match
emperador/-a – emperor/empress
empezar (ie) – to begin
empleado/-a – employee
emplear – to employ, to use
empleo – employment, job
empobrecer(se) – to impoverish (to become poor)
emprender – to undertake
empresa – business, firm; enterprise, undertaking
empujar – to push
empuje (m.) – push
en – in, on; en casa – at home; en caso de que – in case; en cuanto – as soon as; en fin – in short; en punto – on the dot; en seguida – right away, immediately; en vez de – instead of
enaltecer – to exalt, to extol, to praise
enamorado/-a – sweetheart, boyfriend/girlfriend; (adj.) – in love
enamorarse – to fall in love
encabezar – to lead, to head
encantado – enchanted, delighted; pleased to meet you
encantador – charming, delightful
encantar – to like very much, to enchant, to charm, to fascinate
encanto – fascination, delight
encarcelar – to imprison
encargado/a – person in charge
encargar – to put in charge, to entrust
encender (ie) – turn on, to light
enchufar – to plug in
enchufe (m.) – plug, socket; connection
encima de – on top of
encomendar (ie) – to entrust
encontrar (ue) – to find, to encounter; to be, to feel; to be located, to find oneself; encontrarse con – to meet (someone somewhere), to get together with
en cuanto a – as to, regarding
encuentro – encounter
endurecer(se) – to harden (to become hard)
enero – January
enfadarse – to anger, to get angry
énfasis (m., f.) – emphasis
enfatizar – to emphasize
enfermarse – to get sick
enfermedad (f.) – illness
enfermero/-a – nurse
enfermo – sick, ill
enflaquecer(se) – to make thin (to become thin)
enfocar – to focus
enfoque (m.) – focus
enfrentar – to confront
enfrente de – in front of; de enfrente – opposite, facing
enfriar(se) – to cool (to become cool/cold)
engañar – to deceive
engañoso – deceptive
engordar – to fatten, to become fat
enloquecer(se) – to go crazy, to madden (to go crazy/mad)
enmienda – amendment
ennegrecer(se) – to blacken (to become black)
enojar(se) – to anger (to get angry)
enorgullecer(se) – to make proud (to become proud, to pride oneself)
enriquecer(se) – to enrich (to become rich)
ensalada – salad
ensayo – trial, rehearsal, attempt, essay
enseñanza – teaching
enseñar – to teach
entender (ie) – to understand
enterarse (de) – to find out (about)
entero – whole, entire
enterrar (ie) – to bury, to inter
entonces – then; en aquel/ese entonces – in/at that period of time; para entonces – by then
entrada – entrée, entrance, ticket
entrar (a, en) – to enter, to go in/into
entre – between, among
entrega – delivery
entregar – to deliver, to hand in
entrenar – to train
entretanto – meanwhile
entretener (like tener) – to entertain
entrevista – interview
entrevistador/-a – interviewer
entristecer(se) – to sadden (to become sad)
entrometido – meddlesome
envejecer – to age, to make old, to grow old
enviar – to send
envidia – envy
envolver – to wrap
época – epoch, era, time
equilibrado – balanced
equipaje (m.) – luggage
equipo – team; set
equis – X (letter); rayo equis – X-ray
equivaler – to be equivalent, to equal
equivocación (f.) – mistake
equivocarse – to make a mistake
esbozo – sketch
escabechado – marinated
escalar – to climb
escalera – staircase, stairs, ladder
escaño – seat (elected office)
escarpado – rugged
escasez (f.) – scarcity
escaso – scarce, scant
escena – scene
escenario – scenario, setting
esclarecer – to make clear, to clarify, to lighten
esclavitud (f.) – slavery
esclavo/-a – slave
esclusa – lock (canal)
Escocia – Scotland
escoger – to choose
esconder(se) – to hide, to conceal (to hide oneself)
escondidas: a escondidas – secretly, on the sly
escondite (m.) – hiding place
escribir – to write; máquina de escribir – typewriter
escrito (p.p) – written; escritos (n., m. pl.) – writings
escritor/-a – writer
escuchar – to listen (to)
escuela – school; escuela secundaria – high school
escultor/-a – sculptor
escultura – sculpture
ese/-a (adj.) – that; (pron.) that one
esforzarse (ue) (en) – to make an effort (to)
esfuerzo – effort
eso (pron.) – that
esos/-as (adj.) – those; (pron.) – those ones
espacio – space
espalda – back
espantar – to frighten, to scare
espantoso – frightening
España – Spain
español (m.) – Spanish (lang.)
español/-a (n.) – Spaniard; (adj.) – Spanish
especialización (f.) – major, specialization
especializarse – to major, to specialize
especie (f.) – species, class, type
especificar – to specify
espejo – mirror
espera – wait; sala de espera – waiting room
esperanza – hope
esperar – to wait, to hope, to expect
espeso – thick, rich
espíritu (m.) – spirit
esposa/a – husband/wife, spouse
esquiar – to ski
esquina – corner
estable (adj.) – stable
estabilidad (f.) – stability
establecer – to establish
establecimiento – establishment
estación (f.) – season, station
estacionamiento – parking, parking lot
estacionar – to park
estadía – stay
estado – state; estado libre asociado – commonwealth
Estados Unidos – United States
estadounidense (n., m., f. n.) – American, U.S. native; (adj.) from or pertaining to the United States
estallar – to break out (war); to crash (airplane)
estampilla – stamp
estancia – stay; cattle ranch; country house
estanco – tobacco shop/stand
estante (m.) – shelf
estar – to be
estatal (adj.) – state
este/-a (adj.) – this; (pron.); er…uh… (hesitation word) (L.A.); this one; esta noche – tonight
este (n., m.) – east
estimado – dear, esteemed
esto (pron.) this; er… uh… (hesitation word (Sp.))
Estocolmo – Stockholm
estómago – stomach
estornudar – to sneeze
estos (adj.) – these; (pron.) – these
estrecho (adj.) – narrow, tight
estrecho (n.) – straight
estrella – star
estreno – debut, premiere
estrés (m.) – stress
estribar – to rest on, to be based on
estructuración (f.) – construction, organization
estudiante (m., f.) – student
estudiantil (adj.) – student
estudiar – to study
estudio – study
estudioso – studious
etapa – stage
euskera (m.) – Basque (lang.)
evaluar – to evaluate
evitar – to avoid
examen – test, examen
exigente – demanding
exigir – to demand
exiliado/-a – exile (person)
exiliarse – to exile oneself
exilio – exile
éxito – success; tener éxito – to be successful; gran éxito de venta – best-seller
exitoso – successful
experiencia – experiment; experience
experimentar – to experience; to experiment
explicación (f.) – explanation
explicar – to explain
explorar – to explore
explotar – to exploit
expulsar – to expel
extinto – extinct
extranjero – abroad, overseas
extranjero/-a (n.) – foreigner; (adj.) – foreign
extrañar – to miss (a person, place)
extrañarse – to be surprised, to be puzzled, to be in wonder
extrañeza – strangeness
extraño/-a (adj.) – strange; (n.) – stranger, foreigner
F.
