Spanish Vocabulary - Home And Family

Before heading over to a foreign land it is vital you introduce yourself to the language and build a basic vocabulary. The good thing about learning Spanish is that many English words derive from the Latin language, meaning it's often simple to understand and associate Spanish words with their English equivalents.

A good place to start learning Spanish is by creating fun Spanish lessons in your own home. Talking about your home offers a range of places and opportunities to discover new phrases and build your Spanish vocabulary. Let's start by translating words about your home, then we can move onto the people inside your home, your family.

Research has proven that having fun and making a game out of Spanish lessons is one of the most effective ways to learn and retain the knowledge you acquire.

Take the everyday Spanish vocabulary below and use the words to create some bright and colorful flashcards.... believe me, this works! Write down some of the items and names you find throughout your home on one side of the flashcards, and on the other side write the Spanish translation. Once you've finished your flashcards, tape them to the appropriate items throughout your house with the Spanish side facing out, and as you go about your day, say the words aloud to familiarize yourself with these new, Spanish household items.

After two weeks you should feel comfortable and are able to remember the Spanish names without looking at the flashcards. Have someone test you with the flashcards by shifting the flashcards around your home, see if you can get all the note cards back on the correct items without referring to the English translations.

Although this may sound like a really basic, even childish way to learn, this visualization approach to learning Spanish is actually much more effective than simply reading and re-reading off a piece of paper or exercise book, you can expect build your vocabulary faster, and remember what you learn for years to come.

Inside Your Home

Remember the verb 'to live' from previous Spanish lessons? We are going to use that verb in its conjugated form to describe your home. Here's a re-cap of Pedro and Tito's conversation.

Tito - ¿Vives en una casa?

Pedro - Si, vivo en una casa vieja de dos pisos. ¿Y tu? (Yes, I live in an old two story house.)
Tito - No, vivo en un apartamento. (No, I live in an apartment.)

Spanish to English

La cocina: kitchen
La sala: living room
El cuarto familiar: family room
El Sofa: sofa
La Lampara: lamp
La Chimenea: chimney
El cuarto de dormir: bedroom
El balcon: balcony
El armario: armoire
El comedor: dining room
La mesa: table
La silla: chair
El estudio: study
El estante de libros: bookshelf
La computadora: computer
La estufa (electica): (electric) stove
El refrigerador: refrigerator
Los gabinetes: cabinets
El lavaplatos: dishwasher
El microondas: microwave
El cuarto de bano:bathroom
La banera:bathtub
La regadera: shower
La maquina de lavar: washer
La secadora: dryer

Audio clips are available for all Spanish words at http://learnerspanish.com

Talking About Family In Spanish

Traditionally, Spanish people are very family oriented, family is an important part of everyday life, maybe because Spanish families are often very large. For this reason, talking about family is a good way to start a conversation with the people you'll meet in Spanish speaking countries.

Below are the Spanish to English translations for immediate family, and your wider relatives. Your family won't appreciate having Spanish nametags taped to their heads, so this time you could setup family photos with the corresponding flashcards. When you're talking to your family, refer to them in Spanish, call your mother Madre, and your girlfriend Novio. These names include the Spanish pronunciation as, this can be hard to get right. You'll find audio clips of the correct pronunciation at http://learnerspanish.com/spanish_family_relatives.php.

Spanish to English

Novia:girlfriendnoh-vee-ah
Novio: boyfriendnoh-vee-oh
Nieto:grandsonnee-yet-oh
Nieta:grand-daughter nee-yet-ah
Tia:aunttee-ah
Tio: uncle tee-oh
Sobrino:nephewsoh-bree-noh
Sobrina: niece soh-bree-nah
Primo:Cousin (male)Pree-moh
Prima: Cousin (female)Pree-mah
Hermano:brotherer-mahn-oh
Hermana: sister er-mahn-ah
Hijo:son
Hija: daughter
Padre:father
Madre: mother

Audio clips are available for all Spanish words at http://learnerspanish.com