Basic English Vocabulary: Complete List for Beginners

"Every word you learn is another tool to communicate with the world."

Learning basic English vocabulary is the first step to understanding and communicating in everyday situations. These words and phrases are essential if you are starting to learn English or want to improve your knowledge from scratch.

In this guide, you will find:

  • The most commonly used words in basic English.
  • Common phrases for conversations.
  • Practical examples to learn in context.

Table of Contents

Why learn basic English vocabulary?

Basic vocabulary is the foundation for greeting, introducing yourself, asking for something, traveling, or understanding simple conversations. Without these words, it’s hard to move to the next level of the language.

List of basic English words

Here is a selection of the most important words in basic English, organized by category.

Greetings and common expressions

  • Hello – Hola
  • Hi – Hola (informal)
  • Good morning – Buenos días
  • Good afternoon – Buenas tardes
  • Good evening – Buenas noches
  • How are you? – ¿Cómo estás?
  • I’m fine, thank you – Estoy bien, gracias
  • See you later – Nos vemos luego
  • Bye – Adiós

Numbers in English

  • One – Uno
  • Two – Dos
  • Three – Tres
  • Four – Cuatro
  • Five – Cinco
  • Six – Seis
  • Seven – Siete
  • Eight – Ocho
  • Nine – Nueve
  • Ten – Diez

Colors in English

  • Red – Rojo
  • Blue – Azul
  • Green – Verde
  • Yellow – Amarillo
  • Black – Negro
  • White – Blanco
  • Orange – Naranja
  • Pink – Rosa
  • Purple – Morado
  • Brown – Marrón

Days of the week

  • Monday – Lunes
  • Tuesday – Martes
  • Wednesday – Miércoles
  • Thursday – Jueves
  • Friday – Viernes
  • Saturday – Sábado
  • Sunday – Domingo

Months of the year

  • January – Enero
  • February – Febrero
  • March – Marzo
  • April – Abril
  • May – Mayo
  • June – Junio
  • July – Julio
  • August – Agosto
  • September – Septiembre
  • October – Octubre
  • November – Noviembre
  • December – Diciembre

Useful phrases in basic English

Here are common expressions that will help you communicate from day one:

  • What’s your name? – ¿Cómo te llamas?
  • My name is… – Me llamo…
  • Where are you from? – ¿De dónde eres?
  • I’m from… – Soy de…
  • Can you help me? – ¿Puedes ayudarme?
  • How much is this? – ¿Cuánto cuesta esto?
  • Excuse me – Disculpe
  • Thank you – Gracias
  • You’re welcome – De nada
  • Please – Por favor

Tips to memorize basic vocabulary

  • Group words by categories (colors, greetings, numbers).
  • Repeat out loud to improve pronunciation.
  • Create simple sentences with each word learned.
  • Practice every day for at least 5 minutes.
  • Use apps like Anki or Quizlet to review with flashcards.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many words do I need to start speaking English?
With 100 to 300 basic words, you can communicate in simple situations.

2. What are the most important words in English?
Greetings, numbers, colors, days, and polite phrases are essential for any beginner.

3. Should I learn grammar or vocabulary first?
Start with basic vocabulary and useful phrases. Then, gradually add grammar.

Ready to keep learning? Check out:
- Intermediate English Vocabulary
- Advanced English Vocabulary