fábrica – factory
fabricar – to manufacture, to fabricate
fachada – façade
fácil – easy; es fácil que – it’s likely that
facilidad (f.) – facility, ease; con facilidad – easily
factura – bill, invoice
facturar – to check (luggage)
facultad (f.) – college (of a university)
falda – skirt
fallar – to fail, to be unsuccessful
fallecer – to succumb, to die
falta – lack, absence; error, mistake
faltar – to be lacking/missing/absent, to miss
familiar (n., m., f.) – family member; (adj.) pertaining to the family
fantasma (m.) – ghost
farmacéutico/-a – pharmacist
favor: por favor – please
febrero – February
fecha – date; fecha límite – deadline
felicidad (f.) – happiness
felicitaciones (f. pl.) – congratulations
feligrés/-esa (m. f.) – parishioner
feliz – happy
feo – ugly
feria (adj.) – fair
feriado: día feriado – holiday
feroz – ferocious
ferrocarril (m.) – railroad
festivo: día festivo – holiday
fiarse (de) – to trust (in)
ficticio – fictional
fiebre – fever
fijarse (en) – to notice, to pay attention (to)
fijo – fixed, stationary; precio fijo – fixed price
filósofo/-a – philosopher
fin (m., f.) – end; a fin de – in order that, so that; a fines de – at the end of; el fin de semana – weekend; por fin- finally
financiero – financial
finanzas (f. pl.) – finances
finca – farm
fingir – to pretend
firma – signature
firmar – to sign, to autograph
flaco – skinny, thin
flaqueza – thinness, weakness
flamenco – Flemish
flan (m.) – custard
flauta – flute
flecha – arrow
fletar – to charter
flor (f.) – flower
florecer – to flourish, to blossom
fondo – back, rear; bottom; bed (of a river, etc.); en el fondo – at the back, in the rear
fontanero/-a – plumber
forastero/a – stranger
forjar – to forge
forma: de todas formas – anyway
formulario – form (to fill out)
fortalecer – to strengthen, to fortify
fósforo – match (to light)
fotógrafo/-a – photographer
fracasar – to fail
fracaso – failure
francés (m.) – French (lang.)
francés/-esa (n.) – French person; (adj.) French
franquista – pertaining to government of Francisco Franco (Sp., 1939-1975)
frase (f.) – sentence, phrase
frecuencia – frequency; con frecuencia – frequently
freír (i) – to fry
frenos (m. pl.) – brakes
frente (f.) – forehead
fresco – fresh; cool (weather)
frijol (m.) – bean
frío (n.) – cold, coldness; (adj.) cold; hace frío – it’s cold; tener frío – to be cold
frito – fried; papa/patata frita – French fried potato (S.A., Sp., respectively)
frontera (n.) – border
fronterizo (adj.) – border, frontier
fruto – fruit; dar fruto – to bear fruit
fuego – fire
fuente (f.) – fountain, source
fuera (adv.) – outside; fuera de (prep.) – out of
fuerte (adj.) – strong; heavy (meal, food)
fuerte (n., m.) – fort
fuerza – force, strength
fugarse – to flee, to escape
fumador/-a – smoker
fumar – to smoke
funcionar – to work, function
fundar – to found
fundirse – to fuse
fútbol (m.) – soccer; fútbol americano – football
gafas (f. pl.) – eyeglasses; gafas del sol – sunglasses
Gales – Wales
gallego – Galician (lang.); gallego/-a (adj.) – Galician
gana – desire, hunger; tener ganas de + inf. – to feel like doing something
ganado (vacuno) – cattle, livestock
ganador/-a – winner
ganancia – profit, gain; (pl.) – earnings, winnings
ganar – to win, to earn, to gain
ganga – bargain
garganta – throat
garuar – to drizzle
gasolinera – gas station
gastar – to spend, to expend, to use
gasto – expense
gatas: a gatas – on all fours
gato/-a – cat
gemelo/-a – twin
general: por lo general – generally, usually
género – gender; genre; type
genio – genius
gente (f.) – people
gerencia – management
gerente (m., f.) – manager
gesto – gesture
gigantesco – gigantic
Ginebra – Geneva
gira – tour, excursion
gitano/-a (n.) – Gypsy; (adj.) – Gypsy
gobernar (ie) – to govern
gobierno – government
golfo – gulf, bay
goloso – sweet-toothed, gluttonous
golpe (m.) – blow, strike; golpe de estado – coup d’état; de golpe – suddenly
golpear – to hit, to strike
goma – rubber, tire
gordo – fat
gordura – fatness, fat, grease
gozar (de) – to enjoy
grabar – to tape
grabadora – tape recorder
gracias (f. pl.) – thanks; dar las gracias – to thank
gracioso – funny, comical
grado – degree
graduarse – to graduate
Gran Bretaña – Great Britain
gran, grande – big, large; great
grandeza – greatness, grandeur
granja – farm
granjero/-a – farmer
grasa – grease, fat
gratis – free, gratis
gratuito – free
grave – serious, grave
Grecia – Greece
griego – Greek (lang.)
griego (adj.) – Greek
gris – gray
grosero – rude, coarse, vulgar, discourteous
guante (m.) – glove
guaraní (m.) – Guarani (indigenous lang. of Paraguay)
guardar – to keep, to save, to guard; guardar cama – to stay in bed
guatemalteco – Guatemalan
guerra – war
guerrero/-a – warrior; (adj.) – war, war-like
guía (m., f.) – guide; (f.) guidebook
guión (m.) – script
guisante (m.) – pea
gustar – to like, to be pleasing
gusto – taste, preference, pleasure; con mucho gusto – pleased to meet you
H.
La Habana – Havana
haber: (inf. of hay – there is, there are); to have (aux. v. only)
hábil – skillful
habilidad (f.) – ability, skill
habitación (f.) – room
habitante (m., f.) – inhabitant, resident
habitar – to inhabit, to live
hablar – to speak
hacha (but el hacha) – ax
hace + time – ago; hace (present tense of hacer) + time + que + present tense – to have done something
hacer – to make, to do; hacerse – to become; hacer caso (a, de) – to heed, to pay attention (to); hacer cola – to stand in line; hacerse daño – to hurt oneself; hacer las maletas – to pack one’s suitcases; hacer un papel – to play a role; hacer una pregunta – to ask a question; hacer trampas – to cheat; hacer un viaje – to take a trip; ¿qué tiempo hace? – what’s the weather like?; hace buen/mal tiempo – the weather is good/bad; hace calor – it’s warm/hot; hace frío – it’s cold; hacer hincapié – to insist on, to stress, to emphasize
hacia – toward
hacía (imperfect tense of hacer) + time + que + imperfect tense – had done something
hallar – to find
hambre (f., but el hambre) – hunger; tener hambre – to be hungry
harto – tired
hasta (adv.) – even; (prep.) until, up to, as far as; hasta que (conj.) – until
hay – there is, there are; hay que + infinitive – it is necessary to (do something)
hazmerreír (m.) – laughingstock
hebreo – Hebrew (lang.)
hechizar – to bewitch
hecho (n.) – deed, fact; de hecho – in fact
hecho (p.p.) – done, made, taken
helado – ice cream
helar (ie) – to freeze
hembra – female
heredar – to inherit
heredero/-era – heir/heiress
herencia – inheritance; heritage
herida – wound, injury
herir (ie) – to injure, to wound
hermano/-a – brother/sister
hermoso – beautiful
hervir (ie) – to boil
hidalgo – nobleman
hielo – ice
hígado – liver
hijo/-a – son, daughter
hilo – thread
hincapié (m.): hacer hincapié en – to insist on, to stress, to emphasize
hipoteca – mortgage
hispanohablante (n.) – Spanish Speaker; (adj.) Spanish-speaking
historia – history, story
historiador/-a – historian
hogar (m.) – home
hoja – leaf; (sheet of) paper
hojear – to leaf through
hola – hello
holgazán/ana – lazy
hombre (m.) – man; hombre/mujer de negocios – businessman/-woman
hombro – shoulder
honrado – honest, upright
honrar – to honor
hora – time, hour
horario – schedule, timetable
hoy – today
huelga – strike (labor)
huella – trace, footstep
huérfano/-a – orphan
huerta – garden, orchard
hueso – bone
huésped/-a – guest
huevo – egg
huir – to flee
humedad (f.) – humidity
humor (m.): estar de buen/mal humor – to be in good/bad mood
húngaro/-a (adj.) – Hungarian
hurtadillas: a hurtadillas – stealthily, on the sly
I
ibérico (adj.) – Iberian
ida – departure; boleto de ida y vuelta – round-trip ticket
idioma (m.) – language
iglesia – church
ignorar – to be unaware/ignorant of, to not know
igual – same, equal; darle igual a uno – to be all the same to one
igualdad (f.) – equality
ileso – unhurt
imagen (f.) – image
impedir (i) – to stop, to impede, to prevent
imperio – empire
impermeable (m.) – raincoat
imponer – to impose
imprescindible – indispensable
impresionar – to impress
impreso (p.p.) – printed
impresora – printer
imprimir – to print
impuesto – tax
inaguantable – unbearable
incaico (adj.) – Inca, Incan
incendiar – to burn, to incinerate
incendio – fire
incertidumbre (f.) – uncertainty
incluir – to include
inclusive – including
incluso – including, even
inconcebible – inconceivable
incómodo – uncomfortable
inconforme – nonconformist, dissimilar
increíble – incredible
indeciso – indecisive
indefinido – indefinite
indirecta – hint
individuo (n.) – individual
indumentaria – clothes, clothing
inédito – unpublished
inesperado – unexpected
infeliz – unhappy
influir – to influence
influyente – influential
informática – computer science
informe (m.) – report
ingeniería – engineering
ingeniero/-a – engineering
ingeniero/-a – engineer
ingenuo – naive, innocent, ingenuous
inglés (m.) – English (lang.)
inglés/-esa (n.) – English person; (adj.) – English
ingresar – to join, to enter
injusto – unjust, unfair
inmediato – immediate; de inmediato – immediately
inolvidable – unforgettable
inquilino/-a – tenant
inscribirse – to register, to join, to enroll, to inscribe
intentar – to attempt, to try
intento – attempt
interés (m.) – interest
interesar – to interest, to be interesting
intérprete (m., f.) – interpreter
interrumpir – tp interrupt
intervenir – to intervene
íntimo – intimate, close (friend)
introvertido – introverted
inundación (f.) – flood, inundation
inundar – to flood, to inundation
invasor/-a – invader
inversión (f.) – investment; inversion
invertir (ie) – to invest, to invert
invierno – winter
invitado/-a – guest
invitar – to invite
inyección (f.) – shot, injection; poner una inyección – to give a shot/injection
ir – to go; irse – to go away; ir de compras – to go shopping; ir a parar – to end up
Irlanda – Ireland
irreal – unreal
isla – island
las Islas Malvinas – Falkland Islands
ístmico – isthmian, pertaining to an isthmus
izquierda (n.) – left-hand side; (adj.) left; a la izquierda – to the left
izquierdista (adj.) – leftist, left-wing
izquierdo (adj.) – left; levantarse con el pie izquierdo – to get up on the wrong side of the bed
J
jabón (m.) – soap
jactarse – to brag
jamás – ever, never
jamón (m.) – ham
jarabe (m.) – cough syrup
jardín (m.) – yard, garden
jefe/-a – boss
jerarquización (f.) – hierarchical arrangement
jerez (m.) – sherry
jornada – day’s journey; journey, trip
jota – J
joven (adj.) – young
joven (n., m., f.) – youth, young person
joya – jewel
joyero/-a – jeweler
joyería – jewelry store
jubilación (f.) – retirement
jubilarse – to retire
judío (adj.) – Jewish
judío/-a (n.) – Jew
juego – game
jueves – (m.) – Thursday
juez (m., f.) (also jueza, f.) – judge
jugador/-a – player
jugar (ue) – to play (game, sport)
jugo – juice
juicio – judgement, trial, verdict, sense; a mi juicio – in my opinion
julio – July
junio – June
junta – council, board, junta
juntarse – to assemble; to join, to unite
junto – together; junto a – next to
jurar – to swear
justo – just, fair
juvenil – youthful, juvenile
juventud (f.) – youth
juzgar – to judge
K
kiosco – kiosk
L
la (def. art.) – the; (d.o.) – her
ladino – Old Castilian (lang.)
lado – side; al lado de – next to; por un lado – on one hand; por otro lado – on the other hand; por todos lados – everywhere; por ningún lado – nowhere
ladrar – to bark
ladrillo – brick
ladrón/-ona (m.,f.) – thief
lagartija – lizard; rogue, rascal
lago – lake
lana – wool
lanzar – to throw; to launch
lápiz (m.) – pencil
largo – long; a lo largo de – throughout, along
lástima – pity, shame; es (una) lástima – it’s a pity, shame
lastimarse – to hurt oneself
lavadora – washing machine
lavandería – laundry
lavaplatos (m.s.) – dishwasher
lavar – to wash
lazo – bond, tie
le (i.o.) – to/for him, her, you (form.), it
leal – loyal
lección (f.) – lesson
leche (f.) – milk
lectura – reading
lechuga – lettuce
leer – to read
legumbre (f.) – vegetable
lejano – far, distant
lejos (adv.) – far, far-away; lejos de (prep.) – far from; a lo lejos – in the distance
lema (m.) – slogan
lempira (m.) – currency of Honduras
lengua – language, tongue
lenguaje (m.) – language, speech, idiom, jargon
lente (m.) – lens
lento – slow
leña – wood
les (i.o.) – to/for you (form. pl.), them
letra – handwriting, lyrics, letter (of alphabet)
letrero – sign
levantar – to raise, to lift; levantarse – to get up, to rise; levantarse con el pie izquierdo – to get up on the wrong side of the bed
ley (f.) – law
leyenda – legend
Líbano – Lebanon
libertad (f.) – liberty
libra – pound
libre – free; al aire libre – outdoors, in the open air
librería – bookstore
libro – book
licencia de manejar/conducir – driver’s license
licor (m.) – liquor
ligar – to attach, to tie, to link
ligero (adj.) – light
límite (m.) – boundary, limit; fecha límite – deadline
limón (m.) – lemon
limpiaparabrisas (m.s.) – windshield wiper
limpiar – to clean
limpio – clean
lindo – pretty
línea – line
Lisboa – Lisbon
listo – smart, clever; ready
llamada – call, telephone call
llamado – so-called
llamar – to call; llamarse – to be named/called
llano (adj.) – flat; (n.) – plain, flat land
llanta – tire; llanta desinflada – flat tire
llave (f.) – key
llegada – arrival
llegar – to arrive
llenar – to fill
lleno – full
llevar – to wear, to carry, to take, to lead; to have been (in a place for an amount of time); llevarse – to take/carry away; llevarse bien/mal – to get along well/badly
llorar – to cry
llover – to rain
llovizna – drizzle
lloviznar – to drizzle
lluvia – rain
lluvioso – rainy
lo (d.o.) – him; (neut. def. art.) the; lo bueno – the good part/thing; lo malo – the bad part/thing
lobo – wolf
local (m.) – place, site, building, locale
localizar – to find, to locate
loco – crazy
locura – madness, craziness
lograr – to achieve, to manage to (do something), to obtain
Londres – London
los (d.o.) – them, you (pl.); (def. art.) – the
lucha – struggle, fight
luchar – to struggle, to fight
luego – then, next, afterward, later; luego de (prep.) – after; hasta luego – until later, see you later
lugar (m.) – place; tomar lugar – to take place
lujo – luxury
lujoso – luxurious
lujuria – lust
luna – moon
lunes (m.) – Monday
luz (f.) – light
M
madera – wood
madre (f.) – mother
madrileño – inhabitant of Madrid; pertaining to Madrid
madrina – godmother
madrugada – dawn, early morning
madurez (f.) – maturity
maduro – maturity
maduro – mature
maestría – mastery, skill; master’s degree
maestro/-a – teacher, master, maestro; obra maestra – masterpiece
magia – magic
maíz (m.) – corn
mal (m., n.) – evil, disease, damage; (adv.) – badly, poorly
mal, malo (adj.) – bad
mala hierba – weed
malcriado – ill-mannered, rude
maldito – damned, accursed, perverse
maleta – suitcase; hacer las maletas – to pack one’s suitcase
mandar – to send, to order, to mandate; mandar hacer – to have (something) done (by another)
manejar – to drive, to manage, to govern
manera – manner, way; de manera que (conj.) – so that
manifestación (f.) – demonstration, manifestation
manifestante (m.,f.) – demonstrator
mano (f.) – hand; darse la mano – to shake hands
manso – tame
mantener (like tener) – to maintain, to keep, to support (financially)
mantequilla – butter
manzana – apple
mañana (n.) – morning; (adv.) tomorrow; pasado mañana – the day after tomorrow
mapuche (m.) – Mapuche/Araucanian (indigenous lang. of L. A.)
máquina – machine
mar (m., f.) – sea
maravilla – marvel, wonder
maravillarse – to marvel, to be surprised
maravilloso – marvelous
marca – brand
marcha – march, walk
marcharse – to go away, to leave
marfil (m.) – ivory
marido – husband
marinero/-a – sailor
marisco – shellfish
marrón – brown
Marruecos – Morocco
martes (m.) – Tuesday
Martinica – Martinique
marzo – March
mas – but
más – more
máscara – mask
mascota – pet
matar – to kill; matar a tiros – to shoot to death
mate: yerba mate – maté (tea, plant)
materia – subject (school); material
matrícula – tuition, registration, registration fee
matrimonio – married couple; marriage, matrimony
mayo – May
mayor – older, oldest; greater, greatest
mayoría – majority; la mayoría de + noun – most
mayúscula – capital letter
me (d.o., i.o., refl. pron.) – me, to/for me, myself
media: y media – half past, 30 minutes past
medianoche (f.) – midnight
mediante – by means of, through
medias (f., pl.) – stockings
médico/-a – physician, doctor
medida – measure; a medida que – as, at the same time as
medio (n.) – means, medium, middle; medio ambiente – environment; por medio de – by means of
medio (adj.) – half, middle, average
medioambiental – environmental
mediodía – noon
medios de comunicación – media
medir (i) – to measure
mejor – better, best; a lo mejor – at best, probably
mejorar(se) – to improve (to get better)
mencionar – to mention
menester – necessary
menguar – to lessen, to diminish
menor – younger, youngest; less, least; minus
menos – less, least, minus; al menos – at least; por lo menos – at least; a menos que – unless; echar de menos – to miss; lo de menos – the least of it
mensaje (m.) – message
mensajero/a – messenger
mensual – monthly
mensualidad (f.) – monthly installment/payment/allowance
mente (f.) – mind
mentir (ie) – to lie
mentira – lie
mentiroso/-a – liar
menudo: a menudo – often
mercado – market
merecer – to deserve
mes – month
mesa – table
mestizaje (m.) – quality of being mestizo or mixed-race
meta – goal
meter – to put; meterse – to meddle
metrópoli (f.) – city, metropolis
mezcla – mixture
mezclar – to mix
mi(s) (poss. adj.) – my
microonda: horno de microonda – microwave oven
miedo – fear; tener miedo – to be afraid
miel (f.) – honey; luna de miel – honeymoon
mientras (conj.) – while; mientras que (conj.) – whereas; mientras tanto – meanwhile
miércoles (m.) – Wednesday
mil – one thousand
milla – mile
millón (m.) – million
mimado – spoiled (person, animal)
mimar – to spoil (person, animal)
minué (m.) – minuet
minoría (n.) – minority
minoritario (adj.) – minority
minúsculo (n.) – small letter, lower case letter
mío/-a – mine, of mine, my (emphatic)
mirar – to watch, to look at
mismo – same; very; myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves; ahora mismo – right now; dar lo mismo (+ i.o.) – to be the same to (someone), to make no difference to (someone)
mitad (f. n.) – half
mito – myth
mixteca – Mixtec (indigenous people of C.A.)
mochila – backpack
moda – fashion, style
moderar – moderate
modista – seamstress
modo – manner, way, mode; de todos modos – anyway; de este modo – in this manner; de modo que – so what
mojarse – to get wet
molestar – to bother
moneda – coin, currency
monja – nun
mono (n.) – monkey
monstruo – monster
montaña – mountain
montañoso – mountainous
montar – to ride; montar a caballo – to ride a horse; montar en bicicleta – to ride a bicycle
monte (m.) – mountain, mount
morado – purple
moreno – brunette, dark-haired
morir (ue) – to die
moro (n.) – Moor; (adj.) – Moorish
mosca – fly
Moscú – Moscow
mostrar (ue) – to show
moto(cicleta) (f.) – motorcycle
mover (ue) – to move
mozo/-a – boy/girl; waiter/waitress; (m.) – bellhop
muchacho/-a – boy/girl
muchedumbre (f.) – crowd
mucho (adv.) – a lot, much
mucho (adj.) – a lot (of), many; muchas veces – often, frequently; mucho gusto – pleased to meet you
mudanza – move
mudarse – to move (residence)
mudo – mute
mueble (m.) – piece of furniture
mueblería – furniture store
muebles (m. pl.) – furniture
muela – molar, tooth
muerte (f.) – death; la pena de muerte – death penalty
muerto (p.p.) – died, dead
muerto/-a – a dead man/woman
muestra – sample
mujer (f.) – woman
mula – mule
multa – fine
mundial (adj.) – world
mundo (n.) – world
muñeca – wrist; doll
municipio – municipality
muro – wall
museo – museum
músico/-a – musician
mutuo – mutual
muy – very; muy buenas – good afternoon, good evening
N
nacer – to be born
nada – nothing, not anything; (adv.) not… at all; de nada – you’re welcome
nadar – to swim
nadie – no one, nobody, not anybody
nahua – indigenous people of Mexico
nahuatl (m.) – Aztec language
Nápoles – Naples
naranja – orange
nariz (f.) – nose
narrar – to narrate
natación – swimming
natal – native, natal
natural (n., m., f.) – native; recursos naturales – natural resources
naturaleza – nature
navegante (m., f.) – navigator
navegar – to navigate; navegar la red – to surf the net
Navidad (f.) – Christmas
necesidad (f.) – necessity
necesitar – to need
necio – foolish, silly
negación – negation, denial
negar (ie) – to deny
negocio – business
negro – black
neoyorquino/-a (n.,m., f.) – New Yorker; (adj.) pertaining to New York
nevar (ie) – to snow
ni – neither, not either; ni…ni – neither…nor; ni siquiera – not even
niebla – fog, mist
nieto/-a (m., f.) – grandson/granddaughter; (pl.) grandchildren
ninguno – no, none, not any
niñez (f.) – childhood
niño/-a (m., f.) – small child; boy/girl
nivel (m.) – level
no – no, not; ya no – no longer; ¿no? – right?, don’t you?, don’t they?, etc
nobleza – nobility
noche (f.) – night; buenas noches – good evening, good night; esta noche – tonight; todas las noches – every night; Noche Vieja – New Year’s Eve
Nochebuena – Christmas Eve
nombrar – to name
nombre (m.) – name; nombre de pila – first name
noroeste (n., m.) – northwest
norte (n., m.) – north
norteño/-a (m., f.) – Northerner; (adj.) – northern
Noruega – Norway
noruego – Norwegian (lang.)
nos (d.o., i.o., refl. pron.) – us, to/for us, ourselves
nosotros/-as (sub. pron., prep. obj. pron.) – we; us
nota – grade; note
notar – to note, to point out, to jot down
noticia – piece of news; (pl.) news
noticiero – newscast
novecientos – nine hundred
novedades (f. pl.) – news
noveno – ninth
noventa – ninety
noviazgo – engagement, courtship
noviembre – November
novio/-a (m., f.) – boyfriend/girlfriend, fiancé/fiancée, groom/bride
nube (f.) – cloud
nublado – cloudy
nuera – daughter-in-law
nuestro (poss. adj.) – of ours, our (emphatic)
Nueva Zelanda/Zelandia – New Zealand
nueve – nine
nuevo – new; Día del Año Nuevo – New Year’s Day
número number, size
nunca – never
O
o – or; o…o – either… or
obedecer – to obey
obra – work (of art, literature); en obras – under construction; obra maestra – masterpiece
obrero/-a – worker, laborer
obstinarse (en) – to persist (in)
obtener (like tener) – to obtain
ocasionar – to cause, to occasion
occidental – western, occidental
ochenta – eighty
ocho – eight
ochocientos – eight hundred
octavo – eighth
octubre – October
ocupado – occupied, busy
ocurrir – to happen, to occur
odiar – to hate
oeste (n., m.) – west
ofender – to insult, to offend
oferta – offering
oficina – office
oficio – trade
ofrecer – to offer
oído – inner ear
ojalá (que) – I wish, I hope, if only
ojo – eye; ¡ojo! – watch out!
oler (ue) (a) – to smell (like)
olmeca – Olmec (indigenous people of Mexico)
olvidar(se) (de) – to forget
olvidadizo – forgetful
olvido (n.) – oblivion
once – eleven
onza – ounce
oponer(se) (a) (like poner) – to oppose, (to be opposed to)
óptimo – favorable, excellent
opuesto – opposite
oración (f.) – sentence (gram.); oration; speech, prayer
orden (f.) – order, command
orden (m.) – order, sequence, methodical arrangement
ordenado – orderly
ordenador (portátil) (m.) (Sp.) – (laptop) computer
oreja – outer ear
orgullo – pride; haughtiness
orgulloso – proud; haughty
originario (adj.) – native, originating
oriundo (adj.) – native
oro – gold
orquesta – orchestra
ortografía – spelling, orthography
os (d.o, i.o, refl. pron.) – you (fam. pl.), to/for you (fam. pl.), yourselves (fam. pl.)
oscuro – dark
oso – bear
otoño – autumn, fall
otorgamiento – granting, awarding, bestowing
otorgar – to bestow, to grant, to give
otro – other, another; otra vez – again
oveja – sheep
ozono: capa de ozono – ozone layer
P
padecer (de) – to suffer from
padre (m.) – father, priest; (pl.) parents
paella – Spanish dish typically made with rice and shellfish
pagar – to pay; pagar en efectivo – to pay (in) cash
página – page
país (m.) – country, nation
paisaje (m.) – countryside, landscape
el País Vasco – Basque Country
los Países Bajos – the Low Countries
pájaro – bird
palabra – word
palabrota – obscenity, profanity
pampa – plain (grassland of Arg.)
pan (m.) – bread; Pan de Azúcar – Sugar Loaf (Mountain) in Brazil
panameño – Panamanian
pandilla – group of friends, gang
pantalones (m., pl.) – pants
pantalla – screen
pañuelo – handkerchief
papá (m.) – father, dad
papa (m.) – pope
papa – potato (S.A.)
papel (m.) – paper; role; hacer un papel – to play a role
papelería – stationery store
paquete (m.) – package
para – for; in order to, by; para que – so that, in order that
parabrisas (m., s.) – windshield
paracaídas (m., s.) – parachute
parada – stop
paraguas (m., s.) – umbrella
parar – to spot
pararrayo(s) – lightning rod
pardo – brown
parecer – to seem; parecerse a – to resemble; ¿qué te/le parece? – what do you think?
parecido – similar
pared (f.) – wall
parentesco – family relationship
pariente (m., f.) – relative
parque – park
párrafo – paragraph
parte (f.) – part, place; por todas partes – everywhere; en ninguna parte – nowhere
particular – private, personal; particular, special, extraordinary
partida – departure
partido – game, match; political party
partitura – musical store
pasado – past
pasaje (m.) – ticket, passage; pass, alley
pasamano(s) – handrail
pasar – to spend (time), to pass, to happen, to cross; pasar por – to stop by; pasar + a + inf. – to go or come in; pasarlo bien/mal – to have a good/bad time
pasatiempo – pastime
pasear – to take a stroll, to stroll
pasillo – hallway, corridor
paso – set, pace; passage (of time); pass, path; abrirse paso – to make one’s way
patata – potato (Sp.)
patinar – to skate
patria – country, native land, homeland
pavimentar – to pave
pavo – turkey
paz (f.) – peace
peatón/-ona (m., f.) – pedestrian
pecho – chest
pedazo – piece
pedir (i) – to request, to ask for; pedir prestado – to borrow
peine (m.) – comb
pelear(se) – to fight
película – film, movie
peligro – danger
peligroso – dangerous
pelo – hair
pelota – ball
peluquero/-a – hair stylist
pena – pity; punishment; trouble; pena de muerte – capital punishment; valer la pena – to be worthwhile
pensar (ie) (+inf) – to think (to intend to do something)
peor – worse, worst
pequeño – small
percibir – to perceive
perder (ie) – to lose; to miss
pérdida – loss, damage
perdonar – to forgive, to pardon
perecer – to perish
pereza – laziness
perezoso – lazy
periódico – newspaper
periodismo – journalism
periodista (m., f.) – journalist
perjudicar – to harm
permiso – permission
pero – but
perro/-a – dog
perseguir (i) – to pursue, to chase; to persecute
personaje (m.) – character (lit.), personage
pertenecer – to belong
perturbar – to disturb, to perturb
peruano – Peruvian
pesado – dull, heavy, boring
pésames (m., pl.) – condolences
pesar: a pesar de – in spite of
pesca – fishing
pescar – to fish
pescado – fish (when caught)
pese: pese a – in spite of
peseta – former currency of Spain
peso – weight; currency of Mexico and various other S. A. countries
pez (m.) – fish (alive)
picante – spicy, hot
picaresco – picaresque (lit.)
pie (m.) – foot; al pie de – at the bottom (foot) of
piedra – stone
piel (f.) – skin
pierna – leg
pieza – piece, part; room; play
pila: nombre de pila – first name
píldora – pill
pimentón (m.) – paprika
pintar – to paint
pintor/-a – painter
pintura – painting, paint
Pirineos (m., pl.) – The Pyrenees
pisapapeles (m., pl.) – paperweight
pisar – to step on
piscina – swimming pool
pisco – grape brandy
piso – floor; story (building); apartment (Sp.); primer piso – second floor
pizarra – chalkboard
placer (m.) – pleasure
planchar – to iron
planear – to plan
planificar – to plan
planta – plant; planta baja – first floor, ground floor
plantear – to pose (question), to present
plata – silver; money (coll., L.A.)
plátano – banana
platicar – to chat
platillo – saucer
plato – plate, dish
playa – beach
plaza – square
pleito – lawsuit
pleno – full
plomero/-a – plumber
población – publication, citizenry
poblador/-a – settler, inhabitant
poblar (ue) – to populate, to people, to settle, to colonize
pobre – poor; unfortunate
pobreza – poverty
poco (adj.) – little; (pl.) – few; un poco de – a little bit of; poco a poco – little by little
podar – to prune, to cut, to mow
poder – to be able to, can
poder (n., m.) – power
polca – polka
policía (m., f.) – policeman, policewoman; (f.) police force
policíaco – pertaining to police
política – politics
político/-a – politician
pollo – chicken
Polonia – Poland
polvo – dust
poner – to put; to turn on; to name; ponerse (+ adj.) – to become, to get; ponerse (+ n., pron.) – to put on (clothing); ponerse a (inf.) – to begin to do something; poner la mesa – to set the table; poner una multa – to give a fine
por – for, by, through, around, along, in exchange for; por la mañana/tarde/noche – in the morning/afternoon, at night; por ciento – percent; por completo – completely; por eso – therefore, that’s why; por fin – finally; por lo general – in general, generally, usually; por lo menos – at least; por si acaso – just in case; por supuesto – of course; por todas partes/todos lados – everywhere, on all sides; por último – finally; por un lado – on one hand
¿por qué? – why
porque – because
portátil – portable
porvenir (m.) – future
poseer – to possess, to own
posponer (like poner) – to postpone
postre (m.) – dessert
potencia – power, potency
prado – meadow, field
El Prado – art museum in Madrid
precio – price
preciso – necessary; precise
precolombino – pre-Colombian
predecir (like decir) – to predict, to forecast
predicar – to preach
preferir (ie) – to prefer
pregunta – question; hacer una pregunta – to ask a question
preguntar – to ask
prejuicio – prejudice, bias
premio – prize
prender – to turn on
prensa – press; prensa libre – free press
preocupado – preoccupied
preocupar(se) (por, de) – to worry (about)
preparar – to prepare
preparativos (pl.) – preparations
prescribir – to prescribe
presenciar – to witness
presión – pressure
préstamo – loan
prestar – to lend; prestar atención – to pay attention
prestigio – prestige
prestigioso – prestigious
presupuesto – budget
pretender – to claim
prevalecer – to prevail
prevaleciente – prevalent, prevailing
prevenir – to prevent, to warn, to forestall
prever (like ver) – to foresee
previo – previous
primario – primary
primavera – spring
primero – first; a primera vista – at first glance
primo/-a – cousin; primo/a hermano/a – first cousin
princesa – princess
príncipe (m.) – prince
principio – beginning; principle
prisa – hurry, haste; tener prisa – to be in a hurry
probabilidad (f.) – probability
probar (ue) – to taste, to try on, to experiment, to prove
proceder – to originate
procedimiento – procedure, process, method
proceso – trial, process, method
procurar – to seek, to endeavor, to strive, to try
producir – to produce
profundo – deep
prohibir – to prohibit
promedio – average
prometer – to promise
pronto – soon; tan pronto como (posible) – as soon as (possible); de pronto – suddenly
pronunciar – to pronounce
propina – tip
propio – own; very; self; himself, herself, itself, yourself (fam., form.), themselves, yourselves (fam. pl., form. pl.)
proponer (like poner) – to propose
propósito – purpose, aim object; a propósito – by the way
proscribir – to prohibit, to proscribe
proteger – to protect
provenir (like venir) – to come from, to originate
proximidad (f.) – proximity
próximo – next
proyectar – to project
proyecto – to project
prueba – test, quiz; proof
pueblo – town; people
puerta – door
puerto – port
puertorriqueño – Puerto Rican
pues – well
puesto (p.p.) – put; (n.) – position (job), place (in line), stand (where something is sold); puesto que (conj.) – because, since
pulgar (m.) – thumb
pulir – to polish, to perfect
pulmón (m.) – lung
punto – point; en punto – on the dot, sharp (time)
puntual – punctual
puñal (m.) – dagger
puñalada – stab (with a dagger, knife)
puño – fist
pureza – purity, pureness
puro (n.) – cigar
púrpura – purple
Q
que – that, who, which; lo que – what; así que – therefore, consequently; hay que + inf. – to be necessary to do something
¿qué? – what?, which?; ¿qué tal? – how are you (doing)?
¡qué! – what…!; qué + noun…! – what a…!
quechua – Quechua (indigenous [Inca/Incan] language)
quedar(se) – to remain, to stay, to be; quedar en – to agree to; quedarse con – to keep
quehacer (m.) – task, chore
quejarse (de) – to complain (about)
quemadura – burn
quemar – to burn
querer (ie) – to want, to love; fue sin querer – it was unintentional
querido – dear, beloved
queso – cheese
quetzal (m.) – Quetzal (currency of Guatemala)
quiché (m.) – Quiché (indigenous [Mayan] language) quien/es – who, whom
¿quién/-es? – who?, whom?; ¿de quién/-es? – whose?
quienquiera – whoever
química – chemistry
quince – fifteen
quinientos – five hundred
quinto – fifth
quitamanchas (m. pl.) – stain remover
quitanieves (m. pl.) – snow plow
quitar – to take away, to deprive; quitarse – to take off (clothing)
quizá(s) – perhaps, maybe
R
rabino/-a – rabbi
raíz (f.) – root, stem
rama – branch
raptar – to kidnap
rapto – kidnapping, abduction
raro – strange, rare; rara vez – seldom, rarely
rascacielos (m. pl.) – skyscraper
rasgar – to tear
rato – while, short time
ratón – mouse
raza – race; Día de la Raza – Columbus Day, Hispanic Awareness Day
razón (f.) – reason; tener razón – to be right; no tener razón – to be wrong
razonable – reasonable
reaccionar – to react
real – real; royal
realidad (f.) – reality; en realidad – really
realizar – to achieve, to carry out, to realize
reanudar – to renew
rebelde (m., f.) – rebel; (adj.) rebellious
recado – message
recepción – reception desk
receta – prescription, recipe
recetar – to prescribe
rechazar – to reject, to turn down
recibir – to receive
recién – recently; recién casado – newlywed; recién nacido – newborn
reciente – recent
reciprocidad (f.) – reciprocity
recoger – to pick up, to gather
recomendar (ie) – to recommend
reconocer – to recognize
reconocimiento – recognition, gratitude
recordar (ue) – to remember, to remind
recorrer – to pass through, to cover (territory)
recrear – to recreate
recreo – recreation
rector/-a – university president, chancellor
recuerdo – memory, souvenir
recurso – resource
red (f.) – network, net, Internet; navegar la red – to surf the net
redacción – editorial department/office, editing
redactar – to edit
redondo – round
reducir – to reduce
reducción – reduction
reemplazar – to replace
referirse (ie) (a) – to refer (to)
reflejar – to reflect
refrán (m.) – proverb
refrescante – refreshing
refresco – soft drink
refugiado/a – refugee
refugio – refuge
regalo – gift
regalar – to give as a gift
regatear – to haggle, to bargain
regir (i) – to guide, to govern, to rule
registrar – to search, to examine
regla – rule
regresar – to return
regreso – return
regular – average, so-so; regular
reina – queen
reinado – reign
reino – kingdom, realm
Reino Unido – the United Kingdom
reír(se) (i) (de) – to laugh (at)
relacionar – to relate, to connect, to associate
relajarse – to relax
relámpago – lightning, flash of lightning
reloj (m.) – watch, clock
remedio – remedy
rendir (i) – to yield, to produce; to render; to surrender
renombre (m.) – renown, fame
renovar (ue) – to renovate
renunciar – to resign
reparación – repair
reparar – to repair
reparar – to repair
repasar – to review
repaso – review
repente: de repente – suddenly
repetir (i) – to repeat
repicar – to click
repleto – full, replete
reponer (like poner) – to respond
reportaje (m.) – report, feature article
reportero/-a – reporter
representante (m., f.) – representative
requerido – required
requisito – requirement
res (f.) – cattle, beef
resaca – hangover
rescate (m.) – rescue
reseña – outline, sketch, brief description, review
reseñar – to outline, to sketch, to describe briefly, to review
resfriado – cold (illness)
residencia – dormitory, residence
resolver (ue) – to solve, to resolve
resonar (ue) – to resound, to resonate
respaldar – to support, to back
respaldo – endorsement, support, backing
respecto: con respecto a – regarding
respetar – to respect
respeto – respect
respiración – breathing
respirar – to breathe
responder – to respond, to answer
responsabilidad (f.) – responsibility
responsable (m., f.) – responsible person; (adj.) responsible
respuesta – answer, response
restos (m. pl.) – remains
resultado – result
resultar – to result in, to turn out to be
resumen (m.) – summary
resumir – summarize
retener – to retain
retrasar(se) – to be late, to delay
retratar – to portray
retrato – portrait
reunión (f.) – meeting, reunion
reunir – to reunite; reunirse – to get together
revisar – to check, to search (luggage); to revise
revista – magazine
rey (m.) – king; los Reyes Católicos – The Catholic Monarchs/Kings (Ferdinand and Isabella)
rico – rich; tasty
riesgo – risk
rincón (m.) – corner
riñón (m.) – kidney
río – river
riqueza – wealth, richness
risa – laughter
ritmo – rhythm
rito, rite, ritual
robar – to steal
robo – robbery
roca – rock
rocoso – rocky; Montañas Rocosas – Rocky Mountains
rodilla – knee
rodar (ue) – to roll
rojo – red
rojura – redness, ruddiness
romper – to break
ropa – clothing, clothes; ropa interior – underwear
rosa – rose
rosado – pink
roto (p.p.) – boken
rubio – blond(e)
ruedo – wheel
ruido – noise
ruidoso – noisy
ruin – bad, vicious
ruina – ruin
Rusia – Russia
ruso/-a – Russian (person); (adj.) – Russian
rutina – routine, habit
rutinario – routine
S
sábado – Saturday
sabelotodo – know-it-all
saber – to know, to taste; saber + inf. – to know how to do something
sabiendas: a sabiendas – knowingly, wittingly, consciously
sabio – wise
sabor (m.) – taste, flavor; sabor picante – spiciness
sabroso – savory, tasty
sacar – to take out, to remove, to get (a grade), to take (photos), to extract
sacerdote (m.) – priest
saciar – to sate, to satiate
sacudir – to dust
sagrado – sacred, holy
sal (f.) – salt
sala – room, living room; sala de clase – classroom; sala de emergencia – emergency room; sala de espera – waiting room
salchicha – sausage
salida – exit, departure
salir – to leave, to go out; salir bien/mal – to turn out well/ badly
salón (m.) – living room, reception room, drawing room, salon
salsa – sauce
salvavidas (m. pl.) – lifeguard; life jacket
saltar – to jump
salto – waterfall; jump
salud (f.) – health
saludar – to greet
saludo – greeting
salvadoreño – Salvadoran
salvaje – wild, savage
salvar – to save
salvo – except; safe; sano y salvo – safe and sound
san – shortened form of santo (saint)
sangrar – to bleed
sangre (f.) – blood
sangriento – bloody
sano – healthy; sano y salvo – safe and sound
satisfacer (like hacer) – to satisfy
satisfecho (p.p., adj.) – satisfied
se (refl. pron.) – oneself, himself, herself, yourself (form.), itself, themselves, yourselves (form. pl. [fam. pl., S.A.])
sea: o sea – in other words
secar(se) – to dry (to get dry, to dry oneself)
seco – dry
secuestrar – to kidnap, to hijack
secuestrar – to kidnap, to hijack
secuestro – kidnapping, hijacking
secundaria – secondary; escuela secundaria – high school
sed (f.) – thirst; tener sed – to be thirsty
seda – silk
sefardita – Sephardic
seducir – to seduce
seguida: en seguida – right away, immediately
seguir (i) – to follow, to continue, to keep on (doing something), to be
según – according to
seguridad (f.) – security, safety
seguro (adj.) – sure, certain; safe
seguro (n.) – insurance
seis – six
seiscientos – six hundred
seleccionar – to select, to choose
sello – stamp
selva – jungle
selvático – jungly, wooded; of the jungle, of the woods
semáforo – traffic light
semana – week
sembrar (ie) – to sow, to seed, to plant
semejante – similar
sencillez (f.) – simplicity
sencillo – simple
sensibilidad (f.) – sensitivity, sensibility; sensible – sensitive
sentarse (ie) – to sit down
sentido – meaning, sense
sentimiento – feeling, sentiment, emotion
sentir – to feel (an emotion); to regret, to feel sorry; lo siento – I’m sorry; sentir(se) (ie) – to feel
señalar – to point out, to signal
señor (m.) – sir, Mr., gentleman
señora – ma’am, Mrs., lady
señores (m. pl.) – Mr. and Mrs.
señorita – Miss, young woman, Ms.
sepa: que yo sepa – as far as I know
septiembre – September
séptimo – seventh
sequía – draught
ser – to be; puede ser – maybe, may be, it may be; ser humano – human being
serie (f.) – series
serio – serious; en serio – seriously
servidumbre (f.) – servitude
servir (i) – to serve, to be useful
sesenta – sixty
setecientos – seven hundred
seviche (m.) (also, ceviche, cebiche) – marinated fish dish, especially of Peru
sexto – sixth
si – if; si bien – although; por si acaso – just in case
sí – yes; yo sí trabajo – I do work (emphatic meaning when used with v.)
siempre – always; siempre que – as long as, provided that
sierra – mountain range; saw
siesta – nap
siete – seven
siglo – century
significado – meaning
significar – to mean
siguiente – following, next
silla – chair
silvestre – wild
simbolizar – to symbolize
simpático – friendly, nice
simpatizar – to get along will with, to hit it off with
sin – without; sin duda – without doubt; sin embargo – however, nevertheless; sin que (conj.) – without
sino – but, but rather; except; no… sino – only; sino que (conj.) – but, but rather
síntoma (m.) – symptom
siquiatra (m., f.) – psychiatrist
siquiera: ni siquiera – not even
sitio – place, room (space), location
soberanía – sovereignty, independence
soberano (n.) – sovereign; (adj.) – sovereign
soberbio – haughty
sobornar – to bribe
sobre (prep.) – on, on top of; about; sobre todo – above all
sobre (n., m.) – envelope
sobresaliente – outstanding, remarkable
sobresalir – to stand out, to jut out
sobrino/-a – nephew/niece
sociedad – society
socorro – help, aid
sofocante – stifling, oppressive
sofocar – to suffocate
sol (m.) – sun, hacer sol – to be sunny; tomar el sol – to sunbathe
solas: a solas – alone
soldado – soldier; mujer (f.) soldado – female soldier
soledad (f.) – solitude
soler (ue) – to be accustomed to, to be in the habit of
solicitar – to apply for, to ask for, to solicit
solicitud (f.) – application form
sólo (adv.) – only
solo (adj.) – alone
soltar (ue) – to let loose, to let go
soltero – unmarried, single
solucionar – to solve
sombra – shade
sombrero – hat
sombrío – somber, dark
someter – to subdue
sonar (ue) – to ring, to sound
soñar (ue) (con) – to dream (about)
sonreír (i) – to smile
sonrisa – smile
sopa – soup
soplar – to blow
soportar – to bear, to endure, to stand, to put up with
sor (f.) – sister (used before a nun’s name)
sordo – deaf
soroche (m.) – altitude sickness
sorprender – to surprise
sorprendente – surprising
sorpresa – surprise
sospecha – suspicion
sospecha – suspicion
sospechar – to suspect
sospechoso – suspicious
sostener (like tener) – to sustain, to support, to hold, to hold up
su(s) (poss. adj) – his, her, its, your (form.), their, your (form. pl. [fam. pl., L.A.])
súbitamente – suddenly
súbito: de súbito – suddenly
subir (a) – to go up, to raise, to carry up, to get on (a vehicle)
sublevación (f.) – revolt
subrayar – to underline, to highlight
subsiguiente – subsequent
substraer (like traer) – to take away, to remove; to misappropriate; to subtract
suburbio – slum; suburb
sucio – dirty
sucre (m.) – currency of Ecuador
sucursal (m.) – branch (office)
sudar – to sweat
Suecia – Sweden
sueco – Swedish
suegro/-a – father-/mother-in-law
sueldo – salary
suelo – soil; floor
sueño – dream; sleepiness; tener sueño – to be sleepy
suerte (f.) – luck; por suerte – luckily; tener suerte – to be lucky
sufrimiento – suffering
sufrir – to suffer
sugerencia – suggestion
sugerir (ie) – to suggest
Suiza – Switzerland
suizo – Swiss
suma – sum, amount
sumamente – extremely
sumar – to add, to do addition
sumiso – submissive
superficie (f.) – surface
suponer (like poner) – to suppose
supuesto (p.p., adj.) – supposed, assumed; por supuesto – of course
sur (n., m.) – south
sureño/-a – Southerner; (adj.) – southern
surgir – to arise, to spring up
suroeste (n.,m.) – southwest
suscitado – provocative
suscitar – to provoke
suscribir (like escribir) – to subscribe
susodicho – above-mentioned
suspender – to fail (a class); to cut off (a benefit)
sustantivo (gram.) – noun
sustituir – to substitute
sustraer (like traer) – to subtract; to take away, to remove
sutil – subtle
suyo (poss. adj.) – his, her, your (form.), its, their, your (form. pl.); of his, of hers, of yours (form.), of its, of theirs, of yours (form. pl. [fam. pl., S.A.])
T
tabacalera – tobacco shop
tabaco – tobacco
tabú (m.) – taboo; (adj.) taboo
taíno – indigenous people of Puerto Rico
tal – such, such a; tal como – just as; con tal (de) que (conj.) – provided that; tal vez – maybe
taller (m.) – repair shop, studio
también – also, too
tambor (m.) – drum
tampoco – neither, not… either
tan – so, as; tan…como – as; tan pronto como – as soon as
tanque (m.) – tank
tanto – so much; tanto como – as much as
tanto (adj.) – so much; tanto como – as much as
tanto (adj.) – as much, so much; tanto/-a(s)… como – as much/many…as
tardar (en) – to take time (to do something), to delay (in)
tarde (f.) – afternoon, evening; de la tarde – in the afternoon, p.m.; por la tarde – in the afternoon; tarde (adv.) – late; tarde o temprano – sooner or later
tardío (adj.) – late, belated
tarea – task, homework
tarjeta – card
taxista (m., f.) – taxi driver
taza – coffee cup, tea cup
te (d.o., i.o., refl. pron.) – you, to/for you, yourself
té (m.) – tea
teatro – theater
tecla – key (on keyboard)
teclado – keyboard
tela – fabric, cloth
telenovela – soap opera
televisor (m.) – television set
tema (m.) – topic, theme
temático – thematic
temblar (ie) – to tremble, to shake
temer – to fear
temor (m.) – fear
tempestad (f.) – storm
templado – mild, moderate, temperate
templo – temple
temporada – season
temporal – temporary
temprano – early
tender (ie) (+ a + inf.) – to tend (to do something)
tenencia – holdings
tener – to have; tener años – to be… years old; tener calor/frío – to be warm, hot/cold; tener celos – to be jealous; tener cuidado – to be careful; tener éxito – to be successful; tener hambre/sed – to be hungry/thirsty; tener ganas de + inf. – to feel like doing something; tener la culpa – to be guilty/at fault; tener lugar – to take place; tener miedo – to be afraid; tener prisa – to be in a hurry; (no) tener razón – to be right (wrong); tener sueño – to be sleepy; tener suerte – to be lucky; tener vergüenza – to be ashamed; tener + que + inf. – to have to do something; tener en cuenta – to take into account, to bear in mind; tener que ver con – to have to do with
teoría – theory
teórico – theoretical
tercero – third
terco – stubborn
terminar – to finish
término – term
terremoto – earthquake
terreno – land, ground, terrain
ternura – tenderness
tertulia – social gathering, get-together
tesis doctoral (f.) – doctoral dissertation (thesis)
tesoro – treasure
testamento – will, testament
testigo (m., f.) – witness
ti (prep. obj. pron.) – you
tiempo – weather; time; (gram.) tense; a tiempo – on time
tienda – store
tierno – tender
tierra – land, earth
tigre (m.) – tiger
tinta – ink
tinto – red (wine), dyed, tinted
tío/a – uncle/aunt
tipo – guy, character; kind, type
tirar – to throw
tiritar – to shiver
título – title, degree
toalla – towel
tocadiscos (m. pl.) – record player
tocar – to touch, to play (music); tocarle a uno + inf. – to be one’s turn, to be up to one (to do something)
todavía – still, yet
todo – all, everything; ante todo – first of all; de todo – everything; sobre todo – above all
Tokio – Tokyo
tolteca – Toltec (indigenous Mexican civilization)
tomar – to take; to drink; to eat; tomar lugar – to take place; tomar partido – to take sides
tomo – volume
tontería – nonsense, silliness, foolishness
tonto – silly, foolish
tormenta – storm
toro – bull; corrida de toros – bull fight
torre (f.) – tower
tortuga – turtle
toser – cough
trabajador/-a – hard-working
trabajar – to work; trabajar en red – to work online
trabajo – work, job; written work, term paper
trabalenguas (m. pl.) – tongue twister
traducción (f.) – translation
traducir – to translate
traductor/-a – translator
tragedia – tragedy
trago – drink
traición (f.) – betrayal
traje (m.) – suit; traje de baño – bathing suit
trama – plot
transcurrir – to happen, to take place
transcurso – course, passage (of time)
transporte (m.) – (means of) transportation
tras – after, behind
trascender (ie) – to transcend
trasladar – to move, to transfer
tratado – treaty
tratamiento – treatment
tratar – to treat; tratar de (+ inf.) – to try to (do something); tratarse de – to be a question of
trato – treatment
través: a través de – by means of
travieso– mischievous
trayecto – trajectory, route
trece – thirteen
treinta – thirty
trepar – to climb
tres – three
trescientos – three hundred
tribunal (m.) – court, tribunal
triste – sad
tristeza – sadness
triunfar – to win, to triumph
triunfo – triumph
tronar (ue) – to thunder
trono – throne
trozo – fragment, part
trueno – thunder
tú (sub. pron.) – you (fam. s.)
tu(s) (poss. adj.) – your (fam. s.)
tumba – tomb
tuyo (poss. adj.) – your, of yours (fam. s.)
U
u – or
últimamente – recently, lately
último – last; por último – finally
un, uno/-a (def. art.) – a, an, one
único – only, unique
unidad (f.) – unity
unido – united, close-knit
unir – to unite
unos – some, several, a few
urbe (f.) – large city, metropolis
urgir – to be urgent
usar – to wear, to use
uso – use
usted (Ud. Vd.) (sub. pron.) – you (form. s.)
ustedes (Uds. Vds.) (sub. pron.) – you (form. pl. [fam. pl., S.A.]); (prep. obj. pron.) you
útil – useful
utilizar – to use, to make use of, to utilize
uva – grape
V
vaca – cow
vaciar – to empty
vacilar – to hesitate
vacío – empty
vacuna – vaccine, vaccination
vaivén (m.) – fluctuation
valer – to be worth; valer la pena – to be worthwhile; vale – OK, sure, fine
valiente – brave
valle (m.) – valley
validez (f.) – validity
valor (m.) – value, worth; courage, bravery, valor
vals (m.) – waltz
variar – to vary
variedad (f.) – variety
varios – various, several
varón (m.) – male
Varsovia – Warsaw
vasco (adj.) – Basque
vaso – glass
vecindad (f.) – neighborhood
vecindario – neighborhood, vicinity
vecino/-a – neighbor
vehículo – vehicle
veinte – twenty
vejez (f.) – old age
velocidad (f.) – speed
vendedor/-a – salesperson
vender – to sell
venezolano – Venezuelan
venir – to come; el año (semana) que viene – next year, the coming year (week)
venta – sale; gran éxito de venta – best-seller
ventaja – advantage
ventana – window
ver – to see; tener que ver con – to have to do with
verano – summer
veras: de veras – truly, really
verdad – truth; ¿verdad? – right?, don’t you?, don’t they?, etc.
verdadero – true, real
verde – green
verdura – vegetable; greenness
vergüenza – shame; tener vergüenza – to be ashamed
verso – line of poetry, verse
vestido – dress
vestir(se) (i) – to dress (to get dressed)
vetusto – very old
vez (f.) – time, occasion; una vez – once; a veces – at times; alguna vez – ever, once, some time; a la vez – at the same time; una vez – once; de una vez – once and for all; de vez de cuando – from time to time; en vez de – instead of; esta vez – this time; muchas veces – frequently, often; otra vez – again; a su vez – in turn, in his/her turn; toda vez que – since, inasmuch as
vía – road, way; en vías de desarrollo – developing
viajar – to travel
viaje (m.) – trip, voyage
viajero/-a – traveler
vida – life
vidrio – glass
viejo (n.) – old person; (adj.) old
viento – wind; hacer viento – to be windy
viernes (m.) – Friday
vigilar – to watch over
vincular – to relate, to connect, to link
vínculo – tie, bond, link
vinícola (adj.) – pertaining to wine
vino – wine
violación (f.) – rape, violation, transgression
violar – to rape, to violate
visado – visa
virtud (f.) – virtue
visitante (m., f.) – visitor
visitar – to visit
vista – view; a primera vista – at first glance; punto de vista – point of view
visto (p.p.) – seen; por lo visto – apparently, evidently
viudo/-a – widower/window
vivienda – housing
vivir – to live
vivo – alive; alert
volar (ue) – to fly
volcán – volcano
voluntad (f.) – (free) will, disposition
volver (ue) – to return; volver + a + inf. – to do something again
vosotros/-as (sub. pron.) – you (fam. pl., Sp.); (prep. obj. pron., Sp.) – you
votación (f.) – voting, balloting
voz (f.) – voice; en voz alta – aloud
vuelo – flight
vuelta – tour, return; dar la vuelta – to turn; de vuelta – on/upon returning, back
Y
y – and
ya – already, now, later on; ya no – no longer; ya que (conj.) – now that, since, considering that
yerno – son-in-law
yo (sub. pron.) – I; yo, de Ud. (él, ella, etc.) – if I were you (he, she, etc.)
yuxtaponer – to juxtapose
Z
zampoña – reed flute, panpipe
zanahoria – carrot
zapatería – shoe store
zapatilla – slipper
zapato – shoe
